B or K series for 01 integra?
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B or K series for 01 integra?
I recently bought an engineless 2001 Honda integra ls as my first real project car. I've got a couple years experience working on Toyotas at a mechanics but don't really know too much about Hondas. I've read in other forums that one of either the B or K series Vtecs are the way to go but i was just wondering if anyone with a bit more experience with Hondas could give me any advice on which one to choose and anything I should know about them going into this. I'm looking for about 200-230 ish hp, and I don't want to go more than 5 grand AUD on the swap alone because I've got other stuff on the car to work out as well.
Thanks,
Thanks,
Re: B or K series for 01 integra?
Depends how much you can get swaps for in your locale.
Decent complete B series setups are >$5k USD in the US now, that's $8k in AUD. I don't know anything about your local market or how common the different engines are.
As mentioned, putting a B back in it is a no brainer since it's really not even a swap, just a change/install. Putting a K in is significantly more work since the engine really doesn't belong in the car, and you'll get nickeled and dimed with all of the bits and bobs required to adapt. It happens real fast.
If it's about making a power target, I'd go K. A basic K20 or K24 sealed block build with bolt-ons and reasonable cams will make your goal while a B will likely require opening and building to get there reasonably.
Since you're relatively new to Hondas, I'd say go B, set your expectations reasonably, and learn what you want from the car before going K. If you take care of the powertrain it will likely still be worth what you paid for it when it's time to make the upgrade.
Decent complete B series setups are >$5k USD in the US now, that's $8k in AUD. I don't know anything about your local market or how common the different engines are.
As mentioned, putting a B back in it is a no brainer since it's really not even a swap, just a change/install. Putting a K in is significantly more work since the engine really doesn't belong in the car, and you'll get nickeled and dimed with all of the bits and bobs required to adapt. It happens real fast.
If it's about making a power target, I'd go K. A basic K20 or K24 sealed block build with bolt-ons and reasonable cams will make your goal while a B will likely require opening and building to get there reasonably.
Since you're relatively new to Hondas, I'd say go B, set your expectations reasonably, and learn what you want from the car before going K. If you take care of the powertrain it will likely still be worth what you paid for it when it's time to make the upgrade.
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Re: B or K series for 01 integra?
How complete is the car? Do you know everything you need to buy?
Do you want lower end tq? Higher rpm hp? Do you know where in the rpm range you want to make power? What kind of driving will the car see?
It's just interesting criteria, $5K AUD, B or K and 200-220hp, two cool, popular motors & hp for criteria, hmm
It all depends on motor hunting and contacting garages and shops and contacting people who build or collect or deal and finding the right motor at the best price.
B Series:
Things are scarce in general, but especialy for B's, they are nearly as expensive as most K's, but if you have one, better imo.
LS Integra came with the B18B1. Makes sense to put a B back in.
Or a B18C1 head on a bigger B20 block.
Some people run a B18 bottom end and a B16 head too
If its the B series that youd then be looking at then it's a matter of finding one and at what price, id say maybe 2,000 USD (3,100 AUD) would be a decent USDM B18B1.
B series LS/GS/RS Transmissions:
Maybe $400 USD for average condition to as much as $1,500 USD for rebuilt or low milage. $620 AUD to $2,300 AUD.
K Series:
Newer, different technology, they make impressive power figures but do it alot differently.
There are alot of options for K swaps but not for your 5k AUD budget (about $3,200 USD) .
There are the original Kxx"A" motors, K20A, K24A then there are the newer motors, K20Z, K24Z, K20C, K24W.
There are also the JDM and European Market motors that are tuned differently, have some different parts, they sell for different money, little hotter, little pricier.
For you the K20C's are kinda out of the question price wise, they start around $4,000 USD or so used (6,400 AUD), though they are arguablly the best and most powerful.
The k20z's, k24z's & k24w's just add complexity imo, they are newer, usually less mileage but are not terribly powerful though they feature some"cool" & "neat" technology that makes them really effiecient
200-230hp describes either a stock or slightly built k20a to me but you could always build up a k24a or put a k20a head on a k24a or get a complete K20Z1 motor that makes 210hp & 143tq. stock and be done.
For K, i'd look at a USDM 02-04 Acura RSX Type-S k20A2 or in your part the world, the AUDM 02-04 Honda Integra Type-R, they made 200hp @ 7400 / 142lb. ft. @ 6000, they go used for around $1,500-$2,000 USD (2,400-3,200 AUD).
But to buy any K motor & the rest of the required swap parts, you'd likely need a bigger budget UNLESSS you can find a good deal somehow to make it happen
A 200-220hp K is usualy nearly tripple the cost of say a ~$800 USD ($1,200 AUD) USDM 160hp / 161tq. '03-'07 Accord K24A4 motor.
Budget: 5k AUD = 3,200 USD
K20a2 engine
1,500 USD - 2000 USD -- 2,400 AUD to 3,200 AUD
For a $2,400 AUD k20a2 engine
This leaves 2,500 AUD or 1,600 USD remaining for rest of swap
For a $3,200 AUD k20a2 engine
This leaves 1,870 AUD or 1,200 USD remaining for rest of swap
Thes are as of 5/15/2025 and are approximate
Make a list, research, search and scour the world for B18b1 gems. I don't have one. Theres always online jdm engine stores but things are scarce.
Do you want lower end tq? Higher rpm hp? Do you know where in the rpm range you want to make power? What kind of driving will the car see?
It's just interesting criteria, $5K AUD, B or K and 200-220hp, two cool, popular motors & hp for criteria, hmm
It all depends on motor hunting and contacting garages and shops and contacting people who build or collect or deal and finding the right motor at the best price.
B Series:
Things are scarce in general, but especialy for B's, they are nearly as expensive as most K's, but if you have one, better imo.
LS Integra came with the B18B1. Makes sense to put a B back in.
B18B1: DOHC, Non-VTEC, 140hp @ 6300 / 127lb. ft. @ 5200, 9.2:1 compression.
Then there is the USDM GSR motor, B18C1, basically a VTEC version of the LS B18B1 motor.B18C1: DOHC, VTEC, 170hp @ 7600 / 128tlb. ft. @ 6200,10:1 compression
The USDM 94-01 Type-R had the B18C5 though they are highly desirable and because of that expensive, also very hard to find un-beaten.B18C5: DOHC, VTEC, 195hp @ 7,800 / 130lb. ft. @ 7,500, 10.6:1 compression.
Theres also the LSV, a B18C1 head on a B18B1 LS block.Or a B18C1 head on a bigger B20 block.
Some people run a B18 bottom end and a B16 head too
If its the B series that youd then be looking at then it's a matter of finding one and at what price, id say maybe 2,000 USD (3,100 AUD) would be a decent USDM B18B1.
B series LS/GS/RS Transmissions:
Maybe $400 USD for average condition to as much as $1,500 USD for rebuilt or low milage. $620 AUD to $2,300 AUD.
K Series:
Newer, different technology, they make impressive power figures but do it alot differently.
There are alot of options for K swaps but not for your 5k AUD budget (about $3,200 USD) .
There are the original Kxx"A" motors, K20A, K24A then there are the newer motors, K20Z, K24Z, K20C, K24W.
There are also the JDM and European Market motors that are tuned differently, have some different parts, they sell for different money, little hotter, little pricier.
For you the K20C's are kinda out of the question price wise, they start around $4,000 USD or so used (6,400 AUD), though they are arguablly the best and most powerful.
The k20z's, k24z's & k24w's just add complexity imo, they are newer, usually less mileage but are not terribly powerful though they feature some"cool" & "neat" technology that makes them really effiecient
200-230hp describes either a stock or slightly built k20a to me but you could always build up a k24a or put a k20a head on a k24a or get a complete K20Z1 motor that makes 210hp & 143tq. stock and be done.
For K, i'd look at a USDM 02-04 Acura RSX Type-S k20A2 or in your part the world, the AUDM 02-04 Honda Integra Type-R, they made 200hp @ 7400 / 142lb. ft. @ 6000, they go used for around $1,500-$2,000 USD (2,400-3,200 AUD).
But to buy any K motor & the rest of the required swap parts, you'd likely need a bigger budget UNLESSS you can find a good deal somehow to make it happen
A 200-220hp K is usualy nearly tripple the cost of say a ~$800 USD ($1,200 AUD) USDM 160hp / 161tq. '03-'07 Accord K24A4 motor.
Budget: 5k AUD = 3,200 USD
K20a2 engine
1,500 USD - 2000 USD -- 2,400 AUD to 3,200 AUD
For a $2,400 AUD k20a2 engine
This leaves 2,500 AUD or 1,600 USD remaining for rest of swap
For a $3,200 AUD k20a2 engine
This leaves 1,870 AUD or 1,200 USD remaining for rest of swap
Thes are as of 5/15/2025 and are approximate
Make a list, research, search and scour the world for B18b1 gems. I don't have one. Theres always online jdm engine stores but things are scarce.
Last edited by Accordian47; May 15, 2025 at 08:54 PM.
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Re: B or K series for 01 integra?
It came with the B18B1. Makes sense to put a B back in. The B1 was the non-vtec DOHC, 140hp @ 6300 / 127lb. ft. @ 5200, 9.2:1 compression.
You could upgrade to a B18C5 though they are highly desirable and because of that expensive, also very hard to find un-beaten. These came in the 97-01 Integra Type-R.
Another upgrade would be the GSR motor, B18C1, basically a VTEC version of the LS B18B1 motor, it was a 1.8L, DOHC, 10:1 compression, 170hp @ 7600 / 128tlb. ft. @ 6200, cheaper than C5, better than and not too much more expensive than B18B1.
Theres also the lsv, a B18C5/C1 head on a B18B1 LS block.
Or you could put a B18 head on a bigger B20 block.
K series are newer, different, more pricey. There are alot of options for K swaps, a 5 thousand AUD swap, is about $3,200 USD.
There are the original K motors, K20A, K24A then there are the newer motors, K20Z, K24Z, K20C, K24W.
For you the K20C's are kinda out of the question price wise, they start around $4,000 USD or so used (6,400 AUD), though they are arguablly the best and most powerful.
I'd look into investing in/building a USDM 02-04 Acura RSX Type-S k20A2 or in your part the world, the AUDM 02-04 Honda Integra Type-R, they made 200hp @ 7400 / 142lb. ft. @ 6000, can be had used for around $1,500-$2,000 USD (2,400-3,200 AUD).
From there if your looking to make more power, an intake system like individual throttle bodies or an aftermarket/custom intake manifold, possibly cams, cam gears, header, porting and polishing and a way to tune the ecu to reach 230hp or even a litttle more.
If you spent say 2400 AUD on a k20a2 you'd have 2,600 AUD left over to buy transmission and other parts and tune it and make 230hp or more, 300+ is heard of natrurally aspirated but it costs thousands upon thousands.
I'm not sure of the AUD market or where you plan to buy from but for that money and that power goal thats what I'd do, you could even get a AUDM 02-04 Honda Integra k20a2 motor, keep it homeland lol
The k20z's, k24z's & k24w's just add complexity and cost really, they are newer, usually less mileage and more refined but usually not that much more power output but it depends on what you want.
200-230hp describes either a stock or slightly built k20a to me but you could always build up a k24a or put a k20a head on a k24a or get a complete K20Z1 motor that makes 210hp & 143tq. stock and be done, see?
Power goal and money to spend is good information and at one point was kind of enough but nowadyas, where do you end up and with what ya know? It just changes things in the pursuit and journey of building/selecting motors for a car.
If your asking B or K then you probably need to know the differences, am I right? I mean your not wrong for asking it just means you should be guided in the right direction to get one or the other and 200-230hp so let us know more about that direction.
You dont have to be a K series genius or leader to want one or to buy one or even want one to buy one lol but you might become one or end up with one lol.
Do you want lower end tq? Higher rpm hp? Do you know where in the rpm range you want to make power? What kind of driving will the car see?
You could upgrade to a B18C5 though they are highly desirable and because of that expensive, also very hard to find un-beaten. These came in the 97-01 Integra Type-R.
Another upgrade would be the GSR motor, B18C1, basically a VTEC version of the LS B18B1 motor, it was a 1.8L, DOHC, 10:1 compression, 170hp @ 7600 / 128tlb. ft. @ 6200, cheaper than C5, better than and not too much more expensive than B18B1.
Theres also the lsv, a B18C5/C1 head on a B18B1 LS block.
Or you could put a B18 head on a bigger B20 block.
K series are newer, different, more pricey. There are alot of options for K swaps, a 5 thousand AUD swap, is about $3,200 USD.
There are the original K motors, K20A, K24A then there are the newer motors, K20Z, K24Z, K20C, K24W.
For you the K20C's are kinda out of the question price wise, they start around $4,000 USD or so used (6,400 AUD), though they are arguablly the best and most powerful.
I'd look into investing in/building a USDM 02-04 Acura RSX Type-S k20A2 or in your part the world, the AUDM 02-04 Honda Integra Type-R, they made 200hp @ 7400 / 142lb. ft. @ 6000, can be had used for around $1,500-$2,000 USD (2,400-3,200 AUD).
From there if your looking to make more power, an intake system like individual throttle bodies or an aftermarket/custom intake manifold, possibly cams, cam gears, header, porting and polishing and a way to tune the ecu to reach 230hp or even a litttle more.
If you spent say 2400 AUD on a k20a2 you'd have 2,600 AUD left over to buy transmission and other parts and tune it and make 230hp or more, 300+ is heard of natrurally aspirated but it costs thousands upon thousands.
I'm not sure of the AUD market or where you plan to buy from but for that money and that power goal thats what I'd do, you could even get a AUDM 02-04 Honda Integra k20a2 motor, keep it homeland lol
The k20z's, k24z's & k24w's just add complexity and cost really, they are newer, usually less mileage and more refined but usually not that much more power output but it depends on what you want.
200-230hp describes either a stock or slightly built k20a to me but you could always build up a k24a or put a k20a head on a k24a or get a complete K20Z1 motor that makes 210hp & 143tq. stock and be done, see?
Power goal and money to spend is good information and at one point was kind of enough but nowadyas, where do you end up and with what ya know? It just changes things in the pursuit and journey of building/selecting motors for a car.
If your asking B or K then you probably need to know the differences, am I right? I mean your not wrong for asking it just means you should be guided in the right direction to get one or the other and 200-230hp so let us know more about that direction.
You dont have to be a K series genius or leader to want one or to buy one or even want one to buy one lol but you might become one or end up with one lol.
Do you want lower end tq? Higher rpm hp? Do you know where in the rpm range you want to make power? What kind of driving will the car see?
I recently bought an engineless 2001 Honda integra ls as my first real project car. I've got a couple years experience working on Toyotas at a mechanics but don't really know too much about Hondas. I've read in other forums that one of either the B or K series Vtecs are the way to go but i was just wondering if anyone with a bit more experience with Hondas could give me any advice on which one to choose and anything I should know about them going into this. I'm looking for about 200-230 ish hp, and I don't want to go more than 5 grand AUD on the swap alone because I've got other stuff on the car to work out as well.
Thanks,
Thanks,
The closest way I see you getting to your goal within budget would be to purchase a B18B and transmission, a cheap turbo kit, engine management and go low boost and make your HP target... you will NOT do it Naturally Aspirated.
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Re: B or K series for 01 integra?
Yeah so 5k AUD isn't enough for a 200-230hp motor and complete swap, think I lost it in there somewhere between the munies and a complete swap and yeah yeah, you could take $3,200 USD (5k AUD) and get a B18B1 in there with a matching b series transmission, what it came with. But thats a tight budget
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Re: B or K series for 01 integra?
You could, for $3,200 USD or 5k AUD get a B18B1 back in there with a matching transmission but JRCivic1 is right, your not making 200-230hp your making 140hp.
With your budget your going to have to sacrifice power and/or quality/condition.
I dont see alot of b18b1's for sale but im thinking you could get an engine and matching LS integra B series 5spd for maybe $2,000 USD but thats pushing it.
The B18C1's and B18C5's are even rarer and more expensive but make a fair amount more power.
B18B1 complete swap can be done for your budget but not 200-230hp without a turbo kit.
You really can't make 200hp from built, n/a B18B1? They make 140hp stock, add a B18C1 VTEC head? Intake manifold, cams, P&P, tuning?
You can't hit even 180-190? Add 40-50hp? What is the most people are making out of built n/a B18B1's?
I don't know alot about building natruraly aspirated, no experience with what makes what and what costs what.
I do see however that with this budget, your probably not buying a complete B18B1 swap and building the motor to add 60hp so theres that.
With your budget your going to have to sacrifice power and/or quality/condition.
I dont see alot of b18b1's for sale but im thinking you could get an engine and matching LS integra B series 5spd for maybe $2,000 USD but thats pushing it.
The B18C1's and B18C5's are even rarer and more expensive but make a fair amount more power.
B18B1 complete swap can be done for your budget but not 200-230hp without a turbo kit.
You really can't make 200hp from built, n/a B18B1? They make 140hp stock, add a B18C1 VTEC head? Intake manifold, cams, P&P, tuning?
You can't hit even 180-190? Add 40-50hp? What is the most people are making out of built n/a B18B1's?
I don't know alot about building natruraly aspirated, no experience with what makes what and what costs what.
I do see however that with this budget, your probably not buying a complete B18B1 swap and building the motor to add 60hp so theres that.
Last edited by Accordian47; Apr 28, 2025 at 03:06 PM.
Re: B or K series for 01 integra?
Keep in mind you need a better gear stack too. Even at 230hp, the thing will be painful with the B18B gears. You’ll want at least a GS-R/SiR-G trans, preferably something from a B16 or type-R car.
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