Rebuild Blown Head Gasket or Motor Swap

eiznekeM

New Member
So, I have two parts 91 parts Integras that I've used bits and pieces for my 92 GS. One is a 91 RS with a blown head gasket, but the body is immaculate. I'm going to use it as a shell. I have 91 LS/GS (not sure, no badging or VIN's) with a running motor. My question to the fine CI folks: Does it make more sense to rebuild the RS with the blown head gasket or to swap out the decent motor from the LS/GS? This would be my first undertaking in anything like this, but I have an unlimited time frame and a medium budget.
 

Cripton805

New Member
TORETO SAYS...

if you don't care about racing or big power...
Go with a low milage JDM B20 swap for cheap.

It will cost less than a full out rebuild and be a lot faster to just swap it in.

Good day. =D
 

BrokenTalon27

W.F.O
It really depends how you want to go about it.
It makes a lot of sense to drive just the LS that runs now while you fix the RS. You have a way to work everyday, so you don't have to rush it too much.
Personally, I'd pull the B18a1 out of the RS and use it for parts for the LS to keep it running while you save for a B20 and a Y1, J1, JDM B16 YS1, or USDM GSR YS1 trans.
With that combo, I think you'll enjoy the car a lot.
 


Teggykid952

New Member
I got my B20B for $700 shipped from HMO. Runs great and was super clean when I got it. The B20B swap is pretty straight forward and all you bolt-on's will still fit. BUT, if you even think you might turbo later, go with your old B18A1. The walls on the B20B are all one piece and thinner while the B18's are separate and thicker. Basically they can handle more and there's more of an option to put bigger pistons in.
 

Teggykid952

New Member
Also, the B20 is basically a bored out B18. As far as not using it for racing, that's not entirely true. It's got the same amount of HP and actually a little more torque. It's pretty much what I said before, the B18 can just handle more power and abuse. But by no means does that mean you can't race with it. I raced it at the drag strip and did decent seeing as I have an auto LS tranny on it and I drive a sedan. If you want to start making big power, go ahead and get the B20 and start building your old motor prepping it either for all motor or boost
 

eiznekeM

New Member
Thanks for all the tips guys. I guess I didn't specify that niether of the 91s are driveable as they are, one had the vin ripped off the dash and the other doesn't run. I have a 1992 GS for my daily driver. I don't have any idea how to get a hold of other kinds of motors up here (Tofield, Alberta. Look it up up haha.) So I was hoping to use what I had. I've got some ideas now, thanks, so I'm gonna build a game plan and you'll probably see a build thread up here quickly. Cheers CI!
 


maddogg20

New Member
I would personally do the head gasket. Fix that motor and put some basic bolt on's on it and youll be happy with it. I did the head gasket on my 91 ls a few weeks ago and it was pretty straight foreward. One thing I will mention again and I have mentioned it before, is that while your heads off, take it to the local machine shop and have them deck it by taking a few thousandths off of the bottom of it to ensure a clean mating surface for the new head gasket, because even in normal operating temps the head will warp ever so slightly but if you got it hot and blew the gasket, getting it machined is a must. If your not famaliar with this process its kinda like having your brake rotors turned before you put new brake pads on your car to ensure a clean mating surface.

Just my 0.2...
Andy
 

eiznekeM

New Member
Ok, sounds good. I didn't blow the gasket, I bought it for parts like that. But any knowlegde on it is good, thanks.
 
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