So I was just looking around on hmotorsonline for the umpteenth time and I was thinking (which I really shouldn't do)... The amount of money to save up for a B16A from the 88-91 SiR complete changeover is like 1800 bucks (I would have to get the LSD). That is 160HP which would totally kick ***. But I was thinking and the D15B SOHC VTEC is still quite a bit of HP and quite a bit cheaper. It also can come with the 5 spd tranny for only 150 bucks more. 130 HP would still be quite appealing considering my D15B2 or whatever is running only 92HP (and it is an automatic). The DOHC ZC also seems super sweet too (non VTEC, but not totally sure how much that matters). They are both like almost 1/4 of the cost it would be for the B16... Is it really worth it. I can easily save up for either of those motors super quick, but saving up for the B16 would take forever. Are they also easier to swap in since they came in those car originally (in some form)? My friend has an 89 VW GTI 16V. He is running around 128HP and like 120 ft lbs of torque (yeah, torque is pretty high in that sweet beast) and his car weighs about the same as mine. His seems to go pretty good and I think it pulls a 7.9 0-60 which is the same as my beloved 1991 240SX (dream car). So what would you all do? My car is an 89 Hatch, and I wanna boost the power but not having to spend a crap load would be sweet. Also if I got one of those blocks could I eventually swap heads or whatever and gain some extra power? Thanks in advance. I am heading to bed and will check up on this in the morning.

 

i cant tell you what to do, but if you are kindof pressed or if this is you first project i would go with the single cam vtec instead of b16 thats what im doing cuz its alot easier.

 

look around more. i can get b18a's for 200 all day long. i just bought a dohc zc for $50 head/block/incomplete intake mani. look around..you may get lucky.

 

Like look around the newspaper or online?

 

i rarely find **** online..unless its on a forum. ebay is good for name brand after market stuff for like 20% off...but thats about it, <U> sometimes</U> engines go for cheap on there..look for model specific forums for your area...i find most of my stuff that way. junkyards, etc. ive never found anything in a newspaper..but i guess you could get lucky one day.

you should also check into doing an ls v-tec swap. find a broken down integra or somethin at a junkyard, buy the bottom end (if it didnt throw a rod or anything) tranny/axles/ecu too, then look for a gsr or b16 head online. thats more than likely what im about to do, after i build a zc up for cheap and sell it for its actual value. you can get b series mounts on ebay for like $150, forged not welded, so they should be pretty good.