Turbo Build

[shoobathelemur]

I'm compiling the list of everything I'm going to need to complete a turbo build on my D16Y8. Here's what I have come up with so far:

SOHC Turbo Kit w/ turbo, piping, intercooler, manifold, etc.
370 cc Injectors
AEM Fuel Rail
Gauges (Boost, Fuel Pressure, & Air/Fuel)
Pistons, rods, and rings
ECU Tune
Turbo Timer


Anything else that you can think of?

[8695Beaters]

DOHC head. There is a D16 DOHC, so I would reccomend doing a swap before the turbo (much more potential there. I don't know exactly what you would need, but I assume the head, pistons, ECU, and maybe connecting rods). Or you could swap the motor to a D16A2 (DOHC) which would require very little work on your part. But if you wanted to do a full swap, you might as well go with something newer and better.

As for the setup you have, you need a fuel pump and good tires. You might need an oil pump and/or oil cooler too. Don't forget an oil temp gauge too and switch to thicker oil (I like Castrol or Redline). I would say go for larger injectors (more than the 330cc you want). You're already going to have to retune the ECU and if you want to add more boost later on, you might as well buy the parts once. You'll also have a safer setup. I'd also add a turbo grind cam (turbo grinds and NA grinds are different and going with an NA cam in a turbo will not be as powerful). A BOV and manual boost controller are also good ways to keep your engine alive.

You might be able to skip the rods and pistons if you don't go crazy with the boost. Most cars can handle 7 psi on stock internals, and I think the D-Series can do 9 with no problem. Most of that relies on proper tuning, so do not skimp there at all.

I see you run an automatic. Make sure the trans can handle whatever power you are going to throw at it. That means a ATF cooler and trans temp gauge at the least. And make sure your turbo kit is supported for an auto. Some kits can only go so high on the boost before bad things happen to the engine and trans (it's all in how the trans is controlled by the ECU), so really do your homework.

I also read a really good article in Sport Compact Car about junkyard turbo builds for the D-Series. If you get the manifold, all you need is most of the turbo guts from an Eclipse/Talon/Laser. That should cost about $500-600 depending on the condition of the turbo and where you shop. But they did the build on a stick, so again, I can't vouch for how well it will work on an auto.

[PrimeTimeV6]

If you are going to pull the motor I would build it for boost. You may think you are only going to run a moderate boost setting and once you realize to turn a little screw is more power you will turn it up.
Beaters is also right about the slushbox. That autotranny might not take much abuse so I would look for a stick.
At least that is how I look at it. Right now my baby is pulled apart getting rebuilt for more boost and possibly a 6 speed swap if I can get my hands on all the parts I need.

[8695Beaters]

Like I said, the D can handle 9 psi max before bad things happen. If you need to pull the motor to install the trubo (not always necessary), then by all means get the motor built. But if you want to save on some cost, you can hold off on the forged internals. Try to get pistons that drop your compression ratio so you can turn up the boost even more if you do the full teardown.

Then again if you are pulling the motor, you might as well swap the whole engine. Actually that might be the best option. Find a B16 or B18, get all the parts you need and do it right the first time. That way you only spend one weekend without a car as opposed to over a week. Plus you can spread out the cost over time instead of buying everything at once. And on top of all that, you can get the manual tranny and put that in as well.

[civic_punk]

blow off, waste gate

[8695Beaters]

The waste gate is part of the turbo.

[dre5491]

I'd get a BOV just for the simple fact I think they sound cool =). Lol I know its not the only reason to get them but still.. I mean you get a lil more power and its better on the turbo so just get a BOV.. Make sure it sounds cool thou! You don't want a sucky sounding one =)

[8695Beaters]

A BOV prevents turbo surge when you let off the gas. It prolongs the life of the turbo and the engine. A sufficiently large intercooler will do the same thing. And a good sounding BOV is a cop and ricer magnet. Also if you let all the pressure out of the system when you let off the gas, you will end up losing power and 1/4 mile time with turbo lag.

[dre5491]

Well yeah.. But you can get some good sounding ones that don't let too much out...Well anything you do to a Honda is a cop magnet I have learned that.. I was hassled by cops in my Accord and all I had done was exhaust and intake.. Its just how cops are. I know of cops who have pulled people over in camaros or mustangs just to find out what they got under the hood.. Oh but when you got a fast Honda they would find one lil thing wrong and write ya a ticket for it...

[8695Beaters]

Ahh, the legacy of the ricers. Wait another 15 years or so. The guys who grew up with the 80s and 90s compacts will be the ones writing tickets and will ask us what's under the hood and giving tickets to muscle cars.

Actually the trick is to make sure the BOV doesn't let out all the boost at once. Then it's actually doing its job. Some of them are adjustable, so just a little pssht is all you need.