What is the best way to go if you have worn valve guides? I heard that getting them fixed by a machine shop is very expensive and not worth it altogether. How much would a head cost without cams, cam gears, timing belt, and valve cover? Ive got a 90 GS with 113K miles. Thanks
Just buy a 94-96 B18B head and just toss that on there. They for around $200 I believe and thats complete. You’ll get some good gains from that.
-Steve
Don’t install a b18b head. it is odb1(94-95) and odb2(96+). There are different connections and it wouldn’t directly bolt on. You could put a b18c, b16a ot b17 head on, but you would need to run a oil line and still have to add on new wires for vtec. You can find these heads for 400-600 complete. Youd also need a new ecu-about 100-250
Originally posted by vtecteg916
There are different connections and it wouldn’t directly bolt on.
You are out of your mind. It is a direct bolt on. You’ll have to run some wires about a foot longer, but thats it. IT BOLTS RIGHT UP.
And I was giving him a cheap solution, not a cheap LS/VTEC thats gonna blow up in his face.
-Steve
Hey thanks for the advice. I didn’t know that a 94-96 head would fit on our cars, but it makes sense. What about VTEC? I’ve heard that they aren’t too good with a non VTEC engine. How much would a 94-96 B18B head cost and where could you buy it at? Can I use my old cams or would they not fit? Are there any drawbacks on installing a 94-96 head?
Originally posted by 90blackGS
Hey thanks for the advice. I didn’t know that a 94-96 head would fit on our cars, but it makes sense. What about VTEC? I’ve heard that they aren’t too good with a non VTEC engine. How much would a 94-96 B18B head cost and where could you buy it at? Can I use my old cams or would they not fit? Are there any drawbacks on installing a 94-96 head?
Ok, here is the deal. Any B-Series head will bolt up to any B-Series block. Even VTEC heads, though those will need some oil passages modifcations.
There are two different kind of engines, VTEC and Non-VTEC (refered to as LS engines). Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that a VTEC engine is just an LS engine that revs higher and makes more power. They’re two different engines that have completely different characteristics. The LS has a longer stroke and has more torque and a different power band while the VTEC engine has a shorter stroke that is happier at the higher revs.
“I’ve heard that they aren’t too good with a non VTEC engine.” I’m assuming you mean Tegs aren’t good with non VTEC engines. Well, like I just said, LS engines are good for different things than VTEC engines. The torque is good for auto crossing and pulling out of deep corners.
A 94-96 head goes for around $150 depending on how good a deal you get. Check out www.thepartstrader.com and www.ebay.com.
You can use your cams, though you really don’t want to. There are 90-91 cams. Then there are 92-93 cams that are slightly better, and the 94+ cams are better yet. 94+ LS cams should be cheap, and they’ll probably come with the head.
Any draw backs? NONE!!! The 94-96 head has bigger air passages and flows better. Its newer than the B18A1 head. Its cheap. You don’t need to change your ECU like you would with a VTEC head. Parts are cheap, like cams.
Let me know if you have anymore questions.
-Steve
Wow… Steve your the man…
Ryan
Originally posted by 1flossedteg
[B]Wow… Steve your the man…
Ryan [/B]
No no no…just lots of free time here at work. If you ever tell my boss that I’ll kill you.
-Steve
Steve where do ya work ?
Yeah I wanna be like you when I grow up. LOL. Anyway maybe I should just get a whole new head, and sell what I’ve got now or something. How much do you think a non-vtec 94-96 complete head would run for? Do you suggest new or used, and where should I look? Would a 94-96 head have any hp/torque gains? Thanx
Originally posted by DAY U IZ
[B]
A 94-96 head goes for around $150 depending on how good a deal you get. Check out www.thepartstrader.com and www.ebay.com.
-Steve [/B]
You’ll feel a noticable gain.
_Steve
How long will it take for us to put on the b18b head? Just one wire is all we need right to make it work? Also will the compression change?
since were talking about heads is it beneficial on a 92 ls or would just changing cams be a better route.
Originally posted by BoyRaCeRs
How long will it take for us to put on the b18b head? Just one wire is all we need right to make it work? Also will the compression change?
The compression won’t change. I’m not sure about the one wire thing. Which wire are you talking about?
Teg4Me: I would just swap some cams rather than the whole head on a 92+.
Steve
What condition head will are you talking about for the $150? Also what has to be done to set the engine timing?
it depends on what u want
if you r the average “Joe”, then replacing the head with a B18A would be right…
but if you r the average street racer, and want more out of the modification…do the LS/VTEC.
i did it on a block with 170K…and it has been five months now.
(have a 97 ls block on the side, with internals…waitin in silence)
later
Originally posted by vtecteg916
Don’t install a b18b head. it is odb1(94-95) and odb2(96+). There are different connections and it wouldn’t directly bolt on. You could put a b18c, b16a ot b17 head on, but you would need to run a oil line and still have to add on new wires for vtec. You can find these heads for 400-600 complete. Youd also need a new ecu-about 100-250
direect bolt on.
I’vee donee it.
Originally posted by BoyRaCeRs
How long will it take for us to put on the b18b head? Just one wire is all we need right to make it work? Also will the compression change?
I havee a post on this topic in the Enginee Hybrids…let me seee if I can dig it up.
edit:
here is the post:
http://www.g2ic.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=53008&t=5178
E-DA9 – about that head swap. can you get me a deal on a 94- up ls head?
LOOK @ YOU GUYS!!!
you guys are making me sad:(
blocks
90-91
130 bhp @ 6000
Redline: 6500 rpm
92-93
140 hp @ 6300
Redline: 6800 rpm
now head your getting is from a 94-up
142 hp @ 6300
Redline: 6800 rpm
from what i read
You are willing to spend $200 for the head, and for additional parts will run for about another $200, plus labour if you are not doing it yourself- $350…
total. $750:shock: :shock:
for owners-
90-91…
this swap might be ok…but for $350 you can take your own head off and port it out for an additional 20 HP…
92-93 (same category i’m in)
this is a wast of time…just getting an extra 2HP from a swap costing me nearly a “G” is out of this world, when it comes to pure stupidity.:shock:
LS/VTEC gain range from 175HP to 195HP depending on how properly the swap was done (B16A heads only- B18C1/5 heads produce more power)
lets use 185HP for older LS blocks
so if you have:
90-91
gain is 185 - 130 = 55HP
92-93
gain is 185 - 140 = 45HP
94 and up…knowing that most of their motros are solid…
gain is 195 - 142 = 53HP
now this is only for LS motors that are running good and has been maintained properly.
if you know that your motor is not in good condition, it will blow.
so just replace the internals befoer the swap.
For future mods…just swaping out the head fro another B18A/B head would limit you long term mod list.
you only have one set of cam looms (non VTEC), hence installing performance cams will kill your bottom end or top end…thus leaving you to choose between the two.
if you have the VTEC setup, you will have two sets of looms. thus giving you both bottom end and top end power. and now the after market cams can increase the performance on both or just one (as you like it, or how deep your pocket is).
most aftermarkets produst for hondas are geared towards VTEC. so you will fall into a large market, making easier to get performace parts parts…
VTEC motors are better breathing motors…even the LS/VTEC
thus your will be able to get more out of :mad: Forced Induction:mad: , and even NOS, with the right fuel management.
