Hello Everyone,

I have done a lot of searching on this forum, but have not found a definitive answer to my question.

I recently acquired an 89 Honda Civic Sedan, and would like to use it as a project to mess around with, etc. I have no experience with Hondas, but have built small block chevy and ford motors from the block up in the past.

What I am wondering is, what would be the best Honda block to start an engine build, with strength for lots of power / boost be? I am not considering price, but please keep in mind it will have to be a somewhat readily available block, preferably in bare block form, and I would need to be able to buy the individual parts for it as well.

Your opinions will be appreciated.

Thank you.

 

You'll probably want a D16a6 engine (stock 88-91 Si)
or a step up, a d16z6 engine (92-95 Si, VTEC)
I only suggest these because they're disposable, boostable engines.
If you want to step it up a notch, search for B-Series engines. B16, B18a, B18c. Any of those will be better than a D-Series, not nearly as cheap however.

 

Well I would say start with B18A/B (LS) and you can put a VTEC head on it from B16, GSR or ITR. You can also use B18C1 or B18C5 these would be the best unless you have the money to go to a K-series motor.

There is a huge aftermarket for the B-series motors and you will be able to find a plethora of parts. And they will make solid power.

As you can see everyone opinions will differ.

 

Thank both of you for the info. I was leaning toward a B18A because I found a bare block for cheap...

I have yet to be able to find an explanation of the differences between the B18A/B, C1, or C5 yet. Can you help me with this?

I would consider a K-series motor, but I have not been able to find a source for just a block...any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by We Tar Did &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What I am wondering is, what would be the best Honda block to start an engine build, with strength for lots of power / boost be? I am not considering price, but please keep in mind it will have to be a somewhat readily available block, preferably in bare block form, and I would need to be able to buy the individual parts for it as well.</TD></TR></TABLE>

The best thing about honda motors is the interchangability (within a series) and availibility of used parts. The best block I'd say would be GSR (B18C1), assuming you're going to build it with forged parts. Honestly though, any D16, B16, and B18 will be able to make 500+ hp with just boost, forged internals, and new ductile iron sleeves. There's people making 400-500 hp on D's and B's with stock sleeves. Of course it's not that easy, but you don't have to source wierd/obscure/rare parts (like you would with hemi for instance) to make it fast.

I'd suggest starting with a cheap D16, just to get to know honda blocks.

 

Thanks for the help.

I found a B18A block for $250...is that decent?

Also, can you recommend sources, online stores, etc. for aftermarket / performance parts for a build like this?

Thanks!

 

$250 for just the block/crank, or including the head, trans, axles, ecu? Assuming its a complete long block, $250 is good if it's in decent condition.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by We Tar Did &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thank both of you for the info. I was leaning toward a B18A because I found a bare block for cheap...

I have yet to be able to find an explanation of the differences between the B18A/B, C1, or C5 yet. Can you help me with this?

I would consider a K-series motor, but I have not been able to find a source for just a block...any suggestions?

Thanks!</TD></TR></TABLE>


B18A1 is from the 90-93 Integra RS and LS, ~137hp, DOHC non-vtec
B18B1 is from the 94-00 Integra RS and LS, ~142hp, DOHC non-vtec (cams, t-body, intake make the power)
B18C1 is from the 94-00 Integra GSR, ~170hp, has a stud girdle holding the inner crank caps together
B18C5 is from the Integra Type-R, ~180hp (or 190), like the GSR but bigger cams, ported head, better valve springs, intake/exaust manifolds, higher CR pistons, and the head is more like the B16

The B18C (no number) are motors from the Japanese Domestic Market, and can be the GSR(XSiR I believe)/Type-R versions

For good online parts discounts (genuine parts, both are real dealerships):
Hondapartssource.com
Acuraoemparts.com
Believe it or not, most OEM parts are used by most racers. One online shop I like is lightningmotorsports.com

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HiProfile &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The best thing about honda motors is the interchangability (within a series) and availibility of used parts. The best block I'd say would be GSR (B18C1), assuming you're going to build it with forged parts. Honestly though, any D16, B16, and B18 will be able to make 500+ hp with just boost, forged internals, and new ductile iron sleeves. There's people making 400-500 hp on D's and B's with stock sleeves. Of course it's not that easy, but you don't have to source wierd/obscure/rare parts (like you would with hemi for instance) to make it fast.

I'd suggest starting with a cheap D16, just to get to know honda blocks.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Correct me if i am wrong but dont d-series stock sleeves only hold about 300 horsepower unless you are using a block guard then that would be a different story that is what i thought i could be wrong though.

 

But is there any difference in the blocks themselves? Since I am building it up from the block itself, does it matter which B18 I start with?

 

Well LS has no girdle or oil squirters where that GSR and ITR block have both of those. So there are differences.

 

Any suggestions on where to shop for a B18C5 online and get a reasonable deal?

Thanks.

 

Well, very little difference within a motor series. Its mostly the DESIGNS of: cams, heads, pistons/rods, and manifolds. Honda makes the D-series (cheap, sohc), B-series, H-series from preludes, F-series (from accords), and now K-series. For instance, you can build that non-vtec B18, then later slap a vtec head on it - or put in a GSR crank, Integra Type-R rods, and Civic Type-R pistons. Oil pumps inerchange between the LS and GSR, water pumps etc. It's really just the heads that aren't interchangable as far as parts go. In one crazy hybrid, you can put a prelude head onto an accord motor.


https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=649280

Its the fact that d-series owners don't mind creating a $90 paperweight vs a $300-$700 paperweight.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by We Tar Did &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Any suggestions on where to shop for a B18C5 online and get a reasonable deal?

Thanks.</TD></TR></TABLE>

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1325660

 

you asked what be the best block for overall power....I would stay away from K series since it is a pretty complex swap and if you stick to b-series get something very stout.....Benson sleeved blocks are very strong and can handle alot of hp...look around in the forced induction forums and look up earl....if you want a lot of power you will need to have something built.

 

Alright,

I have done quite a bit of research since this post. I checked out all of the threads that you guys linked me to, and decided to go with a B18 block.

However, I am having a very hard time finding anyone willing to send me a bare block, without any assembly, for a reasonable price.

Therefore, I was wondering if anyone had any experience with with the Dart blocks? The cheapest I have found one is $1800, but I would be willing to spend the extra few hundered for a brand new block, especially since the cheapest I have found a used one is $900. Do these Dart blocks have any special features that make them better? I'm just wondering what the deal with them is, since they are so much.

Any thoughts?

 

I would go with a b18 Honda block over a Dart block, the price is considerably less. Dont forget that because you have a civic the b18 doesnt just bolt up tto your ride. You will need a mount kit, tranny, linkage, axles, etc. If you use a D-series motor it will drop right in to your chassis. That also might be something to consider also. Personally it is worth it to go B-series. Good luck!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by We Tar Did &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">But is there any difference in the blocks themselves? </TD></TR></TABLE>

my d series sleves


my gsr sleves (B series all the same)


i wouldnt worry about the sleves, i would worry about the rods and pistons, usually those go out (in respective order) underboost, but since your going to "build" the motor nothing to worry about.

in stock form, people have had:
D series, good for 300 hp
B series, good for 500 hp

welcome to ht