Hi, my name is Spud. I recently sold my old '94 Toyota pickup and bought a 2001 CR-V from a Honda dealership in Los Angeles. I'm really enjoying my Honda, and I'm wondering what I can do to improve upon it's performance without spending a fortune. I'm going to be off to college soon, in Texas. I don't know alot about the inner components of an engine, but I'm a fast learner. So please don't flame me too bad for not understanding right off the bat.

My CR-V is a 2wd model, with a b20z2 motor, auto trans. 128,xxx miles, and as I said was bought from a Honda dealership, making it "certified used" if that's even really worth anything. 1 previous owner, who must've been into some sort of tuning. I noticed the faint outline of a hondasport bumpersticker on the rear gate. As far as I can tell though, the engine is stock.

From what I've read, b20z's can fit heads from any other B-series with modification to the head. The cylinder walls (essentially a bored b18) will crack with a boost of over 7 or so pounds. (that doesn't matter though as I'll probably stick n/a). And I read the thread about the valves too.

So my questions are:

1) What do I need to look out for with the motor (or transmission)?
2) What is the expected life of the average B20?
3) What are some cheap/simple ways to boost performance/MPG?

Note~ I don't care if it looks or sounds cool, as long as it works. I'm not trying to race my CR-V (lol), just get the best I can for little cost.

I appreciate any input you may have, and every piece of info helps. Thank you!

 

The cheapest way to boost your perfomance and mpg is by dropping an aFe Cold Air Intake System on ur ride man. You'll see results instantly.

 

Do they make those for 1st Gen CR-V's, or will I need to modify one? A brief search of the aFe site yielded no results for a CR-V fit.

 

Congrats on the new purchase!

Are the mirrors and door handles chromed??

 

Thank you, an yes, sorta. They're chrome covers. I guess they're probably maintenance shop lobby purchases if you know what I mean. I actually bought the CR-V exactly as it's pictured. Less the hula girl on the dash, haha. It came with the shiny wheels, chrome cover things, type-r pedals, new Pirelli tires, and a full tank of gas. :3

 

Anyone else?

 

What Kind Of Performance your after decide's what you should do to your engine. I personally, Would pull it and Rebuild it. Now if you were to do that, Replace your stock Rod Bolts with ARP Rod Bolts, Replace Head Studs with ARP and then Replace all Gaskets. Performance wise you have a couple options, But for you it sounds like a Basic Build of a Header, Intake and Exhaust would be fine for what you plan to do with it.

Now as for the Idea of putting VTEC head's on your B20, This thread contain's any and all info you need. https://honda-tech.com/forums/all-motor-naturally-aspirated-44/how-build-%22reliable%22-lsvtec-b20vtec-1676914/
If you have any Question's feel free to ask.

 

Haha, I dunno about that. That exceeds my current skill level, and I don't have another car to drive meanwhile.

Okay. That's what I was thinking. My understanding is that a better intake provides better inflow into the engine. New Exhaust and and a header provides better outflow. Is that correct? And also, what brand names would be best for basic, low cost parts? Do you have any insight as to where I might look (aside from eBay and stuff)? I'm not familiar with parts sites..

 

To be Honest, I'm not sure where you could get parts, I did a quick Google Search and found http://www.raceinspired.com/default.aspx
For Header's and Exhaust's, I dont think anyone Manufactures any for the CRV (May Be Wrong) If no one does, You can buy a B series Header and Modify it to fit (If you can Weld or can Afford to have someone do it).

The Air Intake suck's in Air, Fuel is Simultaneously Injected, They Compress, Spark Ignites them and then the Gases come out the Header and on through the Exhaust System. That's a Basic run down of the whole Operation.

 

So as far as exhaust and headers go, is the diameter of the passages important, were I to modify another B-series component?

 

Your Exhaust should run 2.5 in. Diameter. As for your second part, I'm not sure what you mean What B Series component are you modifying ?

 

I meant the header. I wouldn't expect that all B-series headers are the same diameter, given the different displacements. Are they?

 

For the most part B Series Header's have 2.5 Inch Collector's, Which is what you need. That way it will stay Quiet and still produce power gains.

 

Okay, that's good to know, thanks. Do you know any brands or website I should avoid while looking for parts?

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OBX-R...item2a0a1c0ba3

I'm normally Against Ebay, But I'd say try that, Alot of the CRV guy's use them and say they work fine.

 

I see that there are one piece and two piece sets. Is there any real difference between them? I mean, is one better over the other?

 

Two Piece is supposed to be Easier to Install. To be honest though A Header Install is simple No Matter What. I've never heard of power difference between them either. So whichever you prefer is what you should purchase.

 

Okay. I was reading that running a header into a stock cat is basically pointless. I understand you can buy hi-flow cats, but is it legal to swap them out? I know 'test pipes' are illegal for street use, so I wasn't sure about hi-flow cats. By the way, I just wanted to say I really appreciate you answering all my questions too. Thanks.

 

Well alot of the Law's about Car's are different. I'm not sure whether it's Legal or Not, You'll have to Check the Law's in your State.
That's what the Forum is for, To Help one another out.

 

Thats about as true as adding stickers to go faster. Just adding a high flow filter to ur stock air box works as good or better in some cases then a CAI.

 

Wait... You mean stickers doesn't make it go faster? Haha. I don't know about adding a hi-flow filter to the stock airbox, because given its size and odd intake point, a CAI seems to make more sense. I say seems, because since I've never actually used one I can't say 100% one way or the other. I don't know what supposed benefits stem from keeping the stock airbox over a CAI.

EDIT: Also, headers from Honda Civics and other Hondas will fir the B20z2 engine, correct?

 

I dont believe that, I have alway's had my Own Custom Intake's.


Some can with Minor Modification's, I'm not sure about just drop in with the CRV though.

 

hello

may name hubert i hawe honda crv 2008 i ned to swech mails too km im life in poland europ

thanks for help

 

Congrats on the new purchase. I have been researching upgrades for the past few hours myself.

Here is a link to a decent looking exhaust http://www.obxracingsports.com/products.php?pk=1096

Not sure if anyone here has experience with it or not? But seems okay. Video on youtube didnt sound bad, but I would love to hear one in person before buying it.

If I can find the header I found I will add a link to it later as well

 

Oh yeah, I've been checking out some of those OBX products. I just moved about $500.00USD over to Paypal, so I can buy some headers and a catback exhaust from eBay. They have better prices than the OBX site. I also picked up an intake today from a fella named K.C.. Just off of craigslist, got it for $50.00USD in the parkinglot of a McDonalds (lol).