Where to begin with turbo?
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Where to begin with turbo?
Relatively new to boosting, so bear with me lol. I have a 2001 Honda Civic EX coupe, 2dr VTEC D17A2 (I believe). Automatic transmission unfortunately, this car is my daily. CAI is in, headers and exhaust going on soon, coilovers and new wheels and tires are going on after the winter. I love this car and would rather not blow a hole in my engine, but i would like to give it some more power and honestly just make it a bit more fun to drive. I want to go the turbo route, and was hoping you guys could give me some info on where to begin. Part lists, brand recommendations, boost psi, anything! Looking to learn, thanks in advance
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Re: Where to begin with turbo?
More time and effort than it would cost to sell your automatic and buy a manual car.
All the questions you're asking are already answered in threads. A quick google search will tell you everything you need to know.
All the questions you're asking are already answered in threads. A quick google search will tell you everything you need to know.
Last edited by FRSam; Dec 18, 2021 at 03:15 PM.
Dr Krieger of Modification
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pros and cons to using built internals
pistons and rods will run you $1500 to $2000, parts alone, plus you'll need everything to put them in, like head gasket, studs, specialty tools.
You could go with a lower boost build up to 10 psi and risk the engine, seeing as engines are easier to install than rebuilding the internals in an engine, and these engines run like $300 around here.
If you're really running high boost then yes internals are a good idea, but those builds are like $10+... I know I think mine was around $12k over 10 years (just for parts).
pistons and rods will run you $1500 to $2000, parts alone, plus you'll need everything to put them in, like head gasket, studs, specialty tools.
You could go with a lower boost build up to 10 psi and risk the engine, seeing as engines are easier to install than rebuilding the internals in an engine, and these engines run like $300 around here.
If you're really running high boost then yes internals are a good idea, but those builds are like $10+... I know I think mine was around $12k over 10 years (just for parts).
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Tuning. Tuning. Tuning. That will absolutely make or break your setup. Find an extremely reputable shop that can dyno tune it properly, bonus points if they can partial throttle/partial boost tune.
The stock block can handle some 8-10psi depending on how well it's tuned. Most people default to 8psi max. If I had to guess, prolly get you some 180whp, compared to the stock 100ish whp from the D17A2 AT (110whp with MT).
MT highly suggested. AT is doable, but you're more limited and will wear faster.
Find a power goal that you wish to safely run.
Give a budget. You already got some insight as to how much it'll be.
Did I mention tuning?
Don't cheap out, but that's not to say you can't shop frugally or find good deals. Just don't buy **** parts bc they're cheap and will seemingly do the job. Used parts arent a bad idea, assuming good condition
The stock block can handle some 8-10psi depending on how well it's tuned. Most people default to 8psi max. If I had to guess, prolly get you some 180whp, compared to the stock 100ish whp from the D17A2 AT (110whp with MT).
MT highly suggested. AT is doable, but you're more limited and will wear faster.
Find a power goal that you wish to safely run.
Give a budget. You already got some insight as to how much it'll be.
Did I mention tuning?
Don't cheap out, but that's not to say you can't shop frugally or find good deals. Just don't buy **** parts bc they're cheap and will seemingly do the job. Used parts arent a bad idea, assuming good condition
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