b16a head for LS/vtec
 

hey guys i'm building my ls motor to ls/vtec and i was told that b16 heads are much better than gsr heads. now what i'm planing to do is to buy a complete b16a1 or b16a2 and pull out the head pistons cams etc, but my budget is only around $2000$. I wanna know which head would be better, either the jdm b16a1 or b16a2. the only reason i don't want to go with the b16b is because its gonna be too damn expensive for me to buy that motor or to find someone that will part it out and i also heard that because of the high compression it has on ls/vtec's the motors aren't that reliable.
After all the research i've done i'm kinda confused. everyone seems to say something different.
My goal is to achieve around atleast 200WHP. and maybe MAYBE turbo.
i need some inputs and maybe dyno charts from anyone who has an ls/vtec and what parts you used head pistons cams etc

Thanks

ls/vtec and turbo don't mix.

high compression and turbo don't mix period.

If you're building an ls/vtec stay N/A and become a cam junkie.

go with the b16a head,pistons and you'll have about 11:5 compression.

then get a nice set of buddy club stage 3 cams.

you'll be very close to 200whp

no what i meant was putting in aftermarket pistons that produce low compression then maybe turbo. but yea thanks for the advice. what rods/crank shaft do u think would be good.

Choose one or the other, turbo or NA. In order to achieve your 200hp goal (N/A from what I gather), your going to have high compression motor which is obviously not ideal for the turbo you later want to add. You definately need to research this more.

As far as the heads go, a GSR head has higher compression than a B16 head due to its combustion chamber design. It also usually cost more and is harder to find.

But you should first start by choosing between turbo or NA or your just going to end up wasting your money.

GSR heads are poo. The only good part are the cams.

If you're going turbo buy you're B16a and boost it. Obviously lower you're compression and build that bottom end for boost. a good 8.5 compression would be ideal.

Get a set of GSR cams for the head and you're set. you'll make an easy 300whp with you're minor bolt-ons and 10-12 psi of boost

OR

Take that money,rebuild you're own bottom end and boost the motor you already have.

thats what i was wondering...i found the cylinder head volumes the GSR is 41.6cc and b16 is 42.7. correct me if i'm wrong and after some research people say that b16 heads are better flowing that even itr heads. btw do all b16 heads have the same specs cuz these specs i found were only for usdm heads.

b16a1/a2 and itr have the same head CC volume. JDM and USDM.

as for reliablity with the ls/vtec, i only have this to say:
cheap. fast. reliable. Pick two
you have to build you block to withstand high revs that the b16 can handle. start looking into balancing your block and getting a crank girdle. if you keep the LS rods, have them shot peened.

Buff4Prez

what do u guys think about the b20 block for the ls/vtec, skunk 2 ecu, buddy club stage 3 cams, ???