I have a 95 civic that I am going to be swaping something into. Like most of us in the world of honda tuning, we all want fast cars but don't have the money to do it. Excluding rich daddies boys! I have pondered over is it worth spend the extra money for the extra horse power? My car has a D15B7 with 102hp, and if you have driven a stock civic u know it sucks ***. The 3 engines I have been looking at are the B16a2, B18C1 (B18C5- but can't affort that), or H22A. I have pretty much ruled out the H22a, i just want a drop in engine. So from I basicly have it down to the B16a2 and B18C1. The B16A2 has 160hp and for a complete swap runs from what I can see about $2000. The B18c1 has 170hp and for a complete swap runs about $3500. Well in my head that a $1500 difference for only 10 more horses! I would think that the B16a2 would be the better deal, and I could use the 1500 in tuning out the engine, cams, port&posish... you know that sort of stuff and get alot more out of my money. But since I have never driven either one of these engines I was hoping for some feedback. Also when I buy the engine would I be better off getting it from a store that sells the engine or from something like Ebay?
Thanks for the help guys!

 

B18C1 has more torque specially at part throttle because of the dual intake manifold path and 200cc more displacement.
Peak Hps does not really tell the whole story because its only done at WOT.

90% oif the time, you are at part throttle.
For the b16 to keep up with the B18C, you will have work it a little bit more.

 

Even I could choose between all of the engines that you just mentioned and money wasnt an option, I would get the b18c1. I have a 92 hatch with a c1 and with a few bolt ons and a good clutch, I am running 13.9-14.0. The motor that I have is a bit possessed but, that is besides the point. That is hands down my favorite motor. To me the b16 lacks the torque and the C5 comes maxed from the factory. IMO, the B18C1 has the most potential out of all the motors you lsited. Of Course, this is all IMO, not fact

 

Despite the seemingly small horsepower difference between the B16 and the B18 there is a HUGE difference. That difference being TORQUE. A stock b16a has like 113 foot pounds of torque, trust me thats not much. My hatch SI has 106 foot pounds from the stock motor. The b16 has no low end power. Which somewhat limits the acceleration of your car. 170 horsepower is impressive, but you have to climb 7000 RPM's to reach it. Heres an example of peak power v. good torque. b16a v. LS-Vtec. Both make about 170 Hp, but the LS-vtec has a lot more torque and would always win. A civic with the Ls Vtec could run low 14's with that 170 HP, but with the b16 maybe low 15's depending on driver.