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Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum and new to this whole civic/import world. I dont know a whole lot as of yet, so I'm trying to learn as much as possible.

OK, I have a 1996 Civic Hatchback, it looks the part (body kit, wheels/tires etc etc) BUT, only has a stock 1.6L engine!...I've narrowed it down to 2 engines, but cant decide what one to go with. I'm hopping someone on here can help me in my decision.

it's either gonna be a 1.6L DOHC VTECH (there are a few different ones out there, i dont know the difference between them) OR the H23A 2.2L with 220hp, I'm told thats the engine out of a prelude i think.

I've been told that i should go with the 1.6 because its easier to get parts for, I dont know how true this is...I just want as much power to the wheels as possible

Thanks in advance for any replies

 
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nice job on picking the hatch up but get rid of the kit and altezza tails and get yourself some oem bumpers and etc...anyways you have many engine choices but h23a or the h22's from the preludes are hard swaps...you're better off with a b16a from a 99-00 civic si or b18c1 from a gsr...easier drop in swap...i have a 2000 hatchback that im workin on and im gonna keep it 1.6l sohc for the meanwhile with a turbo kit...oh and btw its vtec not vtech
and last but not least:
welcome to the forums

 
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all show and no go

Keep in mind turbo takes some work and its not just one of thoes things you slap on and take it for a spin to test the gains. But as far as the tails, I they arent horrible, I rather see you tint them before you loose them- they might look pretty good.

As for the kit, I guess its a little much, but I've seen so many people put so much wrong crap on that hatch that it just doesnt bother me much anymore and to be honest, I think its kind of acceptable, on that car. The rear spoiler does look a little large though. But its a nice car to start with, I've been wanting to pick up one of thoes cars to mod on the side.

Welcome.

 
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welcome to the forums man

and its a h22 in the prelude... nice engines

 
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dont be gay, drop a k

 
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any b series motor would be a vast improvement. but i would stick with a b series for sure. h series are heavy motors and it will make the car push in turns a lot more than it already does.

 
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Whoa!! It's actually not that bad looking.

As far as the engine goes... forget that swap and get a faster car is what i say.

 
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that is a very uneducated post, if you really knew the potential of a b series in that shell you wouldnt say that. with 240whp he can run 12's

 
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Yeah so how is what i said uneducated? I didn't bash the engine or the potential of it. It sounded like my opnion if you ask me.

 
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blah blah blah, play nice guys.

 
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what so ever do u mean TRIZ

 
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nice car. with a swap and the looks of your car youll definitly win some points at a car show

 
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hhmmm...Im still kinda stumped though. The 1.6L I've looked at are WAY more expensive than the H22A prelude....BUT, like you guys said...it is a heavier engine AND its a much more difficult swap.

Another question...or comment maybe....anyways, it still puzzles me, lol. Im read about these guys who combine different blocks with different top ends. For example, a B16a head and intake manifold with a B20 block...what are the benifits or are there any from making an engine like this??

Thanks again guys for all the replies. VERY much apriciated!

 
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Just get a b18c1, a integra gsr engine. It'll give you 170hp. It depends on how much money you have. Bang for you buck, a b18 or b16 motor is more worth while. Keep it stock until you learn more about cars then turbo it later. B series engines respond really well to turbo.

The B series are like the small block chevy engines of the import world. There's a lot of aftermarket support and there very reliable engines.

Oh yeah, the b20 block is really weak compared to a b18 or b16 block, so you would have to build it up. Its not really worth it.

 
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I wouldn't be talking about uneducated posts....

http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=684550

a WHOPPING 42 pounds difference. I'm fairly certain he could find a few things that weigh 42 pounds to remove....

 
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Nice kit.. gotta let the taillights go... btw are those TSW's ? If they are... man havent seen those in a while

 
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someone might have already said this but another good swap is the b20 vtec or a ls vtec but make goo power and are a cheap swap....

 
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What's a TSW??

 
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i spend plenty of time on HT as well as TI. i have experience with h22 swaps do you??? no to mention the fact that i have a b20 swapped dc. if you had any experience with h series swaps in hatches then you wouldnt oppose my comment. i have not only done the swap but i have driven many of them. the handing charactaristics(sp) are greatly reduced when a h22 is present under the hood.

 
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wheels

 
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a lot of people have already said it, but handling characteristics are most DEFINITELY different with an h22 in a hatch or even in a coupe. and I don't know if this applies for the hatches, but I know in an EJ you had to get different headlights for the swap to fit right. it's much bigger in general than a B-series.
i'd go b18c1 or the b16 from the si. they'd be the easiest swaps for sure. you'd have a good motor right out of the box, and it'll be quick. later on, you could still do an LS/VTEC or turbo it if you wanted. you talked about a b20 bottom end and v-tec head, that's a crv/vtec, not as desirable as a b18 LS bottom and v-tec head.
whatever route you go, hopefully it all works out!

 
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most of what you said is true except for the last part, a b18b is not more desirable than a b20 vtec. a b20 with vtec head can yield 200whp easily and with more torque than a b18 of any configuration

 
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if you really want to make good usable power with a b20/vtec use the ls cams as well as the ls i/m and a gsr or type r ex. mani, you can make a lot of power using stock parts......