B18B or B20 Rebuild and Swap
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B18B or B20 Rebuild and Swap
Hi Folks,
I have a ’98 Civic EX with a D16y8 and I’m looking to swap out the engine for more power. My goals for the car are as follows. Install a (lightly) boosted engine now that will work for everyday driving. Then in a few years when I buy another vehicle, the civic will become a drag car. I want to buy, tear down and rebuild an engine now (port &polish, new pistons, rods, crank, camshafts, valves etc….) that will handle the bigger boost loads later.
I’ve been reading these forums for a while now and I’ve read that the B18B block with a Vtec head is a viable option however; these engines are prone to blowing up because the stock internals can’t handle the revs. But since I plan on rebuilding the engine anyway this becomes a non-issue.
1.) At what point does the boost over ride any effect of the vtec? If I get a B18B and rebuild the bottom and top and boost it right away – is that a better option than going with the hybrid set-up for the Vtec?
2.) Is there a big difference between a completely rebuilt B18B and a B20? Since I’m planning on completely rebuilding the engine anyway it won’t cost much more to re-sleeve the B20 to handle the higher rev’s and heat. The only reason I could see going with the B20 is more torque. How much torque am I going to gain on a rebuilt boosted B20 compared to a rebuilt boosted B18B?
3.) Is a rebuilt B18B or B20 (top and bottom) suitable for high boost applications for drag racing? If not what is a better engine option?
As a note. When I go ahead and do the swap. It’s going to get done right so there will be no electrical/wiring issues, tuning or balancing issues. This car is my baby and I plan on treating her well so no corners will be cut and nothing will be done flippantly.
No opinions please – just facts.
Thanks
I have a ’98 Civic EX with a D16y8 and I’m looking to swap out the engine for more power. My goals for the car are as follows. Install a (lightly) boosted engine now that will work for everyday driving. Then in a few years when I buy another vehicle, the civic will become a drag car. I want to buy, tear down and rebuild an engine now (port &polish, new pistons, rods, crank, camshafts, valves etc….) that will handle the bigger boost loads later.
I’ve been reading these forums for a while now and I’ve read that the B18B block with a Vtec head is a viable option however; these engines are prone to blowing up because the stock internals can’t handle the revs. But since I plan on rebuilding the engine anyway this becomes a non-issue.
1.) At what point does the boost over ride any effect of the vtec? If I get a B18B and rebuild the bottom and top and boost it right away – is that a better option than going with the hybrid set-up for the Vtec?
2.) Is there a big difference between a completely rebuilt B18B and a B20? Since I’m planning on completely rebuilding the engine anyway it won’t cost much more to re-sleeve the B20 to handle the higher rev’s and heat. The only reason I could see going with the B20 is more torque. How much torque am I going to gain on a rebuilt boosted B20 compared to a rebuilt boosted B18B?
3.) Is a rebuilt B18B or B20 (top and bottom) suitable for high boost applications for drag racing? If not what is a better engine option?
As a note. When I go ahead and do the swap. It’s going to get done right so there will be no electrical/wiring issues, tuning or balancing issues. This car is my baby and I plan on treating her well so no corners will be cut and nothing will be done flippantly.
No opinions please – just facts.
Thanks
Last edited by rguenther; Jun 22, 2011 at 10:11 AM.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,776
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From: Kona/V-town, HI
Re: B18B or B20 Rebuild and Swap
Ls motors handle boost and revs fine.
Imo, boost never overcomes vtec
U can rebuild a stock motor for now till you build a drag motor or u can build a motor now so when ur civic does become ur drag car, u don't have to build another motor
Imo, boost never overcomes vtec
U can rebuild a stock motor for now till you build a drag motor or u can build a motor now so when ur civic does become ur drag car, u don't have to build another motor
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 91
Likes: 1
From: Toronto, ON, Canada
Re: B18B or B20 Rebuild and Swap
It all comes down to if you really want to build a vtec frankenstien or build a vtec block. I wouldnt bother going vtec at this point in time for your build...
Ive seen a b18b build on this forum that got 440+ whp from a turbo without vtec and a cummings turbo. b18b's are great street motors and there are many builds to look at to get ideas. That beats most b20 turbo's Ive seen without a sleeved block.
The advantages of a b20 are as follows:
(1) Cheaper than b18b blocks in most areas
(2) More torque at lower rpms (about 1000rpm's sooner it hits max torque)
(3) Stock pistons are low compression and perfect for boost
(4) Possibility of getting a p8r head for high flow without going vtec.
Catch 22 is that the 84mm sleeves are one piece on a b20 and depending on how serious of a build you are planing they might be insufficient. But there are many b20 turbo builds to look for as well. If you decide to sleeve the block it doesnt really matter if you start with a b18b or b20 unless you get the p8r head, or go with a vtec head.
That being said if you want to sleeve a block anyway just go out an buy a DART block and safe yourself all of the hassle. You'll start with a drag ready platform, but a bit pricey...
Ive seen a b18b build on this forum that got 440+ whp from a turbo without vtec and a cummings turbo. b18b's are great street motors and there are many builds to look at to get ideas. That beats most b20 turbo's Ive seen without a sleeved block.
The advantages of a b20 are as follows:
(1) Cheaper than b18b blocks in most areas
(2) More torque at lower rpms (about 1000rpm's sooner it hits max torque)
(3) Stock pistons are low compression and perfect for boost
(4) Possibility of getting a p8r head for high flow without going vtec.
Catch 22 is that the 84mm sleeves are one piece on a b20 and depending on how serious of a build you are planing they might be insufficient. But there are many b20 turbo builds to look for as well. If you decide to sleeve the block it doesnt really matter if you start with a b18b or b20 unless you get the p8r head, or go with a vtec head.
That being said if you want to sleeve a block anyway just go out an buy a DART block and safe yourself all of the hassle. You'll start with a drag ready platform, but a bit pricey...
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