I’m in need of some assistance. I’m going to school to become a master mechanic and while there I plan to use my car (91 5spd Integra GS) as my project car. The car already has modifications that include tokico adjustable coilovers, stage 2 clutch, short throw shifter, rear sway bar, cat-back exhaust, and summit slotted rotors and ceramic pads. I’m still in the process of finding out what brand parts I have in the car, because I bought it with most of the parts already installed and I want to make sure that the next parts I put in work well with what I already have. I’m looking to achieve anywhere from 400-500 hp from the vehicle when I complete it. I was thinking about going with an 88-91 B16A and rebuilding it with a forged rotating assembly along with a stage 2 top end and possibly run 30 psi of boost. A few people have told me to do an ls/vtec conversion, while others have told me to just build up my B181A1 and run it under 30 psi of boost. My school gives the students a pretty sweet discount on parts from both Summit and Napa, so I have room in my budget to “play” a little. What are you guys’ opinions as to what would be the best route as far as the build or what parts to use? I know that I will have to further reinforce the body so it can handle the strain of the higher horsepower along with the drive train. Please give me your thoughts because this will be the first car that I completely upgrade I could really use the help of seasoned techs.

 

Personally i think it isn't worth the trouble pushing a lsvtec to 400+ HP. If you're looking for that kind of power boost is the way to go. I would say fully build the b18a1 inside and out and turbo it.

 

Yeah just build b18a1 and go crazy on boost

 

Will a B16A be cheaper to build or the B18A1? I've been told that the B18A1 doesn't have much of an aftermarket following compared to a vtec.

 

The b16 has a little bit more in my opinion but i like the b18 much better. More torque and v-tec isn't all that its cracked up to be

 

I noticed. I've driven hondas with vtecs in them and none of them have ever burned out in second (let alone first) gear like my integra does now.

 

Orly?

 

Hahahahaha... lmfao about vtec not being all that its hyped... i used to have a dyno comparing a setup that was B18b built and made 237hp and the only thing that was changed was a vtec head was put on and the engine went up to 351hp. All the extra power was from 5500rpm up till 8000, so clearly vtec makes a hell of a power gain and works with turbo like butter does with toast (it makes **** better.)

But for 400hp a fully built B18b/a will be nice and fun to drive, but for anything more its going to be easier to make the extra power with vtec. Goodluck with your project over the years..

 

I figured as much. I haven't seen too many non vtecs with more than 300 hp tops. If using a vtec will make it easier to build the power that I want, I know which direction to go in.

 

As far as the burn-out comment goes, vtec engine make most of their power and tq above 5500, so if you're looking for straight off the light power then you need to add components that lower your power band. This is especially true if you turbo. I LOVE vtec with turbo because if you tune it right you'll get your spool and then vtec will kick in, and it's like having two engines under your hood.

30lbs sounds like quite a bit for boost, what kind of power numbers are you looking for?

 

gl.

 

I'm looking for anywhere between the mid 400s to the low 500s in hp and similar numbers in torque. Its all in my first post.

 

Okay that's great you made 100hp more by slapping on a Vtec head but if you ported the ls head it would flow way better also. I don't know about you but I like making power from 3k to about 7k. Not have to tach my car up to 5500 to get power lmao. And what was the torque difference from the head swap, all your about is high hp numbers, When what really matters is the torque curve and amount of torque, thats what makes driving fun

 

bump.

 

....(sigh)....

 

This is because most have stock internals

 

Read about the b16 and you will find out it drive like a d till you hit 5500 which have you ever driven a d

 

I had a civic with a d series motor in it and i know what they are capable of. I also know that a high amount of torque is worthless unless you have some substantial amounts of hp to back it up. Even though this is my first project car, I've been building motors cars for quite some time (primarily US domestics with V8s) and I know that torque only gives you a good takeoff and accelleration, not high top end speeds. This project car is meant to rival the power of the V8s that I have built in the past, not give me a good holeshot on the strip.

 

hey op, what school are you in?
and if it was me, id go lsv-t, f the b16

 

Obviously your not that intelligent since you didn't know HP is dependent on torque Horsepower = (Torque x RPM) / 5252 here's an equation that proves the relationship between hp and torque so why don't you learn nooob.

Read up about engines and find out what the best and d series suck until vtec or boost and a b16 vs b18b1 the b18b1 will own turbo. And my turbo teg ill do 150mph but when do i hit that on a normal day. If you go to the street races the max you hit is in a 1/4 mile so i dont know what your planning on doing

 

B18c turbo.

 

Wow. Talk about a confusing thread with tons of broken english and misinformation. You can get 400-500 hp out of almost any honda motor if your budget is big enough. Decide on your budget and go from there.

If you're absolutely set on building the DA and if it's the only car that you drive, a vtec head on your stock block + a turbo kit is going to be your best bet. Best combo to minimize downtime, maximize hp, and minimize cost. If you can afford it, consider starting with a dc/eg/ek rather than the DA unless the DA is super clean.

 

Hence why I stated that comment earlier. Obviously someone wasn't thinking about that when they made the statement basically assuming that torque is the only thing needed.(vtec isnt all its cracked up to be) If you were to ACTUALLY read my comment, you would notice that I correctly relate them without having to show off my mental prowess and state such a rudimentary (but fundamental nonetheless) equation. Also, like a member mentioned earlier, "post number doesn't = knowledge".

 

It made a 110hp difference and not sure on the tq it doesn't have it on the dyno print but im sure it would have been a decent increase.. plus my turbo kit does make power from 3k-7k, on a stock B18c with a gt28 on 9psi, 287hp, on a b18b probably a bit less and not as fun.. Plus Honda only made the non vtec engines to put in the cheaper versions of the vtec models, so yeah vtec is all its worked up to be and will always be that way... if your upset or angry try swapping a vtec head onto your powerplant and see the improvements taking into account the same work is done to either eg, if you port your non vtec head and enjoy it, put a ported vtec head on and enjoy it 100x more... for efficiency, cost, best gains a vtec head is a given...

 

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