Evaluation of ls/vtec setup 10,000 miles in and a year later of hard weekend running, this setup still smashes with no oil leaks at all and smooth as ever. Also has been seeing 8000-8200 rpm every weekend. The only thing I have changed since the install is the oil every 2000 miles or so - honda/mobil 5w30 conventional. I changed the plugs once as well - bkr7. The radiator fluid is still full with some water wetter in there. Ignition timing has remained close to 17 deg, fuel presure at 47psi at idle vacuum connected. Cam timing is at +1,+1. The piston domes look in normal condition, on the darker side. Just giving some info for some people looking into the project, I know how it was when I was searching for info. My next evaluation will come after I smash out to vegas later this summer

LS/VTEC-$2900
Motor Assmbly: $350 block work, $300 vtec head work, $150 b16 tranny gears installed, $400 motor install
Bore, rods notched for vtec bearings and resized rods $220
Bare B18A1 block $160
Balance full bottom end rods and pistons, clutch and crank $135
.25 over ITR pistons $200
Vtec oil pump $106
Vtec water pump $85
Vtec Bearings and seals $250
B16 head, milled.030, Crower springs and retainers, 3 angle valve job, GSR cams, Skunk2 sprockets, Stainless steel valves, ITR intake manifold $600 all used from friend
Vision p28 program $30

 

been to the dyno yet?

 

what did u dyno at?

 

thats great man. this kind of thread makes me want to start my engine build. but i have no money.

id also like to know what you dyno'd. and any track times you had in your DA(thats what my lsvtec will be in )

also, are you going to switch to synthetic oil?? why or why not thanx

 

Great news. Threads like this will help those who are considering an LS/Vtec but are afraid because everytime the word is used, someone says that it's unreliable. Keep us updated!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Professor X &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Great news. Threads like this will help those who are considering an LS/Vtec but are afraid because everytime the word is used, someone says that it's unreliable. Keep us updated! </TD></TR></TABLE>


i know right..lol.... Just remember ANY BUILD IS ONLY AS RELIABLE AS THE TIME AND EFFORT PUT INTO IT!

 

This is good to here. So how long is your road trip this summer you are going on? Im sure you'll be fine though, threads like this will make people actually think twice about bashing the LSVTEC, because they hear those horror stories about the ones that were put together in a weekend. I have My B18A block sitting in my basement right now, and collecting parts as we know it.
I would like to see any pics of your set up. PM me, or Email at I3ackfire@hotmail.com

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by I3ackfire &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">This is good to here. So how long is your road trip this summer you are going on? Im sure you'll be fine though, threads like this will make people actually think twice about bashing the LSVTEC, because they hear those horror stories about the ones that were put together in a weekend. I have My B18A block sitting in my basement right now, and collecting parts as we know it.
I would like to see any pics of your set up. PM me, or Email at I3ackfire@hotmail.com</TD></TR></TABLE>

No dyno's yet. Just been old fashioned by reading the plugs as far as fuel tuning, and the cam settings made a drastic change over stock and left it at that. I mean as far as power, I'm guessing the 160-170 range seeing that my semi built LS was making 150whp and this motor seems like it would crush that. I easily handled a turbo b16 DA pushing 9lb on the freeway and on the street. Once traction hooks up in second, that's when the power is most felt. I know with a better header, cams, fuel management and tuning the setup will make good power and continue to be reliable. Here are some pictures of the motor...












Modified by VtecDA9 at 2:18 PM 5/11/2004

 

good job VtecDA9, nice setup. money well spent, and in the right areas. you hardly see that on h-t.

with good cams (rs, skunk2 stage 2) a good header, etc....and good tuning, you could hit 200 whp on a dynojet if the motor was built good. right on.

 

i could drop my b16 head onto a b18 block and have what he has.... wow thats a dangerous line of thought for me.

 

No you dont just want to drop it on...a swap like this you wanna spend some serious time on!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by I3ackfire &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">a swap like this you wanna spend some serious time on!</TD></TR></TABLE>

ur totally right. i didnt think i could literally drop the head of my b16 onto a b18 and call it a day.

i do have a b18 in my garage though...