ENGINE HELP w/ 91 LS (advice, help welcome and appreciated

INFORMATION Integra Help
1

ok here’s the scoop, I own a 91 ls with a broken timing belt and bashed valves. I have been throwing the idea around between buying a used head (b16a vtec conversion) or rebuilding my current head.

goal:
a daily driver w/ ~ 200hp n/a or maybe nitrous
aiming for 13-14 sec 1/4 mile
spend less than $1500*
*initially, I bought the car in it’s current condition for $340 and have yet to see it run, it is a project car, but I want to see it running before I’m willing to spend more.

dilemma:
where do I start?
I want to do the work myself, I already have automotive repair experience and one of my dreams is to open an auto tuning shop so I figured what a better place to start. that said, I’m looking for what things I should do/look for while I’m in there.

I want to get the head machined (5angle valve job and all the good stuff) but honestly I’m not sure what that would entail or how much should I expect to pay? (if there is anyone from the Michigan area tuning in I would appreciate a few good machine shop references.)

I’m looking at crower valves and springs but do I really need new retainers? or titanium ones for that matter? also are there any other manufacturers I should look at?

well that’s enough for now, any help and or suggestions would be appreciated.

:gun2: :sick: :gun2:

2

If you want 200Hp NA you’re going to want to start with a more powerful head, like a B18C VTEC (160Hp) and work from there. Port & polish that head, put more aggressive cams in it (if you do a search I’m sure you’ll find lots of suggestions for cams), adjustable cam gears, dual valve springs, etc etc.

Not sure how possible this is for under $1500. I haven’t done anything like this to my car, so I can’t help you too much, but scan through the turbo members profiles to get some ideas.

3

Re: ENGINE HELP w/ 91 LS (advice, help welcome and appreciated

Originally posted by fam1ny
[B]

goal:
a daily driver w/ ~ 200hp n/a or maybe nitrous
spend less than $1500*
*initially, I bought the car in it’s current condition for $340 and have yet to see it run, it is a project car, but I want to see it running before I’m willing to spend more.

:gun2: :sick: :gun2: [/B]

um those two thoughts don’t go together (although I did read ur footnote). Spend more on it, and you will be real happy with ur car.

tegs are awesome cars.

Personally, I have a mildly built LS, and plan to run about 14.7. (will find out TODAY)

With nitrous you should be able to hit low 14s.

First off, rebuild the bottom end, ideally with stronger components (aftermarket rods and pistons). AT LEAST balance it; that there will prolly be at least $1000 right there.

For the head, if you want to rev high, then you need titanium retainers along with valve springs. Depending on what cams you run, stock vavle springs and retainers are good up to 7500rpm, although I know a few people that run them to 8000rpm with no problems. Race heads will cost you anywhere from $800 - $2000 and up, depending on what type of work you want done.

Here’s a breakdown of my setup and prices, not including gaskets and seals(ALL IN CANADIAN, PLEASE DO THE CONVERSION URSELF :P:

Top end:
Milled head (50thou), fresh valve job, overbored tbody, port matched intake mani: $600
b16 valve springs: $75 used
Colt cams: $300
AEM cam gears: $350

Bottom end:
Balanced bottom end, lightened flywheel: $500
B16 pistons: $100 used
Cylinder honing: $60
VTEC oil pump: $200

And then get ur price on gaskets, and you have an idea.

HTH