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Ok guys .. heres the thing. I want to do a swap but the thing is im confused between 2 different setting.

I know K series is the best thing right now and they have lots of potential but the only problem is that its too expensive (arround 7000$ )
I am still a student a barely make 9000$ / YEAR so its almost out of the question. So Ive been thinking of doing a d17a2 head swap and then putting a turbo arround 7psi.. should be much less expensive .. (arround 3500 maybe ) and would have the same amount of HP than a n/a k20 .. If you're wondering, im looking for ppls opinion on that matter. Just say what you think is best CONSIDERING MY SITUATION or if you have other sugestions go ahead

thx in advance

 
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GAY i had a long post, but i clicked the wrong button so i must start again.

I believe u have an LX/DX becuase u want to headswap, which i couldnt do unless i wasnt turbo'ing. We have lower compression and longer gearing, ideal for turbo setups. As for power, a 7psi D17 should make as much or more power than a stock K20, the only downside is a K20 has alot more room to make power, where our D17's are limited once u throw on a turbo.

Also a turbo will cost less than a full k20 swap, with a lot less headache's. BUT i dont think u can get it done for 3500. try 5000.. seems more realistic, good things to get are a better clutch and new gaskets and such. The oem clutch will probably roast under the new power.

 
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D17's are limited once u throw on a turbo.

what do u mean exactly? If Id put a cai, with full exhaust on my turbo d17a2 it wouldnt make a difference?

 
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here is a idea.........

finish school, get a good job and then mod your car the way you want.

 
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Ya and why not wait until im married

 
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I was being serious........ i waited till i was done with school cuz i was broke.

I have spent some serious money on my car and i regret it cuz i wish i had the money that i wasted or i wish i would have swapped.

 
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Nitrous, cheap, fun in the bottle. Just don't go crazy with like a 75 shot, a 50 shot should be ok unitl you graduate and can afford a K20 swap.

 
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oups sorry civic01vtec
I dono .. waiting another 6-7 years to do my swap? seems like a lot
im still 18. i have 4 years in university b4 i get my mechanicle (spell?) ingener diploma .. more suggestions?

 
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HAHA. This is great, keep it coming.

Go ahead and turbo if you can afford it. You can always head swap afterwards if you like. Also, I think nitrous is always a good solution for people on a budget.

 
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personally if i where you, i would get a better job with higher pay and get another job on the side... you need to shell out 3-5g's with in a month depending on what you do

 
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i am still in school and just bought nitrous so in the future if i swap or get another car i can use the same kit on that. Hope that helps

 
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U cant use a CAI and a turbo at the same time, im just saying once u turbo a d17, u wont really be able to make A tun more power, where if u turbo a k20 u will have gobs more power than u can ever want/need. To make insane power from a d17 u will need to redo all internals, which gets costly, and hard unless u know what ur doing.

 
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Yea .. I guess saving up for the big thing is much better.
My job pays not bad .. I make 9.51$/hour its just that I cant do too many hours du to school but in june (finish school) ill be doing big weeks

 
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what's that? Do you mean mechanical engineering degree?

Anyway, I would go with N2O. If you want a better engine, I would just swap the whole motor out for the VTEC motor, it's easier from what I've seen (assuming you can get the motors in and out).

 
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you want something from nothing... swaps cost major money and you have to be ready to dish it out all at once, i suggest a 3 year loan or somthing, but i personally would not go into debt if i were you

 
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Dude, i think u should go turbo or ur LX/DX. It will give u more power than a graduating kid should have, good on gas, and as long as u keep the boost down, cause be very reliable.

* on a side note, good call on program.

I myself am 2 years into a Civil & Structural Engineering Degree.

 
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hey u want real power go nitrous if your broke, you will have so much fun with it and way more confidence, if going nitrous you should get the bolt ons like i/h/e and highflow cat because n2o will damage your oem cat.
if you looking for a wet kit let me know, I got one for sale..
you cant beat 80 horses for couple hundred bucks.. compared to turbo whereas it will cost you over 3 grand easily

 
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if u dont plan on squeezing get an intake, forget the exhaust and headers for now til u get turbo or engine swap. doint waste your money making ur ride loud and faster because you will get more racers and when you do soop your car up. Get an intake because its not noticable to others. only you

 
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im 21, married, and 3 years into an economics degree. I say turbo the car. Keep the boost low and have fun with it. Dont go out racing or else you will end up with all the parts i have, and probably be just as broke (money wise)

 
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well... go turbo if u got the funds

 
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turboengnr, whats the point of putting a turbo if ur not gonna use it?

 
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im not a fan of n2o, its fun when u need it but its bad for ur engine, and its not power on demand like a turbo. if ur gunna do it, do it right and get a turbo.

 
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I feel just the opposite,turbo is on all the time-n2o is only WOT! Also,set up properly,it is not bad for your motor.

 
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What do you mean? A stock civic is by no means a race car. If you add a turbocharger to it, and expect it to live, you need to keep the boost relatively low.

I started out with the turbo setup on a low 6 psi. Then i turned it to 9, then 11. Then i ported the head, put a bigger turbo on, and ran 18 psi. The motor broke soon after.

If i had left the boost at 6 psi like it was intended, i would probably be about $8,000 richer right now. I could have put a stock motor back in the car for about $500 and turned it down to 6 psi. But i have a corvette i have to beat. And it isnt a stock one.

But the car was still 10x more fun on 6 psi than it was N/A. Right now i am driving a 1991 toyota 4-runner with 36" tall tires on it. Performance wise, it is about on par with a Scion xB with a blown head gasket and a broken spark plug. So i am having no fun with my broken civic right now.

 
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The only thing I mean is if I put a turbo (even as small as 6-7 psi) id want to test it. Id want to push it all the time cuz its purpos is to give xxxtraaa HP
Your engine broke cuz u push to a high psi.. cant you race when a low psi?

 
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you can. not saying you shouldnt. Just saying that its not a full blown race car. I went 14.0 on 7 psi

 
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aahh man .. you make me want it more and more
did u have a d17a1 ou a2?

 
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SOHC non-vtec all the way!!!

screw vtec. nobody likes those phones anyway

 
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see if this thread is still open

 
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WTF i had like a page written where'd it go?

recap
im 18
auto tech student (college)
tight budget

A)Head swap worth it but extra money you dont need to spend, for that matter your better off buying the D17A2 less work

B)NOS IS BAD. just say no. unless you plan on rebuilding your block every i dont know like 10000 miles of heavy juicing. just no. the only ppl you should see running juice are race cars, they're heavily built and rebuilt after every race.

C)BOOST. if you want to run high boost then forget about your civic as an economy car. that's not the bad thing boost is good, boost is very good. to run higher boost and not blow your engine to **** you'll need to lower your piston compression, upgrade your oil pump, fuel sending unit, fuel injectors, sleeve your cylinders, upgrade your valve train components, and on and on (pm if you want to talk more on this)