Got this silly notion I've been pondering, if I can do it on a crazy cheap budget I might try it out.

B20 block
B16 crank
H22 rods

That will yeild a 1.7 liter shortblock, but with 1.87 r/s ratio which is quite a bit better even than a stock B16 thanks to 9mm longer rods. The one roadblock is that stock H22 big end bore is 2.03 vs. the 1.89 of a B-series, so that would mean I'd have to find bearings 1.5mm thicker than stock. They might not even exist, and if they did I'm not sure it's a good idea to have so much soft bearing in there. Probe makes H22 rods w/B18 bore, but they cost $$$. At any rate I believe that, while you sacrifice some of the torque everyone likes from the B20 or LS, you can run 12:1 or higher to support radical cams like the 405 and still tune with pump high-octane. With a ported head (P8R, anyone?) and 9000+rpms I have to think you could make some great power even with non-VTEC. Dare to dream that sacrificing some displacement to get better geometry may get a non-VTEC all-motor up to a streetable 200whp???

Any opinions on this?

Whats the benefit of this over say a B17 engine or something? the fact you're going to stay nonvtec?

Sounds like a waste but then again I dont really get into engine theory all that much.

i wouldnt waste the time IMO

A real B17 has worse r/s ratio than a B16. The purpose of this build is maximum r/s ratio and shorter stroke, which always is best for high-rpms. This combo slows down the speed and max acceleration of the pistons and decreases side-loading on the cylinders. This also keeps the piston near TDC for more degrees of crank rotation, resulting in more complete & efficient burn cycle, ability to advance timing more with higher compression or lower octane.

The larger bore should add some torque over the B16. I'd go for like 12 or 13:1 c/r, 405 cams, major port grindage, a P8R head with 1mm oversize exhaust valves would be great. You could top 9000rpm and I think you'd also net over 200whp. It'd be a great race motor in a little hatch with a 4.7 f/d trans.

I discovered with some more research the primary fatal flaw in this plan. The rod journal diameters are not compatible, even the smaller bore USDM H22 style. I guess the crank journals go in 3mm diameter increments. The D & B-series are 1.771 (45mm), US H22 is 1.89 (48mm), some JDM H22 are 2.008(51mm). So unless I want to have some USDM rods welded up and machined to spec I guess it's a dead issue. Weak! I feel I have to know how this setup would work!!!

yup