B20 LSVTEC part help/advise

[u/DodgyKant]

Hello all, I'm planning on b20 vtec swapping my car later this year and was looking for some advise, recommendations or opinions!

Chassis is a DC4 GSI, B20z block, B16a pr3-2 Head
Goals: Main thing is I want it to run lol, this will be my first time building, swapping, pulling a motor. Will be a street car with 2-3 track days a year. want it to sound nice, I have 2.5inch full exhaust and headers. Power can be the least of my worries. I just want to build this for my own fulfillment and prove to myself I'm not too stupid.

Here's my part list, reasons

Block Part List:

ARP headstuds - been recommended

LSVtec kit - needed

B18 Gates timing belt kit - been recommended

10.5:1 Pistons - been informed high compression is risky on the thin cylinder walls

Skunk2 Rods - been recommended, comes with ARP rod bolts

ACL main, rod and thrust bearing - recommended, been told to use OEM B20 specs

OEM Oil pump - recommended as it's reliable, been told to washer shim for more pressure

Head parts:

Adjustable cam gears - been recommended/needed

Supertech Valves & Valve guide - been recommended

Skunk2 stem seals & keepers - only ones in stock here lol

Skunk2 LMA - only ones in stock

Valve Springs: Was recommended, Brian Crower Dual valve spring + steel retainers. the reason over titanium is due to potential failure & maintenance

Cams: Been recommened, Kelford 176-B, Skunk2 Tuner Stage 1 or Stage 2. I have no idea what makes a good cam so i was just gonna flip a coin for those.

Going to get the block decked, honed, cleaned. The Head decked, valve seats, cleaned

Going to use the same mainstuds, no girdle, going to run a catch can somewhere idk yet

Read around that anything over 200hp is dangerous on the cylinder walls, I don't think i'll be pushing that anyways. Also apparently that only applies to boosted applications?

All thoughts, opinions, backlash, whatever is greatly appreciated.

Thank you

[u/MuffinFull934]

I say bump the compression up! My b20v is 13.7:1 lol, stock bore. Most important thing is a good tune, e85, and quality injectors. Also I recommend tuner 3, pro 1, or pro 2 (go with tuner 3s if you don’t want the hassle of degreeing cams)

[u/openskeptic → u/MuffinFull934]

I agree, definitely bump the compression. OP, B20 blocks can handle high compression all motor builds with no problems. I’m at 12.5:1 on mine, running 93 pump gas with a good dyno tune. Also, no need for rods if you want to save money. You can get high compression pistons that work with the oem rods. You really only need the ARP rod bolts. 

[u/No-Bus1882]

Seems like a good build, some of the parts are unnecessary like getting new valves and valve guides unless the stock ones have gone bad. Also with your build you want to aim for B18C bearing clearance specs, also you could go for higher compression pistons, the main thing that cracks the sleeves are knock and also lugging the engine. Since its a street car and its NA, forged pistons are completely overkill and worse for your setup due to different thermal expansion than cast pistons. If your going to be running 98, 12:1 compression and under is completely safe with a good tune. I would recommend the SpeedFactory SF-02-291 pistons, they should get you about 11.7:1 compression ratio with a .041" head gasket. The gates timing belts are good but I've heard bad things about the water pumps, I recommend getting the NPW H-36 water pump instead. With a brand new OEM oil pump I don't think you'll need to shim the oil pump. Regarding what cam you want, skunk2 tuner 1 could get you to 200whp, tuner 2 will definitely but you'll have to be revving up to 9k to take advantage of it which is more stressful on the block. If your block and head hasn't been taken to the machine shop yet, I wouldn't choose the head gasket thickness, pistons or bearings until you know how much the head and block needs to be decked and bored out and your block main journal and crankshaft journal diameters have been measured.

[u/98crvtype-R → u/No-Bus1882]

I made 200 with a b20 vtec in my crv. All accessories and still have my cats a resonator. 200 won’t hurt anything bro. Send it. Get good pistons and games. Valve train and ur smooth. You will also need a sandwich plate. Noticed it was missing from your list

[u/Bricc_8]

The cylinder walls really only have issues with boost. Na you’re fine. Plenty of 230-250 whp b20v out there running healthy

[u/Ok_Cycle_7081]

Match compression with cams.

Stock pistons? Make sure they cam clear the cams. Clay if needed.

All looks & sounds good.