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Hi,
Mechanics is not my expertise but I love cars and want to add at least 30 to a max of 50 horse power to my 150K 1.7 L engine 01 civic.

I cant afford a vtec swap w a turbo right now.

So my question to you experts is: Under the assumption that my engine is in good conditions - something I will make sure to test first !

Can my good conditions engine hold a 50 hp, or 30 hp, any at all increase with a NOS system?

If yes, does it need mayor modifications? I apprecciate some good answers, regards.

 
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It'd probably be about the same cost to turbo.. Plus the cost of constant nitrous refills..

You could do a non-vtec turbo.. Lower compression ratio in the -a1 block is more ideal for boost applications.

 
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I would turbo before doing NOS. Keep the a1 head like stated, it's better for turbo application. As long as the engine is strong the miles don't really matter.

If you do NOS get a wet kit to insure you are getting enough fuel. If you just want a burst of power it would be a good way to go but will get pricey having to refill the bottle in the long run.

 
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auto or manual trans?

 
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...If you can't afford a turbo, you probably should not use NO2.

NO2 adds oxigen to your air/fuel ratio, which means you will need a flexible ECU to calculate how much fuel to pump in, and to have the vehicle tuned. Plus you may need larger injectors since the d17 injectors are tiny and different plugs. Plus you will have to keep buying re-fills. You will also have to pay to have everything installed if you can't do it yourself.

I'm not saying not to do it, just do it right or your could "blow the welds on your manifold" =D.





Honestly if you have the d17a2 you should consider dropping in a stage 1 crower cam. It's a 1 time purchase of around $300, It won't give you +50hp but you should se +25 to +30hp.

http://www.crower.com/civic-ex-d17a2...-camshaft.html

 
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$370 not so much $300. And that's for the stage 1 only. Stage 2+ will cost significantly more, even though the cam itself will cost the same. Stage 2+ requires titanium valve sprimg and retainer upgrades and a tune at the very least, turning a $370 cam into a $1000 investment

 
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@xRiCeBoYx @mac25 Speaking of the Stage 1 Cam... Is it compatible with the D17A engine? Is it worth spending $370 on that upgrade?

 
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^ only works on D17A2 engine with VTEC.

Gude used to make a cam for the A1.

 
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If you run an -A2 head, it'll work, but you'd need something like a VAFC-II to control VTEC

 
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OP you said "D17A" not "D17A1"... so if you really do have a "d17a" then...

The jdm d17a also has a vtec head, it may be compatible, but I am not sure, I don't see why it wouldn't be, but you never know. Do some research on if a d17a2 oem camshaft is compatible. If it is then the stage one should also be.

now have a "D17a1" and not a D17A" then you would have to convert the head to an a2 head first.