Working on a build 00 civic si came with a b18b1 engine and whoever worked on it did a terrible job at putting it back together. Can anyone recommend someone in Tampa that is capable of rebuilding to oem spec or is it more cost effective to swap, considering b16 or b18 vtec. Thanks

 

bump.

 

Is the engine a straight LS (b18) or is it an LS/VTEC conversion? Also, what is your level of mechanical ability? If you're not comfortable rebuilding an engine, would you be ok doing an LS/VTEC conversion or a swap yourself?

There are several options, but it depends on a few different factors...budget, time, etc

Also, what do you mean they did a terrible job putting it back together?? What is wrong with it?

 

Find a USDM B16 and put it back in.
I dont know why people put those in that car in the first place....
Keep it original and the value goes way up.

 

No TQ doe^ and I'd bet if the swap was hacked so is the rest of the car, LSV's if done right can decent power, that's my vote.

 

This is the route I was hinting at also...if the bottom end is junk, but the head is good, the OP would only need to find a quality LS bottom end and swap it in...much cheaper than a B16/GSR swap

 

Straight b18, mechanical ability I'm always learning but I feel up for the challenge, I would like to do a vtec conv I would even go as far as breaking the whole thing down and putting all new bearings and seals, I removed the head and upon inspection felt that whoever did work on it didn't know what they were doing, there are sheared bolts that hold the cams down so that lead me to think what else could be wrong, basically I'm lookin to blueprint the engine no turbos etc, just a fresh clean efficient engine. Cheers

 

I know what you mean, I got the car as is and couldn't pass on the deal I got for a 00 em1 clean title in hand, it is a project car that I will eventually use as a dd and the plan is to make it clean and original but it seems that decent deals on engines are hard to come by everything I've seen goes from 2-3K.
So I'm debating on rebuilding what I got and put a vtec head or search for an engine which will probably get rebuilt anyway, you never know what you get, either way if I'm gonna do all this work I'd like to have something that's reliable and efficient. Thanks

 

The bottom end looks good upon visual inspection #2-3 plugs were soaked in oil which is why I started the tear-down, the head has missing guides for cam bolts and a sheared bolt (which is still stuck in the head) so I asked myself what else could be wrong? this is why I want to rebuild. Thanks

 

For a plain old LS it's generally cheaper to just find another one, you can either find a nice low mileage JDM engine or look around and see if you can find a USDM model in good shape.

 

With all the stolen Honda's in Tampa you should be able to get a swap very cheaply..lol

 

If the engine is in that bad of shape, its probably best to start over with a fresh build, as you said. There are a variety of options from a straight VTEC swap (GSR being my personal preference) or an LS/VTEC swap, which is a little more work, but also slightly cheaper.

You can find LS blocks and rotating assemblies for cheap or possibly re-use the one you have now...if you were closer to MN, I even have a spare LS block, crank, and rods hanging out in my garage. Lastly, you'll need a VTEC head, but they're readily available and the LS/VTEC conversion is simple if you follow the write-up in the FAQ.

 

more cost effective to just order a $700 longblock jdm b20b and call it aday.

rebuilding is easily $300 in machining alone, then you have to pay for replacement parts & then labor of engine assembler.

 

Depending on the condition of the journals and cylinders, there may not be much, if any machining required. The last GSR I built needed the rod journals ground but that was all...i have a ball hone for cross-hatching the cylinders ($50). Rings, bearings, and new oil/water pump will add a lot to the cost, but if he's already tearing it completely apart, those are worthwhile additions anyway. Even if i was buying an aftermarket engine (B20b or whatever) I would still replace water pump, oil pump, and timing belt...essentially no cost savings other than the rings/bearings and gaskets between the two options

 

I will keep you posted on this build, as soon as I can I'll upload some pics. Thanks