I just picked up a 97 DX 5spd on Friday. The original plan for the car was just a b20z or P8R b20b swap with i/h/e, intake manifold, tb, and cams/valvetrain and mill the head for some more compression. I've read that people don't recommend milling the head on OHC motors because you have to advance the cams, and the stock compression doesn't seem high enough for an aftermarket cam. I've also read that rod bolts should be replaced if I plan to take the engine past stock redline.

So that has lead me to calling around to some local shops to see what a freshened up shortblock with some new rods and pistons will run me. Waiting for quotes but I don't expect it to be cheap.

Since the build is already becoming a little more involved than my initial thoughts, I started looking into boost. It seems like people like the go-autoworks street kit and for $2200 it seems hard to beat. The owner before me babied the car and had it regularly serviced, so while my d16y7 has 148,000 miles on it, I think if I just refresh the head, do a new HG and add some ARP head studs it should hold up ok.

So the plan is either:

B20 shortblock with ~ 11:1 Compression, P8R or ported P75 head (would love recommendations on either - not looking to go VTEC; I've heard valves are hard to find for the P8R?) with supporting parts
or
D16 w/ the go-autoworks kit + supporting fuel and drivetrain parts.


I was just hoping to reach out to people that have gone either direction and hear about your experiences. I'm not married to either idea and I know there's a long-standing history of the n/a guys vs boost guys and I'm open to being converted either way

I am not looking to make a ton of power. I just want a fun street car. If I made 160-180whp on the b20 or 170-200whp on the turbo d16 I would be happy.

Would also love to hear anyones experiences tuning with Pruven in Milford, CT or JK Motorsports in Fairfield, CT. Feel free to DM me. I also know Evans tuning is only a couple hours from me.

 

I was also hoping people could let me know what they've paid for a refreshed B20 short block. I reached out for a quote on what was basically a stock rebuild + shot peened stock rods, upgraded rod bolts and new pistons.

I was just quoted $8000 and maybe I'm crazy but that seemed ludicrous. I had my 302 built by one of the best Ford engine builders on the east coast and he was $1200 for the short block.

 

lol
I was just responding to you on reddit and then I come here and see this.

 

thanks for your help! I talked to Ramey and saw the "street" short block on 4-piston. Pricing was much more in line with what I thought.