I'm thinking about trying to put a VTEC engine (preferably from a S2000 into my Bertone X1/9. Anyone have ideas on where I could get an engine cheap? (or, if you have technical input, that would be welcome as well!)

 

b16a is as cheap as they come.

 

OK, I'll show my ignorance now ... what is a b16a? I assume it's an engine variant, what would I ask for at a junk yard when trying to find one?

 

I realize you are going for more performance and reliability... but I have an old fiat 128 that you can have the engine out of.

 

B16A is the Honda Engine code for the 1.6 liter DOHC VTEC. I know the engine itself has been around since the birth of VTEC back in the early 90's, but I don't know what other cars it has been thrown into since then on the US end. I think the '99-'00 Civic Si's came with them and they were at 160HP. I think there are a couple variants of this engine that you can get...but each of the B16 series only vary by a few HP/lb-ft and some RPMs here and there.

If cost is the issue...the guy above is right...B16A is easy to find and cheap as hell. But if you don't want to drop all the buck on the engine and spend forever looking for it...look into a B18C. That's what the last gen. Integra GSR came with. 170 HP and 8100 RPM redline...mad fun.

 

Thanks It's actually all performance, I've owned the X1/9 since '87 (one owner car) and it's still very reliable. A good oil leak thanks to Jiffy Lube, but otherwise fine. So, I'll have to pass.

I've seen some very interesting mods (turbos, V6's, etc.) on the car, but I'm really liking VTEC, so that's my preference (at this point).