See things happen for a reason.....Just as I hit my exit,the rex started to sputter and jerk then silence. I'm kinda glad it happen on labor day....no traffic...my 1hr 52 min usual commute was 30 mins. Great broken timing belt ( i'm thinking thats what its is)....Well after I got her towed home,I got to thinking what a perfect time for a swap..Here is where you guys come in: I value you guys/gals opinions ( okay...to a degree.)..I need help in picking the best engine that suits my needs.

parameters:

**This will be a commuter car....Think any major metro area traffic....Atlanta,Chicago,LA,New York and you get the idea. Somedays good,others wall to wall jams...also I need the giddyup when a semi is bearing down on me doing 80 mph in a 45 mph work zone.
**Great aftermarket support....what good will an engine do if there are few if any
upgrade pieces available.....its not a priority now...I'll do the I/H/E route...but you never know. And please nothing that will have me hitting airports for type 2 fuel.
** Most bang for my buck....Nothing stings worse than knowing you could have got a better deal for a few bucks more.....I wan to do this right the first time. Also the car is kinda my rolling portfolio ( I'm a 12v installer/salesperson) and I'll probably be adding about 200-250lbs of equipment and sound deading...so I guess .25 miles are out.

Well thanks in advance...and please no flames..I'm asking advice from those who have swapped...give me valid reasons on why x swap is better,etc. Oh and yes i'm going to swap out the tranny as well.....no sense on wasting good horespower
on extended fuel mileage.

Peace





[Modified by audioroach, 11:42 PM 9/2/2002]

 

I would say b16a since it is a straight swap just about. The motor though has no tourqe, so if that is what you are looking for the I would say B18A/B/C1/5. A, being the cheapest, and C5 the most expensive. Those engines have alot more tq then the b16a, but will be a little harder to put it. Which is the best bang for the buck? It all depends on what you do with it, and dont mind spending!

IMO, if you are not going to be doing 1/4, or autocross then what is the point? If you want a little pep then try the same engine, a dpfi to mpfi swap, put on a vtec head, and if you want then do a custom turbo. It be around the same money as a good swap like a b18c1.

 

http://hybrid2.honda-perf.org/tech/4gtech.html

 

DPFI to MPFI swap? the HF is a MPFI, but any how if your not going to be in the track and just want your car to get around and have your kicks I would say D16A6 with your basic bolt-ons. Going from 62hp to 108hp will be a huge gain for you. Just keep it simple and not try wasting all your cash on an engine swap you wont use for the track. Good Luck

 

I was ruling out track use due to the planned added weight...lighter is better...but I guess I could build it so that the electronics and enclosure were modular in design.
Does this open me up to more options?

Thanks for all the responses.....

 

Never knew that.. huh, I could of sworn. Oh well!

 

do a b18a, its the most simple swap to do. plus the complete swap runs only about a grand.

 

me like b16

 

Even with the MPFI it only has 62hp? Doesn't the multi-port add horsepower? If that's true, can you imagine what the HF would be like with DPFI...

 

thats 62hp@flywheel of pure tiresmokin power!!!....i know....i had one....but for some reason....it had so much power i couldnt even chirp 1-2 in the rain

 

everyone makes b16s sound puss. too bad i beat my friend's 4g hatch w/ a b18a with my b16 crx everytime we raced. B18a's are good for 2 things; ls/vtec setups and boost. b18c's are a whole other story though...in other words, if you have the cash then go with a b18c. If the money is low, the b16 is a good bang for the buck setup. have fun and good luck to you-

 

Go B18c if you can. I drove mine on the highway for the first time this weekend, and all I can say is damn. A lot of power, and well worth it IMO.

 

I really like my B16 with '92 LS transmission, for daily-driver highway sort of use. The taller gears in the LS trans really make the buzzy B16 nice on the highway, with plenty of room left in the rev range to drop 2 gears and mash it . Around town it's not the snappiest thing going, but it's worlds better than the old D-series lump. Plenty of aftermarket support for the B, though I can't comment on bang for the buck as I really haven't researched anything else.

I love mine...wouldn't own a Civic any other way now

 

if I were you I would go after the ZC motor.

You are not going to race it and the B16 I have in my car but it was a little headake but the ZC is a direct bolt in. Take your engine out and put in ZC, that simple.

There are allot of aftermarket stuff for the ZC and it is a nice motor. Like I said the B16 is great but you said that it will be DD and mine is to but I guessI am just giving you what I would do if I were in your shoes.

 

wow, i really disagree with your comments. i bet if you and your friend were just cruising and he decided to mash the throttle and leave you he would. this guy isn't trying to build a drag car..he wants something w/ more pep under most normal driving situations. b16s are only good when you rev them up past 6K..b18s have the torque you need for daily driving...i don't think he really wants to mess w/ a ls/vtec or turbo..way more complex to install and higher probability of downtime in the future..my recommendation would be for the b18a..get some hasport mounts and go for it. best of luck

 

I guess this all depends on your perception. I'm coming from a 220K-mile DPFI D15 ('89 LX), going to a relatively low-mileage B16, and the B motor feels like it has all the power of the old D15 below 4K rpm. I'm not trying to put down the B18 as I have no experience with 'em, just pointing out that if you're coming from a D15 (especially the HF one), the B16 is going to feel like a monster

 

id say b18 or zc..most peeps love the b18 for around town commute..everyone loves the pull they feel on thier back

 

Well thanx to all who responded.....After driving the D15 ( hf version) for the past 8 months it just blows. Granted its great for fuel milage but she aint made for merging into oncomming traffic. The heritage of this car was made to be driven...no two ways about it. My goal is to have a car that endure the rigors of commuter driving and on weekends allow me to explore the scenic winding back roads of the great lakes region. Hope this offers more insight..into what I'm trying to acheive. I guess thats why I held out until I found an 88 HF ( mine is one of the last chasiss before the change over)...it serves as a blank canvas to create something wonderful,just as many of you have done.

Once again thanks for all the input....I really apreciate it.