I know this has been covered before but I still want to ask. Mods if it is compleltly necessary you can close this.

I have a 99 Civic and am planning on getting a swap. I am either going to go with Ls and maybe do an LS/Vtec or a B18C1. I might be boosting later on down the road if I save up the money. Which engine would be the best bang for the buck? Either way the engine is going to be a USDM one.

 

Best bang for the buck would be the ls for turbo. Very reliable setup and make great power. The most potential would be the b18c1. Great for building and turboing, but it cost the most money. I say buy the b18b turbo it, gsr tranny and if you want to go bigger in the future build a b18c on the side when you can afford to.

 

LS VTEC IS THE WAY TO GO!! lol thats what im running.. turbo is always fun though. better lower that compression in the ls if u go turbo though

high compression='s no bueno for turbo

 

If I'm not mistaken the LS has 9.2:1 compression, that's not very high at all. Actually I believe WCS runs 9.5:1 in his 400whp turbo application.

 

LS doesnt have high compression its a perfect engine to boost, Just need some stronger rods and maybe some pistons

 

i wouldnt mess with vtec at all.....i think its over rated.

b18b with turbo and maybe some stronger internals to handle higher boost if you ever need more power sounds good to me.

 

The fastest turbo cars out there run high compression. Lower compression just allows more of a tuning cushion against detonation when running pump fuel. All the quick turbo cars out there run on high octane race fuel, so they can run the higher compression. Also, higher compression will always make more power than a similarly boosted lower compression motor.

And the LS is a great low compression engine ready for a large turbo. The only things that should be done to improve strength for a high boost setup is to sleeve it and invest in some aftermarket pistons and rods.

 

LS's have 9:2 compression...ya but i am running a ls vtec with 11:2 compression. i was saying that if you have lower compression then you can use a bigger turbo. in other words, low compression= bigger turbo. if you had a high compression engine, then you could use a smaller turbo and get practically the same power if not more. im just saying if you wanan go with a bigger turbo, run a lower compression motor

 

Higher compression does spool a turbo quicker, yes. But that doesnt mean you run a smaller turbo. Turbo size is preference. Yes you could run a smaller turbo on a high comp motor and get the same power but you run higher boost. The trend is more to run the same size turbo as a low comp. motor and just run less boost. I had a friend doing so on a b16 with 10.5:1 comp and running a gt35e. He ran about 15 psi and the motor had to be rebuilt 3 times. Finally he switched to a 9.5:1 compression and made the same power on a little more boost.

High compression setups arent good for the street. Less boost, high comp. the stress is put on the motor more, where on low comp high boost more stress is on the turbo. Turbos are a lot cheaper to rebuild than motors.

 

dawrenn
hey, how much do you want for your engine? If you decide to swap. Or maybe if you want to trade for the already swapped engine 94 gsr on 95 civic ex.
Greddy from from to back.
1 1/2" lower
fully equiped with energy suspension
high grade carbon hood
strut bar, 1 front and 2 back
fully arlined, does not shake on high speed.
stage 2 clutch
RED.
thanks!