I'm working on a limited budget but want to get some major Hp. my 96 ex has 105000 miles on it, My question lies in which is overall the better way to go, I kinda posted this under the civic eg+ area but want some more indepth advise. My concerns with either options are as follows: turbo, I don't want to spend 2-3 k on my engine if it's only gonna last another 100k miles, I put major miles on this car, about 50k a year. Engine swap, I just have no clue what is involved / needed.
I currently have CAI and some strut bars... all advise is welcome.

 

Hey Grimm,

Welcome to my forum j/k I have pondered the Turbo or swap for a long time now and have come to the conclusion......BOTH......
Swap a B18B (LS/GS) into the car $2,500+ then after you are comfortable with the added torque and want more horsepower get a turbo (anthoer 1,000)

P.S. Get some springs from Neuspeed (Sports) and lower the car......feels great and the springs usually go for about 150 and work with the stock shocks. Then get a rear sway bar.

On the strut bars.....did you have the car jacked up when you put the strut bars on? If not you need to do that.....you need all weight off if the suspension so that the struts are in the right position when you mount the bar to keep the flex of the chasis out. If you mount the bars with the chasis already flexed then it is pointless.

 

Check out my partially done custom kit for sale in the classifieds, might be the answer to your question.

 

I concur BOTH.......lol

A swap will be yield a better base to start with.

check the site in my sig for details

 

Spade,
I definatly was leaning towards the swap, just cause it's gonna have (in most cases) less miles on it then mine. I looked here at some... http://www.redime.com/swaps/
suspension wise, i was thinking of getting new shocks, tokico illumina(sp) or blues. I've noticed mine seem to bounce. i wasn't really thinking about lowering my car? rear sway? is it different then a lower rear tie/ strut bar?
The strut bars I put them on while the car was on the ground, they are just the upper front and upper rear, lower rear I haven't installed yet, should / do I need to take the uppers off and reinstall? i did notice a big difference after they were put on?

One other question (kinda silly) but where do you go to get a dyno done? and is it exspensive?

 

I lowered mine with the Neuspeed Sports.....1.5 in the front and 1.75 in the rear just gives you an overall better handling. A lot more than the strut bars. The sway bar connects to the Lower control arms and when one side is pushed up the other side is pushed down.....basically gives you better control and less sway of the car in sharp turns. (the car stays above the tires instead of the tires going and then the car catching up)

Yes, you need to reinstall the strut bars....even though they are doing some of there job now they aren't at there full potential.

Dyno's are expensive unless you go with a group. They can cost anywhere from 100 to 250....the last SoCal did two runs for 40 bucks each. Your engine is probably at about 100-105 Whp.

If you want to stay with the swap and don't plan on going with a turbo at all the I would save for a B18C1 (GSR)....don't what ever you do go with a B16, there isn't enough torque in those engines to make you happy.

 

Again thanks spade, I'll re-mount my struts this weekend, and your advice about the b16 is great, i've heard tons of people gettting / suggesting to get it. i would probably do the swap then maybe like 6 months later get the turbo. My budget limits my ability to spend $5000 that quickly. does anyone know how much It'd cost to get the swap done. I am not a mechanic by any means nor do I have the neccasary tools. Or does anyone know of a good performance shop in central Nj? thanks again...

 

To pay for the swap it will cost aroung 3 g's for a B16 and 5 for a B18C1....should be around 3,500 for a B18B....I haven't gotten a quote on those. Oh and those prices are installed.

 

cool thanks... i guess I gotta start saving LOL...

 

I'm in the same boat only I have to replace one of my trannies first.

 

hey Grimm,

if your looking for a good speed shop in NJ check out ecpracing.com..... this shop does engine rebuilds and swaps. the shop its in union city tho.... good luck