Right now my civic EK coupe is runnin good with an LS/VTEC swap. I bought Crane Stage 1 cams for it and i was told that i would need to build the block before i can put them in. I found an extra LS block so thats not a prob. What pistons, ect do you recommend using? also i was told to just keep the stock LS rods in. any feedback would be appreciated. Also thinking about boosting it so feedback on that too would be awesome.

 

You should really come up with a plan before buying parts or you kinda are stuck in your shoes... have a set of cams that may or may not work for your wants.

Do you have ARP bolts atleast in the rods?

How do you want your build done, do you want to keep the crane cams and build around them or do you want to possibly sell them if they won't suit your needs?

 

if youre using the stock ls pistons, putting aftermarket cams will just help speed up the blowing up process of your motor. The valve relief are not deep enought on those pistons. IMHO the ls block definitely needs to be somewhat built before adding a vtec head.

 

I dont rev the car above 72 which should be safe for stock block i do believe. Ive been told that should be allright with stock rod bolts because they only stretch when you rev past that. I do have ARP head studs though. As for the blowing up part, i know what you mean thats why its stock head and stock block thus far. I was told the same thing about the valve relief by a local tuner shop. I would like to get this extra block and build around the cams. I appreciate any positive feedback that i get on here that will help. I have heard alot of people blow up LS/VTEC motors and have alot of probs but i havent had any problems

 

i would get some aftermarket rods of some sort before i would beat a ls/vtec around. built a couple ls/vtecs and they all broke rods and put them through the block. my last one i built i used revtec h-beams with srp 11.5.1 pistons and beat it daily. no problems yet. built it about a year ago

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by LSVTEC426 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I dont rev the car above 72 which should be safe for stock block i do believe. Ive been told that should be allright with stock rod bolts because they only stretch when you rev past that. I do have ARP head studs though. As for the blowing up part, i know what you mean thats why its stock head and stock block thus far. I was told the same thing about the valve relief by a local tuner shop. I would like to get this extra block and build around the cams. I appreciate any positive feedback that i get on here that will help. I have heard alot of people blow up LS/VTEC motors and have alot of probs but i havent had any problems</TD></TR></TABLE>

For the record, lsv is not the problem. It is the builder. Build it right, keep up with the maintenance, and it can last as long as your grandma's Honda.

 

Eagle Rods, CTR pistons a good 12 to 1 compression you all set for after market cams

 

keep your LS rod but add ARP rod bolts, also replace your bearing with OEM honda or ACL put some B16 pistons I used RS Machines PR3, stock head gasket and you will be fine using those cams.....but if you going boosted then go with forged rods and forged low compression pistons and TUNE IT! itll last longer.....

 

arp rod bolt or not?? Lots of people say to use them but ive seen 4 to 5 lsv motors with stock rods and rod bolts never had any probs been 3 to 4 years.. thats your call turbodcx had a lsv integra type r pistons stock ls rods and rod bolts turning 10k with blower car made 350 no probs. (still running) gsr head and valve train of course..

 

There is no reason to push your luck, just buy ARPs

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Lscivic1999 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Eagle Rods, CTR pistons a good 12 to 1 compression you all set for after market cams</TD></TR></TABLE>


No no no

Do not listen to this. CTR pistons will make your compression way too high, and WILL NOT work on after market rods.

PR3 or P30 pistons would be your best choice.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Natural Aspirations &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


No no no

Do not listen to this. CTR pistons will make your compression way too high, and WILL NOT work on after market rods.

PR3 or P30 pistons would be your best choice.</TD></TR></TABLE>

X2, you can't use cast pistons on forged rods, different wrist pin. I also agree with the PR3 or P30 pistons, look into RS machines if you get a chance.