Black R

I am new to the boost scene, and am right smack dab in the middle of my first project.

My question pertains to people always recommending a t3/t4 for a b18 application, and I always wonder why.

I have seen a few local buddies try boost on their applications with mixed results:

Friend 1 - '00 civic si (b16a2) with revhard 2c turbo kit (t3/t04). Power was nice once he got to 6k rpm. But he had stock rev limiter, so was shifting and falling a little out of boost at redline (imho). Under 4k was as bad or worse than stock. He made high 180's untuned.

Friend 2 - ~'96ish ek with ls swap. greddy 18g turbo kit. Power was high 190's and so was tq. Untuned, but was a lot of fun. Low rev limiter + ls tranny kept the fun factor down a little on the hwy, but boost came on really early - like 2500 - 3000 rpms.

Friend 3 - ~94 si hatch with ls swap and apexi sohc turbo kit with mani redrilled for b-series fitment. ~280whp and high tq. Over 220 lb-ft..... That thing was CRAZY on the hwy. He had to go from a b16 tranny to a gsr one to get even a little bit of traction..... Hondata tuned.....

Now my story: '01 itr with greddy 18g turbo kit uninstalled. dsm 450's, and am looking for a 3" dp that I can retain ac and ps with..... My goal is 300whp. But I want to have everything to do it right before I throw it on. I have s200 currently, and will simply add the boost option to get me fully tunable.

Now is the reason for people recommending a t3/t4 because they know those turbo's will flow more and will suit you when you upgrade? The funny thing is that I see people run 6psi with those kits and they're pretty much done. They tune it for 6psi and leave it. What's the point then? Or are those turbo's more efficient at higher rpms? Like they can flow 20psi at 10k rpms, whereas maybe my lowly 18g wont? I need a quick spooling turbo for the kind of racing I do, so if I were to upgrade in the future, the turbo would still be relatively small compared to what a lot of the big boys run. BUT maybe a slightly larger ball bearing turbo would still spool up just as quick.....

Thoughts?