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I am thinkin about slappin a turbo on my03 EX. i just have a few questions. Im sure the stock motor can only handle about 10 pounds. But will I run into any problmes if I leave EVERYTHING untouched and just put the turbo kit on?

I mean no tune..iignition....fuel....just a turbo kit. how would that go over?

 
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I'm no expert, but I'd guess you'd be able to safely handle 5-8 lbs of boost with stock internals, etc.

Dunno why you'd want a turbo without at least a tune, though.

 
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Yea.. don't do that. When I boosted my car, it was only 2.5psi (wastegate actuator problem) with rsx-s injectors and using a VAFC-II to tune it, and even that had me run into problems. My car's back to n/a with just bolt-ons now.

 
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Yeah it was just an idea....im going to stick with bolt ons and the simple stuff. I ahve another question though. After CAI and exhaust..whats another good mod for the D17? Cam maybe? Fuel? Ignition?

 
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Pretty well every bolt on is a waste of money except for turbo. You won't gain any power from it

 
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^ yeah, the D17s won't really benefit from bolt-ons all that much. I mean.. better air flow (etc) will equal better performance overall... but not in the typical meaning of "performance" .. more like "health"

 
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i mean im not looking to build a race car....just a daily driver that is still quick. I want to be able to beat a ricer if I need to :P and maybe giving other cars a good run too lol

Thanks for the input guys

 
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seriously, bolt ons really don't do much if anything at all

 
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If you bolt stuff on, don't expect your car to be any faster than it is now. IMO.

 
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The mods im talking about are CAI, Header and full exhaust, Ignition, Fuel, and maybe a cam.

But I just started this thread to see what peoples opinions were on turbo kit with no internals. I pretty much knew it was a bad idea....but i wanted insight.

So you guys are saying that if I do the things I want to my car im not going to notice anything?

 
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Depending on the quality of the stuff you install, you might very well notice positive changes... but it won't be anything to get excited about... that's all.

 
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aftermarket ignition mods are extremely expensive and completely unnecessary on a d17. There's really nothing you can do fuel-wise except converting to a return style fuel conversion in preps for say, a turbo.

I'm running an AEM V2 intake, ceramic header, 49-state legal high flow cat/downpipe, and a full cat-back, and that's not even doing much for performance except for sound. A cam would do you well though, but seeing as how all the crower cams (stage 1, stage 2 turbo, stage 2 n/a, and stage 3) are all the same price.. Only difference is the stage 2/3 cams you need engine management and the upgraded valve springs and retainers. You can get away with stock tuning with the stage 1

You can do a turbo with stock internals, but fuel and engine management are key to having a successful turbo setup.

 
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You want performance... With a cold air, cat back, Colder plugs (prefferably ZEX Nitrous plugs), good cometic head gasket and 91 octane you can run a 75 shot of nitrous and be just fine!!! I run it on my daily on a constant!

 
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Seriously? How often do you use your nitrous?

 
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And more importantly, WHY do you need to use nitrous constantly in your DD?!?

 
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Im sure I wouldnt use it all the time....just when it was called for.

 
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Been running 9psi for 6yrs with stock motor and stock injectors. I am using the SF fuel system. Do not waste your money on a CAI or headers if you are gonna turbo, but do get an exhaust. If you go turbo, some rsx injectors and a fuel management system will work great for a mild set-up. Also, do not waste money on a cam. You will also need a set of plugs. I am using Denso IK20's.

 
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ok so here's the deal. It all has to do with how much money you want to spend. a decent reliable turbo setup is going to run you at absolute minimum 2000. thats on a shitty piggyback. kpro alone is $1000 and worth every penny. its stand alone fuel management and your car will run perfectly on it. Piggybacks suck. probably for a nice turbo setup to push 200whp reliably and never have problems you're lookin at like 2500 with kpro at minimum. alternatively you could do a mild NA build. Intake, exhaust, headers and stage 1 cam and all that will run you like maybe 700ish less if you shop around. a guy dyno'd his stage 1 cammed civic on i/h/e/stage1 and made 124.5whp. pretty good considering stock you're lucky to break 95whp. add a lightweight flywheel nd clutch to add even more power. i am currently running shaved/ported and polished head, stage 1 cam, 7lb flywheel, stage 2 clutch, intake, headers and exhaust with straight pipe. i have virtually no tuning on my afc neo just a little bit of adjustment to smoothen out the idle. and my car is quick. i can keep up to b16 civics. I imagine with kpro (which i will be getting soon) and after that i imagine i should be up around 135-140whp with my new intake manifold i'm working on. little stuff adds up. 140whp is probably an exaggeration but 135 is deffinitely doable. boost is good but it costs a lot and reliability is always an issue. if you can keep the boost down than its fine but to most boost is like crack. u just want more and more and more. i have been told that if you want to boost your car make sure u have enough time to boost your car 2-3 times over lol

 
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Swap it man. Run a k24a2 I/RH/E on kpro tune and easily beat 220 whp and 200 trq and it will be dependable and cost bout the same as a good turbo kit with kpro and tune on the d17.

 
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After I pay the car off I will do a K swap. I just ordered (literally) a CAI and cat back exhaust....I already have a header. I cant seem to find a cam anywhere though.

 
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Baller.

I'm jealous.

 
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http://www.dezod.com/cat-camshafts4.cfm

Dezod's a good vendor. I don't know how active he is anymore on civicforums though. I think he's fairly active on 7thgenhonda.com.

thmotorsports.com is also another good place to go for stuff. Another vendor that used to be very active on these forums (username TrueHonda).

 
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hey man I appreciate the help!

 
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OK I think ill skip tint and subs and get that cam!!

If I go with stage 1 will I notice a difference?
If I go with stage 2 is the spring upgrade REALLY needed?

 
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with the stage 2, I do think it's required. Don't remember why though. I'm not too savvy on engine internals specifics. You do, however, need a form of engine management if you run the stage 2 or 3 cam.

 
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If I stick with stage 1 will i notice anything? is it really worth it you think?

 
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You would feel alittle bit of a difference. Not to sure bout the d17s gains with cams but should net you like 5-8 whp. If you went to stage 2 it will net you alot more cause you need a new ecu management, kpro would be the best. after the cam,kpro tune it could net you any where from 10-15 whp or more.

 
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hell, might as well step up to the stage 3.. same price, after all.. lol

 
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^^^this is true! lol