bluelights81

Hello everyone. I'm starting to piece together a rebuild/turbo build for my 2000 coupe. I've had the car for 12 years and have taken extremely good care of it. I've got the car exactly how I want it except for the engine. It has 180K on it, so a rebuild with performance internals are in order if I'm going to turbo it. Reliability is key, as this will be a daily driver, not a track car. I also want to buy quality parts, do it right the first time and not cheap out on anything. I want to build a straight F23 as it stands, with no swaps. I love the Accord, and want to keep it true to its name with the SOHC, obviously with higher performance parts to withstand the added beating of boost. The car is currently in storage for the winter and am anticipating pulling it and assembly around April. Currently as the car sits, it has:

-Koni/Ground Control suspension setup
-24mm Progress rear anti-sway bar
-Neuspeed front tower brace
-18" RH Evolution C5 wheels painted a custom gunmetal
-AEM Cold Air Intake
-Brembo blank rotors with Axxis HP Pads
-Goodridge stainless steel brake lines
-OBX Headers and cat back exhaust
-OEM Honda full lip kit
-a few other add ons which aren't particularly worth mentioning

I have begun to buy parts here and there, as money permits, for the turbo/rebuild project. Over the past month or so I have bought:

-OEM Honda Valve Cover Gasket
-OEM Honda V-tech Valve Cover (for refinishing)
-Mishimoto Intercooler
-Walbro Fuel Pump
-Gates Racing Timing Belt
-Gates Racing Balance Shaft Belt
-Rywire OBD1 Conversion Harness
-Speed Factory Orange 4-bar MAP Sensor
-Bisimoto Intake Manifold Gasket
-OEM Honda Intake Manifold
-OEM Honda Intake Manifold Plenum Gasket
-AEM Fuel Rail
-Crower F23 Connecting Rods
-EGR Block Off Plate
-OEM Honda Crankshaft Pulley
-Marshall Fuel Pressure Gauge
-ARP H23 Head Studs
-OEM Honda Throttle Cable
-Bisimoto Cam Gear
-Wiseco K20 Pistons, 86.5mm
-Turbonetics T3T4 turbo. T04B series. Stage 3 A/R .48. Super S compressor. (They stopped making this model a few years ago, but I just bought one brand new for $500. I've read alot about A/R .48 vs. .63, however the goal is reliability as my daily car. I'd rather compromise high end power for quick spooling. I've read this turbo is great for 3K-6K rpm's)

I will most likely be using the stock head and stock intake manifold as well as most of my research concludes both are capable. Will be mirroring the build by AFACCORD if any of you have followed and/or seen his build. My hp goals are 300-350 if all goes as planned.

I have some questions for those of you who have built/boosted this engine. Hopefully someone can help me out with them.

1. Balance Shaft deletion. Is this wise? Will it create intolerable vibrations and is it harmful to the motor. Again my goal is 300-350 hp.

2. On Majestic Honda's website, for the head gasket, they list two part numbers. One's a Nippon Leakless gasket and the other one is Ishino. Any idea which one I should get?

3. Anyone know of somewhere I can get a quality manifold? Treadstone Performance currently has a stainless steel log type for $210. I was thinking about that.

4. Head Work. I would like to at a minimum replace the valves, springs and retainers with a new, higher end product. I've read the Ferrea F22 are an exact fit in the F23 head. Can anyone confirm or deny this for me? Not thinking of an updated cam at this point, as there are very limited options for this engine.

Will try to update my progress as I go. Any feedback and/or suggestions from others who have undertaken an F23 build is welcomed!

hondamark35

1. there is a pretty heated debate going on in another thread in this sub-forum... but I don't recommend it.

my stance on the topic: if you can stand to keep them, keep them. when working with a turbo set up you can find the extra power elsewhere without the added vibration. the benefits may not outweigh the drawbacks in your case.

2. Pretty sure these are just two brands of the same item. not sure it will matter which.

3. If memory serves AFAccord built his own "ram-horn" style. But he only tacked the bends into place then had a professional welder TIG them up solid. If that doesn't appeal to you, try to find reviews of a few different off-the-shelf manifolds and decide based on that.

4. I have heard that F22B1 valve train components will fit the F23 head. I would highly recommend a bigger than stock cam for your power goal. a regrind may be the best route.

bluelights81

I appreciate your response. I feel pretty confident in assembling the engine, however there are clearly questions and advice that I'll need help with along the way. I'm not a professional by any means, but I've read that with a modified engine, particularly boost, the balance shaft is just another thing that can fail. I'm not looking at it from a power perspective, but a reliability one. Minimal vibration is okay. Just don't want to compromise the integrity of the engine. I actually just found a manifold that Spoolin makes. $325 isn't a bad price at all and from what I've read, they're a solid company. Here's some pics of some small projects to keep me motivated through this winter we're having in NH.

Also I'm looking at the Innovative Mount set for this chassis. They're pretty much the only company who makes one. They sell a 3 mount kit, without the front mount. Is this something that is safely done or should I keep the stock front one?

Rox-Drop_6thgen

Sorry to beat an old horse here and awaken an old thread but have you had any luck with this build? How'd it turn out, how's it running to this day if you have it still. I have gathered a few parts myself and will continue over the winter. I have a spare f23 I'm going to fully rebuild then drop in once she's ready.

Rox-Drop_6thgen

What pistons should be used to turbo?
Compression ratio 9.3.1 is the stock F23a1 pistons which is great for a turbo build! But I know the connecting rods will be the first to go. So my question is how much can the stock pistons handle? Connecting rods will be changed with some H beam style so they are of no worries I just want to know if the pistons can handle 10psi+ or not. K20a2 pistons work yes but the compression ratio is so high.. like 12.36.1 NOW I know J30a1also fit at the 86mm bore size same as the F23 and it's compression ratio is 9.4.1?? SoOoOo they would be a bit stronger then the OEM F23 and keep similar ratios.. so would it be beneficial to use them or not?

hondamark35

I haven't looked at the numbers in a while, but the general thought is that there is a broad selection of piston options on the after market for the K20. they will fit the F23 as you know, so the trick is to find turbo pistons for a K20 that give the right static compression ration numbers when installed in an F23.

Rox-Drop_6thgen

I've certainly seen a lot out there for the k20 I just know you got to rotate 180° correct? To allow the proper fit etc. But I was mainly also just seeing what could a stock pistons handle? Just because price point. I know do it right the first time so the rods for sure are being swapped but won't sure about new pistons should I keep OEM if they can handle it or just swap for K20 or J30s. Better safe then sorry right lol. Doing a complete engine rebuild on a second F23 I have all motor but making the internals ready for a later turbo build.

franci79

Hey friend, it's been a long time since your publication, I would like to know how it went with your assembly of f23, and if it is possible you will specify the part numbers of the things you used, I have the same project but naturally I aspired and I would like to continue assembling the stock of parts...

franci79

Hello friend, what did you manage to do with your project? I would like to read about what you achieved and how you did it