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Totally RadYour magazine is totally rad. You guys do great work-thank you! Anyway, I have a 1994 Acura Integra LS. I plan on doing a motor swap but I haven't decided what motor I want to use. I really want a B18C1 (GS-R) with a Vortech blower, but I can't afford it. So I'm thinking about doing a B16A2 swap. Is that a good idea? I'm also wondering if the front and rear bumper from a 1998 Integra will fit on my car. Again, your magazine is the best. Keep it up!Kevin R.Via the Internet
We recommend buying the B16 swap, however, you shouldn't be using the whole thing. Your best bet is to go with an LS/VTEC setup. Take the B16 head off of its block and bolt it on top of the LS bottom end.
You'll also want to use the B16 tranny, as the gear ratios are far more performance oriented than that of your LS tranny. You'll need a few extra parts, but the difference in power between using the LS bottom end and the B16 bottom end is enough to justify it.
As for the bumper swap, there is a little more to it than you may think. The '98-and-up rear bumper will bolt right on in place of your '94 bumper. The front end is a bit more tricky because you'll need not only the bumper, but also the headlights and corner lights to go with it. Also, if you really wanted to do it right, you might want to think about swapping the taillights and adding a USDM Type R lip to really bring everything together. - Dr Barrios
J1? You Sunk My Battle ShipFirst off, let me say that I praise the pages of your magazine. I am currently finishing up my '91 Integra LS/VTEC project. In searching for a tranny, I was lucky enough to score two J1 transmissions for less than $300.
Where my problems begin is in the lack of information on this JDM item. I have visited many forums and received mixed answers on issues such as gear ratio(s), clutch ('90-'91or '92-'93 Integra), and the interchanging of parts with other transmissions in the B family. Can you answer these questions so I may further progress in my mission? Thank you.Sgt. Joseph Watson, USMCFalls Church, Va.
The J1 is a great tranny and will be far better than the tranny that you probably have stock in your LS. The Y1 limited-slip differential will fit in the J1 if you use the Y1's countershaft. You could also use a Type-R limited-slip diff if you put a 4.40 final drive on it to make it fit. There is no way to fit a larger final drive (such as a 4.7) in the J1 case without seriously modifying the case. You'll want to use a '90-'91 Integra clutch with the J1; the '92-'93 clutch will not work. - DB
Third-Gen Prelude PredicamentI recently purchased a 1989 Honda Prelude Si. I really like it but the engine is weak on power and it's starting to burn oil so I'm considering a swap. I haven't found much on swaps for these cars, but I'm looking at either a B16 or H22 (VTEC). Do you know which engine, if either, will fit best in my car? Any information you can give me on a swap for my car would be awesome. Thank you.Josh BagnatiOld Saybrook, Conn.
I have a 1989 Prelude with a JDM B20A swap and am looking to supercharge it, but I can't seem to find any site or magazine that sells superchargers for my year or engine. Where could I find one? Or is there one off of a different Prelude/Civic that will fit without any crazy mods? Any help would be appreciated!Travis LuthiVia the Internet
First of all, I'm a loyal reader and the tech support is phenomenal. I read every issue to glean information about making more power in my Honda. I just purchased a '91 Prelude Si with a B21 engine. I've been looking for performance parts for it without luck. I was thinking of doing an H22 swap since it looks like it will fit. What would I need to make this swap work or is there a better swap for this car? I would appreciate your help.Damian r. CuencaVia the Internet
We receive questions about motor swaps a few times a month from third-gen Prelude owners looking for more power. Unfortunately, the B20A in that particular Prelude is the bastard child of the B-series family. It shares no parts with the rest of the more common B-series motors and, most importantly for would-be swappers, it doesn't share mounting points either.
To make a swap work in the third-gen Prelude, a set of custom motor mounts, axles and shift linkage need to be made to even get it to sit in the car. For all of the money it would take to put a DOHC VTEC motor in a third-gen, you could just buy a fourth-gen with an H22 already in it.
On a lighter note, there's hope for you third-gen Prelude die-hards. LSD Motorsports is rumored to be offering a turbo kit for your car soon. Why pay a ton of money to swap when you could boost for half the price and make more power? Check out www.LSDmotorsports.com for more details. - DB
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