Ls vtec or full gsr swap?
hello Honda members i have a question for you.i have a 96 integra ls and was wondering what would be more logical, a full gsr swap with tranny for around 2500- 3000 bucks with 90000 on the motor or putting a vtec head on my car that has 130000.just wondering the pros and cons.thanks abunch
Any wrench turning skills? Do you know how to build a motor? Are you going to race it? Simple questions like that will help you determine which build is right for you. IMHO I would pick a GSR anyday.
just to be street driven and the trany is going to be a gsr but the guy that is putting this in knows what he is doing. just asking 2500 to 3000 for the motor trany and everything else including the install.is it a fair price.
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I have had both I use to drive a boosted 96
ls/vtech civic hatch and the cash I spent fixing
problems almost felt endless, now I drive a 01
gsr teg. You shouldn't wonder why.
Not to be rude but something tells me that you are going to go ls vtec no matter what we tell you but I feel the need to strongly urge you to the gsr motor. The gsr block has a girdle, ls block does not. gsr rods use something like 9mm bolts and ls blocks use something like 8mm. For explanatory purposes those sizes will suffice. gsr rods are stronger than ls rods. gsr crankshaft is stronger than the ls. there is a reason why honda gave us an 8200 rpm redline on the gsr. because it was built to handle it. it is better balanced than the ls block and has stiffer valve springs. ls motor is around 7000rpm if im not mistaken. my point is that I am trying to come up with what ever I can think of to keep you away from ls vtec. good luck with what ever you do.
If you're having someone do the work means that you have no skills. Lets say you put in the ls/vtec and some **** occurs. You're gonna be running back to the some dude and paying $$$ to get it fix. Buy the stock GSR install it and call it a day
very true ls vtec will be a money sink if you cant fix the problems yourself or dont have access to parts and tools. gsr will drop in and run great. b20vtec if u like headaches!
Not to be rude but something tells me that you are going to go ls vtec no matter what we tell you but I feel the need to strongly urge you to the gsr motor. The gsr block has a girdle, ls block does not. gsr rods use something like 9mm bolts and ls blocks use something like 8mm. For explanatory purposes those sizes will suffice. gsr rods are stronger than ls rods. gsr crankshaft is stronger than the ls. there is a reason why honda gave us an 8200 rpm redline on the gsr. because it was built to handle it. it is better balanced than the ls block and has stiffer valve springs. ls motor is around 7000rpm if im not mistaken. my point is that I am trying to come up with what ever I can think of to keep you away from ls vtec. good luck with what ever you do.
yet another LS-Vtec vs GSR thread..
Out of the box the GSR is the more bullet proof build...and if you ask me 2500-3000 (Is that the actual cost of the swap?) Is ridiculous if you're paying that much for the swap alone..
In any case...If you're going to BUILD the LS/VTEC right, and reinforce it's weaknesses it will perform as well, maybe even better then a stock GSR. If you're not going to take the necessary steps to build an LS VTEC right then get the GSR..it's more reliable, and offers sufficient performance straight out the box and prolly would be less time consuming.
Out of the box the GSR is the more bullet proof build...and if you ask me 2500-3000 (Is that the actual cost of the swap?) Is ridiculous if you're paying that much for the swap alone..
In any case...If you're going to BUILD the LS/VTEC right, and reinforce it's weaknesses it will perform as well, maybe even better then a stock GSR. If you're not going to take the necessary steps to build an LS VTEC right then get the GSR..it's more reliable, and offers sufficient performance straight out the box and prolly would be less time consuming.
The cost of making a reliable LS VTEC far outweighs that of the stock GSR. After the cylinder sleeving, better rods/pistons, machining etc it will cost much more. It will be as reliable but nothing compares to a stock GSR motor, same mileage to the block as the head means even wear which means less problems. Its just a better engine overall. And as extrablackrex asked is it 3000 for the SWAP or engine or both? Either way best of luck. Just make sure you put the time and care into the lsvtec if you decide to do it.
you can get complete jdm gsr swaps with the lsd tranny for 3000 shipped. go that way, jdm engines corp always has ads going on ebay
it's actually nice to see that most the member realize a stock gsr motor is a reliable engine with decent hp. unless lsv is done right and cash is spent on quality parts and machine work they are nothing more than time bombs
it's actually nice to see that most the member realize a stock gsr motor is a reliable engine with decent hp. unless lsv is done right and cash is spent on quality parts and machine work they are nothing more than time bombs
I hands down agree with this as well. Known a few guys who went LS VTEC and wow so many issues. So many head jobs. GS-R is so much more well rounded and balanced for DD and simple bolt ons will give you more than enough HP to have fun with. Unless you want to have HP to blow doors off, your GS-R will have plently of HP to play "cat & mouse" with most cars out there. It's one thing to have a car to 'go go go' with, but you know what man? Why not enjoy your ride and not worry about rushing. Give yourself some extra time to get to work and enjoy the drive lol.
Last edited by Tegboy56291; Sep 9, 2010 at 12:22 AM.
And the 2nd dumbest response of the year goes to this jackass, hands down

The gsr block has a girdle, ls block does not. gsr rods use something like 9mm bolts and ls blocks use something like 8mm. For explanatory purposes those sizes will suffice. gsr rods are stronger than ls rods. gsr crankshaft is stronger than the ls. there is a reason why honda gave us an 8200 rpm redline on the gsr. because it was built to handle it. it is better balanced than the ls block and has stiffer valve springs. ls motor is around 7000rpm if im not mistaken.
-ARP studs will fix the weak rod stud problem
-Valve springs don't even matter your switching the head
-almost positive all honda engine are internally balanced out the factory, the redline is set cause they were not structurally stout like the GSR, which is caused by the weak rod studs.
The cost of making a reliable LS VTEC far outweighs that of the stock GSR. After the cylinder sleeving, better rods/pistons, machining etc it will cost much more. It will be as reliable but nothing compares to a stock GSR motor, same mileage to the block as the head means even wear which means less problems. Its just a better engine overall. And as extrablackrex asked is it 3000 for the SWAP or engine or both? Either way best of luck. Just make sure you put the time and care into the lsvtec if you decide to do it.
Before I say any more, CoreyN what are your intentions with the car? Daily driver, track, garage filler? are you an aggresive driver? Do you plan of going NA or FI?
Last edited by EHondaJDM; Sep 9, 2010 at 02:06 AM.
^ Beat me to it.
GL. It comes down to what YOU want to do with this vehicle. I personally have an ls/vtec and know many others with ones. Not problems other then regular maintence. For everyday driving and a little kick? I'd go with the gsr hands down. For something built.. I'd go with an ls/vtec IF done right. Though building a gsr is a grreat project as well, but I would use an ls crank in it ( just my opinion. But I will have to say this.. Stock = less problems. Not saying an LS/Vtec is not realibable... But nothing beats OEM factory motors ( in the original way they are made).
They are so many BIASED opinions.. I recommend researching a bit more before you come to your decision... Took me 2 + years before I did my motor build.. 2 1/2 for my turbo build.
GL. It comes down to what YOU want to do with this vehicle. I personally have an ls/vtec and know many others with ones. Not problems other then regular maintence. For everyday driving and a little kick? I'd go with the gsr hands down. For something built.. I'd go with an ls/vtec IF done right. Though building a gsr is a grreat project as well, but I would use an ls crank in it ( just my opinion. But I will have to say this.. Stock = less problems. Not saying an LS/Vtec is not realibable... But nothing beats OEM factory motors ( in the original way they are made).
They are so many BIASED opinions.. I recommend researching a bit more before you come to your decision... Took me 2 + years before I did my motor build.. 2 1/2 for my turbo build.


