Rebuilding b18a1 bottom...which bearings would you use?
 

I'm about to start rebuilding my b18 for an ls/vtec and I'm debating which bearings to use...ACL's or King bearings? King's are alot cheaper than the ACL's but do you guys think they're any different as far as performance and longevity goes? I usually use oem honda bearings, but their price tag is killing me on this one. :P

Re: Rebuilding b18a1 bottom...which bearings would you use?
 

alot cheaper? how much are the Kings? arent the ACLs like 30bucks?

Re: Rebuilding b18a1 bottom...which bearings would you use?
 

Dont use bearings its a lot cheaper ::)

Re: Rebuilding b18a1 bottom...which bearings would you use?
 

There are King bearings and there are ACL bearings, both companies offer crap low end stuff and top notch stuff.

ACL race bearings are $100 for a set, and I've seen the King Aleculars in big power builds. Anything else is... eh... will probably work fine, but the run of the mill ACLs like to have their surface coating break off and float around. Kinda wacky.

Re: Rebuilding b18a1 bottom...which bearings would you use?
 

This is the kind of info I'm looking for...what's the point of building a motor if you're just going to have to pull it all apart again because a bearing spun or some shitty thing like that. I prefer to do it right once and never have to worry about it.

Re: Rebuilding b18a1 bottom...which bearings would you use?
 

I haven't seen one of the plain jane ACLs spin, but the shiny surface coat breaks up and floats all around the bearing half, and it's pretty obvious some of it breaks off and goes into the oil. It kinda makes me feel :l

Re: Rebuilding b18a1 bottom...which bearings would you use?
 

stock?

Re: Rebuilding b18a1 bottom...which bearings would you use?
 

i was just going to suggest OEM bearings...

Re: Rebuilding b18a1 bottom...which bearings would you use?
 

ACL Race bearings are still a fraction what OEMs run.

Re: Rebuilding b18a1 bottom...which bearings would you use?
 

i really dont know about ACL Race bearings but if you said that jose...im sure that's right.. i only can to say OEM bearings installed proper u wil run very good, turbo or not... dont try to lossen clearances for to get more flow or tight them for more pressure.. both are very important.. i say that because that kind question are common when ppl want to "experiment" things (wrong in this case) with his rebuilds.. after to read alot of pages of my book.. factory manul isnt stupid....FACT!

Re: Rebuilding b18a1 bottom...which bearings would you use?
 

I normally do use factory oem's, but they are extremely expensive, and it's not like I'm just replacing one or two bearings either. Plus the factory honda bearings are a bi-metal design, king and acl's are tri-metal. I think I'll probably try out the king bearings, but only after a bit more research on them.

Re: Rebuilding b18a1 bottom...which bearings would you use?
 

You are correct, Walter. Properly sized OEM bearings are as good as any race bearing, and some people argue better. Generally, they are only better if you run the GSR rod bearings. The 200 whp B16 DVD that Omniman and Rocket Martin put together tells why, you should definitely check it out!

Re: Rebuilding b18a1 bottom...which bearings would you use?
 

King Alecular bearings are bi-metal. They have some mojo to them that makes them a race style bearing, and King also makes a couple different kinds of bearings.

I really wasn't aware of how-many-metal Honduh OEM bearings are, but the pyramidal lead surface of some of them causes them to form an oil film superior to most other bearings. This is why a lot of V8 race engines have their rods turned to run 1.88 Honda bearings. :)

Re: Rebuilding b18a1 bottom...which bearings would you use?
 

Ahhh...ok...I was reading the alecular bearing info wrong then. I came across this off of ebay, guessing they're the alecular bearings...http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...3160182&rd=1,1 The price seems pretty nice too, a little over a 1/4 less than what the honda dealership wanted when I stopped by :P

Re: Rebuilding b18a1 bottom...which bearings would you use?
 

i dont know if all B-series bearings have same metals in... but i know B20 are bi-metal too...

Re: Rebuilding b18a1 bottom...which bearings would you use?
 

As far as I've seen so far, all Honda bearings are bi-metal.

Re: Rebuilding b18a1 bottom...which bearings would you use?
 

then i think all b-series, k-series (too?) H's,etc are bi.metal.. good to know it :y