I’m getting ready to do my motor swap and I have narrowed it down to either a JDM B18B or a JDM B20B (99-00, high compression version). I always hear people say the B20 has way more torque than the B18 but every site I see only list the B20’s torque at 5 or 6 ft/lbs more than the B18, and the horsepower is the same. How noticable is the 5 or 6 ft/lbs really? I’m thinking it wouldnt be noticable at all, but everyone seems to agree that the B20 has way more torque. So whats the deal? Do they feel like pretty much the same motor or does the B20B have noticably more torque? I’m just looking for a good reliable motor for my daily driver, only mods it will see are bolt ons. But at the same time I want the most bang for my buck since both motors are pretty much the same price.
well im in the process of gettin a b20z usdm high compression but it dont get started till next weekend. in my opinion i think if your just gonna do a daily driver then go with the b20 because the torque is just a little more but everyone that has it says it pulls harder than the b18 so if your doind dd and bolt ons then y not get a little torquer than your average teggy ls b18? its up to you whichever is cheaper but here in hawaii id rather be different and go with the b20z than just put another b18 like every other ls out there who thinks they can beat any car out there. but youll see mouths drop when you tell them its jus an ls like theirs only thing your pullin more because of the b20. just my opinion.
Forgot to mention I’m thinking of boosting later down the road too. Wont be nothing major, just like 8-10psi with 225-250 to the wheels. I know B20’s arent the best choice for boost but I’m thinking if I keep it around 8 psi it should be pretty safe, even for a daily driver.
But still very torn between these 2 motors. Would love to hear from someone who has owned or atleast driven both a DA with a JDM B18B motor and a JDM B20B high compression motor.
Hey what’s up yal. I just picked up my first DA maybe 3 weeks ago. '92 LS.
It has full bolt ons, and a 65mm TB, stock ecu. Mine has 235k on it; standard b18a1 which from most places rates it at 130hp and i believe like 122ish torque. The motor was strong and ran good.
I work at a honda dealership and came across a free b20z bottom end that was meant for a customers crv; but it only needed a new head and the bottom end was gonna go back to the engine company we deal with. So, I just swapped bottom ends. Same b18a1 head with the b20z bottom end.
IMHO, the b20z is the way to go. The compression bump is very noticeable. The z is rated at 146 hp and 133 torque. Compared to the b18a1 specs that is a nice jump. Even now the old head is holding back some power.
I believe from research the a1 may have less agressive cams, different port design and a more restrictive intake manifold.
I know all setups are different but as a comparison of before and after; a buddy of mine as a dx eg with a fresh b18b1(142hp/127tq). We raced before and I pulled a car on him and we stayed right there through 4th.
We raced after the b20z bottom end swap and I started to walk away from him through most of 3rd I had about 2 to 2.5 cars and still pulling away.
He’s gone to the track and ran a disappointing 15.7 with a crappy 60’ on two runs only. His car is better than 15.7; needs more seat time.
I know that’s alot but just wanted to post any info. I could about the before and after. The 9.6:1 b20 is a good platform no matter for allmotor, or boost.
Obviously if your looking to boost then maybe the sleeve design might be a downside but if tuned right and the revs kept at a sane level it can be a sick setup with massive torque and last just as long as anything else.
Hope some of that book I just wrote helps shed some light on the b20.