I have a 91 CRX hf that I would like to swap out. I would be interested to hear some ideas on how to spend a total engine budget of $2000. (Other mods--suspension, wheels, etc.--would come out of a different budget.) What engine should I get, where should I buy it, and what mods do I make to it to give me the most bang for my buck?

Thanks

 

LS..and save for future Boost!

 

Why an LS (b18b1) over a b16?

 

depends on what ur goal is. i say just go with the b16. one of the best motors u can find at any price for any car.

 

If you want to do a b16 right....axles, shift linkage, clutch, flywheel (cause you might as well do these while the engine/tranny are out of the car), mounts, wires, plugs, radiator hoses, maybe headers if the b16 doesn't come with exaust manifold.....you are looking at way more than 2000. Try more like 3000 - if not more.

1400 or so for engine/tranny/ecu shipped
150 for good axles
450 for mounts (I think - its been a while)
250 for clutch
300 for flywheel
300 for headers
60 for wires
100 for linkage
then all the little **** you find out you need later - like when your b16 is missing a mount, the alternator, and the intermediate shaft, and the tranny has a huge crack in it that you have to get welded and the place you ordered ift from ***** you and wont give you any thing.

 

b16 is koo....i recommend HONDAMOTORSONLINE.COM...

 

I spent almost 1600 on my ZC swap, but that was with alot of new stuff, and a few aftermarket goodies.

 

how will a b18b be cheaper than a b16a1, b18b for full changeover is 2200 not counting mounts and stuff b16a is 1250 not counting mounts and stuff

 

B16a2 is cool....but its more then 2K. Your topic said 2 GRAND...not 2 GRAND give or take a few hundred. You could get the B16a1 for less then 2K...but why would you want a motor that close to or more then 10 years old???

 

$2200 is for a B18B. This is a 1994-1995 motor. But the old, 1990-1991 B18A changeovers can be had for MUCH less that this.

 

bottom line on the 2k budget is you better stick with sohc or a zc unless you run across killer deals on b series stuff.

 

I've seen LS motors for $400 CDN. IF you can find someone who doesn't want to rip you off. I'd go ZC. Get your clutch, LW FW, timing belt, water pump, Teg computer, and still have cash left. And again, A b16 swap for under $2000, don't touch the engine, cuss it's gonna be hot! Later, Overkll
BTW, I'd go with the LS engine, if it's a decent price AND running/warranteed. Don't want to plug in the LS, after buying mounts, and find out it's seized.

 

ive got my B16a front cut (entire swap) my hasport mounts and a new computer microtech MTX-8, sitting in my garage and it has cost me 1700 bucks so far...i should be able to get the entire swap done for under 2000. if i ran the stock ecu i coulda got it done for less than 2000 no problems
go for b16a i say good all round motor

 

That is right he knows actual prices to do a B16 swap CORRECTLY. About 6000 cdn should do a b16 with new externals and done reliably and correctly.

The mounts are now only 350 tho

 

B16 swaps in my neck of the woods go for $2000 INSTALLED.....I would never pay $3K for a swap....

 

I said 3000 cdn so that about 1000000000000 uS joking but its about 1800 US

 

b16 all the way

 

2000 us dollars installed??? That is ridiciulous. How is that possible? They would have to leave the stock clutch in there - which who knows how beat to hell that is. Probably use some POS mounts....and probably steal their motors. It cost me 3200 for everything in the end (engine/tranny/ecu/mounts/shift linkage/clutch kit/lightened flywheel/welded tranny/plugs + plug wires/headers/axles/hoses /fluids/ rear mount/int. shaft) and I did it all myself - so if you are planning on paying someone to do it - you better cough up some more cash..

I'm not saying I don't believe that somewhere does it for 2000 - but thats not a very reliable job, or one that is going to last long, or that is legal.

 

Too be honest... in Cali deals can be found if you know where and who to look for. Not to say they are stolen. But legit stuff for cheap if you know where and who to look for. I paid $750 for a 98 B18B. had less then 3,000 miles on it.!! I bought it back in early 99 and still have it. And bought my B16a1 with tranny for 700 last year. my little bro got his B16a2 for 900 back in 1995. I know they've gone up since then... but he can still get them cheap. B18a/b have gotten alot cheaper and can be had for as little as 400. Its all about who you know...

 

Cheapest I've found within 500 miles of me is $3200 for an installed B16 with new seals, clucth, belts, yada yada yada. Most was $4200, but with a 12 mo/12K warranty.

 

your paying for an install, and a warranty.

the warranty doesnt mean ****, if your motor blows they arent going to warranty that. trust me.

you need to get about 6 buddies, download the crx helm manual. rent some tools and save yourself 1500 bucks.

 

B16a and install it yourself...


[Modified by civicefhatchback, 9:37 AM 5/1/2002]

 

That's a really high price for a B18B. I bought one with under 30,000 miles on it with everything except mounts for $1700 from a local yard and I felt like I was paying about as much as I would ever want to pay for that motor.

A B18A complete swap dropout should cost no more than $1000 at the most. I can get you an entire integra wrecked for way less than that if you have the time to wait for one.

 

SOHC VTEC and Greddy turbo

who cares about b16's when you have PSSSHHH!!!! between shifts

 

LS motor is good if you are wanting a daily driver with good torque, and you can always go LSVTEC later.