I am working on my first Honda and need some insight before I get started and potentially screw something up. I have a 1993 Honda Civic Del Sol SI with the SOHC Vtec D16Z6 engine, the engine is currently stock. My goal is a good 250+ whp daily driver. I would like to stay away from the internals if at all possible. So, who has any potential ideas?

 

first come up with a budget, very important, and then decide on what you wanna do with the car, and what type of characteristics you want out of the car with a turbo kit on it ie. fast spool, top end, etc. Then you can piece together a kit that will suit your goals best and work with your budget as well.

 

Budget I'm not overly worried about, it's not getting built tomorrow it will be built as I get the money. I want a fast spool and good mid-range.

 

Nobody else is worried about your budget either but it's something you should let people know.

 

Well honestly I have no idea what it will cost. I have only messed with V8's and diesels, this is my first "tuner"

 

Ok, here is another question. On a different thread I started someone stated I shouldnt do any boltons like that till I do the turbo bc the D16 doesnt take to just boltons well. Whats your thought on that?

 

if your goal is to be boosted why waste money on NA parts like headers or an intake. they won't be to much to gain with the single with just bolt ons anyways.

 

IF this is your first tuner, I suggest reading through the turbo faq threads. it will really help

 

That makes sense...there are so many different turbos: T3/T4, 57 trim, 62mm...whats the difference? I know on a diesel you have different sizes but thats it

 

Sizing/Spool time/Hp/Airflow etc.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turbocharger

 

So how much would I benefit going to a DOHC? I know this would require an engine swap, but just weighing all my options

 

going dohc is autlmatically 2500~ more. if 250 is all you want, the single cam will do it.

 

Ok I'll stick with the SOHC. Eventually it wont be a daily driver anymore and when that time comes I have heard alot about a K20 swap, who knows? I'll stick with the 250+ for now.

 

So looking at turbos, I cant find a "kit" for my application. I really dont want to mix/match a turbo with my level of experience on these things unless you guys can suggest exactly what I should use.

 

You should really do as much searching and reading as you can before making any purchases. This application just might be the single most popular turbo kit in existence. If you know what you're looking for and buy used, you can put a decent turbo setup together for around $1000. Buying new parts or buying a complete kit, that number can triple or more. Here's a brief list of parts to assemble:

Neptune/Hondata/ECTune/Any chipping kit and software for your car's P28 ECU

Aftermarket head studs and OEM multi-layer steel head gasket

Turbo exhaust manifold (T3 flange is most common)

Turbocharger (this should be sized to your engine size and power goals - T3/T4 hybrid such as "50 trim," or a turbo from nearly any stock turbo 4 cylinder such as Mitsubishi Eclipse 14b, Ford Thunderbird, there are many that will work)

Wastegate if turbocharger does not use an internal wastegate

~450cc injectors (add a resistor box from an 88-91 Civic or inline 10-watt 10-ohm resistors if injectors are low impedance)

Spark plugs one step cooler (such as NGK BCPR7ES-11, reduce gap to ~0.035" or smaller if misfiring occurs)

Front mount intercooler - 28"x8"x2" or 24"x12"x3" size will work

2.5" exhaust tubing - 6 U-bends and ~10ft. of straight for charge pipes and exhaust

4-6 couplers and 8-12 hose clamps for charge pipes, flex section for exhaust

Keep it under ~12psi or ~220whp for longevity with the stock rods and pistons. Route the stock crankcase vent (PCV) line and valve cover line to a vented catch can. Alternatively, use a diagonal cut tube in the intake tract pre-turbo, facing away from the turbo, run to the valve cover to feed fresh air into the valve cover. Then, route the crankcase vent on the back of the block to a closed catch can, with the other line from the catch can going to a diagonal cut tube in the intake tract facing toward the turbo to draw a vacuum on the crankcase and pull the vapor into the turbo to cut down on smelly fumes and vapors. This is by no means all-inclusive, but overall Hondas are probably among the easiest cars to work on and adding a turbo to a stock engine is relatively straight forward.

 

Do they make the ram exhaust manifold for the D16? Cause that thing looks BA

 

I want the Skunk2 Megapower exhaust, I will take the advice and not do a full system till I am ready for the turbo. So I will use one of the universal mufflers they offer and piece together my own exhaust. They offer a 2.25" inlet and a 3" inlet, I hear so much about the desired 2.5" exhaust on most cars so I figured I would get the 3" inlet muffler and run 2.5" pipe when I build the exhaust. How does that sound?