AAAAAggggghhhhhhhh.....Help.

Today is the day I order my engine. I think. Was going to go with a b18c1 with lsd motor but the thought of spending all that extra money for some torque freaks me out!

Simply put are the benefits worth it? My main function for this motor is autox first drag second. It's going into a 93 SI Hatch.

Please for Gods sake help me.
Thanks guys

 

Decisions like this can be tough. Well you didn't mention the difference in price of the 2 engines you're looking at. The difference is usually around $1k-1.2k. I guess the question will come down to what else you plan to do to the engine. If you're planning to go FI then the b16 might be a more reasonable proposition. Plus you could sleeve it and stroke it w/ b17 parts later for more torque out of boost. The GSR motor has a good deal more potential NA and would be my choice if you have the dead presidents. If you go with the b16 you may well regret it later. You're less likely to encounter this with the b18c swap.

 

I would go with the b18c1. Can you tell from my sig? . Its a very good place to start. More power out of the box plus .2 more littlers.

Jay

 

Thanks guys...went with a b18c5 instead. Yeah I freaked out and went for it. I figured in a few months I would have probably dropped the difference in the c1 and c5 price on upgrades anyways.

Cant wait for the headache of the install

 

Uhhh...you were debating if the cost of a b18c1 was worth the premium over a b16a2...and then you went with a b18c5? lol I guess you really were undecided.

 

The B18C5 is one of those motors that few people get because they are told it is a raw deal. Everyone and their dog will tell you that it is a waste of money because you can 'supposedly' buy a B18C1 and make it better than a B18C5 for less. NOT SO! The cost difference between the B18C1 and B18C5 is only about $1000. For this, you are NOT going to be able to buy ITR cams, ITR valve gear, Skunk2 intake manifold, larger throttle body, mild portwork, an 11 pound flywheel, and a reprogrammed ECU. This guy just found out what I did a couple of months ago - that the B18C5 is actually a GREAT DEAL!


[Modified by StorminMatt, 5:27 AM 2/14/2003]

 

I should add that there are only a few of situations in which a B18C1 is a better motor to get. One is if you already have one (duh!). Another is if you don't have the cash right away to get the B18C5. And finally, it is better to get the B18C1 if you plan an extreme buildup right away.

 

I have nothing against the B18C5, and you're right you cannot buy all that stuff for the $1k difference between the 2 motors. The trouble with your logic IMO is that that's not the stuff you'd buy to hop up your B18c1. If you were planning to just buy the engine and leave it alone then the ITR engine is a great deal. I'll just bet however almost nobody that pays all that $$$ for an engine transplant is going to be happy keeping it stock. Seems to me you'd be further ahead buying the B18c1 & some skunk2 or Crower cams, springs, retainers, and gears. Who wants an OBDII ITR ecu anyway? If ECU is your game, then get the B18c1, a P28, and Hondata. I guess it boils down to the fact that the ITR stuff is decent, but still not good enough, so you're paying more for stuff you may well end up replacing anyway. The real gem of a B18c5 swap is the ITR tranny with LSD. Both engines are sexy as all get out though.

 

the only reason i'd opt for a R swap would be for the tranny and the mild LSD.

it depends on what your going to do wiht your setup.

if you were going the N/A route, i'd go ITR just because its the best to start with for N/A. You can make great power with stock block, head and just adding cams and bolts ons. I've seen 190whp without removing the head. another thing, you'll be hanging in the ITR forum more....those guys are picture crazy.....

i'd even go B16 swap for N/A or turbo just cause the money u save u can invest in the aftermarket parts. B16 trannys are sweet as well.

but if your undecided a GSR engine will do anything well - its the most well balanced engine out there. a little bit of everything.

if u want to go even cheaper non vtec B18b's go real cheap. I'd turbo them.
my friend just got a complete swap for 800 bucks. and were swapping it in right now....

any Bseries will do good....

 

you can not buy the ITR stuff for the $1k difference in price, but you can sell the ITR stuff for if you replace it with more aggressive parts. that makes up most of the difference right there.

 

Main reason for going with the C5 is time. I have a business with my bro that requires lots of attention along with a family life. Yeah I will upgrade it but and have fun but I think there is a lot less work involved.

If I had more time I would have probably opted for the C1 and built that puppy but again its a time thing.

The "headache of the install" just got better. A friend of mine who is a Honda Tech. is going to drop it in while I chase dropped bolts and lost wrenches.

Actually I want to do as much as possible without slowing progress.


[Modified by RangerDan, 12:37 AM 2/15/2003]

 

Since when did an ITR flywheel weigh 11 lbs?