Hey guys and gals, monday im driving to Paterson NJ to pick up my GSR tranny. Im doing a b18b with gsr tranny swap into a 97 civic cx. My plans as well are to go turbo also. Im doing the motor swap first, then the turbo will come in the later months. Im doing this swap before winter ends becasue i already have the car schedualed for a repaint after winter.

I originally planned to just shoot at a stock gsr tranny, stock b18b and slap a t3/t4 hybrid setup tuned with hondata. I read many threads and know not to skimp on the fuel managment system. If im spending this much money might as well do it right.

The more im thinking about it, i would really like to see some numbers near the 250whp range. should i wake up out of the dream or is this something possible?
I really have 2 options here, #1 i could get the motor from the place im getting the tranny from 100% stock imported from japan with "less than 40k" or so they say. Warranty as well for only 30 days though, but im welcome to comp and get a leakdown before i purchase. That motor is $800.

Or #2 i could get a ebay motor for about $400 hopefully, get it resleeved, new pistons, rods, and crank bearings (forgetting anything?) possibly new valve train. And be set with that. I work at a auto shop, and i would ask my boss to help with the motor rebuild, or one of my fellow workers.

This car will be a daily driver for the most part, so which would be the better of the 2 options? No real reason for that HP range, just something i would like to see. Also i dont want to run real high boost. Wasnt planning to hit more than 10psi, would even 10psi be safe with stock internals? If i didnt upgrade everything, what would be the minimum to not have to worry.
again everything will be properly tuned with whatever program the tuner wants to use i guess.

 

You can get 250whp out of a stock LS block...just make sure it's tuned properly. Detonation on boost is what kills most motors, the rods are good in excess of 250whp, and the cranks are pretty much indestructible. When you detonate, you can fry rings, crack ringlands, and put holes in pistons. Get some big injectors, a walbro 255lph intank pump, hondata, and a good tuner...you should be fine.

 

I hear that tuning and the fuel system are the 2 biggest parts of motors lasting and making good power. That was my idea from the start. I want this car to last, so trust me im not going cheap. So i should be fine with a stock motor as long as proper tuning. Sounds good to me.

 

You heard right. For 250 whp, a good tuner, engine management system, and fuel system is all you need. Any more power and you will be sacrificing the structural integrity of the bottom end.

 

thanks for all your help guys, ill keep you updated.

Also, what clutch should i look into getting? Im going to replace it while its all apart anyway. I have a centerforce stage 2 on my civic now, it seems pretty good, but what would you reccomend without going overboard on the price?

 

250WHP on the LS what do you think the GSR can handle. ALSO ill be needing a tune soon and WTF, what if i cant find anyone good? on the clutch note. I believe its called ATC(i think) i believe they are real good

 

LS can handle just as much as the GSR. If you want much more than that, you should think about lowering the compression on the GSR. As for tuning, pick up an OBD1 P28 or P72, chip it, and then run Crome. I am running it right now and am very happy with it over Uberdata.

For the clutch, all you need is a ACT HDSS. I am running that with a 9 lb flywheel and I love the grab it has. It can support up to 243 ft/lbs of torque and has a nice engagement because it is a full surface disk.

 

:bowdown: You the man.

 

as far as ur boost...the stock engine with no heavy mods on the internals should handle 10-12 without sacraficing the life of the car...or at least so i've been told several times....once u go higher than that ur gunna have to start replacing the essentials

 

Sorry to bother ya Däs Schmoo, but i have a few q's if you wouldnt mind answering about turbo's and if needed building my ls block. I tried to PM you numerous times but your box is full. Do you have a email address or anything i can get ahold of you with?