Turbo for d17a1 vs d17a2

cjdrvr · 12-05-2006

I've read reports that a d17a1 with a CAI will get the same or more output than a D17a2 + CAI. However, for turbo purposes, will d17a2 have more potential?

Are there vtec cams that can give good reliable daily driving and good FI flow up top? This is possible in theory, but just not sure if it really works.

The point is, I'm looking to buy a 7th gen civic, but not sure whether to look for ex exclusively.

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ronaldo9 · 12-05-2006

Ppl will argue that the LX/DX will be better to turbo due to longer gearing than the EX and the EX is better due to vtec but personally I don't think its that significant. I'd shoot for the EX bc aftermarket parts are easier found for the EX. Bolt-ons don't do much for power with the civic. I'm running the stage 2 N/A cam and its fine for daily driving you just have to live with a lopey idle. Alot of ppl love the stage 1 cam. Good luck.

gelshmoff · 12-05-2006

i'd say it's up to you and how much you want to boost. iirc:

ex = cat converter is down & out of your way, more parts (perhaps), shorter gears, etc...

lx = longer gears & lower compression ratio

03-Acura-1.7-EL · 12-05-2006

It doesnt realy matter, I'd personaly be looking for EX, but I woudnt walk away should good LX deal come up.

junior h.m · 12-05-2006

d17 just slow bro

XSRCivic · 12-05-2006

You will get more power boosting the D17A2 because of VTEC. It has been proven that VTEC equiped motors produce more power vs engines of same size without. It is true also that there are cam/head packages widely available for VTEC motors and the only ones available for non VTEC are mostly custom ordered.

You could always have the A2 motor and use the A1 tranny. VTEC + longer gears. Thats what im going to do.

HondaLuver · 12-05-2006

start with a better engine platform... k series

cjdrvr · 12-05-2006

I really need a sedan, is there a better platform than the civic?

Just test drove a 03 lx this afternoon. The stock performance is really not that great. Asking price is 10k and it has 45k. I expected better interior, and there's no remote entry for this car. I'll check out the EX next.

Any major changes between 01-03 civics?

Think $3000 can get a decent custom kit?

Turbo $600
Manifold $250
IC $250
Charge pipes $400
Custom down pipe/flex pipe/exhaust $500
BOV $150
Cone Filter $50
5th injector $20
E-manage/boost sensor/wbo2 (got it)
Crower d17a2 stage2 boost Cams $300(?)
Adjustable cam gear
+ fittings, misc

tuningmycivic · 12-05-2006

yeah..01-04 wrx....you can find one these days for right around 18-20k i think....

if you're going with the civic though, i would go with an ex head/block and lx tranny.

ronaldo9 · 12-05-2006

Check out the Nissan Sentra Spec V they're pretty quick 160hp 6 speed tranny and 4 door. They should be in your price range as well.

_unclejuice · 12-05-2006

ive got an 05 lx coupe with a d17a2 swap and my a1 tranny and vafc-ii. just got it running today with no bugs. vtec is way better than my a1. i was just going to do an a2 head swap but i bent the rods in my a1 so i just swapped an a2. my lx has remote entry and rather nice 2 tone interior. white car, brown/black interior. the sedans are nice too. if you want to work on one right away, i would buy an lx and swap and a2 with the a1 tranny or just an a2 headswap. if not then go with an ex. theres plenty of parts available. just get ready to do some converting to ex shit if you get an lx. dezod has really came through and gotten us some good parts on the market.

andyman97 · 12-05-2006

For turbo, go a2 all the way. Especially if you want big numbers. It's possible, trust me, just look at my sig for all the haters that say "k swap" like a broken record.

Boilermaker1 · 12-05-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjdrvr

I really need a sedan, is there a better platform than the civic?

Just test drove a 03 lx this afternoon. The stock performance is really not that great. Asking price is 10k and it has 45k. I expected better interior, and there's no remote entry for this car. I'll check out the EX next.

Any major changes between 01-03 civics?

Think $3000 can get a decent custom kit?

Turbo $600
Manifold $250
IC $250
Charge pipes $400
Custom down pipe/flex pipe/exhaust $500
BOV $150
Cone Filter $50
5th injector $20
E-manage/boost sensor/wbo2 (got it)
Crower d17a2 stage2 boost Cams $300(?)
Adjustable cam gear
+ fittings, misc

Everything looks ok except, don't use an extra injector, just use 4 RSX ones.
The crower cam setup is more like 700 because you need the valvetrain too.
You'll also need oil lines and the $1000 or so worth of nickel and dime parts that you'll also need. theres parts for the A2, but you need to tune for the high cam and the low cam, no vtec makes tuning easier. Problem is you can have a cam for high revs, or a cam for low revs, and you'll sacrifice one or the other.

Boilermaker1 · 12-05-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronaldo9

Check out the Nissan Sentra Spec V they're pretty quick 160hp 6 speed tranny and 4 door. They should be in your price range as well.

They blow head gaskets like I go through socks. Its an attempt at making a truck motor be high performance. Not to mention the B15 platform stinks *cough* beam axle *cough*

ELTYPESR · 12-05-2006

just get a B serie engine