So what I'm trying to ask really is what are some basic things I can do to make my pretty stock B20 a more reliable weekend warrior. Internals are all stock. I have a K&N intake. MSD cap, wires, and coil. DC sports header. Stock LS tranny. Stuff like this. So I'm just wondering some basic upgrades maybe tuning secrets I can do for a little more power without having to go inside yet. My oil pan is starting to leak around the gasket and drain plug so I might be changing it out but should I go aftermarket. Is it worth it or necessary. I did want to do a B20 vtec build but now I'm just thinking regular B20 cammed out. Non vtec. But not just yet. Maybe some sensors being upgraded or something. Don't really know where to start so I'll leave it up to you guys to hash out. BTW only reason why I'm not going B20 vtec is because I keep hearing about the engine life being shortened and leak issues. So maybe some insight on that would be helpful.

 

ther's a topic of daly driven b20 vtec giving their advice. thats a usefull topic, just search.

 

will do any idea who made the topic?

 

https://honda-tech.com/forums/all-motor-naturally-aspirated-44/%2A%2A%2Aofficial-all-motor-stock-sleeve-b20vtec-thread%2A%2A%2A-1555476/

 

ok I checked it out. Pretty much all of it is internals set up.

 

It is but it is critical to have a GOOD tune on a stock sleeve B20 as they are sensitive to running to much timing in the low RPM higher load ranges which will crack cylinders.

 

good tune as in like upgraded ecu tuning?

 

a tuneable ecu like hondata or neptune etc and someone who really knows what they're doing, tuning it.

 

if you build ur b20vtec correct.. it will run fine and ull love it...

 

How to make an internally stock b20 engine reliable?
Run a good quality oiled air filter, New NGK plugs (bkr6e suits most stock b-series, gap to oem spec), new pcv valve, change your oil often with oem or k&n oil filter, with good quality oil (syn or not), new oem distributor if yours shows signs of age (shaft play or corrosion), complete coolant flush and replaced with proper mix, check condition of timing belt, if you need to replace it change the tensioner and waterpump aswell.

If the engine is driven hard when the oil or coolant hasn't warmed up to operating temperatures it wont be reliable. But if it is properly maintained and driven intelligently it'll last.

A b20vtec will take most importantly a good tune and arp rod bolts if you rev 7800+. It will be reliable, assuming its well assembled and well tuned.