Sorry I know you guys probably get this a lot...

So lately i've been trying to figure out what to do to my Civic as far as motor work goes. Swap or boost, i've been tossing both around and I think I finally decided to go with boost after talking to some friends about it.

So I drive a 1993 Civic CX with a D15B7, i've always wanted to have a boosted SOHC so i'm going to go ahead and start peicing together a kit. Save your "don't waste your time with a d15" bullshit, I don't care, this is what i'm doing.

My goal is to have a reliable daily driver, maybe running about 6 or 7lbs of boost on stock internals. through the research i've done, the d15 is plenty capable of that. I was going to get ARP head studs and thats about it.

Basically what I need to do is start collecting my parts for the kit. I hear peicing together your own kit is the cheapest way to get started, so. I'm hoping to get everything together by the fall, then install the kit during september, october, around then.

So I just need some advice on what turbo to get, manifolds, piping, intercooler, wastegate, blow off valve, (anything else im missing). I've read that a mini ram or a log is probably the best for a low boost DD as far as manifolds go. I'm still unsure about what size, type, and brand turbo to run. A lot of people are telling me to get an old DSM turbo and rock that.

As for tuning, I will be getting the car professionally tuned after the kit is installed, I have that covered...

Also, with this setup, will I need to run bigger injectors and a higher output fuel pump?

Thanks a lot guys



Modified by Morasso at 10:07 PM 6/11/2008

 

hey man .. i'm almost boosted and was in the same shoes as u like a year ago. i didn't wanna buy a greddy kit or edelbrock and ended up piecin a kit together. its cost me over $2k and it still isnt in yet. but i bought everything brand new .. and i bought quality. so as long as you have a decent budget to blow, piece a kit together.

i'm gunna be running a .42/.48 ar garrett t3 on my setup. i have a d16y8 btw. this turbo isnt too small(not like a t25) but it isnt to big either. i'm only gunna be running 7-9 psi on this thing hoping for like 180-200whp. i've seen some numbers on this turbo, and to me this one seems like a good choice, quicker spoolup than bigger turbos, and wont really drop much on only 7-8psi.

i don't know if u have ac or not, and personally for me i wanted to keep it, so i got a log mani from autoworks.. should be here anyday now. a ramhorn is gunna cost you an arm and a leg, and for your set up i dont think it would be worth the extra cash. just get a stainless log mani.

don't buy cheap ****, you get what you pay for .. remember that.

and you will need bigger injectors, i bought a set of dsm 450s off ebay for 120 shipped, they say theyre professionally cleaned so i sprung the extra dough, but u can pick up 450's for like $40-50 usually. and you'll need a resistor box when u wire them.

and your stock fuel pump should be fine for now, you can upgrade later if u want, i'll be running my stock fuel pump.


here are some other suggestions:

get a log manifold/downpipe/dumptube combo from autoworks or spoolin
2.5 inch downpipe
get some ic piping, i'll be using 2.25 hot side, 2.5 cool with a 27x7x2.5 intercooler
for the turbo, i think a t3 .42/.48 ar would be nice for your setup, if i could pick another, i'd probably get the .42/.60 t3 super 60 (i like garrets)
get a tial 38mm wastegate
i'm gunna use a tial bov, but i bought half my kit off of a member on here, and i would have bought the hks ssqv.. sounds cooler imo

other than that i would say dont get a dsm turbo unless you plan on throwing together whole junkyard kit.

otherwise probably the cheapest way i would recommend to get boosted is to buy a used greddy kit of off somone on here to get started.

but my advice, is spend the dough, get nice parts, get it done right and you'll be happy. and just remember if ur dumpin mad money into a custom kit, when it comes time to sell it you'll get enough in return for it

 

Great info man! I really appreciate that.

My budget was actually around $800ish IF thats doable. I don't mind spending a bit more, but I was really not trying to break a grand. EDIT: Just looked at the prices, 800 is definately not doable

Is there an alternative to Garrett turbos? The price on them is so high!

I don't have A/C or PS either...




Modified by Morasso at 10:02 PM 6/11/2008

 

don't skimp out on the turbo

garrett
precision
turbotechnics
borg-warner

garrett will be the cheapest for around 500 new


you maybe be able to find a good one used for around 300-400 but i recomend new unless you absolutely know the condition of it


as for a kit you may be able to piece on together for around a grand getting good deals on used parts. Remember to buy quality used parts

a drag or revhard cast mani from ebay less than 80 bucks is a great example

Then you have to get a tune once everything is purchased installed so plan on spending another 3-500 for a tune afterwards.

 

Tuning is covered, I got a possible hookup on that.

So DSM turbos are out? I still have a lot of people recommending those...

 

just buy grangers turbo kit the big 16g turbo just need to buy a differnt manifold it comes with water to air intercooler also..and i belive it was on a EG also

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Morasso &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Tuning is covered, I got a possible hookup on that.

So DSM turbos are out? I still have a lot of people recommending those...</TD></TR></TABLE>

Fitment is a problem, because the DSM compressor covers and flange pattern are not going to be the same based upon most exhaust manifolds that you pick up.

No need for the DSM turbos. that's more trouble than its worth.

 

Turbo is pretty much bought, along with some other little odds and ends.

I got a local guy selling me a small MX-6 turbo, some piping, BOV, Intercooler, and some other stuff.

Also have the injectors I want selected, as well as a manifold if the mx-6 turbo will fit on it...

 

if your gunna go the homeade route, i'd check out http://www.homemadeturbo.com/ if you haven't already. everyone on there gets junkyard turbo set ups like this for like 6-700 bux and boost their cars. it might help you out

 

Yeah i've been browsing around there, but thier idea of a "budget" build is a little more ghetto than my idea.

I'm not going to rock PVC pipe and loctite

Anyone know if I can run this setup with a stock exhaust?

 

you can, it'll be restrictive .. but u can do it

 

stock exhaust will restrict it alot!

btw why not get a greddy kit, you can get a non intercooled for your price range, maybe even an intercooled kit!

i recommend them to all my friends with sohc motors as the turbo will provide enough power to have fun and have power down low (hard to do in a sohc D )

 

I havent been able to find any decent places that sell the greddy kit.

Got a link?

 

i've seen a few ppl on here sellin used ones, i alsmot bought one for like $900 .. but decided not to

 

you say you have the turbo already so honestly id say just save your cash skip the fast food for canned chow and buy a partial turbo kit for your car.(manifold,downpipe,intercooler) the little bit of extra cash you spend will give you piece of mind when issues like fitment and caracking come into play.
you can skimp on things like intercooler piping(ebay ones workfine) use dsm injectors(get them cleaned and flow tested to make sure they are all working)

dont rush going boost it will just create more downtime.
i hope your budget you listed does not include tunning, because thats the MOST important thing if you want this car to last more than a few months

good luck one you go boost you will never look back

 

Thanks man. Budget does not include tuning. Thats at the top of the list.

I'm getting the turbo and some other **** Monday. Going to go with Precision 450cc injectors, that way I know they'll work. Probably a Spoolin log manifold (if it'll fit the turbo, we'll see when I get it).

I'm getting some intercooler piping with the turbo, but i'll probably end up buying all new stuff. So ebay piping doesnt really make a difference over name brand ****? Same with the actual intercooler..