ive heard from alot of guys that b16 heads are much better for boosted cars and have better airflow than gsr heads. Is this really true or just a myth? how much of a difference is there between the 2 and how much better is one or the other. im building a boosted ls/vtec and wondering if it is worth it to get rid of my gsr head and get a b16 head or just keep mine and be fine. just let me know what you think. thanks

 

Is the gsr head complete? and what year is the head from?

 

Search!. There are so many threads about B16A vs B18C Heads.

 

They flow nearly identical. Don't buy the hype from newbies that dont know crap. I received a question just the other day asking if a GSR head would fit a LS block.....

 

I've heard the GSR head has better detonation quenching than B16, so I'd stick with it. People just like the B16 b/c it's what's on ITRs.

 

yes its a complete head. gsr cam, cam gears, valves etc.. all from a jdm b18c and put into 98 gsr

 

ha yea i looked on here for some b16 vs b18 threads but couldnt find any. but i only looked for about 2 minutes lol. too lazy ha

 

From what i understand the 01 gsr cams were better, i have a set in my b16a +ctr pistons. but you already have the head, why ditch it for another. I say stick with the head you have.

 

yea i really didnt want to and wasnt planning to but i just wanted to know if there was that much of a difference between the 2 that it is worth switching. thanks

 

All 94-01 GSR cams are the same (JDM and USDM).

 

op should search harder.

https://honda-tech.com/forums/acura-integra-6/end-all-flow-chart-comparison-between-p72-pr3-heads-1767009/

if you scroll down a little you'll see the flow chart. they both flow about the same. but if you look at closely, the b16 has a even flow while the b18c goes up and down a little(maybe cause of the intake mani?).

 

My guess is they didnt have a IM attached when they did the flow test.

 

that's right, bench flow testing

 

I'll eat my shoe if that dip even means anything. It could just be random variation. Bottom line is that flows of B16 and B18 vtec heads are essentially identical.

 

... did i just read that right? you're actually saying that B18C5 has a B16 head????!!!???

 

LOL yes, B18C5 has a B16 head with a mild intake port job. Not sure why they decided to use the B16 head instead of B18? IMO the reason B16 swaps are so popular is b/c that's how the ITR was done.

 

both heads are great... thats a good question... im rocking a gsr head for my ls vtec..., but i have a fully built b16 head in garage ( for later use )

 

yea this makes sense to me. some ppl i know have told me that its somewhat of a myth that b16 heads are sooo much better then gsr heads. but im deciding to keep my gsr head. and yea i agree with most ppl on here when they say its just because its identical to an ITR setup. and we all know about those crazy type r freaks out there lol

 

its not really the head you need to worry about. its the block you need to worry about more.

 

gsr has bad flow but the cams are bigger and b16 has more flow but the cams are smaller if you can get b16 with gsr cams that would be the best option.

 

I have a ls/vtec and i used the b16 head and my buddy is running a gsr head and i beat him everyime, with the b16 head u will be looking somewhere around 196 hp with the gsr head only around 180, its not too big of a difference though.

 

Did you guys pay any attention at all? The flow rates of the B16 and B18 heads are virtually identical.

 

No, they didnt. They also dont realize that on that bench flow, cams have NOTHING to do with flow. They control valve opening and they are tested with the same valve lift. Shocking that heads that are nearly identical with the same valves flow almost identical. Yes, the port shape is slightly different, but it doesnt matter.

As far as 196hp....that sure is an exact number. However, B16 head vs GSR with all other items being equal there is not a 15hp difference.

 

good info.

 

I know this is old but I'm going to make a correction B16 heads flow slightly better than gsr and gsr cams are smaller than b16 cams the stock b16 cam gives you an additional 200 rpm over the stock gsr cam. Everything is better when it comes to b16 vs gsr simple facts gsr intakes flow like **** people think o it's a bigger engine than the b16 it must have bigger cams no not the case valve size is the same b16 has stronger springs than the gsr
Ls vtec = ls bottom end b16 top end
Why use a ls bottom end? Simple it has a longer stoke than a gsr bottom end why is a b20 block better than a ls block it's because the b20 is a 84 mm but with the same stroke yes it's a bored ls same head same everything.. hope this helps