Best Bang For Your Buck Engine
 

>NEWB HERE<
I did look through the forums and could not find a topic similar to this one... so I made it. Unless I'm blind and happened to completely miss it. ?

I currently have a STOCK 2000 CX civic. With the only modifications being cold air intake, performace exhaust, triple pod gauges, 17' silver racing rims and a sweet sound system... I gotta say that its a pretty sexy rice! But I think its time to change that and pop in a stronger engine. The civic is a 5 speed transmission and I would like to keep it a 1.6L engine since the gas prices are kinda iffy at the moment but still don't mind bumping it to a 1.8+ if its a better deal in the long run. I'm just looking to be able to push it past or near 200hp with or without other modifications such as turbo.

P.S.
And since its the CX model it has no power steering and I notice that once I pass 100kmh(60mph) the steering wheel begins to shake(sometimes). Is that something to be conserned about? Or is that because the wheels arn't properly balanced?...but they should be because they're fairly new!

OK I just notice the sticky forum!

stock b18c5 - 161-165 whp, 109-113 wtq, cost 5K
stock b18c1 - 140-144 whp, 103-107 wtq, cost 4K
stock b16a2 - 132-135 whp, 94 - 98 wtq, cost 3K
stock b18bX - 121-125 whp, 108-112 wtq, cost 2K
stock d16vtec - 105-110 whp, 97- 101 wtq, cost &lt;1K
built d16vtec - 150-160 whp, 114-120 wtq, cost 3K (90% OEM parts)

Still having trouble in knowing whats best for me! Anyone help??? Anyone with personal experience that can recommend a good choice?

OK! Now I have a new question! Would beefing up the stock engine be cheaper or buying a new one and installing that?... I would like to get it close to 200whp+ I would be happy with 180whp! Whats the best way to do this project.

The stock engine is at 135 000km(83 885miles)

what engine do you have?

Well, there's a few options here.

First, you can turbo your stock engine (not sure what engine the non-US cx's come with) and get around 200whp for about $2k, but at 200hp you'd be close to pushing the stock internals, so to safely make any more power, you'd need to spend another $1500 to build the bottom end.

Next, you could swap in an H22a for around $3k and be making about 170whp with a stock engine. (personally, I'd go with the h22. They make enough torque that, in a civic, traction in the rain is very hard to get in 1st gear. Also, I haven't seen proof, but I've heard an h22 civic is usually good for 13-second 1/4 mile runs... considering a dodge viper is a 12.7 second car, that's not bad at all.)

Or you could get something like a b16b ($2500 for the swap, 160hp at the crank), b18b (also around $2500, 140 at the crank), b18c1 (around $3k, 180 at the crank) and turbo it for $2k and be able to safely push 300whp.

Also, I know you searched, but this topic's been covered before ;)

Welcome to the forums btw :D

*edit: also, look at the torque numbers. The h22 produces 160ft/lbs of torque at the crank. That'll be somewhere around 150ft/lbs at the wheels... that's crazy for an all-motor honda engine... and a helluva lot of fun to drive :D

Thank you for the reply reaper2022! I'll look into that h22a engine. Hopefuly I can find a good deal on a low km engine in my local area to avoid extra fees. Those sound like good prices, but I bet the install/labour prices are gonna leave a mark. Thanks tho!

yeah, the h22 itself (if you order from somewhere like HMotorsOnline) is only like $2250usd + shipping, but you have to buy custom axles and mounts, not to mention replacing the high-wear items like the water pump, timing belt, clutch, etc. Honestly, if you have a little mechanical knowledge, I'd seriously consider doing the swap yourself. You'll save a good $1,000 on installation prices.

You mentioned you don't have p/s, and I'd assume you don't have a/c, so your engine bay is already half-ready for an h22 swap. But anyway, you'd have to run like three wires. Other than those three, you just have to change the connectors on the wires. Really, it's not that hard (in theory; I've never actually done one).

If you want, I can get you a few h22 swap links.

My mechanic told me that I should stick with the stock engine and just pop in a turbo. He mentioned that theres a modification that can be done to the stock civic engine to give it extra 40hp for around 100$ in parts(he explained it to me, something regarding pipes and efficiency of them.) and a turbo kit for the civic can be bought for about 900$.

So this makes it aprox 1000$(min) to get about 200hp out of the stock, before labour and install charges. This combination sounds alot better than spending 3g on new engine. I'll ask him more about this and see if its a good idea in the long run!

rofl!!!! 900 on a turbo kit...he is probably talking about an ebay one. This guy is scamming you cause he knows the ebay turbo kit will break and then you will have to come back to him and spend more money. No bolt on part is going to give you 40hp especially an exhaust which i think he is talking about with the pipes. Dude i wouldnt go to this mechanic he doesnt really seem like he knows what he is talking about.

Also I would go with a turbo. Its gunna cost around the same as h22 and you will be able to get more hp out of it. You dont need to build the bottom end for only 200hp, all you will need is a new clutch, spark plugs, and a compression test for the minimum

yahhh... get a 2nd opinion.