Sorry for the n00b questions, Ive tried the search on afew different forums that I knew of and figured I'd see if you guys could help. I've been working with VW for the past 2 years turbo'ing 1.8t's and VR6's and am trying to learn my way around under the hood of Honda's by reading and asking questions.

I just recently picked up my first honda (or will be in about a week when Im off work next) its a 1996 HX hatchback. Im still in the early phase and need to figure out which motor would be better to go with to hit my goal of around 500+ whp(which from what I've read on here seems to be bread and butter to some of you guys ). Now it seems that the GSR is what alot of people are running to get this HP but Ive read afew SiRII motors doing the same. I understand that a bore to 84mm along with pistons rods and a girdle are a must, along with some head work, management,fuel,ignitions ect. but am lost to which motor to use as a good base concidering I have noticed a price difference between the 2 I thought this was a good question to bring up.

Thanks

p.s. I live in Savannah Ga and was wondering if anyone know of any shops in SC, GA, or North Fla that maybe able to help me out. I hae a friend that is going to install whatever motor I end up getting No problem, but as far as redoing the head or the bottom end I would like a professional to do it along with the tune.

 

All b-series motors are capable of doing what you want with the right build-up. It all depends on personal preference. Youll want to decide if you wish to have vtec, also. Its harder to tune but adds a few possiblities. The vtec engines also rev higher alone without modifications. But that doesnt mean the b18a cant make the same power. If I were you Id buy a bare b18a and take it from there with the buildup....it has just as much potential and is cheaper. But thats just my opinion.

 

if money isn't an issue i would recommend getting an h22a in ur civic. ask around lots of people here have them. they make lotsa power in stock form and also has the most displacement for 4 cyl honda's. their compression isn't that high either. 10:1

 

LS motor resleeved with lower compresion and a phat *** turbo kit pushing 20 lb of boost

 

b16 is only engine I will use...call me stubborn but I love the engine...

 

i say b18b cheap and pretty easy to replace .. i would sleeve it and run 10-15 daily and pump to 20-25 for track thats what im doin

 

get a GSR motor!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by allablur &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i say b18b cheap and pretty easy to replace .. i would sleeve it and run 10-15 daily and pump to 20-25 for track thats what im doin </TD></TR></TABLE>

Or you could not sleeve it and run 10-15 daily anyway.

Locally you can pick up 6 month unlimited mileage warrantied B18B for $650, I have a one or two time only discount I can swing for my own personal use = $400-450. I dunno about you, I'd rather R&R three $400-ish engine than build one $$$ unit that needs to be rebuilt in 10-15K because the forged pistons have killed the bores. This route WON'T get you 500 whp, but since you can't bring more than 350 whp to bear on the street... well, I can do everything I need with stock LS since I'm not a track *****

 

Thanks for all the suggestions, Im corrently looking into either a GSR or LS/Vtec. Any info on either one of these is much appreciated.

Thanks again for all the great info and keep it commin

 

I would go GSR motor. Already has a block girdle and a little more displacement than a b16. With a b16a at 84mm you'll have about 1.707 liters and a GSR you'll have about 1.932 liters. More torque is good .

 

Your best bang for buck build up would be to pick up a first gen b16 and then build up from there. With the GE deck plate you can still get 2.0L. I know some folks will say the deck plate is more $$, however it's still less than trying to pick up a b18c motor or picking up a b18 short block and a b16 head.
HTH

 

I'd go with a stock ls. With a stock ls long block and block guard a decent turbo and good tuning you can push over 20psi of boost on pump gas and push over 350hp. Its real cheap and if something goes wrong you can replace it very cheap. That would be the best bang for the buck on a street car.

 

dont do ls/vtec i had 3 all built by people who said" the last guy didnt do it right but we do" they all fu cked it up, needless to say dont goto them anymore but i just seen myself and to many people have problems. LS all the way!!

 

That's to bad. My first one had no probs. They really aren't difficult, but there are a few things to look out for though. Sorry to hear about your bad experience.

 

lsvtecs have a bad name because dumb idiots think they know all and think they can make money building them....theres alot of people who I know that had them done right and wouldnt use any other motor...

but me...like i said is b16 is only motor i would use in a honda (unless its a s2000)