i think he needs a swap and then hes gonna turn it into an ls/vtec. if this is the case get a b16 swap, and when you got all the stuff swap out the short block. and if you want good gas milage and nice short vtec gears, just add an ls 5th gear to the b16 tranny, i think you will be happy with it. also this way you dont fall out of vtec...til 5th anyway, and still get good highway miles.
i wish someone made a 5th gear that is longer than the ls, but thats just me, i like to cruise at 85+.
good luck