I just bought my 89 Civic Hatchback last week. It runs pretty good and looks pretty clean with an exception of a few dings. I am plannin on having a swap soon but do not know which one. Please post some swaps you guys had on your EF Civic, and pics if possible... thanx

 

Why even consider a b16 or s ZC if you can afford a b18, b20, etc??? Its kinda obvious what to get, it all depends on what you can afford.

 

SOHC powaHHH

 

gotta choose the B18C...but im bias...eh

 

B18C

I hate SOHC!

 

I say go with the ZC because it is a mostly plug and play operation if you are starting with a Si, if starting with a DX, a few mods need to be made like getting an Si harness, intake manifold and various other parts. With the bigger b18 and b20, there are major structural mods to be made.

 

Keep it SOHC.....d16z6!

 

b17a!

 

but w/ the b18 (c of course) and b20vtec your car will be stupid fast.....

 

B16a is a good starting platform.

 

definitely B16 or B18C for starters. if you have the money, go B18C with a B16 head. B16's with cams are sooo fun, but it would be considerably more to have a B18C with some pistons, rods, and cams.

i am also learning a lot about Zdyne ECU's, $900 to fully reprogram your STOCK ecu to windows software, and only add 1 wire to the harness to operate the VTEC solenoid. that's a honda standalone for only $900.

 

Okay - without any budget limits?

here's my vote:

b20 block, bored out .2 - Golden Eagle sleeves
b16 head (better design than b20 or b18)
t03 ball bearing turbo (or even better - get a vvt!!!)
water-air intercooler
custom turbo pistons (take down the compression ration w/b16 head)
turbo spec. custom ground cams (hafta play around with that one)
Zdyne gold ECU (or AEM standalone)
digital, in-car adjustable boost controller

and lots and lots of custom piping, wiring, and water/oil lines.

Could be had for about $6000-8000, by my figurings, if you did a lot of it yourself.

remember - there is no replacement for displacement
(now someone tell me where that one is from!?!)

overbore + boost = torque + horsepower = +

but that's just me...


dave

 

like i said above.... b16a has dick on a b18b turbo

 

B16a is way over rated. No torque. No mid range. All top end. You've gotta drive it like you stole it to enjoy it in a daily driver.

Remember, there is no replacement for displacement.

I wouldn't hesitate to go B20 if the price was right.

B18A/B are a dime a dozen.

Unless you plan a serious buildup for forced induction, don't bother playing with SOHC.

my.02

 

I am going through the exact same thing. Just got a hatch 2 weeks ago. I am contemplating between b16 and and a b18a. Those are the 2 best bang for the buck motors for someone as poor as me. Then your in the door and can take it any way you want. decisions decisions

 

how about a b18c turbo