Hi, well I'm kinda new to the forum and am planning on buying a car in the spring after the snow melts, I know that the K20A responds very well to bolt-ons, will I get the same responce from the EP3 as the RSX Type S, I know that the RSX has more power to start with, I'm just wondering if the Civic's engine will respond as well to bolt-ons or is it worth it to just wait and save up more and buy a RSX Type S. I'm planning on putting the usual bolt-ons CAI, H, E, and hopefully by the end of the summer a T3/T4 turbocharger. Am I going to see similar performance from these bolt-ons on both cars or does the Type S respond better.

 

The K20A3 motor does respond well to mods ... there are some key areas to free up good power ... you'll probably see your biggest gains from changing out the intake and b-pipe. I recommend at least stepping up to a 2.5" b-pipe ... if you plan to go forced induction I would go to 3". The stock muffler flows great so no point changing it out unless you don't like the look ... you can gain a few hp from eliminating the cat as well (if you can). Getting your hands on a Hondata KPro and a good tune will add some more power as well ... not too much gain from changing out stock header to another shorty header ... unless you move up to a race type header (hence eliminating the cat).

If you plan on going forced induction which it sound like you do ... stick with the A3 motor ... it loves boost and has posted good gains from low to moderate boost levels. Save you money and invest in a good kit ... Full-Race by far makes the best turbo kit for the EP3 out there ... it is a little expensive ... but it is complete and quality is second to none! I purchased their Stage 1 kit and planned to run around 10 psi ... haven't gotten around to putting it into the car. What are you power goals? Will this car be a daily driver? Drag car? Track?

The A2 motor is also a great motor, but with it's high compression it doesn't really make a good boost motor in its stock form ... sure you can modify it to handle boost ... just depends on what you are looking for and how much you want to spend.

 

Don't spend the money on an intake & header of any kind if you're planning to turbo it later. That's just wasted cash and effort.

But anyway...

Yeah, it responds well to bolt-ons. I/H/E on my EP, still with a factory cat (albeit for a Type-S) and without Hondata, came up with 158 whp on a Dynojet, which is around 20-25 more than EP's dyno stock.

I'm not planning to turbo, but my bolt-ons would work well enough with either a swap or supercharger. That's been my goal all along anyway.

 

Ok thats what I thought I will stick with the Civic, thanks for the info. My power goals are whatever I can afford ... I only work partime and have to pay for school, and ya it will be a daily driver so i think i will wait like you guys suggest and buy a turbo and then a new exhaust. I have a question about the Full-Race turbo hp sizes is that the maximum horsepower they will work until or are they the hp gains or what? can you buy the like 3rd stage right off the bat or what? Thanks again

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tk26 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have a question about the Full-Race turbo hp sizes is that the maximum horsepower they will work until or are they the hp gains or what? can you buy the like 3rd stage right off the bat or what? Thanks again</TD></TR></TABLE>

The numbers quoted on the Full-Race site are estimates on the max hp for each kit ... turbo size is increased for each stage for more power. Yes you can start right off at the 3rd stage, but you will need to do some moderate engine work if you want your motor to survive. If you plan to use this car as a daily driver ... I really wouldn't recommend a big turbo ... you will have tons of lag and no usable power. I would suggest their stage 1 GT kit ... GT28RS is a great turbo ... fast spool with tons of midrange power ... excellent for street and track. 300 whp in an EP3 is plenty ...

 

Ok ya I was just using Stage 3 as an example, thanks ill check that one and im gonna take your advice because i will be using it as a daily and one vehicle so I would like it to be reliable and a higher stage is probably not for me. Should I expect 300 whp from an Ep3 with Stage 1 GT Kit, i will need a 3" piped exhaust anything else? What is the difference between the Stage 1 GT and the Prostreet?

 

Stage 1 GT comes with a GT28RS "Disco Potato" ball bearing turbo ... Stage 1 comes with a T3/T04E Turbo (non ball bearing). Other than that ... I believe the kits are identical ... it's been a little while since I searched their site since I got my kit.

Ball bearing turbos will spool faster than your typical turbo providing you great midrange power and good peak power and this is what you want for around town. The T3/T04E is also a good turbo ... spool time will be slightly slower than the GT28RS ... probably will give you higher peak numbers at redline, but less usable power over the entire powercurve vs the GT28RS.

The GT28RS is a great turbo for the EP3 ... plus it is a little smaller than the T3/T04E so it gives you a little more room around that cramped firewall. I def think 300whp is very possible with either stage 1 kit from Full-Race ... with a 3" full exhaust, around 10-11 psi boost, KPro (or ECU of your choice), and a good tune and you'll be in business

 

edit my friend thought he was logged onto his name sorry