LS or B20?
Git-R-Done
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: East Haven, Ct
id go with the LS. It has good torque for a 1.8 (127 ft/lbs), and all the turbofanatics love em. I mean dont get me wrong the b20 is also a good motor to turbo but the cylinder walls are very thin. Also another disadvantage is that it wont pass BAR since its a light truck motor going into a car. Get an LS, build it up and slap on a turbo and ur all set.
Hybrid Forum Moderator
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,363
Likes: 0
From: Southwestern PA
They're both good engines but I'm guessing this is your first engine swap, so I would stick with an LS. You can buy a complete swap with all the parts you need and bolt it and be ready to go (assuming you buy the right swap). If you buy a B20, you'll most likely be buying just a long block and pieceing everything else together (transmission, shift linkage, axles for one, manifolds, distributor, injectors, sensors if nessicary). If your unfamiliar with doing swaps and know what's supposed to be there in order to purchase the correct parts, you can get yourself into trouble.
There's been a debate on if the B20 sleeves are stronger or weaker than standard B-series but I tend to believe that if Honda had better sleeves, they'd use them in their Type R's and not the engine that goes in the CRV so there is that. Regardless, if you install a turbo and are too aggressive with the boost or have insufficent fuel, the stock rods are probably going to fail before the sleeves do (well, about .0025 seconds before, as the rods tend to travel through the sleeves when they fail). Personally, I would stick with the B18B and save up, do the swap first and see how happy you are with the power level. I know 14 seconds doesn't sound that impressive on the internet but B18C1 hatch ran 14.4 all day and was a blast to drive.
There's been a debate on if the B20 sleeves are stronger or weaker than standard B-series but I tend to believe that if Honda had better sleeves, they'd use them in their Type R's and not the engine that goes in the CRV so there is that. Regardless, if you install a turbo and are too aggressive with the boost or have insufficent fuel, the stock rods are probably going to fail before the sleeves do (well, about .0025 seconds before, as the rods tend to travel through the sleeves when they fail). Personally, I would stick with the B18B and save up, do the swap first and see how happy you are with the power level. I know 14 seconds doesn't sound that impressive on the internet but B18C1 hatch ran 14.4 all day and was a blast to drive.
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Andy - Reinstated Hybrid Forum Moderator
'06 Subaru Legacy Spec B - Stock, for now
'98 Civic EX - CTR headlights and grill, Kosei K1's, for sale
'90 240SX - SR20DET that will never get installed, project car.
Andy - Reinstated Hybrid Forum Moderator
'06 Subaru Legacy Spec B - Stock, for now
'98 Civic EX - CTR headlights and grill, Kosei K1's, for sale
'90 240SX - SR20DET that will never get installed, project car.
Eg b20b turbo
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: San jose & UCD - Nor Cal
how much are u willing to spend . b20 is alot of power but boost is limited and so is rev if you want the motors life to be long . if you can afford to bullet pruff a ls motor i would tell you to go ls . b20 is hard to bullet pruff do to the weak bottom end. really up to you .
