B16A1 raising compression


T

t3gav

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Nov 10, 2011
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Hello, am looking at upgrading my B16, it already has throttle bodies and a 4-1 manifold but looking to change the cams and up the compression, what would you recommend? I assume type R cams would be a good place to start, I don't really want to change pistons etc at this moment in time.
 
b16b or b18c type r cams are best oem cams, all depends if you want to upgrade the rest later on
 
For the money that cams, raising compression, tuning etc would cost you can also consider a B18C4 engine, 19 more ponies (169) and much wider powerband. I think that would be the easiest and cheapest way to get it faster if owning a 150hp B16A1. Also much more tuning potential cause it's a 1.8.

Only choice you will have to make is to keep the S9B box on it, as it has LSD but it also has slightly longer gears, or keep your own box. Maybe later buy a Type R box.
 
imo the b18c4 would not be a good route to take, a good b16a will beat one most times. in ireland anyway they go for very cheap as not many people are after them.

to start off with id get the head skimmed and ported and polished with itr/ctr cams that will be a good upgrade to start with.

if you want to go a step further id get skunk 2 pro 1s and oversized high comp pistons
 
if you gonna change the pistons, then dont touch the head at all. remember - u can take off, but you cant put back on. so in the event if you ever need to skim the head again for some reason, you have less room to play with.... i prefer to leave the head alone unless it needs to be skimmed.....
 
Hmm, thanks for the replies, any recommendations for pistons? I did think about selling the itb's and going turbo as it would be quite cost effective, but a high revving NA motor seems quite appealing for the track. Is there anything specific to note on porting and polishing these heads? Also why note the pro 2's if raising the compression? Thanks :)
 
Just found out it has a B16A2 head/cams fitted which is good.
 
t3gav said:
Hmm, thanks for the replies, any recommendations for pistons? I did think about selling the itb's and going turbo as it would be quite cost effective, but a high revving NA motor seems quite appealing for the track. Is there anything specific to note on porting and polishing these heads? Also why note the pro 2's if raising the compression? Thanks :)
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pro 2s may be too big, most applaications pro 1s are perfect... if you planning a lotta track time. remember heatsoak... turbo applications suffer greatly from that. im not saying they dont work - just a point to remember - NA cars dont tend to have the same problem, but again too much of anything and there will be a problem.
recommendations for the pistons, it all depends on how serious you are and what power you going for. whats your CR now, about 10ish:1?

i dont know brands etc over there but cam choice will depend on your compression ratio, and deciding your C.R depends on how far you want to go.
 
jamie-gings said:
imo the b18c4 would not be a good route to take, a good b16a will beat one most times.
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Yes cause of the longer gears ánd they're in heavier cars. But the B18c4 delivers more torque, more power and over a broader powerband. So with a shorter box and in a lighter car will be quicker than a B16.
 
Thanks again, compression is standard so around 10.2:1 I think, 200bhp would be nice, is that achievable with pro 1's? This engine is in a metro of all things so goes well only being 800kg lol.
 
Lol 200hp with mild cams? 200hp out of an N/A B16 is already nearly unachievable for a realistic amount of money ánd on a realistic dyno (not an optimistic one that easily shows 10-15hp too much). Seriously dude, you'd be much better of with the B18c4. Really wondering why you're ignoring my posts and this option.
 
_JT said:
Lol 200hp with mild cams? 200hp out of an N/A B16 is already nearly unachievable for a realistic amount of money ánd on a realistic dyno (not an optimistic one that easily shows 10-15hp too much). Seriously dude, you'd be much better of with the B18c4. Really wondering why you're ignoring my posts and this option.
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I dont know why we all seem to have this attitude in the U.K/Europe, **** the yanks have been going deep into the 10's n/a with well built b series motors and that takes a little more than 200hp. Just because someone said it cant be done on the internet maybe? Also dont just write the little B16 off just yet, its capable of revving to the moon with the right parts.
 
200hp is pretty difficult to achieve from a b16a i have to admit. not impossible, but pretty damn difficult. if thats your power range you looking for, why not do as JT says, or better yet, build a B20?
 
rs250nut said:
I dont know why we all seem to have this attitude in the U.K/Europe, **** the yanks have been going deep into the 10's n/a with well built b series motors and that takes a little more than 200hp. Just because someone said it cant be done on the internet maybe? Also dont just write the little B16 off just yet, its capable of revving to the moon with the right parts.
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Yes, you can get 200hp from a B16A. If you do it right even 250hp. For the same money I'll be building a K20/24 and driving circles around the Civic with the 250bhp B16.

Hell, there's even a guy at Honda Tech that got more than 300 Whp from an N/A B18C. I beg to differ wether it was the most economical way of getting a reliable 300 whp apart from the regular rebuilds that have to be done.
 
I wasn't ignoring your posts, I was just trying to be economic with what I have, I didn't realise pro 1's were considered a mild cam, Honda's are a bit new to me! So ideally a B16B gearbox (LSD) with a B18C block/head would make for a good all rounder? :)
 
So you have ITB's and a mani? Well, yes I would start with a B18. You can either choose the B18C, which I'm assuming is out of your budget range (1800 or more with box). Or a B18c4, which is waaaay cheaper, around 600-700 quid with gearbox in the UK. Only need a shorter gearbox if you want to get max results.

Pro 1's are, AFAIK, not the mildest cams but also not the wildest and to get 200bhp out of a B16 is not economical and would need VERY wild cams.
 
Ok buddy, thanks for the quick replies, there is a wealth of info to go through in the Honda scene am trying to learn as quickly as possible, I paid less than £1000 for the car including the b16 and itb's and manifold!
 
Ok, that's a nice price. What is your budget if I may ask?
 
Get a B18C4 bottom end, fit the pistons out of your B16 in it with some new rings and bolt up your B16 head, drop a set of B16B/B18C cams in and you have the 'poor mans Type R' conversion. Should see you a nice 180bhp and 130lbft, maybe a smidge more, but could cost less than a set of brand new Spunkpoo cams.
 
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