B18C Route with a EJ9???

[immy]

Hi guys!

Just wanted some opinions and views from you guys as many have you have been through this already... Well having enough of my 1.4 i am thinking of going down the B18C integra engine n box route. I have a few questions which i need answering:

*EJ9 1.4 shell strong enough?? will any work need to be done to the shell?

*Sourcing the engine and box and all other parts from a reliable source?

*How much money looking to spend all in?

*Is it worth doing a swap on a 1.4 or just go straight down the DC2 or Ek9 route and buy one ?

i'm not sure if any one has done this on a 1.4 civic before, as have seen many in ek9 and ek4's so just researching into it.

Thanks guys!

 

[vito-91]

Hi guys!

Just wanted some opinions and views from you guys as many have you have been through this already... Well having enough of my 1.4 i am thinking of going down the B18C integra engine n box route. I have a few questions which i need answering:

*EJ9 1.4 shell strong enough?? will any work need to be done to the shell?

*Sourcing the engine and box and all other parts from a reliable source?

*How much money looking to spend all in?

*Is it worth doing a swap on a 1.4 or just go straight down the DC2 or Ek9 route and buy one ?

i'm not sure if any one has done this on a 1.4 civic before, as have seen many in ek9 and ek4's so just researching into it.

Thanks guys!

It's been done plenty of times
xtoplinex has an Ej6 and Put a B16 in it
on Civiclife.net you will find a lot of ej9 conversions to B18
I would recommend buying an Ek9 because the B18 Fitted will come to near enough £3000 ? Also as some people would say putting a B18 In an ej9 still doesn't compare to an ek9 due to suspension, setup etc etc
Get the ek9 and enjoy it also you will have Recaro's,5 Studs,All Body parts that an ej9 will cost a lot of money to put onto.
Hope I helped ViTO

 

[pateras_vtec]

I`ve gone from an ej9 to a B18C. Never looked back ever since! Handling is easier to improve than upgrading a 1,6 engine with b18c parts. I think in your case question is handling or power. B18C pulls from low Ek9 turns like a train!!

 

[immy]

thanks for the reply! well two opposite oppinions i gues.. But just getting a EK9 or a DC2 or even an EP3 would be an easier option i guess, as the whole conversion would cost atleast £3000, any one on here with exact figures that has already done a conversion already??

And is the ej9 shell strong enough????

 

[rvm]

thanks for the reply! well two opposite oppinions i gues.. But just getting a EK9 or a DC2 or even an EP3 would be an easier option i guess, as the whole conversion would cost atleast £3000, any one on here with exact figures that has already done a conversion already??

And is the ej9 shell strong enough????

the ej9 shell is strong enough, but you'll have to add reinforcement so the car can handle a lot better, what you should search first is for a good brake swap first.

 

[gtismurf]

Totally agree with rvm, i put a b16 in my ek3 and also uprated the brakes to 282mm You will notice the difference, uprating the brakes in my books is a definate!

 

[Vtec6000]

One thing I will say the lack of no rear anti roll bar and no abs on the prefacelift EJ9 is a big turn off and the steering feel is very bad due to the ratio of the steering rack. So much work=money has to be put in to the EJ9 to make it handle and feel good on the road IMO so my advise is save some money and buy a EK9 or even a EK4 sir which would be a better basis for your b18c swap.

 

[pateras_vtec]

I believe that most of the people in here don`t know what an EK9 is really capable of, on the basis of not everyone has the skill to push the car to its limits and beyond or doesn`t track the car to begin with. Everyone speaks about handling and how great it is and has no match to inferior chassis` as if the rest are just crap with a steer on wheels. I wouldn`t restrict myself so strictly. the road in my opinion isn`t much of a challenge for any car, after all most feedback comes from daily drives, and even an ej9 with its long ratio of the steering rack can offer a big smile to his owner. It`s not all about what you got but how you drive it as well.

 

[saxophonias]

Immy since you are located in London i think you should buy an ek9 or even a dc2 if you want the b18c power. I think you should consider the economic side of your decision. As other guys have stated, apart from the engine you'll need the brakes plus the 5 stud conversion, the shorter rack, swaybars, coilovers, abs bla bla bla... At the end this isn't cost effective. If we were talking about Greece where b18c swaps cost almost 7000e and an ej9 4500-5000e then i would have suggested differently.

 

[pateras_vtec]

If you can afford a DC2 or an EK9 go for it, if not swap it either way will be a major improvement! How much your ej9 will value in the market?

 

[immy]

Totally agree with rvm, i put a b16 in my ek3 and also uprated the brakes to 282mm You will notice the difference, uprating the brakes in my books is a definate!

thats what my thoughts were also to do a break conversion at first then the power...

One thing I will say the lack of no rear anti roll bar and no abs on the prefacelift EJ9 is a big turn off and the steering feel is very bad due to the ratio of the steering rack. So much work=money has to be put in to the EJ9 to make it handle and feel good on the road IMO so my advise is save some money and buy a EK9 or even a EK4 sir which would be a better basis for your b18c swap.

A strong point to be considered... makes me think as spending all that money to make it at the level why nto just buy it already done from the factory i.e a ek9 or a dc2 lol... but factors like insurance come in as i'm only 19 turning 20 in october..

I believe that most of the people in here don`t know what an EK9 is really capable of, on the basis of not everyone has the skill to push the car to its limits and beyond or doesn`t track the car to begin with. Everyone speaks about handling and how great it is and has no match to inferior chassis` as if the rest are just crap with a steer on wheels. I wouldn`t restrict myself so strictly. the road in my opinion isn`t much of a challenge for any car, after all most feedback comes from daily drives, and even an ej9 with its long ratio of the steering rack can offer a big smile to his owner. It`s not all about what you got but how you drive it as well.

thats valid point as well, but to get the stability of the ek9 and the handling a lot of money would have to be put in to match it i guess..

Immy since you are located in London i think you should buy an ek9 or even a dc2 if you want the b18c power. I think you should consider the economic side of your decision. As other guys have stated, apart from the engine you'll need the brakes plus the 5 stud conversion, the shorter rack, swaybars, coilovers, abs bla bla bla... At the end this isn't cost effective. If we were talking about Greece where b18c swaps cost almost 7000e and an ej9 4500-5000e then i would have suggested differently.

Overhere in UK it would out more expensive after all them parts, i will end up spending the ek9 value money but still will remain an ej9 at the end of the day lol..

If you can afford a DC2 or an EK9 go for it, if not swap it either way will be a major improvement! How much your ej9 will value in the market?

I think i'll wait for a while as insurance an issue and then probly get a DC2 or a EK9 as they are within range.. but it's just a matter of finding a genuine mileage not clocked back minter make you think if it's possible or not as years are going past and the cars are getting older.... oh and my ej9 would be arount £2000-2300 as it's an absolute minter only 52,000 miles on the clock with 2 previous lady owners lol

 

[Vtec6000]

Have you considered a EK4 vti? If insurance would allow I think that would be a good car to start with they handle very good as standard

 

[immy]

oh and what are your guys opinons on an EP3, a lot of negative views from some people heard in the past.. and it makes me want to consider an ep3 because would be easier to find a genuine low mileage car compared to imports as what about the history, and guaranteeing genuine mileage??

 

[immy]

Have you considered a EK4 vti? If insurance would allow I think that would be a good car to start with they handle very good as standard

i have to be honest but then i think if i'm gona go for the Vti go for the type R instead, well i think if your going to do something do it properly or not do it at all lol..., Vti insurance group 15 anyway if i'm right so nt much differnce between the ek9 and vti to be honest, correct me if i'm wrong...

 

[RagingAngel]

my main question is how much would insurance cost for an EK9/DC2-R vs your EJ9?

 

[saxophonias]

Ep3 is a good deal! You have a k20, a new chassis, a modern car in terms of safety features, but it's a bit inferior when it comes to handling as it is a eudm car and it lacks the better shocks-springs, bigger rear swaybar, lsd, firmer bushings etc. in comparison to jdm ep3.

 

[kayne]

check out my car in the for sale section, its not a case of ej9 +b18c but +brakes+ chasis.

Its not cheap if u want to do it properly

 

[immy]

my main question is how much would insurance cost for an EK9/DC2-R vs your EJ9?

well for me to get a EK9 i'll have to wait for another year or so for the insurance companies to even consider me as i'm still 19...

Ep3 is a good deal! You have a k20, a new chassis, a modern car in terms of safety features, but it's a bit inferior when it comes to handling as it is a eudm car and it lacks the better shocks-springs, bigger rear swaybar, lsd, firmer bushings etc. in comparison to jdm ep3.

That is a valid point.. but i guess it would really matter as i wouldnt track it, just for street use, which EP3 is an alrounder i guess, but EK9 is 10x better at handling i reckon.. and DC2 well no words for that

check out my car in the for sale section, its not a case of ej9 +b18c but +brakes+ chasis.

Its not cheap if u want to do it properly

Oh yeah i saw your car before, so how much did you end up spending all together, minus the car itself obviously but the whole upgrade..., you used performance autoworks right? did they source everything for you?

 

[daveallen180]

at 19 ur fine if u go as a named driver... in ireland insurance is very expensive so under my fathers name its 1400 fully comp which aint so bad

 

[pateras_vtec]

I think i'll wait for a while as insurance an issue and then probly get a DC2 or a EK9 as they are within range.. but it's just a matter of finding a genuine mileage not clocked back minter make you think if it's possible or not as years are going past and the cars are getting older.... oh and my ej9 would be arount £2000-2300 as it's an absolute minter only 52,000 miles on the clock with 2 previous lady owners lol

So you`ll need at the very least for a mint 9 an extra 4-5 grand or even a few more for a dc2? Since you`re considering an EP3 i understand that you have a wide budget. If i were you i`d go for a JDM EP3 for all the assets saxophonias earlier stated.