So im looking into getting my first Honda. I am NOT new to the car scene however. I am almost 19 and have had 4 cars already, (2001 Trans AM, 1987 IROC Z28 Camaro, 2004 SRT4, and 2001 Trans AM WS6) Reason im looking into getting a Honda/Acura is because I need a car that's reliable , good on gas, cheap to buy/mod and I wont care if I beat on it or leave it outside. my other cars have all been 8k+ so im new to the 2-4k car scene. I know a few stuff but not a lot. if someone could direct me or better yet tell me more about these cars id really appreciate it. what the engines produce the most power (hp)? whats the lightest Hondas (power to weight)? First mods and what to look for when buying one? Really liking Integra's and hatch's. Even though I only bought American I don't hate on imports and actually really considered a dsm/evo. Thanks again for reading and ANY and ALL help is appreciated!

 

Well since you said you like Integras and Hatches. Start from there depending on how much money you have. If you want a car with power for you I'd look for a RSX considering it has a K20 which is easy to mod and easy to gain horsepower. A J-Series engine would suit you well considering the amazing torque they have.

 

what is a j-series and what is it in? my buddys first car was a type s and heard syncros are bad (his 2nd gear was SHOT). I like the looks of the teggy and hatch and the b18c1 in the GSR seems like the best engine from my research. trying to keep this Honda between 2-4k and I know rsx are like 6-8 depending on miles. thanks for help though and any more info is welcomed :D

 

A J series is from an Acura Tl. I can't remember the others though

 

J-Series is from 98-Present Acura TL, 98-Present Honda Accord. 03-Present Honda Pilots, 01-Present Acura MDX, and 98-Present Honda Odessey, I think that wraps it up for the J series lol

 

ya not liking that idea either lol :p can someone try and steer me in the right direction for what I should look for in a hatch/gsr and what engines are good to just be mildly quick (not looking for race car status) thanks again everyone!

 

Dude I would highly recommend a prelude with a h22a1 or h22a4 vtec they rip

 

No get a prelude with a j32

 

CRX is the lightest Honda but the b16s aren't the fastest if you got a CRX with a b18c1 or better yet the type r b18c5 you would be absolutely hauling some *** even just bone stock

 

Just do a kanjo civic hatch

 

There's a million different options and everybody's going to suggest something different. If you like Integras or Civic hatchbacks, then get one. I personally would like put in an lsvtec or b18c1/c5 if I ever got one of those cars, but that's just me. If the torqueless engine isn't good enough for you, most Honda engines can handle +/- 300hp on a stock engine. Just look around the forum and figure out what looks most interesting to you. Quick warning, Hondas are really addictive!

 

heard the h series motors have the most problems and the parts are hard(er) to come by but don't mind the look of em. And I do like CRX's just all seem to be haggard and I don't feel like doing a swap THE DAY I get the car -__- lol. LOVE the help keep it coming!!!

 

Yeah the H series are known to burn oil and can't handle boost well unless you at least upgrade the rods, but that shouldn't scare you away from them. I have one in my Accord and it's amazing. Nice torque down low for easy driving and fairly satisfying power up high for getting on the freeway. As for the CRX, that's one of my favorite cars! Whatever you get, make sure it's something you really want, and not what your friends want you to get.

 

if you want power to weight get a hatch with a swap (b16a,b16b,b18b,b18c) if you want something that looks good and kinda snappy go with a integra gsr (b18c1) or something to that nature...im not sure where ur from but integras in upstate ny go for an arm and a leg if there clean no matter what motor is in it....hope this helps good luck man

 

ohhh and stay away from d series (stock motors in most 92-00 civics) absolutley gutless lol unless there turbo

 

This thread is full of derp. OP there are so many different power plant options for civic/integra that it would be hard to recommend one without knowing your goals for the car. Read the FAQ sections in the model specific forums, and keep an eye on the market place, you can find anything there, from stock to 300 hp all motor cars, to 1000+hp turbo cars.

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-civic-del-sol-1992-2000-1/faqs-frequently-asked-tech-questions-1998336/

 

I would probably keep it stock(ish) with maybe some bolt ons and ya I heard D motors are weak and why I was leaning towards a b18c1. I like the prelude idea now though... I mainly don't want to get in over my head with swaps and stuff breaking :/ MAYBE id turbo it in the summer (muscle car is daily then) but I heard GOOD turbo set ups cost 1500-3000. basicly looking for a semi fast (for a NA i4) reliable car that's cheap.

 

If you looking for NA and reliable, and an easy swap, I would go with the b18c5, they make 200 bhp from the factory, are about as close as your going to get as a drop in motor swap in a civic. They are a direct bolt in to an integra.

Just FYI d series motors can be had cheap, respond very well to boost, and are fun to beat on. I had a 93 hatch with a turbo D that ran 12.7 @ 112. It was not expensive to do either. People who say they are slow or gutless dont know what they are doing.

 

How much was the turbo and all parts to do it? I would turbo if it was cheap (ish) and ywa heard about type r motors being beasts

 

I'll break it down and try to remember what i paid
Sohc Vtec ZC=650
S13 sr20 t25=125
intercooler=100
450cc injectors=375
walbro 255=75
I welded my own manifold=100 for 2 weldbend 90* and 2 weldbend "T"s and t25 flange
IF you cant weld add 150-200 for manifold welding
oil/water lines and oilpan welding= 150
IC piping=ebay 75-100
tuning-there are several directions you can go with this. My first setup was a VAFC hack and it actually worked really well, I made 228 whp and 190 wtq and it was tuned for free by me. The Vafc cost me 100 bucks used.

so total was less than 2g's (price goes up as tuning equipment quality gets better) or about half of what your going to pay for a b18c5 which on the rollers from the factory makes 154.4whp and 112.2wtq. For the money into a SOHC Its hard to build a more fun street car. I actually sold my ITR to buy back my SOHC turbo car.

I dont recommend the AFC hack, its a neat idea but you cant control timing. I would go with hondata, neptune, or chrome, most likely in that order.

Edit: I almost forgot to add that your going to need Arp headstuds for a turbo D so add another 100, so the head doesnt lift lol

 

I would say it would be a better route to buy a car that doesn't have a high revving thrashed engine and tranny. The F series engines (f22a4, f22a6, f22b, f22b1, f20b etc) are highly underrated engines. Most of them are SOHC (unless you can get a JDM f20b) solid engines that have cast iron sleeves (suitable for low boost if you're going that route) With the proper mods and tuning, they can be pretty decent. Lots of ppl swap intake manifolds from preludes into them too. I would try to find a 91-93 EX accord as they have the more powerful f22a6 engine, should be able to find one for around a grand (depending on condition or mileage) B and D engines are torqueless, you will realize that after trying to climb a steep hill/mountain pass with one. You actually have to turn off the a/c just to have enough power to hold it at 3.5-4k rpm while climbling.

And btw those prices quoted aren't retail, he obviously got a deal on most of it and saved alot of money by tuning himself. Everyone here seems to be a master mechanic that can piece together turbo kits with the snap of a finger lol. Buying a used turbo doesn't seem practical and it would be far from reliable. Who in the right mind would want a used eagle talon turbo!? lol

 

F series, are a hassle for the power you get after swapping one in. You need mounts shift cable conversion, axles, and wiring. why do all that, when you could drop in a turbo D or do alot less work and drop in a B? I also never said anything about a used eagle talon turbo. I said S13 Sr20 t25, Nissan sr20 t25, whey usually have low miles and are easy to come by. I would also like to hear how it is far from reliable. My turbo D ran for 2 years before I upgraded to a gt28rs, and i sold the turbo for what i paid for it.
Of course the prices arent retail. That would defeat the whole purpose of trying to save money. There is nothing wrong with buying a used turbo if your not going to push it that hard.
Ive been doing this a long time. I didnt just piece together a turbo kit from nothing, I educated myself before I did anything. I even taught myself how to tune it.

 

what about superchargers? what responds well to them? and im leaning towards something with vtec and probably DOHC. thanks again guys

 

I think an S2000, reliable car that runs pretty strong.

But that's what I think the other side of the ATLANTIC!

 

Welcome!