Can I turbo my 1.7 VTEC Inline 4
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Can I turbo my 1.7 VTEC Inline 4
I have a 2004 Honda Civic Ex Sedan that I want to get more horsepower (without any “rice”? Mods) out of without potentially having to rebuild the motor. I wanted to know is it possible to put a turbo on?
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Re: Can I turbo my 1.7 VTEC Inline 4
Anything with horsepower gains isn't "rice". However, with this engine specifically, there are very few modifications that will actually contribute to any real performance gains, and none of them are cheap.
Like Sandro alluded to, if you have an automatic transmission, don't bother because it won't handle the power. If you have a manual and don't want to rebuild the engine, get a health check on it. These engines are fairly prone to oil consumption and head gasket failures, and the last thing you want is to dump several thousand dollars into a build only to find out the engine is crap. So, start with stage 0 and proceed.
But, if we're really being honest, your money is probably better spent in swapping the engine altogether, if not just into a different car.
Like Sandro alluded to, if you have an automatic transmission, don't bother because it won't handle the power. If you have a manual and don't want to rebuild the engine, get a health check on it. These engines are fairly prone to oil consumption and head gasket failures, and the last thing you want is to dump several thousand dollars into a build only to find out the engine is crap. So, start with stage 0 and proceed.
But, if we're really being honest, your money is probably better spent in swapping the engine altogether, if not just into a different car.
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Anything with horsepower gains isn't "rice". However, with this engine specifically, there are very few modifications that will actually contribute to any real performance gains, and none of them are cheap.
Like Sandro alluded to, if you have an automatic transmission, don't bother because it won't handle the power. If you have a manual and don't want to rebuild the engine, get a health check on it. These engines are fairly prone to oil consumption and head gasket failures, and the last thing you want is to dump several thousand dollars into a build only to find out the engine is crap. So, start with stage 0 and proceed.
But, if we're really being honest, your money is probably better spent in swapping the engine altogether, if not just into a different car.
Like Sandro alluded to, if you have an automatic transmission, don't bother because it won't handle the power. If you have a manual and don't want to rebuild the engine, get a health check on it. These engines are fairly prone to oil consumption and head gasket failures, and the last thing you want is to dump several thousand dollars into a build only to find out the engine is crap. So, start with stage 0 and proceed.
But, if we're really being honest, your money is probably better spent in swapping the engine altogether, if not just into a different car.
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If you wanted to boost, a MT swap would be the best starting point. The D17 actually takes boost fairly well, 8-10psi on the stock block, if my memory serves me correctly. Like @sdaidoji and @FRSam stated above, your limiting factor is going to be the automatic transmission. Those can't take torque increases very well. @mac25 would be the best resource for MT swaps, but 1) he might be kinda hard to reach these days since he started his masters program and 2) he's probably gonna tell you it's not worth the hassle.
IF you decide to boost your AT D17, be smart about how you drive in the lower RPMs. You may be safe-ish if you granny it down low and get on it up high. This is pure speculation, however, based on my experience with a tuned 10th gen CVT
If you wanna save your money for a much better bang for buck scenario, save for a K20 swap, then, when you're feeling super frisky, boost that. These days, a K-swap will probably cost you a hair more than boosting the D17 properly
IF you decide to boost your AT D17, be smart about how you drive in the lower RPMs. You may be safe-ish if you granny it down low and get on it up high. This is pure speculation, however, based on my experience with a tuned 10th gen CVT
If you wanna save your money for a much better bang for buck scenario, save for a K20 swap, then, when you're feeling super frisky, boost that. These days, a K-swap will probably cost you a hair more than boosting the D17 properly
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