J Roll

Hey guys, I'm new to TCC. I'm from Vancity and used to frequent the VCC forums. I now live in Mississauga and well...here I am. Upon major debate on the VCC forum I posted, "Which motor is best for boost?" After taking cost and reliability into consideration the good ol LS/Vtec seemed to be the most popular choice. There are a few guys that have boosted the SOHC D16Y8s. I have a 96 Civic Si and am contemplating on a motor swap (LS/Vtec) Is it worth it for me to do the swap or just boost what I have? If I do the swap, besides the motor, what other parts will I need for the LS/Vtec? Tranny, wiring harness etc. Cost is an issue so obviously doing the swap will cost more but is it worth it? Sorry for the novel long post, any feedback would be grately appreciated.

imported_mikepasini

honestly man, if cost is an issue, then just boost the stock motor. you could safely make 200whp and well, if it pops... a new one is like what, $300? but, if you want more power and put an ls/vtec in, well, you'll make some crazy power. it all depends on how much power you want.

imported_Fug

why not just build up an ls for boost minus the vtec? thats what I am doing and it seems the most reliable setup so far, at least i think so anyways..

J Roll

You've got a good point. In terms of cost, its not like I'm scrapin by and will only go with the cheapest setup. I am willing to take my time on this build, In terms of power, obviously the more power the better. I'm not unrealstic thinkin that I'm gotta beat an STI or somthin like that. This is my first project and so if I had a better idea of how much an LS/Vtec swap would cost (all parts needed) then I can judge weather this project is attainable within reasonable time. Thanks for the reply.

imported_weiRtech

come up with a specific goal, be it a certain hp or torque#, or a 1/4 mile time, or an overall goal for the car like a weekend autocrosser or drag racer and build it aiming in the direction you want to go. no sense in doing things wrong the first time. it sounds like you are headed in the right direction by doing your research first.

welcome to t.o.

J Roll

I guess my goal is to have a turbo daily driver, as cliche as that sounds. Theres this guy back home that has a 97EK and has a stock B18 with a turbo. It is crome tuned (dunno what that is) and he's runnin in the low to mid 12's. My initial goal was just MORE power cuz my D16Y8 is so weak. I dont really plan on takin it to the track to drag, but that could always be an option. In the future I would definately want to upgrade the internals, (rods/pistons/valves/springs etc) but for now the swap and turbo is gonna be costly enough. Hence the question should I swap or just boost what I have. So in terms of goals, really its to meet the cost of whichever option I choose. Just getting a rough number would be good. Power, reliability and cost are the main issues. If doing the LS/Vtec produces a lot more power, is relialbe and doesn't require me to sell my soul to the devil then I'll save and go that route. But if boosting my D16Y8 will produce close numbers, is just as reliable then I will do that cuz it will be cheaper.

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

LS turbo is a great option, but turbo D's are also quite the isht

zeeman

iTrader: (1)

ask chris_si98 about boostin a d16y8 and reliability/power.
IMO its just not there.....d16y8 oil pumps i believe are their weak point....not to mention the whole single cam sucks factor.

Boost any b-series you want and you'll be happy, reliability, power, safety, its all there if you take the right precautions. Tuning (with crome) is a must.

chris_si98

d16y8: 33 gallons per minute
d16z6: 47 gallons per minute.

That's all I have to say about the ****ty y8 motors.

J Roll

So I guess boostin the Y8 isnt worth it then? Can anyone yell me what parts I need then for the swap. Do I need a tranny? Wiring harness? Anything else?

chris_si98

do a search

b18b would be my choice, you'll need axles, linkage, half shaft, ecu, conv. harness, alt., starter, dizzy, two mount brackets, rad hoses, exhaust mani, new alternaotr plug, possibly a obd1 dizzy plug

imported_Mattds

what about um...a DOHC ZC? aren't they cheap? lower compression ratio and dual cams?

chris_si98

why put an old motor into a 10 year old car? I'd stick with a z6 thats been compression tested

J Roll

I guess its an option but just from the research that I've done it seems as though the LS/Vtec is the most popular choice. Not that the ZC wouldnt be a good choice. It just seems like the numbers and power and reliabity sound very good from the good ol LS/Vtec. This is my first swap so I dont wanna be messin around. I would like to go with something thats reliable and cost effective. Like I mentioned earlier if you guys think that theres another option can get me good power, is reliable and is cost effective then lets hear what your choices are and why you think its the way to go. Thanks for all the input so far.

chris_si98

why would you spend money doing an ls/vtec when you're going to boost?

For the extra 1000$ you are going to spend, i'd rather spend that on some safety issues, oil pressure gauge, EGT, possibly an oil cooler, tuning, hump couplers where need, bunch of t-bolt clamps, etc.

J Roll

So are you saying to just boost the stock Y8 and upgrade on other parts?

chris_si98

why don't you read what I say instead of asking the same question twice? Your question was answer a few posts above.

J Roll

Sorry, must be blind...lol. So what would your choice be? Zeeman told me to ask you bout bosstin the Y8's. Is that your current setup? If not, and you did have it, how did you find it in terms of power? Did you ever have any problems? You've mentioned your choice to be the B18B as well as the Z6. So which one is it?

zeeman

iTrader: (1)

single cam turbos make crap power....and the y8 isn't the best engine to boost IMO.

Nova_Dust

You can boost anything and you can boost everything. It is one thing to "try" to do things right the first time, and it another to make it right and stay that way.

Most people have different setups or experiences, you are almost hard pressing answers out of people. There are people who have good results with Turbo D16Y8, and there are also people with fvcked up Turbo B18B, will that change your mind then?

There is no really "best motor for boost". If both turbo D16 and a B18 made 300whp and last 10 years, which one is better?

You haven't really disclosed your ideal WHP either. 1/4 mile don't mean much, you need to have a number in mind.

Cost, reliability, power, pick two. You ain't gonna have three.