First a little history.

A few months ago I parted with my DC4 that I put some work into and that I absolutely loved. I decided like many people on here, I felt that I needed a car that was a bit more presentable for work and bigger. I picked up a new Audi A4 and thought that I had gotten over my Honda bug, and the truth is, like a wild hot-*** EX-GF, I'm not over it. I realized that I had to get something that would satisfy me, but wouldn't become a HUGE money pit, so I've been looking at the EF hatch. I really love it's cheap price (for a decent rolling shell without a power plant), classic Honda look and what can be done with it (as most Honda's). So, I have a bunch of questions:

Looking at this thread got me thinking: https://honda-tech.com/zerothread/2357548

What could be done or what would you recommend with $10-15K? (basically my budget). I'll need the EF shell of course, but what would you guys go with under the hood? I've been thinking a cheaper but effective route would be piece together an H22 block with some basic internals to handle mild boost, mate it to a JDM B16/GSR+LSD/ITR box via adapter (H2B) and piece together a turbo kit. Would this be better or would it be the same price and more effective to just go with a K20 swap? Other than that, I'd like to put some full coilovers, better brakes (what have you guys been able to fit on the EFs?) and lighter wheels (like the SW388, Kosei, etc.)

I know I will probably have to add a little more onto the budget for things like paint, JDM pieces (the red trim around and JDM front look great), bolt-ons, steering wheel, seats, tuning, sticky tires, etc.

Basically this car would be my Sunday funday car, maybe even an occasional track day.

 

With $10-15K to start out with you could have one hell of an EF!

You seem like you already have somewhat of a plan and I would go with that look around see what you like and dislike me personally would go with a K swap its newer and more fun if you ask me. I dont like the weight of an H22 in the EF chassis so I wouldnt go that route I would rather do a built b16/b18 but to each his own. Me im doing a built SOHC turbo I like the SOHC while many dont if I had the money then I would go with the K....

Good luck!

 

i would just go with a ls/vtec and build the block and boost it to hell

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Vinceg99 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">With $10-15K to start out with you could have one hell of an EF!

You seem like you already have somewhat of a plan and I would go with that look around see what you like and dislike me personally would go with a K swap its newer and more fun if you ask me. I dont like the weight of an H22 in the EF chassis so I wouldnt go that route I would rather do a built b16/b18 but to each his own. Me im doing a built SOHC turbo I like the SOHC while many dont if I had the money then I would go with the K....

Good luck!</TD></TR></TABLE>

It would be pretty sweet to swap a K20 in there... But last I remember aren't K20 swaps about $8-10K after all is said and done? That wouldn't leave me much left. It'd be nicer to have a newer engine, but I imagine a mildly boosted H2B would spank a K20 with bolt-ons. I thought about the weight of the H22, but wouldn't the H2B adapter make the engine sit better in the bay giving it slightly better distribution?

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by crxjarred &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i would just go with a ls/vtec and build the block and boost it to hell </TD></TR></TABLE>

I also thought about this, but I kinda like having the bigger displacement. Wouldn't a boosted LS/VTEC be a slug until it hits boost?

 

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

It would be pretty sweet to swap a K20 in there... But last I remember aren't K20 swaps about $8-10K after all is said and done? That wouldn't leave me much left. It'd be nicer to have a newer engine, but I imagine a mildly boosted H2B would spank a K20 with bolt-ons. I thought about the weight of the H22, but wouldn't the H2B adapter make the engine sit better in the bay giving it slightly better distribution?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well it depends would you do it yourself or have someone else do it? Fab work for some of the stuff I could see being done but if you put it in and do the wiring and such I could see it being done for $5k or less. OK so you could pick up a Clean shell for $1k or less and even going higher on the swap say the $8k thats $9k total that leaves $1-$6k left and you also said you would add more in for paint and other items and in all reality even if you stuck with only $15k that would leave $6k for paint and add ons I would say thats pretty good right there.

I didnt look before but I looked now at the other thread and if it was between doing a hatch and getting an S2000 I would go S2000 if you read my post over there you will see MY reason for it again only my .02.

As for better weight with the H2B sure maybe SLIGHTLY better distribution but wouldnt make a very good autox car....

 

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


I also thought about this, but I kinda like having the bigger displacement. Wouldn't a boosted LS/VTEC be a slug until it hits boost?</TD></TR></TABLE>

its all relative. slug compared to little jimmy's 19 yr old D series? no. slug to a kenbelle cobra? yea.

i think your most cost effective solution for your budget is a b16 with aftermarket rotatin assembly on 16 or so pounds from a t3/t4 variant in an EF with nice coils, a forged set of wheels, retain the AC and interior because gut buckets are for 16 yr olds.

 

i'm biased, i have a shell for sale.