I have an IHI ax53 b60 P18 turbocharger on my 1997 civic lx with a built bottom end d16y7 (non-vtec). This turbocharger is from an apexi sohc turbo kit. I've had this turbo on my car for 7 years and absolutely love the powerband. I was wondering if an IHI VF34 would be a direct bolt on to the hotside housing of my apexi turbo as both have P18 exhaust wheels? Has anyone ever done this? Would this be worth the upgrade?

Here's a current pic of the bay


and current dyno


I would like to see if this would be a slight upgade and I would also prefer to use my same downpipe.

 

I am quite sure that is not a possiblity. Ishikawa always had different housing and turbine wheel developments that don't share anything with one another, from the WRX to the APEXi kit.

 

most of the ihivf turbos are bolt on swaps with each other as far as the manifold and down pipe are concerned, intakes are a bit different but that is fairly easy to get around.

For example the ihi vf8, vf10, vf12, vf22, vf34 are all interchangable.

Op does you turbo have a intake like the vf22 in my avatar? If so I would imagine it would be a bolt on affair.

I would just swap the whole turbo.

 

Thanks for the replies. So, the VF34 would have the same 5 bolt downpipe flange as the apexi? Would it be worth the upgrade? Don't the VF turbos have 3 bolt manifold flanges?

 

Like it was said, some have 3 bolt, some don't. It may be easier to show the turbine side that you have for a better comparison.

 

crappy pic but maybe this will help. i appreciate the replies.

 

Yeah all those turbos are 3 bolt and the downpipe does appear to be different its the other way round. Keep what you have and get a aggressive cam increase the boost and use race gas for higher boost levels. I bet most of the time you don't need hi boost anyway so response is always a plus.

 

go big or go home

 

Yep doesn't look like it will be a direct swap for the turbos. My vf39 had that funny 3 bolt inlet exhaust flange.

 

Ha!

I just may! Thanks guys. Any new turbo suggestions? 320whp would be more than enough.