hey guys. i'm about to have some money freed up and i'd like to get started on a build in the near future. when it comes to engine swaps a lot of people seem to be heading for the newer and more powerful K-series. i've owned an RSX typeS so i know why. but can a tried and true B-series still hold its own?

can the cost/ performance difference between the 2 swaps be justified? i'm leaning towards the b16 with a turbo. something with good midrange.

 

Let me put it this way......
For the price of a k swap that will get you around 13 in the quarter mile, I could build a 10 second turbo b.

 

There are so many facets of either build to be realized that would turn the table on either build.

Personally? If given the option I'd rather have a 13.5 second k20 than a 12.5 second turbo b16.

 

I would never spend that much money on a k swap when I could slap a 400 dollar turbo kit on my stock car get it tuned for 150 at a shop by my house since I already have the ec tune license (200) and easily get better times then that k swap.

Ks are just not cost efficient for the power they make.

I have a all stock b18b for a 94 teg in my 91 EF and I hit 14.1 when I went to the strip and I think that's damn good for a 800 dollar long block with 44k miles. ***** way more reliable then my 2 turbo eks.

 

B16 turbo can be very reliable, just the same as th K can be. Little lower times with the boosted B, but for a city driver, I would opt to go for the N/A application. Torque is a bit easier to drive without boosting the hell out the motor, and wearing on the motor. If you have the money for it, get the K. More potential in the end. A 300whp N/A K-Series would be a serious monster just like the boosted B.

 

also if you decide to boost the K down the road , they have forged internals and can easily handle 450hp reliably ... a stock B isnt gonna do that.. and whoever said you can do a 10 sec B for the price of a k swap is a moron..

 

That is pretty cheap for a 10 second car. There is a lot more than whp to a 10 second car.

 

i don't want to boost the hell out of it. maybe like 12-15 lbs/boost. i'm looking for a practical engine set up. not peaky at all. midrange lol as if it were just a bigger engine.

how much power would 12-15 lbs/boost be?

 

I've said this many times. PSI means absolutely NOTHING. Set the horsepower goals FIRST. Select the turbo and build the system that will support it. Have it tuned to whatever PSI gets you there safely and reliably. Depending on the power goals chosen the engine may have to be built. At the very least you will need to install ARP head studs to prevent head lift and a new clutch at the very least.

Asking how much horsepower a certain PSI will yield FIRST is doing things ***-backwards.

 

If that is the end all decider, a K will give you better mid-range. True for any larger displacement.


EDIT: I thought he was going to boost the K

 

Depends on the trim/turbo/intercooler/engine/exhaust/turbo manifold

 

the end all decider is cost

 

If you have money for a K-swap then a turbo B shouldn't be an issue.

 

so from what ya'll have said..... a b16 turbo could/ would be faster and cheaper than a K-swap

 

You can spend as much as you want and as little as you want on either.

It's pretty safe to assume you'll spend $5,000-$9,000 on a kswap.

No one knows.

The B16 turbo could run you as much as $5,000 if you use expensive parts.

Doesn't mean it will be faster. Depends on what turbo, what tuner, etc you use.

 

suggestions?

 

there are so many factors that come into play. personaly i would have the 13sec k. it sounds more "badass" when you tell people you have a k series. everyone has a god damn b16 or b18

 

Budget? You never said.

 

This is very critical.

Also mechanical knowhow. I'll assume the OP has none if he has to ask this much.

Do you even know what a kswap entails? or did you just see it on the front of honda-tuning?

 

haha yeah that's a good point..... i'd rather dust them and leave them guessing though. low/ mid 12's would be cool. not a whole lot of cars can do that and around here, definitely not a civic.

 

I certainly wouldn't want a 12 second Civic as a DD though.

 

My room mate in Peoria had a 450whp b18b civic. I hated driving that car anywhere.

 

hey now..... play nice. but yeah, i get what you're saying. its not rocket science to work on cars in my opinion. i've done brake jobs, motor mount replacements, and have done a few oil pan gaskets. that's more than what most people have under their belts before they start their first build.

 

thank you. i'm looking for direction here, not a brow beating lol. if that's too much, then what's practical and reliable? i've never driven a 400 hp civic before so i wouldn't know.

 

You haven't even gotten to that point yet and still have yet to answer critical questions.

Budget? Horespower goals?

Sounds like a lot of daydreaming going on right about now and not a lot of hard research past this thread.