I've had a project cooking for some time now and have to make a decision and need some feedback to help make the decision.

The details on each swap setup are:
K-series: all motor stroker K20 motor with 102mm stroke, 90mm bore about 14:1 compression which I've had running for about 5yrs now but used in my race car (building another setup for my racecar) - this setup can fit in the CRX without cutting the hood, will use a manifold instead of the existing 64mm Kinsler ITBs that I had running in the race car. I will run E85 if I have too many problems tuning with 93 street octane - but it should run fine on 93 octane as I have really large IPS cams in there. 6speed tranny with LSD. single disc clutch and lightened flywheel for street driving. ext HP 330-350whp

B-series: B18a non sleeved block (with a blockguard), 60-1 turbo, 3" intercooler piping , large intercooler, 81mm bore block, ported GSR head, maybe 15-20psi boost (whatever boost limits I hit with 93 octane). 5speed tranny with JDM viscous LSD. Single disc clutch and chromoly flywheel. est HP 350-400whp @15psi ...maybe more

I have almost everything to do either the B-series or K-series swap and need opinions on the following 3 criteria below. Keep in mind I can do either of the swaps quite easily and have pretty much everything I need to do the K or B swap.

- which swap will hold more car value medium to long term?
- which swap will be more fun to drive in the street and weekend bracket racing?
- which swap has the most popularity out there?
- which setup would I most likely be able to sell and get decent money for in 1-2 years?

I can update thread with pics of everything.

thanks,
Greg

 

K

 

- which swap will hold more car value medium to long term?
K for sure. Bored block with nothing other than a useless blockguard is done.

- which swap will be more fun to drive in the street and weekend bracket racing?
Fun? Both. I'm a boost junky though so just feeling and hearing boost kick in makes me happy. Not sure how your racing brackets are set up, but either motor has potential to be competitive.

- which swap has the most popularity out there?
Depends on what you mean by popular. B series is more common. K series popular as THE motor to have because of the potential it has stock and built.

- which setup would I most likely be able to sell and get decent money for in 1-2 years?
K series. The B sounds like it probably won't even last that long. Racing abuse + bored stock sleeves + boosted 350~400hp = ? how long until this breaks

 

1. I'd say the k swap will probably hold more value because they're sought after, but its hard to say. I know you won't have trouble selling a turbo b-series either. (As long as it doesn't blow up!)

2. I'd go with the turbo b-series, because, well.. TURBO!

3. B-series swaps are much more common, but a k will get more attention.

4. K-series will definitely hold it's value longer.

 

If you have to ask, you shouldn't be doing a swap.

The K-series you have listed is going to cost a significant amount of money.

The B was meant for the CRX. So stick with it.

 

 

It is the best argument for the B.

Not many people want to buy a hybrid build. LS-Vtec or B20v are not selling points for a car. Usually people think, there must be something wrong with the build and they want to get rid of it. K20 is Block is designed for the K20 head, the LS block is not designed for the GSR head.

 

If you're building a car to hold value....... um..yeah.. lol

More fun the turbo of course, people will stop and talk to you, giggle at your blow off valve, etc.

Three years though? I would only expect the k to possibly last that long, I no zero people with turbo cars in that range that routinely drive them and last three years...

 

Interesting points from everyone. Some stuff I should clarify - I've been building motors and cars (both street and race) for almost 20yrs, 25yrs if you count my VW and Rotary days. I've also done countless K and B swaps so at the risk of not sounding too arogant, I can literally do either swap with my eyes closed - so wanted to eliminate the expense of "going K series" from the discussion as I already have the complete built setup and everything else needed to swap the built K motor right in.
In terms of logevity of motors that I personally build, they span a good 5-7yrs for a turbo non-sleeved block setup
(see http://www.superstreetonline.com/fea...rx_import_car/ for one of my original turbo street cars from 14yrs ago with non sleeved motor.) and all motor setups last even longer than that especially for a street car motor. For full blown race setup obviously I'd usually rebuild and refresh, and typically the words race and reliability never really go hand in hand as you all know.

I'm more concerned that i've seen a bunch of CRX with K-series swaps out there for sale, no one buys them and the owners typically end up parting it out. The B-series turbo setups out there somewhat seem to hold good value and make relatively decent power. As a matter of fact built b series turbo motors seem to be making a comeback if you ask me, in that the restriction of getting max B-series heads to flow is a moot point when it comes to turbo hence there is no disadvantage when comparing this to the K-series turbo setups. All motor B vs all motor K is where the disadvantage seem to lie.

Anyway sorry for the long response, just really trying to figure out the true popularity in a CRX. BTW the CRX has always been my favorite car by far, while i've owned many i've never really had a turbo B or K series CRX and since i have the chassis and both setups i figure i'd move ahead jsut need to make a decision. I was also hoping to not hear the bias about K series is the popularity etc, believe me a b-series turbo is jsut as popular if you ask me.

 

Is he using stock internals? I know plenty of DD boosted Hondas that last, but that power will be pushing stock internals.

Anyways, K-swap all the way. But if you really want to sell this car in the future, don't swap it. The swaps don't hold value in reality. It has been said before, people assume there is something wrong with it if you are selling it.

You should think about a J-swap! If you have done the K and B so many times, why not move on? If price isn't an issue, an AWD J-series swap would be awesome in a CRX. How viable? I'm not sure. It would be hard to source those parts.

 

You do have some valuable points.
B series does seem to look like it's making a comeback. I think it revolves around the cost/availability of the K motor swaps which, not too long ago, had been out of reach for most people. Now that more people can get a K swap the B swaps are not as expensive. The LS motor is really inexpensive now! If there is a fairly stock block boosted LS for sale, then you aren't paying for the LS ... you are paying for the turbo kit.

The CRX chassis itself isn't going to bring you any customers unless it is in fantastic condition. To bring a 20 year old chassis to that condition costs money which usually shows up in the sale cost. A customer in the market for a quick car with a K swap would likely go for a newer chassis than the CRX.

 

see thats the feedback i'm looking for and appreciate...I need to find out more about a customer looking for a K-swap only in the newer chassis vs. looking for one in the older, lightest Hondas that started the whole Honda swap market...i'm really trying to gauge whether its worth it to have a CRX (mint condition) with a built K-swap, and i'm not so sure its as attractive to buy eventually from what i've been seeing in for sale threads etc.

To also clarify, the 91 CRX Si I have is a mint clean shell with no motor in it, no rust, stock USDM front end. I even went as far as getting a JDM SiR instrument cluster since its an electronic it might blend well with the K series...if I went B-series i'd also use the 94+ electronic speed sensors and wire it up as well so no biggie there too. May even consider getting power window conversion too lol.

Also, i'm not planning on spending a dime (so no J series), i'm using the swaps that I already have and ready to go. The B-series LS block will have low compression forged pistons, Manley rods in additon to a block guard, Z10 main girdle; the head is a ported GSR head, ported Victor X manifold, upgraded ITR valvesprings, may even go as far as converting it from distributor setup to K-series individual ignition coil setup since I have many single K-series coils at my disposal, here is a pic of the setup:


This is the existing K-series stroker motor that'll come out soon, except wont be using the ITBs and hood exit header (obviously) :

 

Can you run a/c in a K-series CRX? No.
Can you run a/c in a turbo B-series CRX? Yes.
/thread.

There will come a point in time where you will want a/c. I know I did.

 

If you are worried about retaining the value of the CRX you are better off leaving it alone and keeping it stock. They are becoming haarder and more rare to find, let alone one in stock form and good condition at that.

Bastardized an EG chassis. Those should be easier to come by and also have better chassis stiffness than the CRX. Plus, you can get a K in there with the stock hood and front end.

 

yeah i hear what you're saying about keeping it stock but like i said i already have just a shell with no drivetrain. As a matter of fact its an Auto CRX Si which i'm converting to manual clutch pedal. I may convert to hydraulic using the Integra pedal and master cyl but its not necessary for me to do that. I was hoping that because the CRX is become so rare and hard to find, that finding one with a decent b-series or k-series setup would ahd some good value - but from what most of you are saying it probably doesnt seem to add a whole lotta value - wasnt expecting $ for $ value either but was hoping it would hold a good premium.

The reason why i chose the K20 stroker swap that I already have as one of the options was because only the K20 blocks fits in the CRX without having to cut the hood open.

I actually have a Hybrid Racing A/C kit and compressor etc which I would eventually put into the CRX if I did go k-series. I'd need to replace the stock front cross member with an aftermarket traction bar though.

Anyway keep the opinions coming please.

I also have a deal working on another mint CRX shell, if I pick that up I may have my answer where I would do 1 CRX with B-series turbo and the other one as a K series.

 

I really like the mid-engine CRXs. But if you are just doing a 'regular' FWD CRX, I'd do the K-swap since it is sort of the hot thing to do right now.