i would say if u r going to go threw the hasle of putting a b serises motor in at least go for a b20 instead of a b18 all the same just alittle more toruqe which is most imporant for the start (i also have a 98 civic coupe and am pulling out the stock 1.6 vtec and putting in a b20 and after a couple months i am buying a gsr head for it that what i would do if i was u)