First LS Turbo build opinions

[civic_tj]

Hey whats up eveyone, I just got my LS and am trying to get a plan in action to build it for turbo, its going to be a daily driver so I don't want to go to over board, but I want to make a little impression if i go to an open track day or something! I am totally capable of building the motor my self but I have done mainly rebuilt v8 for people that blow there engine. Needless to say this is my first turbo build, and I have read alot and searched alot, just wanted a little more personal info i guess.

Now onto my list of parts. Please help with selections due to my new-ness but remember I want to build this while its apart the first time, and i want to go custom kit, I am not to sure on all the turbo stuff due to lack of experience.

Piston's & rods (no clue yet)
bore +.020 to clean up
balanced crank
replace all bearings and seals
cams & gears (no clue yet)
msd 6a
msd blaster 3 coil
msd pro cap
nology hot wires
holley 255lph
aem high pressure fuel rail
rc 550cc injectors
skunk2 intake manifold
turbo (no clue)
intercooler (no clue)
arp studs
port and polish head
tuning (no clue yet)
exhaust mani (no clue yet)
Thermal R&D 3" exhaust

This is all i can think of off the top of my head right now, let me know if i forgot anything. Please advise
thanks in advance!

 

[stealthy]

things you've listed so far seem good.....get some 9:1cr pistons (je or srp should do you fine)and some eagle rods perhaps?get a decent size t3/t4 turbo,and nice equal length manifold,convert to obd1 and tune with hondata or uberdata and you will be on your way

 

[civic_tj]

Now i beleave the motor i got is obd1(95 Ls) and it came with a complete uncut wire harness, so i am gonna get an obd1 ecu, but will i still need an obd2->obd1 conversion harness or not? That had me a little sketchy since my car is obd2

 

[stealthy]

yes you will need the harness to put a obd1 motor in a obd2 car

 

[civic_tj]

ok, for my next question, my motor didn't come with altenator nor did it come with a ps pump, can i use mine from my D or will i have to get B stuff for that.

And i know this relates to a long time ago stealthy but i did get my OMNI kit on my car and i like it sofar, its been on for a month or too now, but I haven't had any real problems.

 

[deftone]

you can add a downpipe and a wastegate to your list... prolly some gauges and a boost controller too

 

[civic_tj]

you can add a downpipe and a wastegate to your list... prolly some gauges and a boost controller too

Yeah i have all that in mind too, but i am gonna be buy things as the money comes in, so i am tryin to think in order of the build. Just trying to map out step by step on what i am gonna do.

 

[Exxel82]

Ok, first thing Im gonna tell you is that you should set a budget and build around it. You will never know when there may be some unexpected expenses. First off, how much boost are u planning on running? By answering that will help determine what parts are needed. The factory pistons are relatively strong for what they are. The will usually handle about 15 psi of boost. Trust me, thats alot of boost. As for the crankshaft, you dont need to balance it because since you are not revving in the high rpm range, you'll actually just waste your money. Depending how many miles are on your motor, or whether you want to just do a full rebuild, your motor should do the job just fine. Porting is not a necessity since you are planning on turbo, but you can do it, just dont go overboard. The factory heads already flow well. Drag makes a kit thats perfect for your car and not to mention, you can retain your A/C. That kit comes with everything you need already. You can run the APEXi S-AFC (if you stay non-vtec) or run the V-AFC (if you go vtec) for controlling your fuel air ratio.

 

[stealthy]

Ok, first thing Im gonna tell you is that you should set a budget and build around it. You will never know when there may be some unexpected expenses. First off, how much boost are u planning on running? By answering that will help determine what parts are needed. The factory pistons are relatively strong for what they are. The will usually handle about 15 psi of boost. Trust me, thats alot of boost. As for the crankshaft, you dont need to balance it because since you are not revving in the high rpm range, you'll actually just waste your money. Depending how many miles are on your motor, or whether you want to just do a full rebuild, your motor should do the job just fine. Porting is not a necessity since you are planning on turbo, but you can do it, just dont go overboard. The factory heads already flow well. Drag makes a kit thats perfect for your car and not to mention, you can retain your A/C. That kit comes with everything you need already. You can run the APEXi S-AFC (if you stay non-vtec) or run the V-AFC (if you go vtec) for controlling your fuel air ratio.

here is where i render your statement on 15psi as being irrelevant.....15psi on a t4 60-1 or 15psi on a dsm t25?see,theres a hell of a difference.dont throw a number out without including the size turbo used.

and heads?surely you meant HEAD,right?anyways,the ls head really doesnt flow all that well,if you compare it to a vtec head,so take that into consideration.

last but not least,build your own kit,dont give into drag,greddy,edlebrock etc kits.get some real power for your money,and feel good about building your own kit.

EDIT and i also dont agree with the afc's to control your air/fuel.chip your ecu and get a full tune.do it right the first time,you wont regret it when you are making GOOD,RELIABLE power.

 

[Evan.]

basically, what you should pull out of this is first, RESEARCH! Second, decided what YOU WANT for YOUR CAR. Then once decided on what you want for you car. Even though I have a SOHC, heres a list of my setup, just as a guide. ( http://www.clubcivic.com/board/showthread.php?t=72857 - third post down ). Then budget probably and buy whats needed, not so much what you want, of course everyone wants all the niciest s**t, but just cause its brand name doesnt mean anything. for instance, a johnny race car intercooler will work just as well as spearco, when the price difference is abotu $500. Browse the classifieds and look for legit deals and piece it together. Overall..good luck with it bro. PM for questions.

 

[civic_tj]

I know everyone is saying research and i have been for about the last month! The problem is i keep reading threads that just contradict the next, and it gets confusing in the end. As for what I want to do I want to make a good and relaible daily driver that I can turn up a little and run a 1/4 with on a open track day. I am hoping for around 250-300hp but don't want to sacrafice reliability at all. Its going to be a custom kit and I know i am chipping the ecu. I am just looking for a little guidence on what is needed, what will help, and what is going way over bored!

 

[Evan.]

I know everyone is saying research and i have been for about the last month! The problem is i keep reading threads that just contradict the next, and it gets confusing in the end. As for what I want to do I want to make a good and relaible daily driver that I can turn up a little and run a 1/4 with on a open track day. I am hoping for around 250-300hp but don't want to sacrafice reliability at all. Its going to be a custom kit and I know i am chipping the ecu. I am just looking for a little guidence on what is needed, what will help, and what is going way over bored!

http://www.beesandgoats.com/boostfaq/g2icturbo.html

^^ dont look anywhere else

 

[Exxel82]

First off, im not here to argue with you Stealthy, im trying to give important information to someone who is trying to build their car. Yea, the turbo you mention is big, but yea, who's really gonna put that in without building their car, seems like you are trying to find things wrong with ppl's post. Second, what do you think Chipping your ecu is? You are basically changing the amount of of fuel thats being dumped into the motor and changing revs. With the APEXi parts, you are essentially doing the same thing, but externally. The APEXi parts will override the chipped ecu no matter if they are installed together. What im trying to do is show that factory parts are very reliable not to mention able to handle some abuse. Yes, tuning is essential for any built or non-built motor, but it can be costly. The best and most expensive part on the market doesnt necessarily mean its best for you. Anyone can buy the best parts, but in reality, how many of them are actually using 70% of the potential of that product? Show me what your setup is? Im not trying to compare me to you. I too have an LS/Vtec turbo setup, so I know what im talking about. Look, im not here to pick fights with anyone. My buddy Chris Whitfield (From Hookups Import Tek) dynoed a street car for Sparks Racing that was an LS/Vtec turbo with a V-AFC that yielded 300+ hp. Look for a car in Honda Tuning (couple months back), Stock LS Vtec Turboed, with Chipped Ecu and V-AFC that yielded 352 hp and 249 lbs. tq. All without Hondata, AEM EMS, and its daily driven. Do some more research. As for the kits, the reason I suggested those is because they are complete. No looking around everywhere for fitting parts.

 

[Evan.]

First off, im not here to argue with you Stealthy, im trying to give important information to someone who is trying to build their car. Yea, the turbo you mention is big, but yea, who's really gonna put that in without building their car, seems like you are trying to find things wrong with ppl's post. Second, what do you think Chipping your ecu is? You are basically changing the amount of of fuel thats being dumped into the motor and changing revs. With the APEXi parts, you are essentially doing the same thing, but externally. The APEXi parts will override the chipped ecu no matter if they are installed together. What im trying to do is show that factory parts are very reliable not to mention able to handle some abuse. Yes, tuning is essential for any built or non-built motor, but it can be costly. The best and most expensive part on the market doesnt necessarily mean its best for you. Anyone can buy the best parts, but in reality, how many of them are actually using 70% of the potential of that product? Show me what your setup is? Im not trying to compare me to you. I too have an LS/Vtec turbo setup, so I know what im talking about. Look, im not here to pick fights with anyone. My buddy Chris Whitfield (From Hookups Import Tek) dynoed a street car for Sparks Racing that was an LS/Vtec turbo with a V-AFC that yielded 300+ hp. Look for a car in Honda Tuning (couple months back), Stock LS Vtec Turboed, with Chipped Ecu and V-AFC that yielded 352 hp and 249 lbs. tq. All without Hondata, AEM EMS, and its daily driven. Do some more research. As for the kits, the reason I suggested those is because they are complete. No looking around everywhere for fitting parts.

First off,

Yea, the turbo you mention is big, but yea, who's really gonna put that in without building their car

What im trying to do is show that factory parts are very reliable not to mention able to handle some abuse.

Second,

Uberdata is free, chipped ecu and misc parts <200. Wideband O2 (optional) <200 . Uberdata and Wideband O2 > V-AFC. So for less money than youll spend gettin all the s**t for the AFC hack, youll get a complete setup with full tuning capabilites..

 

[richocet1]

First off,







Second,

Uberdata is free, chipped ecu and misc parts <200. Wideband O2 (optional) <200 . Uberdata and Wideband O2 > V-AFC. So for less money than youll spend gettin all the s**t for the AFC hack, youll get a complete setup with full tuning capabilites..

 

[stealthy]

well,im glad sk8shorty017 agrees with me.and just so you know,i DO know what im talking about if i post about it,and if you were around here enough you might know that for yourself and i wouldnt have to tell you.if i really felt the need to prove myself to you,id tell you the setup im currently putting together for my gsr,BUT its on a completely different level than you and your 300hp friends your way of afc for your air/fuel is not the most efficient nor proper way,and just bc you think its cheaper,modding a car shouldnt be done if you are gonna use cheaper things bc you want to save money thats not saying you have to use the most expensive to get the best result.and no,im not using the best and most expensive parts on the market btw.tuning is essential when modding a car and if you cant afford a GOOD tune,dont waste your time modding.also,just bc you own a lsvtec turbo doesnt mean jack s**t to me or anyone else,anyone can throw down some money,maybe you know about your stuff maybe you dont but ive seen people that have the money to buy nice stuff but in reality that have no clue how it works or anything,is that you or not,idk but thats not what we're debating.

 

[Evan.]

Look for a car in Honda Tuning (couple months back), Stock LS Vtec Turboed, with Chipped Ecu and V-AFC that yielded 352 hp and 249 lbs. tq.

Congratulations you just earned yourself another..

As for the kits, the reason I suggested those is because they are complete. No looking around everywhere for fitting parts.

Do some more research.

Maybe if you took your own advice and "researched a lil more" you'd see that you can make a more than "complete kit" for less than greddy, edelbrock and all of those..

 

[soldiaboy]

http://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1323059

85 pages of LS Turbo setups

if you want 250-300 hp, you can make those numbers on stock internals its been done all over that thread Im giving you.
you and me have more or less the same goals. look at the honda-tech classifieds for parts for sale

heres my future setup

t3/t04 57 trim
walbro 255 hp
38mm wastegate
charge piping
act stage 4 clutch
downpipe
400 injectors
tubular turbo mani
johnny racer fmic
greddy bov
oil lines
turbo timer
on 10 lbs hopefully with a gsr tranny

 

[civic_tj]

http://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1323059
you and me have more or less the same goals. look at the honda-tech classifieds for parts for sale

Yeah my list is looking simular to yours, but why I have my engine out and apart I am going to do a mild build on the block. Have you decided on what you are going to tune with? Thanks for the info from HT. How far on you on your build? I have my motor and am plaing to start tear down next weekend and will start ordering parts after i recover from insurrance and college books.

 

[richocet1]

LS-T's are teh sex. good luck man. and take everyones advice about using the right methods to tune.