ive heard some people say ls/vtec's arent very durable and tend to not last very long. is this true?

 

It really all depends on who and how they are built. If you follow the thread in the FAQ then it should last you. I used the thread as a guide to build mine and so far so good. Im quite happy with it.

 

agreed, if you just slap something together...not reliable....if you do 100% the way its soposed to be then ur good to go....

its all in the build

 

they can be reliable, if done correctly. make sure to use arp bolts and studs. the rod bolts in an ls block aren't meant to tac what a vtec can produce. most ls motors stop pulling at 6500 or so, stock. a gsr for instance just starts getting good then. rod bolts are a main weak point in the ls motors, not made for high rpms. also the head bolts if stock is used, are known to pull out of the block, and wreak some havoc. i would suggest going into the integra forum and looking through the faq, there is alot of good stuff in there about ls/vtec.

edit: haha, i thought i was in the ef forum when i read the thread.

 

IF U WANT LS/VTEC TO LAST U A WHILE...GO WITH AN B20 BLOCK

 

not to say im against ls/vtec. but with the money required or the brains required, you could just get a b18c swap with minor problems if you look hard enough. but even if you go vtec ls block you still cannot rev past 6.5 thousand rps safely. ls/vtec always keeps the ls redline. you only have 3 choices fast, cheap, and reliable pick 2. id say bore and prepare the block for turbo and youll do just fine. also build your own turbo kit, youll save lots of dough, its not that hard. why build a 1/4 mile car? if your plans are to make money or spend money? id say make money, how many drag professionals making money vs auto-cross/rally drivers making money. idk just think about the economy and yourself, im drunk on the computer right now. so sorry if my response doesnt make sense.

 

 

about as reliable as most peoples advice on honda-tech

 

Why is a b18c1 better than a b18b or even a b18a? I have a b18c1 and am building an ls/vtec motor right now. ls crank (balanced) ls rods (balanced and shot peened) p30 pistons with acl bearings, ARP rod bolts and head studs, with OEM rings (thats it for bottom end) or is that not a good idea?

OP, if you build your motor with quality parts, and put it together properly you will be fine. You can rev past 6500 rpm. my buddy has an lsv he built in his coupe reving to 9000rpm daily driven with no problems. He has aprox. 30k miles on it since he did the ls/v with a few trips from nashville to colorado and one from nashville to upstate new york. Do your research and do it right the first time. Good luck man
Take a look at this thread: https://honda-tech.com/zerothread/1676914
It is very well put together and alot of good knowledge in there.

First off it would be a b20 blcok not an. Second IMO a b20 would be a little less reliable due to the sleeves being thinnee, but maybe that's just me.