Hey, I'm new to the site.
I was just wondering what you guys think would be a better build, an LS/VTEC or a turbo set up?

I have a '95 EJ2 with a B18A1 from a '93 LS, stock internals.

I was thinking of getting it turbo'd because dkGoodrich has some good deals on turbo kits and tuning, but I'd also like VTEC too.

I guess what I'm asking is which would you do based on reliability and power?

 

How about you do your research and then weigh the pros and cons of each, as they fit YOUR needs (because you have not listed a SINGLE goal, leading one to believe that this is just one of those pipe dream questions), and then I predict you would not have to ask these questions.

Answer the following.
Pros of the LSVTEC?
Cons of the LSVTEC?
What goes into building one?

Pros of turbocharging?
Cons of turbocharging?
What goes into building a boosted engine?

 

turbo

 

At the end of the build, you'll probably spend about the same for either. You'll probably want to get different pistons, cams and intake manifold, and need engine management either way. Boost has more potential. Fairly low boost could make the same power as a serious LS/V build. NA and forced induction have their pros and cons though. Typically you would get better mileage with a turbo motor (staying out of boost) than a high compression cammed out motor.

Boost loves VTEC and high RPMs. The turbo spools up quick when the crossover happens. You could build a moderate compression (9.5-10:1) LS/V with some ITR/CTR cams and if that's not enough, it could be turbo'd easily. Then it would be a reliable, durable engine that can run 91 octane, and probably behave much like a GSR engine and if you turbo it theres some room to boost but still have decent throttle response on the low end...and issue when people drop their compression too low when turboing a motor.

It all depends on your goal though. AutoX/Road racing, people generally stay NA. Drag racing, boost. Daily, depends what you want, more low end or more top end.

 

Boost the stock LS, get a great tune, 300whp DD ftw!

 

A stock LS isn't a bad engine. My aunt's DA with an LS scoots along just fine, it's just bone stock

 

After a couple days of looking into it, researching and asking friends, think I've decided to go turbo.
I'm looking for about 175hp as a DD.
Do you guys think I'd be able to make this happen on stock internals with a good tune?
I'm going to do compression and leak down test on it soon.

 

175whp on stock internals is well within safety margins. How many miles on the motor?

 

B-series can handle 300hp on a stock block.

 

From personal experience... you CAN make 300whp on stock ls. But it didn't last long, stretched head studs. If you go for 300whp, change head studs to ARP for piece of mind/reliability.

 

i would do a turbo setup, i want to swap an ls into my eg soon so bad.

 

i agree. you cant do 300whp on stock internals on a b series for long at all. you have to upgrade to arp studs and rod bolts. Also LS is good but isnt the best for large amounts of boost being as the stroke is longer than a GSR. Granted this presents more torque on low end its not quite as happy with high boost screaming at 8500 without some reinforced internals. Mainly rods and bearings

 

why would u even wanna take a ls to 8500? the power band dies down around 6800 i believe. even if boosted you will still loose your power band.

 

As long as you get a good tune and don't get stupid (5k rpm lauches, bang off the rev limiter into 2nd?) it should last.

I'm making 235whp on a bone stock Y8 for 12k miles so far (knock on wood), there's some blowby but the rods/pistons are holding up. I DD the hell out of this car too.

 

turbo hands down the ls compression ratio is perfect boost unless you got the time/money to do ls/vtec turbo

 

Both will require some work. You can't just slap a vtec head on and drive it reliably. You will want ARP rod bolts and ARP main studs if your going LSvtec. It really just depends on what you want to do. I would do LSvtec then turbo later on down the road if it were me.

 

If you do the right turbo/tune the power wont die off until you let out or something flies apart....but yes on a stock ls head you may not wanna spin it that high. If you're already doing arp head studs/new gasket then why not source a used gsr head for like 500 bucks and throw it on, then make 350 whp on pump gas and run 11's in a dd.

 

If you have the money i think you should do ls vtec turbo .

 

Both setups have pros and cons. Take a step back and judge your options objectively.

-How much power do you really need?
-How much money are you willing to spend?
-Are you capable of building a turbo setup or LS/VTEC? If not, factor the build cost into the setup cost.
-Etc...