Okay, so I just bought a 1996 Integra with 174,xxx miles. Instead of modding it, I would like to build a "new" b18b engine for it. I plan on buying a head soon, doing a port and polish and a valve job, while replacing valve springs and valve seals.

After that is done, I am looking into purchasing a used b18b1 shortblock. This is where some of my questions come up, is boring the cylinders .5mm over completly nessecary, I would like this engine to be very reliable, and done correctly, but relatively stock. I believe I can tackle most of this project on my own, the only thing I can see myself having trouble with is picking the bearing sizes, but I think I would be able to get one of my teachers (ase certified automotive machinst) to help me out whenever I needed it.

The point of this project is to build a reliable 300whp (I plan on turboing it after the engine is broken in and driven atleats 10k) b18b.

So my couple questions are:
1. Does it have to be overbored?
2. Should I buy a short block with or without pistons?
3. Would I be able to buy a shortblock with just acrankshaft, and still be able to get all the bearing clearences correct?
4. Also, is it a good idea to shave the head? Or if it checks out for flatness within hondas spec will I be good?

I was thinking all OEM internals, but this doesn't seem feasible since most OEM parts are very expensive, so I am thinking just OEM bearings and after market rods/pistons with arp fasteners.


What do you guys think? I have everything needed for the project (minus head/block), I just need a ring compressor, some plastigauge, and an engine stand. Hopefully I will have an engine stand purchased by the end of the summer, and I will worry about the shortblock around October. I plan on taking this project slowww, and would like to have everything done by april, then when I am home from school assemble the head to the block, and anything else at that point. I am kind of still putting this project together in my head, so writing it here was so I can get some things straight and get some opinions.


As mentioned it will be a slow build, but done correctly to the best of my ability.