I have a 97 Civic EX with the stock motor in it... I am looking to do an engine swap instead a motor replacement.
What are the Pro's and Con's of the Integra LS (B18B1) swap into 97 EX?
For those that have this swap, how are you liking the swap?

I don't have the money at the moment to do a GSR swap, so I am looking at improving my fun little beater/commuter car. At first the motor will go in as a stock LS, with a basic intake and cat-back. Also, I am not going Turbo. I want to keep it simple easy.

So far I see
D16Y8
Pro's:
- Vtec

Con's:
- SOHC


B18B1
Pro's:
- ~20+ hp/~20+ TQ
- DOHC

Con's:
- Non Vtec motor

(I have searched, google turned up nothing about the EX to LS swap.)

 

for a DD the extra torque would be nice. That LS will be much quicker then the Single Vtec in your car. IMO i would go with the LS and never look back.

 

do a b16 , u get vtec and a dohc for much cheaper than a gsr motor

 

This should help you out, read the swap information section links https://honda-tech.com/zerothread/1998336 Its pretty much the same as any other B-series into 6th gen civic swap though.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FA5civicSI &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">do a b16 , u get vtec and a dohc for much cheaper than a gsr motor </TD></TR></TABLE>

Which B16 motor are you talking about?
Also the motor swap needs to be ODB2 for emissions.

B16A - ODB2 is about $2200+ for just the engine.


Modified by mattvivsound at 1:59 PM 10/27/2008

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 94EG8 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">This should help you out, read the swap information section links https://honda-tech.com/zerothread/1998336 Its pretty much the same as any other B-series into 6th gen civic swap though.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Read that and I know what is needed...

I am looking for "outcomes" of the swap between the D16Y8 Vtec and B18B Non-Vtec.

What are the Pro's and Con's of doing this swap?

 

b16a2 dual cams and vtec

 

personally, you don't need the pros & cons. get the B swap. you won't regret it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sintype &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">personally, you don't need the pros & cons. get the B swap. you won't regret it. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Tell me about it, i traded my Ej6 single cam NON-VTEC for an Ej1 with an Ls in it and im never going back to a D-Series

 

It's an upgrade, no serious cons really.


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FA5civicSI &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">do a b16 , u get vtec and a dohc for much cheaper than a gsr motor </TD></TR></TABLE>

OP didn't ask anything about a B16 or a B18C1.

 

I might miss the incredible gas mileage that the D16y8 offers.

 

why dont you just turbo your y8?

 

i have a b18b in my 96 coupe but with an si trans and still get 30 mpg on the freeway.its alot stronger than my friends stock dx's.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mattkins91 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">why dont you just turbo your y8?</TD></TR></TABLE>

To many potential problems with a Turbo converted DD, and Yes I am well aware that a turbo can be a DD also, but I'm not going down that path.


Like I mentioned I want to keep it simple with a NA motor.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mcvtec &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> OP didn't ask anything about a B16 or a B18C1.</TD></TR></TABLE>


I wouldn't mind dropping in a B16, but it has to be ODB2 and the only B16's I have found to work are the SI motor, and since its a B16 from an SI the mark-up is very high for the moto.

B16A is $2500 (engine and trans)
B16A2 is $2000 (engine and trans)

B18B - $1500-2000 for a wrecked Integra RS/GS/LS, I've seen them for $1000 with trans.

 

if you can find one at a junkyard, you can pick up a b18 for $500 for motor only. just if you can find one. check craigslist in your area too. beware of scams though they should be obvious

 

D16Y8:

Pros:

- Gas mileage
- Cheap replacement parts
- Decent power for DD (127 hp)

Cons:

- Limited room for upgrades in N/A form

B18B:

Pros:

- Torque!
- Easy to upgrade via LS/VTEC

Cons:

- Worse gas mileage
- More expensive replacement parts
- Up front cost of engine
- Not a whole lot more hp than Y8 (140 vs 127)
- Moves you to a class where you will not be competitive if you ever auto-x or such

Hope that helps you make a more informed decision

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by shifty35 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">D16Y8:

Pros:

- Gas mileage
- Cheap replacement parts
- Decent power for DD (127 hp)

Cons:

- Limited room for upgrades in N/A form

B18B:

Pros:

- Torque!
- Easy to upgrade via LS/VTEC

Cons:

- Worse gas mileage
- More expensive replacement parts
- Up front cost of engine
- Not a whole lot more hp than Y8 (140 vs 127)
- Moves you to a class where you will not be competitive if you ever auto-x or such

Hope that helps you make a more informed decision </TD></TR></TABLE>

x2

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by shifty35 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">D16Y8:

Pros:

- Gas mileage
- Cheap replacement parts
- Decent power for DD (127 hp)

Cons:

- Limited room for upgrades in N/A form

B18B:

Pros:

- Torque!
- Easy to upgrade via LS/VTEC

Cons:

- Worse gas mileage
- More expensive replacement parts
- Up front cost of engine
- Not a whole lot more hp than Y8 (140 vs 127)
- Moves you to a class where you will not be competitive if you ever auto-x or such

Hope that helps you make a more informed decision </TD></TR></TABLE>


What kind of gas mileage difference are we talking about?
With the D16 motor, I am getting 30-32 mpg.

Also is that with the LS trans or GSR/Type-R/B16A?

 

Cons: It will be F'ing slow.
Pros: It won't be as F'ing slow as before.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mattvivsound &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I wouldn't mind dropping in a B16, but it has to be ODB2 and the only B16's I have found to work are the SI motor, and since its a B16 from an SI the mark-up is very high for the moto.</TD></TR></TABLE>

'96 - '97 Del Sol Vtec also had the B16A2.

 

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


I wouldn't mind dropping in a B16, but it has to be ODB2 and the only B16's I have found to work are the SI motor, and since its a B16 from an SI the mark-up is very high for the moto.

B16A is $2500 (engine and trans)
B16A2 is $2000 (engine and trans)

B18B - $1500-2000 for a wrecked Integra RS/GS/LS, I've seen them for $1000 with trans.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

N1 concepts has OBD2 B16As for around $2200 for a complete swap.

There are going to now be about 50,000 people saying that B16 is a waste, etc. etc. etc.

They're half right. In a coupe, it will be sloooowwww just like EM1s are SLOOOOWWWWWW.

I'd take a B16 over an LS...but I like just doing turn key swaps that I'll be happy with. Not buying the motor, putting it in and having hopes of putting on a VTEC head or turbo later.

Save up. Forget the instant gratification of an LS motor unless something is wrong with your D16. A junkyard LS motor will probably have some miles on it. You'll also need a whole swap package...which is sometimes hard to get at junkyards. I would honestly just save up to get a B18C SIR-G or ITR swap if you want an easy drop in swap that retains accesories and stock mounts, etc.

Try http://www.n1concepts.com or http://www.hmotorsonline.com. Look around. Price stuff out.

The LS motor set sucks, IMO. 7k redline, no VTEC, trans geared too high. BOOOOORRRINNNGGG.

There will now be 500000,0000000,00000000,0000000 people chiming in about that opinion and how "the LS IS GREAT IF YOU TURBO IT!! IT'LL BEAT A B16!!".

Whatever.

 

B serious,
Thanks for that. I wasn’t looking at the B16A’s because I was assuming they where all ODB-1. I haven't yet purchased anything... I know a B motor is going in if I keep the Civic is going on once I do it.


But I also have this thought on my mind… If I’m spending $5500 on a B18C ITR motor swap, why not just sell the Civic. Use that money for a down payment and buy a RSX Type-S/Civic SI and Finance the rest. That’s just a thought.

Civic with a B-motor is very sleeper instead of an newer car.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mattvivsound &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">B serious,
Thanks for that. I wasn’t looking at the B16A’s because I was assuming they where all ODB-1. I haven't yet purchased anything... I know a B motor is going in if I keep the Civic is going on once I do it.


But I also have this thought on my mind… If I’m spending $5500 on a B18C ITR motor swap, why not just sell the Civic. Use that money for a down payment and buy a RSX Type-S/Civic SI and Finance the rest. That’s just a thought.

Civic with a B-motor is very sleeper instead of an newer car.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

The 98 spec ITR swaps are $4500-4900. The 96 spec ITR swaps are $4000-4500. Not quite $5500. Those swaps really are worth every penny.

Putting down a downpayment and making car payments SUUUUUCCCCKKKSSSSS. Although, having a new car doesn't suck.

The swapped civic would be faster and cheaper. The new Si or RSX would be more refined but...you'd have car payments.

Who cares about sleeper. Are you one of those losers that creeps around and street races with some mystery mods? It's not like the car is going to be THAT fast with the B18C ITR swap anyway.

Figure that a coupe weighs about as much as an ITR. ITRs run like mid to high 14s. That's not screaming fast...but it's not slow. Still not fast enough to be an effective "sleeper" considering that a 92-00 hatch with a B16 would probably run similar or faster times.

RSXes and newer Sis are nice to drive. As is true with a lot of newer cars. Car payments just suck.

I bought my S2000 pretty much cash. I made car payments on it for 3 months and I hated it. I hate seeing my money getting wasted on interest. I've all of my other cars straight cash. I don't know if you've ever had car payments...but it's very frustrating.