i read that a ported and polished b18b head will flow better than a stock b16a2 head. is this true? considering both are mated to a b18b block which would you rather have? TIA

 

depends if you want vtec or not.. i'd go with the p&p head with a turbo

 

No doubt that would depend on who did the porting and how experienced they were with Honda heads. The B16a head flows very well stock, I'd take that and build an ls/vtec machine.

 

a ported b18b head CAN flow better than a b16 head...but a PORTED b16 head will outflow a PORTED b18b head. b16 head is the best head...there is a reason honda uses it on the type R


[Modified by DefiantGSR, 4:33 AM 10/4/2002]

 

11's are possible on a stock b16 head. Use the money to build the valve train to take it that far.

 

Right......
So where are your flow numbers to back it up? Check out the charts below



GSR vs B16, as you can see, the numbers are very close. Many of the top racers including the 2 litre in Erick's racing Civic use a GSR head...why would they not use a b16 head if it was the best?


[Modified by canuck-mx6, 7:16 AM 10/4/2002]

 

...and to make things even more confusing, look at this frankenmotor comparison. The same exact bottom end mated to a portflow modded B16 head, compared to a stock GSR head. The GSR head clearly owned.

http://www.importreview.com/reviews/...sB16Ahead.html

 

i believe i mentioned a similar question to b18_c5 or was it c5_allmotor. as far as reliability, which one will exceed?

IMO for some reason those charts don't add right.

they quote themselves "Remember, this is not a perfect test, it just shows a pattern"

if it goes to show that a b16 head can be fully tuned, it might prove you wrong.


[Modified by jdmillusion, 10:51 AM 10/4/2002]

 

I’m sticking with my B16A head. Sending out on Monday for p&p work!

Think about it this way, the B16A casting is used on the ITR. The ITR is the best of the best……so why would Honda use a head that was inferior to something else that they currently made??

 

the gsr has a lower rod ratio which requires a better flowing head when compared to a higher rod ratio b16. therefore, the gsr head will perform almost as well as a b16 head in STOCK form. i repeat in STOCK form. but when comparing a ported b16 head and a ported b18c1 head, the b16 head will kill the gsr head. look at this graph.


in response to erick's all motor car using a gsr head...im not sure...but im guessing it's b/c they acheived flow numbers that were desired with a gsr head...in other words...why change to a b16 head when they can get the desired flow numbers with a gsr head?

in conclusion, i stick with my opinion that the b16 head is the best head...honda knows what they were doing when they designed the ITR to have the b16 head.


[Modified by DefiantGSR, 12:38 AM 10/5/2002]

 

thanks for your opinions and info guys.

 

i b16a head might flow alittle better but the welded combustion chambers of the gsr head will make more power...
that's why most head porters will weld the combustion chamber on a pr3 head like the gsr head....

 

i dont get what you mean by the gsr head making more power with welded chambers than the b16a head. doesn't more flow=more power/hp? if so...then the b16 head will make more power b/c it has more flow than the gsr even IF it had welded chambers. or do you mean welded chambers creates more power on top of what you currently have?


[Modified by DefiantGSR, 2:08 AM 10/6/2002]

 

to answer your ORIGINAL question...yes a b18b hhead can flow better than a STOCK b16 head...just depends how well the port was done.

 

actually ericks racing uses a b16 head!! he has an adapter plate for the gsr manifold!!

 

Doesn't the GS-R combustion chamber have less volume than the b16/ITR? That would increase compression and hence the better outcome in the comparo.

 

Indeed it does. I'm not sure the difference is enough to account for the performance disparity however. At any rate the difference in combustion chamber volume cannot be overlooked when considering which head to go with.

 

I believe the difference in compression comes out to .18:1. Most definately not enough to account for that top end difference.