I am not really into souped-up show cars that much. I build and compete in Rock Crawling. (Using 4x4's with large oversized tires.) Until recently, everyone in my sport pretty much used V8's with low-end torque in their buggies like I have done in the past. The growing trend now days however is toward extremely light buggies with smaller engines that rev higher with more high-end HP. In fact, I don't know of a single competitor right now who is running anything larger than a V6.

I am about to start building a tube-chassis and was planning on using my standard Chevy 350. But I am starting to think more and more that it is just too heavy. I am looking into aluminum engines and someone suggested a Honda V-Tech. I have since driven a 1999 model Civic with a V-Tech in it. It seemed plenty powerful after 3500 rpm, but before that it was a little underpowered for what I would need.

Basically, I am looking for good V-Tech tech. What years are good, are they all aluminum, what mods can be done to get more low-end while still maintaining high-end power and revability? How much does an aluminum V-Tech weigh? Once you modify one, do new chips have to be programmed? How much could I expect to buy one for and where should I look? I currently run my 350 on propane. If I wanted to highly modify a V-tech to give it around 12:1 CR to run on propane, would it hold together? What are good aftermarket sources? What are stock power figures?

I've heard that there are adapters out there to mate a Powerglide tranny to them. In that case, my TH350 would also mount on one, whcih is good. But where can I find the adapters and how much do they run?

Thanks in advance for being patient with a relative noob. I know my stuff as far as engines and stuff, just nothing about "ricers". All of my experience is with American V8's.

J. J.

 

They are all aluminum blocks and heads.
The way you read them is the following.
D 16 Y8. D is the series (SOHC) 16 is the displacement (1.6L) and Y8 is the engine code within that series and size (Y8 = VTEC).

Now, is there a displacement limit? Not really.
You can actually build a 2.0L (B = DOHC...more cam options) B series engine with great tranny options for low to high gears. And the NonVTEC engines can actually take a VTEC head with minimal modification. For about 2,000 if you went cheap.

So in fact you could pull a B20 (CRV non VTEC engine) and swap a 99-00 Civic SI VTEC head (B16) on there!

There are almost unlimited options. I have seen N/A B series engines with very mild builds push 200whp.

You can install Iron ductile sleeves (sleeve) in the block to handle up to....hell 600whp and more in these engines.

goldeneaglemfg.com

However, these engines in some cases aren't as cheap as the 350.

Stock engine class, I would go with a B18C5 (USDM Type R) for many reasons. It puts out about 165whp stock! The pistons, cams, oil pump, crank, rods, head....hell everything in that engine is race prepped/coated/lighter....you name it. The tranny is LSD from the factory with a Lighter flywheel and stronger clutch, shorter final drive.....and if you build on that engine.... Factory compression is 11.5:1.

I didn't really answer many of your questions, you would get better information about the tranny/powerglide info from people who are using these engines in the competition.