Long post and I've been trying to search around for some answers but there are many variables so I decided to create a thread.

This has been bugging me for the last month or so because I cannot decide what to do with my car as of course, money is an issue. For fellow Canadians, an idea of my budget is no more than $5000 in total for everything and It's looking impossible. It's about roughly $2500 to rebuild with stock everything and labour as estimated by two shops. I hope to start this by around the end of March so I'll need to pick up parts asap. I'll appreciate any input I can get from you guys

I will be getting a shop to rebuild my B18C1 (bone stock) and all I know is it will stay all motor and putting cams in doesn't look like an option right now as most likely I will be unable to afford it. The car is a daily driver and I hope to start racing my car on the track and autox this summer, but emissions and reliability are my main concerns and not outright power right now until I get cams. Also for now I'd like to stay with my stock ECU. So overall it looks like I'll be rebuilding with stock internals and aftermarket I/H/E. What I want input on the most is what to do inside the engine to get it ready for cams a year or so from now.


To summarize, It looks like I have 3 paths to choose from:

- Rebuild with all OEM parts except I/H/E (most likely path)
- Rebuild with some new internals to 'prepare' for cams later this year or next year and only upgrade H/E
- ITR engine swap with upgraded H/E



Details for those who'd like more info about my plans. If you have any suggestions about some 'must do's' for while the engine is out I'd like to hear them, but remember I'm on a fairly tight budget.


OEM stuff:
All the rings, seals, belts, gaskets (maybe not the IM), oil and water pump will be replaced with OEM. The side motor mounts will probably stay OEM but I might change the front and back mounts to polyurethane. Would the car vibrate a lot more if i go polyurethane all around?

I/H/E:
I just picked up an old T1R 2.5" catback for starters (Not counting this in my budget), and I know I'll need a header (JDM length?) and test pipe to complete the exhaust setup.

Price wise I don't know which one to get for my pretty much stock setup, DC sports or Hytech replica? T1R is also an option because I can probably get hooked up but I doubt it. I'd like for the whole exhaust system to bolt together and not be welded.

For the intake I was thinking about picking up a BLOX or Skunk2 manifold with a Hondata IM gasket, and ust use an ITR intake pipe to my stock air box (will be getting a K&N filter) while I save for a J's intake. Would I lose power if I don't upgrade the intake with the new exhaust parts?


Valvetrain:
I cannot afford to cam the car right now, but I might be able to pick up some used ITR or TODA valve springs for cheap. I do plan on camming the car though and my options would be something like S2S2's, BC3's and TODA A's.

Would it be worth getting these springs right now and have stock valve train parts or just stay with GS-R springs?


Block:
Everything will most likely just stay stock, I can get a set of B16A2 pistons for cheap but I'm not sure if its worth the trouble. I will be looking for some ITR pistons though.


Clutch/Flywheel:
I'll be getting an Exedy stage 1 clutch but undecided about the flywheel. My options are either the Fidanza 7.5lbs or the ACT Streetlite 12.5lbs. But I'm leaning towards the ACT because it's cheaper. I probably wont be counting this in my budget.



I know it's a lot to read and I'm sure many of you have been through the same situation. I'm torn because it looks like for my purposes I should just get an ITR motor instead or rebuilding the C1. Thanks for your help!

 

hell yea get the itr motor...for 2500 you can add maybe another grand and you have itr with lsd good luck

 

If the ITR was $2500 here in Canada I would've done it a long time ago but they're a lot more than that, but I am looking.

Please help guys! This is frustrating me to no end.