which engine to turbo for a 91 civic
 

I am looking to find out some information on the different engines that would be pretty easy to swap into a 91 civic. I am going to turbo it and i want the car to be as quick as possible.

a few questions:
where does car does the b20 come from? What are the differnt varations of it, and what numbers do each put down?
same goes for the ZC engine

it looks like the zc and b20 give out about the same hp as a b18, but the b18's are wayyy more expensive, why is this?

what motor would you recommend and why?

thanks!

Re:which engine to turbo for a 91 civic
 

B20 comes out of a crv and in stock form it isnt to impressive, and by different variations are you speaking of different head combos?

Re:which engine to turbo for a 91 civic
 

Anything wrong with the stock engine?

Re:which engine to turbo for a 91 civic
 

varations i mean like b20a and b20b and so on....i don't knwo how many there are.

the stock motor, is in ok shape, but i want a little better platform to build on if i am gonna do this.

Re:which engine to turbo for a 91 civic
 

Most people here will tell you to boost the stock motor... and i would agree

Re:which engine to turbo for a 91 civic
 

I would just turbo the hell out of that engine.. then on the side have a d project, with low-compression pistons and etc, the works.

Re:which engine to turbo for a 91 civic
 

but, i couldn't get the same power out of the d compared to the others.
i don't want to spend all this money on a turbo and not have a decent engine to back it up.

I don't plan on going the really cheap turbo root, prob go with hondata.

Also why is it the b18 cost so much?

Re:which engine to turbo for a 91 civic
 

help me out here

Re:which engine to turbo for a 91 civic
 

Which B18?
It's a better block to start with also...compared to the B20 and ZC(D16)...

Re:which engine to turbo for a 91 civic
 

all of them, what makes the block that much better?

Re:which engine to turbo for a 91 civic
 

B18A and B18B's are cheaper then B18C's
Comparable to the B16 block..only the deck height is different and stroke.
B18...more displacement then B16 and the cilinders are as strong.
B20 has a different cilinder design...All 4 cilinders are in a one piece unit....one cracks all of them crack. They seem to be pretty weak to.
And the ZC is just a D-series engine....I've noticed the cilinders a thicker then the SOHC D16's and the rod's slightly beefier, but it's still a D-series.
The DOHC D-series head flow about as much as the SOHC VTEC head.
A B-series head on the other hand outflows the D's...so more power can be made with teh B's

Re:which engine to turbo for a 91 civic
 

A B20b/z and a B18a/b are basically the same thing. The B20 and B18 shares the same crankshaft. The b20 uses larger pistons, however the B20b/z has weaker sleeves. Monolithic designed sleeves are more prone to crack when boosting, any slight detonation they are done. Block guard, pins.. doesnt matter they will crack. B18/B16/ZC/D16 sleeves are good sleeves, they will hold the power but if untuned they will crack just like anything else.

Now to answer your questions, Why is a B18 more than a B20? Well maybe because b18's are more in of a demand than b20's? Most JDM importers such as

www.nippon-motors.com ($749 b18b / $699 b20b)
www.hmotorsonline.com ($850 b18b / $750 b20b)

Also another reason some people are unsure if a B20 just bolts in their integra and so they probably dont sell many. Plus the b20 intake manifolds are really homo and have to be replaced with a normal B18a/b intake mani.

Comparing to D-series is like apples and oranges. They are different families of engines. It's always going to cost more for a B-series because you have to factor in shift linkage/mounts/axles/mounts/ecu etc etc. So if your asking Should I just build up my D or put in a B? Honestly a B in stock form is going to handle more power than a D. Plus when you build it a B is going to make more power than a D. I'm not saying D-series are worthless pieces of ---- (ok yes I am) But there are alot more 4-500whp B-series running around than D-series. Now what B-series do you want? I'd get a B18a/b you can make it into a ls/vtec, or save a few more bucks and get a GSR B18c. (b18c has a better r/s ratio for the high reves basically easier on the bottom end)


B-series for life 8) (or until I can afford a K-series)

Jeff

Re:which engine to turbo for a 91 civic
 

Btw, the B20a is a peice of ---- and stay away from it, it's some fucked up inbred honda engine. Shitty R/S, cant bolt in anything other than a prelude.. basically junk

Re:which engine to turbo for a 91 civic
 

You should be able to pick up a tired old b18a1 for fairly cheap man, start with it as a foundation then build it up. The way you're talking you're gonna drop some cash, go with a nice custom manifold.. do it up right.

If you're going to stay with a D series then I would suggest either finding a D16a6 (with the z6 head) or just any d16z6 to toy with. The ZC is purely a "fasionable" motor which makes the price unreasonable. And at that point I would just go with the cheap route and just throw an HF manifold on their and use the adapter plate.


Ha ha.. ;D

Hey Jeff, doesn't the b20a still bolt up to any B series transmission?

Re:which engine to turbo for a 91 civic
 

b20a will not bolt to any normal Hydro/Cable B-series transmissions, It also has a gay ass driverside mount.

Meaning.. complete ----

Re:which engine to turbo for a 91 civic
 

wow, thanks for all the info. The b18b seem to be a bit pricey and i am having trouble finding one with wiring/ecu/tranny and the c's are defentally out of my price range. I don't need outrageous power, but want enough to be hitting 12's regularly. I will just keeping looking for a b18b.

Re:which engine to turbo for a 91 civic
 

if all you want is 12's you probably could get away with a mildly built D-series.

Re:which engine to turbo for a 91 civic
 

ok, i am considering get the d6z6 and just building that up. what transmission would you recommend?

i also have a d15 laying in my garge with blown ring lands. Think that will get me into the 12?

Re:which engine to turbo for a 91 civic
 

what civics have hydro clutches. just ex'es and si's? thoes cable clutches feel like so much ass. if i get this std next to me i deffinatly need to throw an engine in with a hydrolic clutch. sory for whoring your thread

Re:which engine to turbo for a 91 civic
 

b20a1 is an awesome engine, b20a5 sucks ass

Re:which engine to turbo for a 91 civic
 

what car did that b20a1 come from?

Re:which engine to turbo for a 91 civic
 

I think hydro trannys started 92+

I dunno if I'd try to put a hydro tranny into an EF, I could only assume that it is too much work, seeing that people say it's a bitch to drop a cable tranny into their hydro equipped civics/integs. :-\



Thinkin' the same

Re:which engine to turbo for a 91 civic
 

oh and just boost the motor you got til it blows then drop in another and repeat.

Re:which engine to turbo for a 91 civic
 

b20a1 is JDM 86-89 accord engine (160hp, 140lbft) and its much much much different then the b20a5 found in 88-91 ludes (suck suck suck).... or the b20z for CR-V's... B20a1 needs a specific tranny also and is a pain to get parts for...