ok I just bought a 90 integ RS due to my CRX Si getting totaled by some ******* w/ no insurance of course this RS has a b18a in it so i've been thinking rebuilding the B18a short block. I was thinking of having block pinned hi po rods and pistons but I am wondering will I still be able to rev to at least 8k and have it stay together setup will be for the street and daily driven and possibly turbo'ed sometime in the future.

 

turbo...turbo..turbo. Screw ls/vtec, you want a spun rod bearing? b18a is an excellent engine for turbo, great reliablilty and awesome power.

 

so both of you think that I should turbo on the B18A over a B16A that I already have w/ head work, cams , etc. or turbo the B16A

 

ahh you didnt say you already had the head. Well I'd still go the turbo route but that's just me. If you want to go ls/vtec i reccomend doing more internally then just throwing the head on.

 

i have a ls/vtec its great but expensive.
Just reilize if will be quicker but is it worth it.
if you dont have the money build a nice b18a, not a half *** ls/vtec.

 

Is Ls/vtec reliable, i've heard a grip of horror stories bout engines blowin up and ****. Who here has ls/vtec and thinks its worth the money

 

I don't have one myself...but I know that most people who blow their lsvtecs up chose a cheap route...getting a half-*** job done. There are a lot of people who think LS/VTEC is cheap. It's not...if u want a good setup. Take a look at http://www.importreview.com. Lotta stuff, dynos etc on lsvtecs including crvtecs.

-Rod

 

I'm building a LS/VTEC. I'm doin it cuz I already have a ls block. If I had a choice.. I'd go B18C and leave it stock. I'm only doing a LS/VTEC cuz I'm doin all the work myself...wouldnt recommened it unless you have lots of $$$ and time to tune.

 

Exactly what CRX_VTEC said, if you CAN do the work yourself, you save some cash, but if you are paying for it to be done, just buy a b18c.

 

Not sure if I agree. It does have to be built correctly but reliability can be excellent.Full tilt gonna be a lot of money but you can have a good strong hookup for not crazy money, esp if you have b16a head.

Check the basics:

Engine mounts taken care of - you can go with poly inserts if you want more.
Tranny you can keep or even stay with the whiny b16a - S1 or whatever
Block is taken care of, xpt prob want an .025 overbore
Need upgrade rods if you going max power (Eagle cheap or Crower higher)
Piston upgrade like CTR or JE or Arias dep on what comp ratio you want
Head - stock or with Portflow-like hookup with upgrade valvetrain if you want
big rpms
Cams - ITR good choice but dep on what you have , you can save a lot of
money by skipping Jun, Toda, etc. on this
ECU- lot of people run Mugen clone on PR3 but lots of other possibilities

Bunch of other optional stuff like CM flywheel and clutch which would be good
Misc. other sh-- like tapping for VTEC oil line & stuff.....

Anyway, nothing like 5k - I don't know where they get that figure
I am basically going to "upgrade" my b16a by going this route, just doing intelligent shopping on a NON-Rush basis. I figure maybe ~2k dep on what you already have.....Also, if built right this stuff IS reliable...

 

The rods are just fine if you are just going the na, besure to change the studs though to arp.

 

Do you guys suggest any good shops that know their **** I can talk to in the San diego California area? Especially about LS/vtec

 

Well..not in the San Diego area...but ImportBuilders in Fullerton.

-Rod

 

None in the sd area huh, you'd think we'd have more reputable shops around here. So fullerton it is, good lookin out.

 

Don't get me wrong...there should be plenty of shops in SD...I'm just not too familiar with em and don't wanna "recommend" anything. I did a quick search...and in SD...Group 5 comes up, as well as AEBS.

But yea, look into ImportBuilders. Their site is http://www.importbuilders.com. That's Jeff's shop. He owns importreview as well. Private message him, he's on these boards. His handle is "ImportReview". Tell him RK (rod) sent u. He'll help u out. I'm going to get my h22 swap done there. Good luck!

 

I'm spending around 5K for my set up...I had a LS block which I bought for $500. I bought a B16 for $700 and I'm gunna use the head and tranny. Just that their is $1200. How is it possible to get everything you just mentioned for $800 more? I dont think its possible...thats why you hear those 5K figures. I mean 1,200 plus cams (500) and pistons (300) will make it 2K already. I dont think theirs any company willing to throw in a free CM flywheel and a complete valvetrain along with a ecu AND upgraded rods for free just cuz you bought cams and pistons from them. Not trying to flame you, but you can see where the 5K quotes are now coming from. Ls/vtec aint cheap...and if you plan on doing it right...you need at least a new ARP bolts and new belts and oil and water pumps to go with them...which last time I looked werent free either. Like you said...depends on what you already have..but most people either have a B18 or B16 and will need either a head or block. Some are riding on D series motors and will need both, add the bolt ons and it'll eventually become lots of $$$. I'd just go with B18C for those who dont already have the block or head.


[Modified by CRX_VTEC, 5:39 AM 12/12/2001]

 

Yea, I thought you were talking about investment from this point in the buildup, counting the block and head, etc. as already "in hand". Still 3.5-4k total, not 5k, and remember some of that is optional.

Personally I would make sure I had the bottom end together, and go with whatever upgrades to head, cam, intake, etc. later since not so much labor.

Cause you are right about your basic costs. However, if you or your mech. are on your sh--, you know what the internals of that motor look like, rather than just plunking in an "unknown" motor which may or may not be in good shape...

 

i think ls/vtec is worth it as long as you have someone who knows what there doing when making it and it doesnt cost 5k who ever told you that is full of it or every part they buy is a retail cost.

 

i have an ls/vtec right now. i built my motor over year ago and i have 20k miles on it. so far so good. i rev it to 8k no problem. just make sure you do it right, or have the shop do it right. i spent about the same as i would on a gsr swap but my motor is fully built. but then again, i didnt pay some schmuck to build my motor.

 

thanks for all of the replies I thought this thread was dead ! Oh I have decided I think to go with b18a block resleeved to 84.5 and all the good stuff piston/rods type R oil/waterpump well you get my drift and build low compression break it in. And allow bank acct to get back up then blow the wad on a turbo setup for it and then maybe just maybe be done with the engine after all it will be in a street car and I would like to keep my lic. after this is finished..

 

The 5K quote is for a fully built LS/VTEC. I've spent close to 5K on mine..and I get all my parts at wholesale or discount. Almost every part is either new or upgraded.

 

How much power are u guys making with ur lsvtec setups?

 

Yea, I kinda want the basic setup first, then build up from there. I'm just not sure that basic setup is reliable and strong enough to last until I get enough money to upgrade. Anybody wanna shed some light on the subject?

 

If you dont want to spend too much $$...then just go B18C. Otherwise..if you plan on going ls/vtec then go all out from the start.

 

I have a Lsvtec for one year.... It is Built... The only problem i had with it... Is I was leaking oil from the oil line from the block to the head... Right NOw I currently pulled my motor out and is willing to sell the block for 1500... It is a fully built Ls block B18a.... WIth Je pisotns 9.0:1. Corwer rods, Pinned, sleeved, honed... E-mail me for pics if you are interested...