ok guys i just blew my b18a. now im looking for another power plant. im kinda stuck between the b16 or the b20. i know the best way is to do both i.e b20 bottom and b16 head. but living in cali that can cause major problem during smog visiuals. so a full engine swap is what i plan to do. but there are so many things to consider. i have done some good bolt ons on my b18a. i have dc 4-2-1 header, intake, S2 intake manifold, nology wires, and fuel rail. now which of these parts will work on which engine? im just curious on some of your opinions you guys may have. hook me up on some good info 
I would do a b20 swap. Oh wait, i already did 
I know that if you get a b18 block and b16 head then you can use your fuel rail and intake, you should get new wires just cuz you are running non-vtec and if you go t vtec, its just better to get ones for vtec. As for the S2 intake manifold, if it will fit a Type-R (if you know that information) thenit will also fit a b16.
i dont think s2 manifold will fit a type r it was for the b18a only . but ilke i said doing ls-vtech will suck during smog visuals so i want to do the whole engine. i was thinkin if i do the b20 and i really want to put a b16 head later but im not sure
A B16 may land you the same troubles of smogging just like an LS/VTEC motor. The B20 is similar to an LS motor and will easily be looked over by a smog tech. My suggestion is if you are really worried about smog, then why not build a strong LS or B20 motor?
hmm i guess the b20 does sound like a good route to go. i guess the whole vtech thing has raised my curiosity. now since the b20 is very much like an ls engine. will i have the ability to find as much after market parts for it?
Mang … how how was HI? oh yah most anything from a b18 will work witha b20.
Originally posted by Integ5150
Mang … how how was HI? oh yah most anything from a b18 will work witha b20.
sup bro! dude HI was great! got hella dark. and then some if ya know what mean 
well i think b20 is sounding good. but i cant find one here at the local shops. so ill have to order it online. the reason why i was wondering about the b16 cuz they are hella cheap for one here.
Why not a B18c5 or c1?
Originally posted by Jeff
Why not a B18c5 or c1?
umm two reasons…
- b18c is rare
- $$$$
ronin: if your goal of staying 100% smog/bar legal here in cali your options are pretty limited. You can either rebuild the b18a, or swap in a b17a. getting a b20 to pass might be VERY diffcult.
I’ve gone through all the options from rebuild, to ls/vtec, to poorman’s itr, and finally settled on the b17a for me. I talked with the local smog ref on the phone and from the discussion i pretty much learned that putting anything other than the stock engine into a 90-91 is not going to be easy. The b17a is the next easiest. The problem is that you have to convert to obd1… which eventhough its a pain in the ass, i think it’ll be worth it.
If you got a b20 you’d need to make sure it was a usdm engine, that you retained ALL of the b20 parts, and you’ll have to convert to the obd of the engine (did they make obd1 b20’s? or just obd2?). When i talked to the smog ref he said that even a 94-95 b18c would be very hard to swap in. I’d not only have to convert to obd1, but i’d have to use a hydro tranny (must use the tranny meant for the engine—again, could cause problems if you do a b20 swap), as well as i might have to use a g3 gsr gas tank!!! there are MANY technicalities they can get you on. Whether or not they’ll be a sticker just depends, personaly i’m not going to risk it. I’m gonna do it by the book and hope for the best.
If you have any other questions regarding the smog rules and what not talk to me or elmer (jetspd1477), we’ve been milling through all that info for awhile.
damn no sh!&* ! god i swear living in cali is the worste for all this. i cant believe there so much you have to consider for a such a thing. i always figure as long as it passses the sniff test who cares what is under the hood. i mean isnt that what smog is? well thanks for all the info i was just venting a little. ill kep all this in mind. if i have anymore questions ill be sure to check you guys out. thanks again
Down in So Cal smog is much harder than up north. Go with the b20 engine. That’s what I’m doing too. Just go to some redneck town and get ur car smogged there. In LA area they basically know about everything import which is a big disadvantage since they will spot difference very well.
Since you have an LS already go with the b20 since its esentially the SAME exact thing as the LS. Everything will bolt up nicely where as the vtec engines have different IM and sometimes different EM’s too. Along with other minor craps. But with a b20 u can easily get about 140whp. Instead of the LS’ 110whp.
What I’m going to do is I’m going to wait to put my b20 engine in AFTER I get my old b18a engine smogged. Then in those 2 years I won’t have to worry about smoggin. And I also know somone that could pass it for me if I needed 2, but I don’t htink I’ll have to worry about much since some smog peeps are idiots back home (Salinas area)