what i know:
b18b w/FI - great low end torque, lower compression, stronger rods???

b16a2 w/FI - more horsepower up top with vtec, higher redline for boost, can get a cool type R valve cover

So i know a little, but what are your guys' opinions, the turbo setup im looking at is a drag/revhard kit, havent decided

most have said b18b so far

 

better rod ratio, vtec (more air flow, more hp), stronger rod .. ..

 

 

Since when??

B16a2 hands down.

 

I say turbo LS, just look around and you'll see why. Look at what all the turbomafia guys are running. From what i noticed, most are running turbo LS. I've heard the b16's take a long time to spool up, and every turbo LS i've been in has been just sick, even on low boost.

 

I would pick a gsr motor

However if I had to choose b/t a b16 and a b18b, I would pick b16 because of higher comp and vtec.

 

i pick a b16a2 because i have one

 

In case you havent heard the news...neither one of those help a turboed car. High compression is the main enemy of boost...and i know that youre gonna say that it wont matter because he prolly wont be running that much boost, but what if he eventually wants to run more? Hell have to lower it.

My vote is for the b18. Hands down the best engine for boost . There are people on here running over 12lbs of boost daily on a COMPLETELY stock LS. There was one guy that made a little over 300hp on a COMPLETELY stock engine. Im not saying that you should do this...just saying that it can happen. But good luck at whatever you decide to do.

Sean

 

dont matter both are good but im with the b18b

 

What rock have you been living under?

Compression and vtec is great with turbo!

High compression can be the main enemy OR it's best friend depends on how your set up is.

No, I'm not going to say run low boost. With the proper fuel you can run as much boost as he wants.

FYI- There are plenty of people with stock vtec motors making well over 300hp TO THE WHEELS!

 

I'm glad somebody said it!
sCeRaXn, what rock have you been living under?
Pound for pound, i would put my money on the average stock B16a2 making more hp than an LS motor anyday.

 

do you mean to say there is no replacement for displacement?

 

Yay...falconGSR returns.

Sonny

 

b18b all the way!

 

 

i used to say b18.. but i've got to go with the b16 i've seen some nice setups with them and they have all be good. i just like boosted gs-r hatchbacks but b16 will do..

 

high compression ratio is bad for turbo? hehe..think of it logically.IF done and tuned right..it will "max out the power". sure high compression is bad if you want to boost higher than allowed..but if u have moderate boost, high compression motor will make more hp than a lower compression turbo'd motor.

a higher compression ratio on a na motor will make more hp than a car with lower compression assuming its the same motor..

but watever..this post has been done NUMEROUS times..after reading all of it, i would say u cant lose either way.

 

If sleeved and tuned properly you can run high compression with higher boost. It's a pita to tune though.

Go B16a2. Leave the B18b's for me.

 

OK...who is saying that this guy is going to spend the money needed to tune the car right? Not everyone has the money to do that. You are right...high compression is ok with boost to a certain point...after 1 bar youre taking the life of your engine into your own hands. Im not saying that you its bad to turbo a VTEC engine...but i PERSONALLY think that the LS is a much better base. And as you all know...just because a car makes more power than another DOESNT BY ANY MEANS make it faster. Turbod b16's have a good bit more lag than LS's because of their insanely shitty low end...this means that they make all of that power at astronomical rpm's. Not to meantion that most VTEC transmissions climb through the gears so fast you dont have time to enjoy the boost. Yet another reason to get an LS. They have a good amount of torque slightly decreasing lag and they will stay in boost alot longer. If you read the dyno charts of both engines with the same setup you will understand what im saying. When it comes down to it the LS will give you a MUCH more user friendly powerband.

P.S. IM NOT IN ANY WAY PUTTING DOWN ANY VTEC ENGINE...i think they are wonderful engines that are more suited for NA....so dont crucify me for going against the all mighty VTEC.

Sean

 

Mmm... interesting thread.

So, how do spool up times really compare between a b16a and b18b? I know it's dependent on the turbo and other factors, but for arguments sake, assume 6psi on a t3/t4 on stock internals...where does each engine hit 6psi in first gear and how much room is there left to play with until you have to shift?

I would have thought that even though the b16 would spool up a little later than the b18b, there would still be more room on the revometer to play with.

 

The b16 does have a higher redline....but because of its gearing it will get there faster than the LS. The LS has really good gearing for boost...even though it doesnt have the highest redline, it can stay in boost a little longer. Dont know about the spool up times between the two engines...there are really too many different things that could affect it. I do know that the LS should spool up a litle faster because it has better low end.

Sean

 

Sean. You can't bring a certain specific boost level into this argument. Because the b16 and b18 all have the same HP limits on the stock motor.
I like to think 300whp.

Either way the b16 is going to take less boost then the b18b to get to that HP level. Actually I think 300whp will be made with an efficent turbo setup on a stock b16a.

14+ PSI can be run on a stock stock b16 with a small turbo. Because the engine only recognizes airflow not manifold pressure. Shoot I bet you can run 20psi with a t-25 on a stock b16 without worry.

Of course the LS motor will make more power earlier in the powerband. But it doesn't rev to 8000rpm either, It stops @ 7000. But the storter gears in the b16 tranny helps that situation.

 

I say go with what you've got. If you don't have a motor yet, just get what ever is cheapest and closest to you.

Do that or... decide what the characteristics you like in a set up.

If you like great low end, easy tuning, and more meat under the curve go B18B. If you like not too much low end, screaming revs, tempermental high static compression, a pretty vavle cover, and high HP go with the B16.

Also keep in mind that with a bit of head work, a b18 will rev and flow. Oh, it's also much, much cheaper if you have a tuning accident with the B18B.

For the record I've got a B18B and I love it... a lot. It's pretty gratifying to make the B18B flow. It's like a project. With the B16 the things breathes really well already. Where's the fun in that?

 

just my opinion but i'd go with the B18B. easier to tune and a lot cheaper. if you compare the two motors power wise there really isn't much difference. b16=hp and super short gearing but no tq to back it up . b18=more tq and longer gears to make up for loss of hp. also b16=high revlimit, but short gears. b18=lower revlimit, but long gears. all in all, they're about the same. but i'd still go with the b18 because to my lazy ***, vtec is just another headache. oh and with the b18, you can always add vtec later as well.

 

"The LS has really good gearing for boost...even though it doesnt have the highest redline, it can stay in boost a little longer."

I guess I'm screwed since I got the GSR tranny for my B18B...won't be able to stay in boost as long

Get the B18B...it's cheaper. You can buy the longblock and then get the GSR tranny. Later, if you feel you can't have to have VEETECH, you can slap on any B16 or B18C head and get your wheeeeetek on.

B16's are lacking torque, but they are fun to drive. Take them on the highway and wind them up like a top...listen to that little motor screaming for mercy. My buddy has a Del Sol w/B16 and that dude KNOWS how to torture it!