b18 hatch questions

[ALL motor EG]

I recently purchased a 1993 civic hatch si that has had a ls dohc motor and trans swap from a 92 integra. The motor and transmission seems strong and i was told they only have 90,000 miles on it. As far as upgrades go it has a stage three clutch and a full exhaust headers and all. Other then that the motor is completely stock. Ive been doing a bunch of research to find out what my best options are for modding the car but to be honest I'm not looking for any crazy power. Im using this car as a daily and i do put miles on a vehicle. Right now the car has no ac or ps which i am fine with. It has had basic suspension upgrades coil overs camber kit and such. I'm looking to get a little more out of it and I'm just wondering if the vtec head swap is worth it for a daily. or would i be better off just getting the heads built with a good street cam and going nuts with bolt ons. I have no interest in turboing this car ever but i wouldn't mind spraying a little nitrous on it from time to time. I really enjoy driving the car as is but i can feel the potential. I do plan on going nuts with the suspension because i really enjoy driving a car hard and i liked to take it to a few track days too. Ive looking to throw about $2000, into it over the next month or so and I'm just wondering whats my best bang for the buck. Im not trying to reinvent the wheel I'm just looking to build a fun drivable car. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. thanks in advance.

 

[Notrewoh]

honestly, I have not noticed major hp increases on an engine with vtec vs that same engine without. What I have found is that the vtec's, especially for 92 integra, tend to have more quirky tweeking problems than its worth.

Also, I would shy away from spraying. Your baby is approaching 1 grand (which is crazy for a 92) and spraying the wrong mixture could cause pressures an older engine just cant handle.

I purchased a 93 hatch with a b18b swap from a guy who sprayed and a few months later, she completely ceased on me and I had to ordered a used b18b from japan. In my opinion, its just too risky to spray in a car that is your primary means.

but if you really want to spray, for sure get a compression test done and make sure shes tight.

if you've got two grand to blow, drop a bigger/newer engine in her and that will deff give you what you're looking for. good luck!!

 

[XpL0d3r]

I can't really say for B-series, but slapping a Vtec head on my D-series motor was not worth it. My B18 motor had no Vtec, and that wasn't enough either. Didn't want to do a head swap since I was disappointed by the D-series swap, so I ended up going turbo. That's still the most fun vehicle I've owned. Just out of curiosity, why no turbo?

I would also stay away from the spray, you only get the extra power at WOT.

 

[ALL motor EG]

T

I can't really say for B-series, but slapping a Vtec head on my D-series motor was not worth it. My B18 motor had no Vtec, and that wasn't enough either. Didn't want to do a head swap since I was disappointed by the D-series swap, so I ended up going turbo. That's still the most fun vehicle I've owned. Just out of curiosity, why no turbo?

I would also stay away from the spray, you only get the extra power at WOT.

Im not looking to turbo because don't want to get to involved with the plumbing and tuning on this car i just need a good running fun to drive car. I have a 351 windsor block for another project that building up for a 65 coupe. Sounds like conciseness is to stay away from nitrous at least until i have a fresher motor. If the vtec doesn't make that noticeable difference on its own then ill probably just get the car running really good and upgrade the suspension and such. its nible as it is but I'm sure that these things feel like they are on rails with some beefy control arms, sway bars , subframe connectors things like that. I've been looking at the skunk2 parts seems to be some of the better built stuff but i haven't ever purchased parts for the import market so if I'm wrong correct me. my first car had some really nice suspension and i had more fun dialing in the cars handling then i did making it faster. thanks for the info.

 

[xxBLOOD88SHOTxx]

Please don't listen to Nortewoh, that is some plain wrong info.

VTEC head swap properly tuned can get just as good MPG is not better especially that the LS trans and make more power. Bigger ports and valves, smaller combustion chamber and more aggressive cam profile? How would it not make more power?

Build it right and it is just as relieable as anything else. The two main issues are 1) improper build and 2) unhealthy bottom end and then you go reaming on it every day because you want to hear that crossover (except a well tuned crossover wont make noise so think about that).

Boost is just about the same situation, more money but more power

Add spray and no tune and what do you expect, don't blame the car or engine for a retard execution of a power adder.

 

[Notrewoh]

exactly my point xxBLOOD88SHOTxx; more trouble than its worth. lol

he has an older engine and if you think it can handle such modifications without major issues........nonsense! its a 92 for cripes sake!

therefore what I said is not wrong!!

 

[xxBLOOD88SHOTxx]

honestly, I have not noticed major hp increases on an engine with vtec vs that same engine without. What I have found is that the vtec's, especially for 92 integra, tend to have more quirky tweeking problems than its worth.

Also, I would shy away from spraying. Your baby is approaching 1 grand (which is crazy for a 92) and spraying the wrong mixture could cause pressures an older engine just cant handle.

I purchased a 93 hatch with a b18b swap from a guy who sprayed and a few months later, she completely ceased on me and I had to ordered a used b18b from japan. In my opinion, its just too risky to spray in a car that is your primary means.

but if you really want to spray, for sure get a compression test done and make sure shes tight.

if you've got two grand to blow, drop a bigger/newer engine in her and that will deff give you what you're looking for. good luck!!

All wrong. VTEC heads produce more power and "92" Integras are not quirky.

Your 93 blew up because it wasn't tuned or it had a bigger shot on it than a stock shortblock could handle or a combination of both. If the engine was hurt when you bought it then you should of saw it coming before it completely died.

 

[Notrewoh]

i never said with absolute that the spraying caused the engine cease. I can only deduce. and for most owners who spray, they inevitably end up damaging the compression chambers because stock engines are not designed for greater explosions caused by spraying. unless he is willing to do massive upgrades, which are super costly, IT IS NOT WORTH IT......especially on a 92!!!

also, I said, "What I have found is that the vtec's, especially for 92 integra, tend to have more quirky tweeking problems than its worth." (referring to installing the vtec and getting it to operate correctly)

not going to get into an argument here.

simply giving ALL motor EG a conservative view.

 

[xxBLOOD88SHOTxx]

i never said with absolute that the spraying caused the engine cease. I can only deduce. and for most owners who spray, they inevitably end up damaging the compression chambers because stock engines are not designed for greater explosions caused by spraying. unless he is willing to do massive upgrades, which are super costly, IT IS NOT WORTH IT......especially on a 92!!!

also, I said, "What I have found is that the vtec's, especially for 92 integra, tend to have more quirky tweeking problems than its worth." (referring to installing the vtec and getting it to operate correctly)

not going to get into an argument here.

simply giving ALL motor EG a conservative view.

Massive upgrades for spray are not needed if properly tuned given the amount of horsepower produced is not beyond the limit of said parts in the engine. Same goes for boost. Spray is a waste of time and money because it is not convenient in a day to day type setup.

There is nothing quirky or tweeky with putting a vtec head on a car and getting it to run unless you f**ked up installing it. That is all there is to it. EVERYTHING you have said about going LS/VTEC is wrong.

I'm also confused as to why the OP is "building" a 351 yet he shies away from intercooler piping? It's pipe and hose clamps dude. Turboing a Honda should be like the first quarter of high school shop these days it's that easy.

 

[ALL motor EG]

Not interested in boosting the honda because Im just trying to get a good running strong motor that isn't a bore to drive. I'm not trying to throw money at the motor for the sake of power. I was interested in the vtec swap because If it's a good way to see an increase in power and be just as good of a daily then I would do that instead of throwing money at performance parts down the road. I decided to just leave the motor aND just get it running good and put the money I set aside for this car in areas that I feel will bring a more fun driving experience. The 351 build is going in a much more long term project I have going.I'm not looking for what's easy I'm looking for long term reliability and function for the honda that's it. Thanks for the info.

 

[Notrewoh]

good luck with your build All motor EG.

 

[ALL motor EG]

Thanks I'll be sure to use this site for posting progress and I'm sure I'll have more questions. Thanks for the imput. It's nice to have other to bounce ideas off of. If anyone is in the richmond va area. Let me know. I'm new to the area and looking for some friends that's are into cars.

 

[Notrewoh]

right on. I'm in Norfolk and make my way there from time to time.

I'm currently working on rebuilding my suspension; trying to restore a tight smooth and comfy ride. haven't done much in this area other than cv axles and normal maintenance so I'm sure I will be looking into the site more in the near future as well.