First off, I've been searching for about an hour now and haven't been able to find the exact information, so please don't flame me. I'm positive the questions I will ask have came up countless times, but I couldn't find the answers so please guide me to the correct answers.

My situation: I want to buy a CRX for the sole use of autocrossing. It will get stripped to the frame seeing as it doesn't need to be street legal/comfy/blah blah blah. I'm going for a cheap, lightweight car to play around in.

My plan: After it's stripped, I want to drop a different motor in it. From what I've researched, it's a toss up between the B16A and the B18C1. I would like to turbo whichever engine I chose to drop in, but still want a decently easy swap. I know a little about both engines, but not enough to make the decision on which one to buy.

Take into account: I want a CHEAP race car. I am willing to drop some money into this, but I will be purely looking at used motors/parts. Anyone can spend oodles of dollars and make a screamer, but it is a requirement to myself that I keep on a budget as much as possible. If I wanted a full blown racer, I would start with a better base.

To sum it up: Which engine would provide the best swap for the money AND will be able to utilize a turbo? Please include any and all reasoning for your choice. "B16A FTW" doesn't help me at all, so please don't post it unless you have valid points/referrals.

 

cheapest b16a:
http://hmotorsonline.com/shop/sc2000...age&item=30002
turbo questions:
https://honda-tech.com/forums/forced-induction-16/

 

B16A FTW!!!

 

B18C1 FTW!!!

 

I hate you both. . .

 

I'm a little confused. Please define 'Cheap'. As doing a Turbo swap in to a CRX with either of those engines won't be cheap.

Just remember putting any B-series in a CRX requires a lot of parts.. mounts, axles, shift linkage, wiring, ect. I've got a 91 hatch with a b18b1 so i'm speaking from experience.

IMO, if you want a 'cheap' setup, throw a DOHC ZC and slap a turbo on it. Done.

 

.. that takes big ***** in an ef forum.

jk.. but id love to hear your theory.

ls vtec if your money is decent.

 

Click the link Big Chorizo posted, Hmotors is 1700, jus need mounts n shift linkage, the rest is all there. U get alot for that price.
DOHC zc is more than Sohc zc's now n not worth the price difference, plus ur limited wit dohc zc. Wit the single cam, u can put the Y8 head on it without switching dizzy or ecu if u jus run a VAFC or equivilent. Thats where I'm at wit my sohc zc.

 

i just joined and this is the first post i have seen great site, i have a turbo b18 crx, its fast but almost too much for auto cross. you will eat axles, mine is an ls, b18a1, hell ill sell you mine if the price is right.

 

A b16 would be perfect for autocrossing.

For that price you can't beat it, especially in a light weight car such as a crx.

 

Cheap was purposely used in place of a dollar value to be relative to the situation. I'm new to the CRX. I know it will cost somewhere in between 1 grand and 5 grand to do. . .Those numbers aren't very accurate. Therefore 'cheap' just means that I don't want to spend top dollar for an all-out engine that I don't need to make a quick, fun car.

Would a ZC engine swap in easier than a B16? I know the aftermarket for the B16 is much better than the ZC, so that's something I'm considering also. Is the B16 any heavier than the ZC?

 

^^since your new please research the faq link below for your answers
https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-crx-ef-civic-1988-1991-3/88-91-crx-ef-civic-frequently-asked-questions-faqs-1508680/

 

You've obviously never autocrossed seriously, or else you wouldn't be asking these questions here.

You might want to pick up a rulebook and read it.

 

get a D16a6 in there and work on your driving skills before you decide to add power. then work on suspension and brakes. ttthhhhheeennnn...add the power. there is no point in having loads of power if the car is going to be bouncing around uncontrollably around the cones.

Seat Time
Suspension & Brakes
Powwa

that order should suit you. oh and the cheapest would be a turbo D series.

 

I've never autocrossed at all, nor have I ever claimed to. I think it would be fun to get into, and I believe a quick, cheap car would be the best way to do it.

I thought this forum was for learning, and the posters were to provide insight on the newbies questions. I am new to this scene of racing and want to get into it. I don't see a problem with asking questions that searching around for didn't provide the answers to.

 

I was offended at first too

I understand exactly what you are saying. Just ignore these people do research and ask questions thats what makes a forum a forum.

For autocrossing I would go with a Jackson Racing SuperCharger. Just for the better torque curve. B18 or B16 will be great with the supercharger but after seeing that link that chorizo put up I would go with the B16.

 

Thank you. I've researched a bit more and realized that a D16A6 would be the best option for my situation. It'll be an easier, cheaper swap that will still be able to handle forced induction.

 

unless your crx is an hf, you can turbo the stock motor d15 or d16. cheapest and simplest period