A VTEC head really isn't worth it for boost either IMHO. That's the kind of thing I would suggest only after you've squeezed every other ounce of power out of the rest of the engine. Even then, it's only so you can keep daily drivability while running really hot cams.

Your problem sounds like engine management or vacuum to me. TBH though, I've never seen/experienced a burp like what you're describing, but I'm having a hard time imagining how it could be a trans issue. Clutch could do that, but it would be all gears, not just first.



For the price of a b18c you could rebuild your engine from top to bottom, purchase a new transmission if that's what your problem is, and still have a thousand dollars left over in your pocket. Or you could resleeve.