Honda K-series
Honda replaced the B-series with the K-series and nobody complained. This is one of the best transverse naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder engines ever built. Incredibly engineered, it was the engine choice for makers of the Ariel Atom. Making 250whp with minor bolt-ons is typical for a K20A. Dr. Charles was the first person to do the swap in a Civic. Since then the K-series swap is every Honda owner's wet dream. Unfortunately, the price of the motor and conversion isn't for everyone. The Japanese Type R engine isn't very common in Japan, so it goes for a premium here.
Specs: 4-cylinder 2.0 to 2.4L, DOHC, iVTEC
Power: 160 to 220 hp
Engine Cost: $1200 to $5000
Originally With: Acura RSX, TSX, Honda Civic Si, Accord, CRV, Ariel Atom
Easy-Fit Cars: Acura Integra DA/DC, Honda Civic EF/EG/EK
Custom-Fit Cars: Mini Cooper, Lotus Elise S2, Lotus Exige S2,
Toyota MR2 Spyder
Mount Kits: Arizona Race & Machine, Avid, Brooke Kensington, Half Way, HASport, Hybrid Racing, Innovative, Mini Tec, Sun International
Nissan RB25DET/RB26DETT
What makes a Skyline so awesome? The RB26DETT. When making the Skyline, the engineers at Nissan wanted to give drivers everything possible. Six inline cylinders, two turbos, individual throttle-bodies and of course an AWD transmission. Good lord, is there any other company crazy enough to offer that for under $100k? Don't forget this was in 1995. Using the RB25DET RWD transmission with either RB longblock, people have been able to fit this engine in everything from small 240SX cars to older Datsun Z cars. They just don't make inline-sixes like this anymore, what a shame.
Specs: 6-cylinder 2.5 to 2.6L, DOHC Turbo, Individual Throttle-bodies
Power: 245 to 280 hp
Engine Cost: $1500 to $5000
Originally With: Not available in US, Nissan Skyline
Easy-Fit Cars: Not Applicable
Custom-Fit Cars: Datsun Z, Infiniti M30, Nissan 240SX, Nissan 300ZX
Mount Kits: McKinney Motorsports, Syko Performance
Toyota 1JZ/2JZ
The 2JZ-GTE is one of the most badass engines to ever come out of Japan. After Nissan released the Skyline with the RB26DETT, Toyota answered back with their own twin turbo inline-six, but in a larger 3.0L. If you can't afford a 2JZ-GTE you can also look into the older smaller brother, the 1JZ-GTE, which is still a turbo inline-six, but only a 2.5L engine. Although only the Supra was given the turbo version, even the cheaper naturally-aspirated JZ engines from cars like the Lexus SC and IS have serious potential. Their cylinder blocks are known to handle double digit pounds of boost. Having over 700whp on a JZ engine is no surprise to anyone. Mate one with the optional Getrag six-speed transmission and have yourself the ultimate Toyota setup. This beats the RB swap mainly due to how many more cars can take the swap.
Specs: 6-cylinder 2.5 to 3.0L, DOHC NA or Turbo, VVT-i
Power: 200 to 276 hp
Engine Cost: $1000 to $6000
Originally With: Toyota Supra (93-98), Lexus SC300, Lexus GS300
Easy-Fit Cars: Toyota Supra (82-92), Toyota Cressida (85-92)
Custom-Fit Cars: Datsun Z, BMW 3-series and Z3, Mazda RX-7, Honda S2000, Nissan 240SX, Toyota Celica (RWD), Toyota Corolla (RWD), Toyota Pickup
Mount Kits: Supra Sport, Tech 2 Motorsports, Zerolift Autolab