5 Lug Conversion - Tech Support October 2009 - Super Street Magazine

Tech Support
Where We Cure All Your Tech Problems
Here's where we act like we know something technical about cars. Feel free to ask us about your technical troubles. Write us at tech@ superstreetonline.com or Super Street c/o Tech Support, 6420 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048. Feel free to include a picture of your project or tech problem.

Q: Your mag is cool and has humor like no other import magazine. My question: is there a way to stroke a LS/VTEC without a stoker kit? I know that the B16A3 can use the rods from the B18C1 to make a 1.8L B16A3, so if you want a GS-R but don't have the money do the step above. So if you can do that, what are some interchangeable Honda engine rods that will make it a 2.0-2.1 liter? And is it correct that using a GS-R head will have a compression ratio of 11:6:1?
Anthony Firth
Via the Internet

A: First of all, the B18B or B18C rods and crankshaft will not fit into a B16A. Well, not without some machining, and custom parts, like pistons or rods. In the end, it's not worth it. You might be confused with people using the B18C rods and crankshaft in a B16B. And the reason that work's is because the B16B (Civic Type R) is basically a B18C cast block with a de-stroked crank and rods. Now to your question about stroking a LS/VTEC: there is no factory Honda crankshaft that will bolt in and give it more displacement. You will have to go with an aftermarket stroker kit if that is what you want. If you don't mind going to a 2.0 by bore size instead of by stroke, you can do a B20 VTEC. B20 blocks are essentially LS blocks with a 84mm bore instead of 81mm. About the GS-R head, the compression will depend on what pistons you use. If you're using the factory LS pistons, you'll be around 9.7:1 with the GS-R head.

Q: I have a '90 EF Civic with a D15B2 block, a Y8 head (except distributor) and a S20 tranny. I am looking to do a NA build, so what pistons would best fit that block with high compression? All the rest of the engine has stock internals. Also, what kind of wiring am I going to have to do for this new setup?
Mike Byrnes
Via the Internet

A: The P29 pistons from a '88-89 Integra (same as the JDM PM7 ZC pistons) will give you an 11.3:1 compression ratio. These cast pistons are cheap making this a great upgrade. For more compression ratios with different combinations of D series pistons and head gaskets check out www.zealautowerks.com/dseries.html. As for wiring, you will have to get an OBD1 ECU jumper, add VTEC wiring, and an OBD1 distributor. And if your car doesn't have EFI yet, you'll have to do that too.

Q: My question is in reference to the '01 Acura Integra in the August issue, the cover car. On pages 50 and 51, there is a picture of the engine bay with a sweet turbocharged B18C1 But there is no ABS pump/motor. I'm asking where the hell did the ABS go? Throughout the article the car is called a DC chassis and as far as I can remember that means it's a GS-R or Type-R and ABS came standard on those models, or so I thought? Did Mr. Soto remove the ABS and all the hardware? I would really like to know what he did or replaced. I do have experience as a mechanic so running brake lines isn't a problem, but if it's as simple as swapping out a master cylinder and buying some pre-bent lines say from a GS Integra or an Si, that would save me a lot of headaches!
Jon
Via the Internet

A: Actually a DC simply means '94-01 Integra or RSX. DC2 means it is a GS-R or Type R. The particular Integra you're referring to has all custom lines made for most things in the engine bay and you can't see them because they're tucked. But for you and the average reader removing the ABS unit is still pretty easy. If you don't mind bending and flaring your own brake lines, simply remove the ABS unit and make new hard lines. Now if you want to do the conversion with all OEM parts, you'll need the brake lines and proportioning valve from a '94-01 non-ABS Integra or '92-95 Civic.

Q: First, I love your magazine, way more interesting than Import Tuner or D-Sport. Not knocking those guys, but they don't love Hondas and Acuras quite as much as you guys do. Anyways, my first car is a '92 Integra GS-R. I have been driving it stock and it is time to begin working on it. The only problem is, finding engine mods for a B17 Integra is not easily. And I don't have many resources besides the Internet. What I need to know is do you guys know any companies that make some B17 parts that don't drain my entire bank account, but increase performance? Keep in mind, I want to keep it NA for now, until I at least graduate from high school. Thanks.
Ry
Via the Internet

A: The only special thing about the B17 engine are the crank and rods. Other than that, it's pretty much like all other VTEC B series engines. Check out our tech article on page 48 for tips on how to build naturally-aspirated B series engine. You can start with the basics: intake, header and exhaust for starters. The Internet is great; you should be able to find just about all the info needed there. Check out www.G2IC.com for specific information on your DA (or should we say DB you lucky owner).

Q: I have an '03 Civic Si and I was considering doing a 5-lug conversion on it. What parts would I have to pick up to make it as easy as possible? Do the parts from a '04-05 Si fit on my '03? I've also noticed that some have used parts off an RSX base and Type S models to do this. I'll be doing all the work to save myself some money so any help would be appreciated, thanks!
Dosh Khemthongsengsay
Via the Internet

A: The easiest way to do a 5-lug conversion would be to just get the rotors and hubs off a '04-05 Civic Si or base model RSX. But if you wanted to do a brake upgrade at the same time, you could use the front and rear hubs, brakes and axles off a RSX Type-S.

Q: Love your magazine and have for at least five years. Real quick question: do you know of anybody who makes a good high-performance distributor cap for a '95 Integra GS-R with a stock coil?
Jason
Albuquerque, NM

A: Unless you're using an external coil, there's no reason you would need an aftermarket distributor cap. Most aftermarket distributor caps are made to work with an aftermarket external coil. If your cap is damaged just get a new one. We recommend going to the dealer for this part. There are several Hondas out there making tons of horsepower with an OEM cap.