Rep Power: 185

Over the summer, I'm gonna be looking for a project car. I'm looking at a few different options. One of them is Civic, specifically turbo'ing an EM1 ex.

I'll be shooting for 250whp(more is always fine), it won't be a DD. I have the following questions and concerns:

Can stock internals handle that?

If not, what forged internals do I need?(pistons, rods, what else?)

I'd be putting on a full 2.25" exhaust in addition to everything needed for the turbo, would 2" or 2.5" make a difference?

Upgrade to a k-pro. I need this for tuning, right?

Would getting it bored to 75.5mm be beneficial or needed?

What all would need done?

How much would it cost to reach my goal of 250whp?

 
Rep Power: 235

Stock internals usually can only handle 6-8 PSI.

Pistons, rods, valve springs.

The bigger the exhaust the more flow it can handle. A lot of people go with 3" when turboing.

You need some kind of engine management. Whether it's k-pro, Hondata, etc.

You probably don't need boring but, it never hurts when trying to reach target HP.

On a stock engine you need forged internals, engine management, a good turbo, and tuning. if you don't tune it before you drive it with the turbo you just flushed all that money down the drain.

forged internals- $1000+, engine management- $1000+ (unless you can find a used one), a good turbo kit and installation- $2000-5000 (don't buy used turbos), tuning- $100-500, good exhaust- $300+

This is for turboing the stock engine. For real HP you want a K20 or K24. For the K swap you'll need axles, knuckles, engine mounts, the K wire harness, and the ECM/PCM. That's on top of all the other stuff. And depending on what K you get you can forgo the forged internals.

For more info check out http://honda-tech.com/

 
Rep Power: 185

Thanks for all that info.

That pretty much answered all my questions. That is until I would actually get serious about the project.

Fits my max of $10k I want to spend on everything including the car and upgrades besides of the engine.

 
Rep Power: 235

Hell yeah! You better take lots of pics.

Best bet is a shell for $500-1000 so you can do lots of upgrades. For example, one in your neck of the woods: http://cleveland.craigslist.org/cto/2826939609.html Or you can get a nice, more expensive one. Like this one from my local CL: http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/cto/2775115526.html You're gonna pay more and it has no steering but, it has mounts and harness. *You better lock that one down good, you're just asking to get it stolen being a 2000 SI.

I personally like this one better: http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/cto/2781287764.html

Nationwide salvage listings:http://www.car-part.com/
Nationwide CL search engine: http://www.car-part.com/ (be specific in your search or you'll spend all day searching)

EDIT: Once you find a project research local tuner shops. If you have the parts they can usually do your whole swap for cheap, usually the same day. Also, local Honda groups/clubs are a huge help.

 
Rep Power: 189

woahh i dont think u can swap a k series in a 6th gen. more common would be a b16 or h22. If i was you (hopefully soon i will be swapping) id go with the h22a1. h22a1 is the engine out of the prelude sir and pushes right about 200 hp stock. with stage 2 cams, a good ems, and i/h/e you could get really close to 250 if not past it for a lot less than a d16y8 turbo build. last time i checked it was like 2500 for a jdm h22a1. but it would be a MUCH better starting point. plus if your really wanting boost im sure you could pull 300+ hp easy with somewhat low boost on an h22

also the chassis code EM1 is a 6th gen si which has a b16. the 6th gen ex is a ej8 chassis code.

 
Rep Power: 235

Where have you been? They've swapped the K into everything. It can't be that hard, it's OBDII to OBDII. If you couldn't swap it they wouldn't make a mount kit.

A lot of people don't like the H22 because it's heavy. The only heavier engine is the J series. That's why K swaps are so popular, you can get fairly comparable HP with minimum weight.

 
Rep Power: 185

Thanks again for all the info. I'm learning lots from you guys.

Thanks for the clarification. In that case, I'd love to find an EM1 to build on. But, the EJ8 is easy to find and cheaper. Do you know what the stock internals on the b16 can handle?

Right now, I've got a handful of ideas on the table: Civic w/turbo, Civic w/swap(k20 or b18), Miata w/ls1, or E30 w/M50 or S50.

 
Rep Power: 235

My personal choice. Although the LS1 will cost a pretty penny. They also make really good swap kits (complete kits) for the Miata if you go with a V8.

 
Rep Power: 185

I'm leaning towards the miata. First gens in decent shape for about $1000 are plentiful here. Compared to a decent ej8 which is about $2000.

A complete LS1, with the tranny is only about $3000. But, I have no idea how much it would cost for a shop to do the swap. But, I don't have all the equipment and tools needed.

 
Rep Power: 189

i stand corrected...not gonna lie i dont know all that much about my 6th gen yet.
personally though id rather stick with a b16 swap, i would think it would be a bit easier sense the si has one. anyone know if you could run one on a stock si ecu?