I have a 1st gen b16 in my hatch and I started to pull the motor last night. I need to decied what I want to do with it. I have a limited amount of money right now so I think I just want to get CTR pistons and have it ballanced. I also have a LS short block and I have been tossing around the idea of doing a ls/vtec but I have heard some bad things about them. What would I get more power from and what would last longer?
Let me know what you guys think.
late

 

The B16 would be more reliable, but swapping the LS shortblock in would make more power. If you had the money to build the LS block for VTEC and high revs the right way, it'd probably be just as relaiable, but it'd cost more than you're probably willing to spend. I'm sure others will chime in on this.

 

there are a lot of things that go with the ls/vtec. you have to re-drill some oil lines and if not done 100% correctly(like inspyral said) it will come with many problems. so I would build the b16 unless you have enough funds to properly build the ls/vtec

 

11.5 to 1 compression pistons
Mill the head
balance & blueprint the bottomend
310 cc injectors
hondata or aem ecu

Good aftermarket cams

Tune it & be like... this thing sucks... until 4800 rpms

Pete

 

You are going to do all the standard stuff associated with a rebuild, right? I'm talkin belts, seals, bearings, etc etc etc.

Installing new pistons isn't a rebuild.

 

Considering the age of that motor, I would definately recommend a full rebuild. New seals, bearings, etc, like Mike said.

CTR pistons are a good way to go. If you want to spend a little more money, consider Crower Econobillet rods. They're stronger and lighter than OEM. You pay about $50 more than Eagle for a little less weight, and the Crower name.

 

I am going to do a full rebuild and I have a guy that owes my dad some money and he is going to port my head for me. I have decided to get the whole motor ballanced like pistons, rods, crank, flywheel, vibration dampner and anything else that I can. I have the motor out and on the engine stand everything seems to be in good shape but it has low compression. I can't wait until it is done.

BTW where can I get a good clutch that can handle the power like ACT or something like that? and where can I get the lsd and lower final drive for my gsr transmission?