Originally posted by ludeboom
the term hybrid is pretty basic, it usually involves mating a different head to a different block, among other things
LS-VTEC is usually a B18 non vtec integra LS block with a b16 civic si head on it, there are alot of combinations, the main point of them is to use the high reving high compression head and a torque-ier block (LS), to maximize power.
i dont own one, although i have worked on a few and of course raced a few.
some ppl mate my h22a head to a h23 bottom end to make a 2.3 liter VTEC
again im not really an expert on hybrids, but they tend to make decent gains.
i would prefer to drop a worked out h22a into a civic over a worked b18c just based on cost alone.
the h22a (my engine) is good to 8000 stock, and with some money into the head and pistons you are looking at over 220 HP at the crank. put that in a civic and its low 13's all motor for a few grand. not bad at all
not to mention the h series makes the most torque out of the honda inline 4's, more than the s2000
~boom
That's interesting. I guess it's basacally a built up engine......makes sense. Having an all motor car is better than an all turbo one. The Honda cars that race in the lightning division at the short track up here have their own division because they are so much better than the other 4cyl cars you could race in that class. They split off the rest of the group into the Thunder division. Honda has the 4cyl motor cased that's for sure. My Dad had a 93 Integra thad had 320,000 kms on it and that thing ran like it was brand new when he traded it for the 2000 Integra.
Here's the thing about the old style 1970's blocks and things that us domestic guys use in custom cars....they may be old, BUT the R&D is ongoing. Have you seen how many heads you can use on a 351 sportsman block? That stems from years of development and racing. It also lets you chose a head in the price range you want. If you built a 351, you have many choices for power and budget concerns which makes them popular. There are thousands of race shops that try new machining and parts that the 351 has become perhaps the most reasearched, tried and tested engine anywhere. New parts such as custom heads are always available and being developed. NASCAR will approve a new head design for use this year. There is plenty of new technology out there in V8 engines but they are expensive. You can buy the 390hp 2003 Cobra engine for $12,000 or buy an old 1970's 460 big block AND a supercharger which will destroy the Cobra engine for less. Sometimes new technology does not pay and this is the reason. The old style race engines are still the ticket to engine strength, power and aftermarket development. Until the price of the newer technology comes down your money is still better spent on an older crate engine for a custom engine.
The same thing with a Honda.......you wouldn't pay more for new motor if you could get more power from an older one that had more parts available. The only thing better about new motors is emissions testing and fuel economy for V8's.