Turbo advice?

[DarkCivicCoupe]

Hi all,

For the last few months, I have been thinking about modifying my car. However, in short, I don't want to waste my money on what some might call "rice-mods"

So ... from what I have read on various forums and speaking to people, for the gains I want to achieve (ie. approx 120kw at the wheels), I have to go turbo or supercharge.

So here's some questions for you all. Your answers and advice will help me make up my mind, and I appreciate any help I can get

1. Anyone here installed the Apexi or Greddy turbo kit? What are these kits like (are they complete, or do you need to purchase other things to finish an installation) What's your overall opinion on these kits?

2. Some people tell me to go get a custom turbo kit over a pre-prepared Greddy or Apexi? What's your thoughts? Any advantage to getting a custom kit installed over a name-brand kit?

3. The most important thing for me in this process is to keep this car as reliable as I can. I am told to do this, I should run only 6-7 psi, and consider budgeting for a clutch, flywheel. Is this a good idea? Any other things to ensure reliability?

4. *this is a longshot question* I live in the far, remote land of down-under (Australia). Any of you guys know a RELIABLE shop that can do the install for me? I am happy to spend money but I just want to make sure that dodgy-bob doesn't go nutso in my engine bay

Um... that's all the questions I have for now I guess. I will probably harrass you all for some more info.

Thanks again (in advance) for any info / help you can give me (as newbie)

 

[91b18hatch]

the Greddy and Edelbrock(sp) kits are complete kits. I am personally going to get the Greddy kit. To have your car be as reliable as possible, the engine tuned before you put the turbo on and then after. As far as custom kits go, you can do it, but everything won't be brand new, some parts will have problems you don't know about, or some little thing will f**k up your engine. What you said in #3 is correct. good luck

 

[DarkCivicCoupe]

Hey 91b18hatch,

Thanks for your advice. Can you be more specific on the "get egine tuned before and after" note. Sorry to sound dumb but what exactly do you mean by this? *more info please*

 

[91b18hatch]

no problem, it is a great idea to have your tuned- take it into a shop or whoever and have them tweak your engine to maximum efficiency. This will help lower your chances of something bad happening when you do turbo your car. Once the turbo is on, have it tuned again for best results.

 

[Declectic]

if you want reliabitly, Greddy kit will be the way to go, its been tested and tuned to run about 6-8 psi on the stock b16 and have no problems.

you'll def. want a new clutch ... lookin into clutch masters or exedy, i myself just picked up a Exedy Organic clutch, cant wait to get it

 

[DarkCivicCoupe]

Hey guys,

Thanks again for your help. A couple more questions:

1. Do you know any good (trustworthy, reliable) online shops or other places that I could buy the Greddy Turbo Kit from? Also, I am going to budget to buy the intercooler kit, should I buy the Greddy one also, or is there a better one perhaps that you all might recommend?

2. How much would you budget for the fitting and tuning of the kit (I am trying to save up all in one and then do it all in one hit)

Thanks again

 

[Sound Streamin']

Kilowatts. lol, you crazy aussies.

 

[DarkCivicCoupe]

Originally posted by Sound Streamin'
Kilowatts. lol, you crazy aussies.

Aww come on dude ... ok ok ... hmm ... 120 kw is .... 160.92 HP ... is that better?

 

[Sound Streamin']

160.92 break horse power, or SAE Net?

 

[DarkCivicCoupe]

let's not start math-wars ... please

 

[DarkCivicCoupe]

so ... anyone??? (re my last two questions)??

 

[91b18hatch]

i am going to get my greddy kit off of ebay for about one thousand dollars cheaper than from greddy themselves. i would save up $4000 to be safe.

 

[codyj86]

so your hoping for 160 hp w/ turbo kit? just wondering.

 

[$lick Rick]

maybe it's posted and im not seeing it, but what motor is this going on? what's the usdm equivelent to vtir?

 

[DarkCivicCoupe]

Originally posted by pop-n-fresh
maybe it's posted and im not seeing it, but what motor is this going on? what's the usdm equivelent to vtir?

From what I understand ... my car was put together in the US, and then sent across to Australia (My VIN starts with EM1, and my engine is the USDM engine, the B16A2)

So, I think it's just the Civic Si rebadged for the AUDM.

*btw correct me if I am wrong ... happy to learn*

 

[DarkCivicCoupe]

Originally posted by codyj86
so your hoping for 160 hp w/ turbo kit? just wondering.

Yeah I am hopin to get about 160 hp at the wheels with a kit installed and tuned ... do you think that's not do-able?

 

[$lick Rick]

i thought the b16 was rated at 160hp stock?

 

[DarkCivicCoupe]

yeah it does ... but not at the wheels, at the flywheel ...

At the wheels it's only got about 90-100 HP at best ... (again anyone correct me if I am wrong)

 

[$lick Rick]

Originally posted by DarkCivicCoupe
yeah it does ... but not at the wheels, at the flywheel ...

At the wheels it's only got about 90-100 HP at best ... (again anyone correct me if I am wrong)

that seems sorta low, dont quote me though... i have no clue what i'm talking about.

 

[Sound Streamin']

Yes that is very low.... unless he was refering to kilowatts again, and if so then 100 maybe in the ball park.

As far as HP goes, somewhere around 130+ at the wheels is the norm for a USDM b16a. You would have NO problem getting 160 at the wheels with a turbo.. hell you could get that going n/a without too terribley much effort.

Just so you know... for a honda about 15-17% of ur HP is lossed through a manual tranny drive train. It's about 20-25% for an auto... probably why autos suck