not really, just to slap on the vtec head isnt that much trouble, but to do it the way most peole do and swap out pistons for higher compression type r pistons is kind of expensive, and irrelevant cause in my opiion its no longer ls vtec if you rip the motor apart and replace with higher comp pistons, its not really worth the money to me, just buy some nitrous, but if your going to stay all motor then just do it........or buy a gsr swap, vtec lives on high compression.....