hey guys i have a 98 gsr, and a 99 civic si with a 99 spec ITR swap. I am wanting to do a turbo build on one of them over the winter and cant decide which one to do. The gsr has 211,000mi and the itr has 85,000. My goal is to be capable of 400-500 hp and i do plan to drive the car frequently but not daily. I also intend to build the motor to be able to sustain my power goal. Just need a little direction on what all should be done to the motor incase ive overlooked anything that needs definate upgrading. Thanks guys

 

The R is worth more money so I would leave it alone and build-up/boost the GSR.

 

i agree keep the R in the coupe. Boost the GSR

 

More money? Like 7-800 tops. Tranny is a different story

Boost the r, if you took care of the motor for those low miles it should last another 100k at 350whp with a solid tune.

If you beat the **** out of the r compression test both motors boost the one with the best consistency

 

"My goal is to be capable of 400-500 hp"

"I also intend to build the motor"

Tearing down a perfectly good R when you have a 200,000 mile GSR make no sense when your intentions are to build the motor.

 

Boost gsr..

 

Oh i thought boost one stock build the other.

Well yeah build the gsr.

Fanbois pay more for that tight r

 

Pull engine out of GSR and build it. Take the Type R out of the Civic and put it into the Integra. Put the built GSR into the Civic. Yeah, could even swap the heads for some REAL mix and match!!!

Either way, it isn't even an option really, rebuild the B18C1 and boost it. Leave the B18C5 alone.

 

This. Exactly this.

 

Yes, in support of those with the right answers above... build the GSR and leave the ITR alone. Which chassis you put the big power engine into is a coin toss... the two cars in stock trim are within 100 pounds of each other, so put the big power engine in the one that makes you happy.

 

I was thinking the same thing too, being there isnt much hp difference between the 2 in stock form there wouldnt be after a turbo build id imagine either. Im not trying to cut corners per say but i dont want to do anything to the motor that isnt absolutely necessary but at the same time i want it to be right, what do u guys recommend for the initial motor build? Theres a possibility that i might not get the turbo kit on right away so would the car still be driveble the way its built for running boost without damaging anything?

 

They both make me happy lol, the itr although its stock besides a few bolt ons has a Phearable chipped p73 so its a little more fun to drive...and who doesnt like the feel of a teg and its 4500 vtec lol

 

Boost the c1. Leave the c5 the n/a champion it is

 

I second this.

Of course it would make more sense to put the R in the integra where it belongs then build the gsr and put it in the civic. Put the whale **** intake on the R and whichever set of headers is better (run whichever header has a 2.5" merge section or have one set converted to a 2.5" merge or just buy a purpose built set of long tubes). Which brand is on which motor at the moment? Run a good mandrel bent 2.5" exhaust. A walbro 255 and 310cc injectors along with a chipped ecu and suitable tune and you'll have one seriously fun NA motor that you can drive the wheels off of when you want and not having to worry about traction, breaking axles, or reaching jail time speed levels every time you want to get on it. It would really be the ideal mountain run car. Enough power to be quick but not get you in tons of trouble. If it were me I would put a decent set of cams in it eventually. Then you could have the best of both worlds since not every situation calls for a turbo car. Plus the R would be a little bit more reasonable (and safer) in shitty weather. That way you have a high power turbo honda and a fairly stout NA one as well, both enjoyable in their own ways.


The current intake manifold on the GSR will make your power goals however there are more efficient options out there at the power levels you plan on making. Pistons and rods are definitely needed at minimum. Don't run a compression ratio lower than 10:1, run 93 and water/methanol injection (needed to safely hit the 500 mark unless you make the move to e85), don't run a turbo twice as big as you need, only buy quality parts, get a rock solid tune from a competent tuner, and don't drive it like a jackass all day every day and you'll have a very fun, reliable, and rewarding setup.

Just be sure you give the R motor the attention and respect it deserves lol

 

what size turbo are you planning on running? not that it makes a difference which one to put it on, just curious

 

I've researched so many different variables with these two motors. Literally for the past 4 or 5 years and personally I believe a type r motor should be left naturally aspirated. Boost the gsr. I mean think about it. Will you cry more if you blow the R? Or the gsr... just my o2.

 

well ive been noticing the R needs some work, and typical maintenance as the previous owner seems to have not done any of this. so i am considering putting the money into this motor first. I will be creating a thread as to people opinions and ideas of what to do to it. thank you for all the replies.

 

Keep it simple. Keep it as OEM as possible. Don't overthink in rebuilding the R. There's nothing worse than an R B18C5 that has a bunch of junk in it.

 

what sort of maintenance are you referring to? Just simple thinks like fluids, filters, plugs, wires, etc or things like timing belt, tensioner, water pump, seals, clutch, and so on?

The degree of work required to do certain things with the motor in the car might warrant pulling it out for the sake of making the work easier and faster