I'm trying to figure out what I plan to swap into my hatch when I get my tax returns next March, about 3-4 grand I predict.

I love the B16B, maybe it's just because of the car it comes from, or the amount of power it produces for the size, but is it worth the price?

Isn't a B18C much more powerful and less expensive? Why do people even bother swapping the CTR engine into their project? There must be a good reason. Does it rev higher than a GSR? Would it be worth it to just save a bit more and go for the ITR swap?

To make this topic more purposeful, a second sort of question. For the price, what's the best setup to run into the high 11's? Street tires. There's gotta be some guys with bored out cheap swaps and boost, right? Cheap, reliable, and performs? Not possible? Haha.

Thanks. Sorry I'm a bit new to this stuff..

 

The B16B is a GSR/ITR block with basically an Si crank and some longer rods, and a slightly ported head with some slightly better cams. Yes, it's balanced a bit better and stuff, but if you're trying to run 11s, that probably won't matter as any motor is going to be abused to do that.
I'd say a GSR is the best direct-swap for the money. Not too expensive, lots of parts available and you can go NA or turbo easily with it.

If you want NA, I'd say go H2B and either run a H or F series block with an H22 head. That's a good deal if you can get the adapter plate cheap (usually like $800). As my domestic loving friend always said "there's no replacement for displacement". Or K swap, but that's really expensive.

For turbo, get a GSR and throw a T3/T4 on and aim for like 250-300hp stock. It's a great motor for boost and you don't even need forged pistons for that low of power. IDK about turbo'd H series, but it'd be cool...

 

Basically what Thumper said! The B16B is really not worth it in my opinion unless you came across one hell of a deal on one then I would say pick it up. Otherwise, you would be better off with the Gsr in my opinion.

NOW.....for your second question about the MOST RELIABLE AND CHEAPEST way to run 11's. You are right, Cheap and Reliable do not belong in the same sentence, much less in the same paragraph when talking about building a car, but there are such ways to build a reliable car without spending a ton of cash. Say you have 3-4 grand next March. To be completely honest with you, I would say go turbo on the single cam. After seeing how a buddy's car ran and driving it. You couldnt beat it with a stick for what he put into it. I would pick up a vitara piston set up and have the block punched out .20 over. Pick up a nice 16g or t3/t4, ramhorn or bottom mount turbo manifold, a nice intake manifold, all the other necessities(Intercooler, piping,couplers, oil lines, wastegate) and a bisimoto camshaft! Have it tuned and you would be right around 3-4 grand I think, if not, under that! I think that would put you above the 300 whp mark for sure!

 

Turbo my non-vtec y7? it feels like some days it's ready to explode already after 200,000km of heavy abuse.. It's a daily driver engine.

I'd like to turbo a B18C, what is safe amount of boost to run on the bone stock GSR? What would be the most worth upgrading to increase boost and keep reliability? This is my daily driver.

 

The boost amount will depend on the turbo you get ... IMO the tune is the most important thing...

 

Do some research on going forced induction before you jump into it. There's tons of information on boosting a GSR, so read up. Especially before you worry about getting into the 11's, or whatever.

To answer your original question, the b16b is basically torqueless just like any d series or b16a. It has more horsepower than a b16a and a GSR, but it's not an ideal drag racing engine (none of these engines are for that matter), I guess if you're into that sort of thing. Honestly a GSR would pull on a b16b in a drag race due to the torque advantage that it has. A b18c1 is going to be a more comfortable daily driver. I've owned various d16's, a jdm b16a, and a b18c1, and the b18c1 is by far my favorite to cruise around in. If you like to autocross or road race, b16b would be a very fun engine to drive. But since you want to break into 11's, not a good choice.