I will be hopefully be dropping a b18c1 into my EX in June and I was just wondering what are some must-haves for the motor. Like the LSD is that a must, Lightened Flywheel? I am looking at maybe a Drag Turbo Kit but that kit is hard on the wallet. Anyone with suggestions? The JDM 4-1 header is most definitely going on I love my header right now.

 

exhaust and clutch. if youre going to go turbo i wouldnt spend the money on the header. other than those two i would say good tires.

 

If you intend to seriously take your car to a track (either drag or road) I would highly recommend a good limitted slip diff. If all you want to do is go fast in a straight line then any of the relatively inexpensive clutch types (like Kazz) will work just fine. If you like a good curve now and again I would recommend the Type R LSD or the mother of all LSD's, the Quaife. Yes, they are expensive but they are about half as much now as they were a few years ago.

This coupled with a decent suspension is the first thing I would focus on. The 'B' engines have plenty of mojo right out of the box and you need to learn how to put that power to the ground before you go off on a quest for even more HP. Get a good set of adjustable shocks and good springs. Coil over springs are great for their adjustability but not strictly necessary if you are just starting out.

Other good suspension upgrades are replacing the stock bushings with polyurethane and the Z10 traction bars. Both will help solidify the suspension 'feel'

A good rear sway bar, such as the Type R (nice, cheap, OEM option) or any of the aftermarket bars will help reduce body roll and understeer although be carefull with the setup. Stiff rear anti-roll bars will make the civic chassis (particularly the hatch) very tail happy. You will need to learn how to drive it and you should also get familiar with tweaking the shock settings.

Finally, get a decent set of wheels and tires. Contrary to popular belief, this should be one of the last things you get for your suspension as opposed to the first. Stock wheels with good tires are just fine as you are learning. If you go out and get a 2 grand set of bling bling 17" stunnas you will be really disappointed with how terrible they make the car feel and if you ever get serious about driving you will just end up getting rid of them. If you just have to have something nice looking get a cheap set of 15" OEM cast rims (like the GSR or SI)

Ok...... I got a litle carried away there but I hope that helps. This is more or less the path I traveled and it worked for me.

Mike

 

Is the skunk2 coil-over suspension any good? I never really paid any attention to suspension and handling before but now I am considering it. I know that my car has some understeer. Also what would it take to get to 250 whp?

 

250 horses?... ..id say work on yoor suspension and find a way to work all the stock power yoo have to the wheeles before trying to add on more hp

 

do the clutch and flywheel stuff before you put the engine in the car, it makes everyhing much easier. stock honda clutches suck.

 

either 13.5:1 compression pistons, 110 octane gas, insane cams and a drag header running with no exhaust OR a turbo boosting 13psi or so. Invest in some Z10 radius arms...they're worth every penny. Urethane bushings will put more of your power on the ground and stiffen the suspension, but they will make your car vibrate to ****...very uncomfortable.

like everyone is already saying, learn to put what you have on the ground now and worry about adding hp later. it's easy to get horsepower from a B-series engine...putting it to the ground is what truly wins races.

 

No. I would say go with either a complete system like Tein, Buddy Club etc. which is big $$$ or a simpler setup. I have ground control coilovers with KYB AGX shocks set to about medium and I love it. Handles great and the ride isnt bad at all.

 

If you do not have a dual core radiator, I'd invest in one. My cx radiator lasted 3 weeks after my swap.

 

I would say, Better gear ratios(if N/A) so throw in JDM ITR or ATS FD... OEM or *Aftermarket* LSD. And higher compression(if N/A)... Tuning and alot of driving schools to learn your car

 

Can I do all of those things and still have a comfortable daily driver? Would I be able to install many of these components myself? How much power is saved by doing these things to your car? I have heard that the flywheel horsepower is decreased about 15-20% before it gets to the ground. How much of that percentage do I get back? I wish I could get it all back but that would defy the laws of physics.

 

With the exception of the LSD/Final drive someone mentioned, you can install everything we have said yourself. And it will still be a daily driver. Just with the final drive, driving at high speeds in 5th gear for a long time will suck.

 

Aren't sway bars a bitch to put on. I wouldn't know but thats what the guy said in the Honda Acura performance handbook.

 

If your car didnt come with one from the factory they can be. But if it did have a stock one, then not at all.

 

what cars don't come stock with sway bars?

 

the cx dont.