Engine choices for boosting?

ASSISTANCE Forced Induction
1

Ok, I have read through several posts, and done some searching. Here is what I am looking at. I am not broke, but not rich either. My wife keeps me on a budget. :lol: My car is a 91 auto teg w/ a stock B18a, or is it B18b. Whatever. I plan on going turbo without a doubt, but I am not sure what to put with the turbo. I will be doing all the work myself by the way, so no labor is figured.

The options I am looking at are

A: Stayin LS, 5-speed swap, start putting my kit together. (might even try the kit with the auto till it drains the life out of it.)

B: LS-VTEC, 5-speed swap, turbo

C: B18C w/ hydro 5 speed swap

If I do the B18C, it would come with a tranny, saving my that part, although the hydro/cable swap kit, costs about the same or more than a used cable tranny would run me. Estimated cost going this route (minus turbo kit) 4-5k

If I go the LS-VTEC, I would still need to do the tranny swap ( I have been watching prices and figure tranny swap around 600-700.), so this route would be around 2k (minus kit)

If I stay with my LS motor, I can get the turbo going sooner as I will only be looking at 600-700 for the tranny swap. For that matter again, I could get my turbo going, and start collecting swap parts for the inevitable auto failure. This option also leaves less spent, and me in good graces with the wife, which could lead to funds for a built bottom end in the near future. If I go with the others, I would be pretty well spent with the wife for a while.

I am not looking for a heated VTEC vs. LS discussion here. I am simply looking for opinions on which of these avenues, I should pursue. Also, would one be much easier to tune than the other. This is a daily driver, so I don’t want something that doesn’t run well, and smooth. I plan on building my turbo kit right, so if I go the cheaper route, with a possible stronger bottom end in the future I could up boost without a problem.

2

Well i’ve read on this site how lsvtec isnt the most reliable so for your daily driver you might want to keep that in mind. I would keep your engine do the tranny swap and turbo it and like you said still have the funds to build the motor end in the future. Just my 2 cents.

3

a boosted ls is hands down your best option… 5 speed swap, blow the engine test driving the 5 speed, swap in a fresh b18b, run it to 10 pounds, and get to raping. TY.

Worked for me.

Oh, and boosted ls = simple, great torque, good power band, hold power well and inexpensive.

4

you sir need to research out all your options. If a little bit of horsepower and no hassle is what is right for you then just throw a wet shot of nitrous on the car and have your basic bolt ons. That is something anybody can do with the basics of tools. This 4-5k you plan on spending can be sent to a much easier cause, like buying a turbo eclipse and be done with it. I’m not suggesting dumping the teg, I’m just saying don’t get over your head.

If you want to go the path that I’m down, then invest the money in the tools to get the job done. Engine management, fabrication, and diagnostic tools are essential. Then find yourself a near whole (maybe wrecked) 5spd parts car, it will have everything you need to perform the swap. After that start to piece together the turbo kit. Just low boost the LS motors for now. When you have gone thru a couple of them and you are ready for a real motor build then start to consider the VTEC hybrids. Don’t just start with a jdm b18c5 and throw boost on the high compression motor. Play it smart, start it simple. I do speak from experience.

5

First of all, I don’t wanna just throw a wet shot of nitrous on the car. Been there, done that. I had an 11 second Mustang on nitrous. Nitrous is great if you want an easy way to go fast at the strip. Nitrous is not so convenient for a daily driver, to have extra power on tap at all times. I don’t wanna screw with driving 25 miles to get a bottle filled, all the time. As for spending my 4-5k on a turbo Eclipse…been there done that too. Unfortunately I got a lemon of a GSX, and a daily driver became a daily fixer. I am sure there are some good DSMs out there, but the one I got a hold of, left a very bitter taste in my mouth for them. Besides that, I like to build stuff that is different, and know that I built it. A turbo Eclipse isn’t different. It came that way. Where’s the fun in that?

As for getting the right tools for the job, I never said, “I just got a really cool $200 Craftsman tool set, and I am ready to go!!!” I am lacking in engine management tools, but I do have, or have access to, every hand and air tool I can think of, mig, tig, and stick welders, lathes, and a mill. If I had access to a Mandrel bender, I would be in heaven.

I don’t plan on boosting the shit out of a C5, or anything else for that matter . Whatever engine I use, I plan on around 6-8psi.

I have the tools. I was a Nissan tech for 3 years, built an 11 second Mustang, rebuilt a POS Eclipse, and turned wrenches on many of my friends cars, along the road, so I would like to think I am capable. I am not new to building cars, only new to building Hondas.

I have done my research on what is required with each path I am looking at. I was simply looking for input, on which path seemed the best. I am fixed on these paths though. DSM, is not an option(unless you wanna buy me an EVO :giggle: ) , nor is notrous.

Anyway, I think I have decided to stick with my LS motor. I am in the process of aquiring a wrecked 92 5 speed for $400. All I will need that this car wont have is the ECU, as my car is a 91.

6

agreed staying with the ls engine is your best option for boost. im not saying anything about the 5speed swap, but after you complete that swap, then boost, IMO i think its useless to boost on auto

7

do a 5 spd swap and then turbo your ls motor. the ls is nice and forgiving due to its lower compression than the vtec motors.

later on should you either blow the ls or want more power, switch to a vtec motor. it wont be too bad because you will already have all the turbo stuff

8

You came off with a really noobish question. Only kids with no car experience come to the forums and dream about swapping in some hot jdm motor or fabbing up a K swap. If you have the experience that you mentioned then this should be an easy cheap choice for you. 5 spd swap first, then start learning about boosting hondas. You may kill a motor or two in the process, I have. LS motors are fairly cheap and easy to get - I have a couple spares; if you can justify 30 HP for ~$500 then get a vtec head.

Start small, after you’ve maxxed out stockish bottom ends then consider a a real build. I’ve known people to spend up to 5k on a motor for it to handle crazy amounts of boost and yield very high HP.

9

Originally posted by White90

if you can justify 30 HP for ~$500 then get a vtec head…

What do you mean by 30 HP for $500? Are you stating that is the only benefit you will have with a VTEC head? One will see some great flow numbers from a VTEC head vs. non-VTEC.

-Hoots

10

Well yes you are right, you will see better flow and higher HP in the end with a boosted situation if you are comparing stock ls head to stock vtec head. I was referring to an N/A stockish motor; forgot to consider all things.

But if you are going to keep your non-vtec setup an LS head can be ported out for performance, larger valves installed, and setup with a big choice of cams.

I think I’m going to break out the die grinder and take one of my LS heads and attempt to port/polish it, and do the 4g63 head at the same time. I will upgrade to vtec one day, only if I find a striking deal on a head.

11

LS/VTEC, with a B16 vtec head you’ll be sitting at a comfortable 9:1 compression.

B18C1 (GSR) higher compression (not ideal for turbo) and a higher price

A LS/VTEC, regardless of what some say, is a good route to go. Do it right and no problems. Of course you’ll want some simple things; VTEC conversion kit, some ARP head studs might be a wise investment, cosmetic headgasket, etc.

Me personally, I’m running a fully built 9:1 comp. B16A2, but that’s a different story.

12

what kind of boost numbers are you looking at to run safely on a b18A? i got a stock motor and a spare stock motor…what kind of boost could i put in it …and how much hp am i looking at?

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Now that is some quality shit. :rimshot:

-Hoots

14

one example where turbo autos are faster than their manual counterparts…supra tt’s :hi5: but everyone knows that :sipread: good luck with your build breis

15

if u want to spend that kind of money go with a k series or F series. F is cheaper than a b18c5 and faster. Also can make 350-400 horse on a stock block.

A vtec head isnt just 500 dollars for 30 hp. it will rev higher and make more hp under boost. Vtec = larger valves. unless u go with a p8r head.