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I recently just bought a 2000 ex with a b18c swap. Love the car! I've decided to fix it up more and do it myself for the learning experience and the piece of mind. Some friends have suggested to take the motor out, make sure all parts are working correctly and changing the gaskets.. With that being said.. while everything is out, I might as well change the pistons and cams. I have been trying to do my own research on the subject but get nothing but a bunch of opinions. I'm trying to decide what compression would be best for what I want. I would like to learn the ends and outs of everything. I know every part is linked together and want to make sure I don't just go with a name brand and f#c! everything up.

 
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which B18C?

some are already high compression
https://www.civicforums.com/forums/2...fications.html

 
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Pulling and rebuilding an engine is no small job, but if your up for it then go for it.

Your piston and cam choice is based on your plans for the engine.

 
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I have the JDM B18C. I know everything depends on what I want but where is the best place to find legit info compression, what low and high will do, what you need to run both properly... Every person I ask tells me something different so I may as well look everything up myself.

 
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btw.. thank you for the B series specs. very, very helpful!

 
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I really wouldn't suggest pulling apart your engine just to check to make sure everything is running properly, if something isn't then you'll have symptoms telling you. Changing these things is an intense and expensive undertaking.

Low compression pistons are designed for running boost, either feed by a turbo or supercharger. High compression pistons are designed for naturally aspirated engine builds, you could bump up the compression to say, 15:1 and make a few extra hp.

Cams are also generally designed for either naturally aspirated or boost engines and are sold either by profile duration or stages, the higher profile or stage the more aggressive the cam is. A stage 1 cam is usually capable of being run without changing any other component in the head, a stage 2 or higher needs to the valves, springs, retainers and guides upgraded as well.

When you change something internally like pistons or make a big change on cams you need to modify the ecu with a chip to be tunable, in stock form the ecu isn't able to adjust to new conditions on it's own. For that you would need to find a shop and have them chip your ECU and tune it with a system like chrome, neptune or Hondata s300 (i like neptune the best), that would probably cost $500 on it's own.

 
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Hmm... I don't recommend tearing everything apart either especially if you've never done it before. If something isn't broken now chances are it will be when you put it back together. There are many ways to learn your car inside and out but ripping it apart isn't the best way to go about it. Start with small jobs, like changing spark plugs, oil changes. Move on to brakes, then start doing ball joints etc. Basically when stuff is due fix it. Learn how to inspect your cars components for wear and tear. Most mechanics can't do this properly. Buy tools as time goes on and you will know your car better than the dealer. If you take it all apart there is a good chance you won't get it back together again.

 
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As I said in the new members section, I plan on changing my timing belt. Since I'm there I wanted to slap in a stage 1 cam. I also wanted to pnp. All I want is a little more pep. Are those worhtwhile mods. Thanks.

 
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Ohio82, first step will be to try to get a HELMS manual and see all the tools and methods involved.

You can get a hardcopy in their website, or an electronic version here:
I posted a site with them
https://www.civicforums.com/forums/1...pdated-11.html
After that, you will need to check the current conditions, and then start ordering parts (pistons could need to be ordered depending on the current cylinder sizes)., so if you have only one car, remember that you might be no-car for a while.

 
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tencc, your question is not related to the main topic

 
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Sorry, my mistake. Will post in the appropriate section.

 
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Even a timing belt is not a good first job. It's far too involved. Learn how to use a wrench before you learn how to rebuild an engine. If you rebuild an engine without knowing how to use a wrench who the hell knows what the outcome will be.

 
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you were more straight forward...
I was expecting to have him see the manual first to see what is required and how much tools required before saying that...

 
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Thanks for the advice! I'm not gonna try to do the work alone. i have some friends who know what they're doing to guide me. One told me I have a possible head gasket leak which is why I've started looking into the pistons and cams upgrade. Why not while I have it apart? Its not my daily driver.. so no harm done when its not running for a week. From what I was told, there is a chipped and tuned. Not sure what program it was tuned with.

 
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then get the manual and take a look. it should help you on guiding through, but remember it will require a lot of tools as well.
g'luck!