Good read: Acura K23A1 Turbo
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Good read: Acura K23A1 Turbo
ACURA’S FIRST TURBO: WILL IT BOOST TUNER’S INTEREST?
Honda’s new hefty K-Series engine provides a performance boost for SUV consumers and could possibly offer insight into Honda’s engineering forecast. Developed specifically for the RDX, Acura’s compact sport-utility, the engine has been modified to accept the strain of a turbocharger; a brand first.
The major feature of the new system is a variable flow turbo (VFT), designed to regulate airflow with an actuator built within the turbo housing. Exhaust air is progressively directed into two main chambers, diverting air into the smaller chamber when air pressure is low, and throughout the entire system when air pressure is high. Controlled by the engine’s ECU, the computer determines the necessary level of flow to achieve efficient boost and desired power. Under these conditions, the impeller is able to spin quickly at low RPMs, eliminating relatively all turbo-lag and providing seamless force throughout the power band.
Similar attempts have been made by other manufacturers, but moving parts were often exposed to hot exhaust air, increasing repair costs and the frequency of failures. Honda’s straightforward technology places the inlet device in front of the turbine, insulated from the excessive heat, and thus substantially increasing durability.
The engine, named the K23A1, generates more torque than any other product Honda has sent to the United States, but thanks to the revolutionary i-VTEC technology the engine is respectably frugal. The potential for enthusiasts lies in the architecture, as it is closely related to the K-Series engines found in the RSX, TSX, and Civic Si. Engineers realized the additional burden they would be placing on the engine with the turbo, so the block was heavily reinforced, iron liners were added to cope with pressure and the crankshaft and connecting rods have been forged.
Due to this meaty reinforcement a direct engine swap is not possible. Nevertheless, this provides specialty equipment manufacturers with an opportunity to construct mounts and miscellaneous parts which will accommodate this engine. Given the popularity of engine swaps and the muscular structure of the K23A1, it is conceivable that enthusiasts will adopt this as their next project.
In the April, 2006 edition of Super Street magazine, they ranked the “Top Ten Engines” of the last decade in regard to the compact performance industry. Honda produced three from the list: B16/B18, D16, K20. The K-Series is the most current of the bunch and should continue to be a tuner favorite, especially now that it’s available in a turbocharged version.
Honda’s new hefty K-Series engine provides a performance boost for SUV consumers and could possibly offer insight into Honda’s engineering forecast. Developed specifically for the RDX, Acura’s compact sport-utility, the engine has been modified to accept the strain of a turbocharger; a brand first.
The major feature of the new system is a variable flow turbo (VFT), designed to regulate airflow with an actuator built within the turbo housing. Exhaust air is progressively directed into two main chambers, diverting air into the smaller chamber when air pressure is low, and throughout the entire system when air pressure is high. Controlled by the engine’s ECU, the computer determines the necessary level of flow to achieve efficient boost and desired power. Under these conditions, the impeller is able to spin quickly at low RPMs, eliminating relatively all turbo-lag and providing seamless force throughout the power band.
Similar attempts have been made by other manufacturers, but moving parts were often exposed to hot exhaust air, increasing repair costs and the frequency of failures. Honda’s straightforward technology places the inlet device in front of the turbine, insulated from the excessive heat, and thus substantially increasing durability.
The engine, named the K23A1, generates more torque than any other product Honda has sent to the United States, but thanks to the revolutionary i-VTEC technology the engine is respectably frugal. The potential for enthusiasts lies in the architecture, as it is closely related to the K-Series engines found in the RSX, TSX, and Civic Si. Engineers realized the additional burden they would be placing on the engine with the turbo, so the block was heavily reinforced, iron liners were added to cope with pressure and the crankshaft and connecting rods have been forged.
Due to this meaty reinforcement a direct engine swap is not possible. Nevertheless, this provides specialty equipment manufacturers with an opportunity to construct mounts and miscellaneous parts which will accommodate this engine. Given the popularity of engine swaps and the muscular structure of the K23A1, it is conceivable that enthusiasts will adopt this as their next project.
In the April, 2006 edition of Super Street magazine, they ranked the “Top Ten Engines” of the last decade in regard to the compact performance industry. Honda produced three from the list: B16/B18, D16, K20. The K-Series is the most current of the bunch and should continue to be a tuner favorite, especially now that it’s available in a turbocharged version.
Originally Posted by Boost_Junkie
if the swap was possible...what about the whole trans thing? use an rsx trans?
Originally Posted by dezod
The engine, named the K23A1, generates more torque than any other product Honda has sent to the United States,
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Originally Posted by scansel912
What are the torque specs on this? This thing puts out more torque then the Ridgeline?
Last time I had this much fun some furniture got broken!
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Rep Power: 360 Give it time. If people fit an LS1 into an RX7 then I'm sure this can fit into something in the Honda line.
im trying to convince my parents into getting one of these. if i can then ill put my civic back to stock and they can drive it :P oh man, im already getting gittery thinking about this 
. of course ill wait till the 2nd or 3rd yr :P
. of course ill wait till the 2nd or 3rd yr :P 
same turbo concept that porsche has out for the past couple years with their 911 or 997 i believe. opens a valve at a higher rpm to let more exhaust gas in and thus have good low and high band power
Originally Posted by bOoStEd042dr
i wouldn't mind poping my hood and seeing that under it....lol...maybe honda will have a coupe/sedan of some sort with it
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I don't think it would clear the hood at all unless you have a custom FMIC setup but i was looking at where the transmission mounts and looks weird would a rsxs tran fit on it at all with a custome adapter of some kind. maybe skunk2 or somebody can fabricate that IM with the throttle body facing down. that cam looks diffirent from the 3 lobe cam from the rsxs. anyways their is still the problem of having custom motor mounts
http://www.rdxdrivers.com/forums/index.php?topic=29.0
http://www.rdxdrivers.com/forums/index.php?topic=29.0
Last edited by Blk2k2civy; Nov 28, 2006 at 02:08 AM.
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Rep Power: 403 this would fit because a few items
the mounts are diffrent from a standard k20/k24
custom intercooler needed
it uses a 4wd automatic transmition. you need a k20 transmition to fit in a swap
the head is the same as a k20a3(si motor), it does not have full 3 lobe I-vtec cams
its basically a 86mmx99mm 2.3 liter. which is a debored k24 (87mmx99mm)
you can't put the pistons in a k24. maybe the rods. but its probably cheaper getting aftermarket.
it would probably be cheaper to do a k24a1/k20a2 head and slap a turbo on with better numbers
the mounts are diffrent from a standard k20/k24
custom intercooler needed
it uses a 4wd automatic transmition. you need a k20 transmition to fit in a swap
the head is the same as a k20a3(si motor), it does not have full 3 lobe I-vtec cams
its basically a 86mmx99mm 2.3 liter. which is a debored k24 (87mmx99mm)
you can't put the pistons in a k24. maybe the rods. but its probably cheaper getting aftermarket.
it would probably be cheaper to do a k24a1/k20a2 head and slap a turbo on with better numbers
Last edited by HondaLuver; Nov 28, 2006 at 09:43 AM.
i have read a few articles on the new RDX and it has been said by my wife and i that after the vic is paid off that is her next car. i take over the vic and take the dc off the road
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