Biggest Bang for the Buck (Engine Swap)
 

Own a 99 Civic EX Auto with 80K miles. Looking to do a motor swap and want to get the most for the least. :) As a joke I was browsing the NSX V6 engine and day dreaming of also turboing it but I am not Bill Gate and cant afford such dreams. I was thinking the H22a motors seem impresive and affordable but wanted to ask the experts here on the forum to see what you all thought.

Food for thought -

- I am paying for the swap
- It will stay auto (wifes car)
- Will need a better flowing but silent exhaust
- Want it to do well with a turbo set up as this will be in its future
- The easier the install the better / I would prefer to use my current trans if possible to save money
- Currently is a stock D16Y8 with auto trans (4 speed)
- looking for 250HP


Thank you in advance for your suggestions on my new engine set up and let me know if you have any questions.

Re: Biggest Bang for the Buck (Engine Swap)
 

The first thing you should consider is talking your wife into driving a car with a manual transmission, if she's wiling to drive a boosted H-series civic then I can't imagine a manual is that much of a stretch. I say that not because I'm an auto trans hater like many tuners, but because the H-series auto trans is plagued with problems under normal conditions, with boost it will fail.


H-series swap guide
https://www.civicforums.com/forums/2...uides-faq.html

Boost info for H-series engines.
https://www.civicforums.com/forums/2...ies-motor.html

Re: Biggest Bang for the Buck (Engine Swap)
 

Agreed! The plan is in a year at worst two I buy her a mommy car and keep this car as a toy. 6-Speed tranny and pack as much hp as possible while still streetable. I am thinking the H22a JDM prelude motor would put at about 200HP but I only wanna spend 1K-1.5K for the motor as I still need to pay for install. Could do it myself but dont want to mess up my brand new garage floor.

Re: Biggest Bang for the Buck (Engine Swap)
 

I am sure I can find this some where but while I am looking can any one tell me what engines mate to the auto tranny I have?

Looks like this says h or b series.

"
crv or an si (unless its a b16b) are cheaper routes and the gsr is the mostly highly sought after performance for the dollar
cheapest engine to go for quality is the b16a
cheapest engine to go for power/torque is the b20
medium is the b18c1 or b16b
best for quality b18c5
best for power h22a type s
these are based on the cars you said (and i went w/ the the upper class ones…
stay away from h23, wimp si engines or nonvtec h22"

Re: Biggest Bang for the Buck (Engine Swap)
 

There are a few companies out there making plates to mount D trannies to B series engines but I'm not sure about H engines..

hmm... I'll see if i can dig up an answer..