Ok here I go. i have a 1994 honda del sol with a b16a with a turbonetics t3/t4 on it. i have owned it for the past three years and have had nothing but problems with it do to the fact that it has stock internals. but the main problem i have had with it is that the shops i took it to kept ripping me off so i said forget taking it to someone im going to build it myself this time.

i want to do a mild build for a turbo set up. i have already bought a b16a3 block with low comp srp pistons and eagle rods (with arp rod bolts) with a block guard and moroso oil pan. i also bought a set of acl racing bearings but besides that i havent done anything else. i was thinking about getting a hondata s300 for the ecu ( or something that will work just as good) some 660cc injectors, aem fuil rail, arp head studs, and a mls head gasket


i would just like some suggstions on what i should do next or not do. since this is my first build i am kinda scared about it.

 

Sell that block guard!
Check out Calidad's build!!! It is very informative for a do it yourself'er.

 

Page 35+ is where it gets interesting.
https://honda-tech.com/forums/forced-induction-16/my-b18c1-engine-build-assembly-2951496/

 

What is your power goal?

What is the problems you are currently experiencing? What happens if you spend all this money and the same problems happen on the new motor.

Let us know more of exactly what is going on.

 

I want to try to make high 300s or low 400s if i can.

well i detonated a piston and blew the head gasket was my first problem. (The shop that i had fix it didnt even put all the nuts back on the intake so i think that was most of the problem ) and 1100 miles after i got it back the rings blew on it. If that happens to the new motor im most likely going to cry and restart again

 

let me guess...not even tuned? or a crap tune?

 

to be honest thats what im thinking but i dont even know i bought the car boosted and it went down hill from there

 

First off since you have decided to stay away from shops. Do you have a full set of tools and at least an engine stand?
Are you planning on building the motor yourself or getting all your parts ready and drop it off to a machine shop?
Pick a goal for your power level and go from there concerning your turbo kit.
I'm not hating on california dads build but if you don't have 15 grand plus to spend on your civic stay out. You could easily reach the same power for much less.
Make a starting point on how much you can afford on this next build and take it from there.

You will want to set a good amount of money aside for engine management and tuning. It makes no sense rebuilding a motor and chancing it on some ghetto way of tuning. S300 neptune chrome or aem is all good choices some better than others.

 

You're right. The power can be made for less money involved, however, without some significant investment, that power level won't be repeatable to the point where its just predictable time, and time again. Calidad is a person that likes to cover ALL the bases, even if meant that he "overdid it" in the eyes of his fellow H-T brethren. Sleeving, additional ignition, camshafts, intake manifold, TB, meth/water... ALL were specific parts that he wanted. But in the end, power level notwithstanding, he gave a no-nonsense approach to this that not everyone can emulate completely.

Did you know Calidad originally was going to start out with an E-bay kit and that's all? people tend to forget that, because he wanted something simple, and it got elaborate over time. Focus on Calidad's original simplicity of the build and its underlying premise; good parts, the right parts, good tuning and material, and thoughtful planning... that was why we referenced californiadad as the standard, not for making the most power

 

I understand completely. He has a great power band, his motor would most likely last for years in a "perfect world", Meaning a fuel pump doesn't crap out under the radar or oil pressure.
Like I said I'm not hating on the build I'm a fan. But for first time builders and noobs like the op that extensive attention to detail and price tag would sway people away. I mean if I just steped in on the scene and some one told me if you want to boost your civic this is what's the standard, I would most likely sit on my *** and dream and keep reading about builds like those till I made over 60000 a year.
But this is just my point of veiw, from renting a house since I was 18, working a 9 to 5 the money just isn't there. I still built my first car when I was 19 though and keept the cost low and had a ton of fun no regrets at all.
Builds like grinogointegra is what I think should be standard. Stock gsr boosted with hundreds of passes at the track. With no problems.

 

I can agree with that. However, that same example may also display the wrong message; getting too large a turbo for the need and though may be drag-strip worthy, is not as usable or controllable on the street. At over 65lbs/min, that's a lot of turbo for the first time user that may not be properly prepared for the characteristics that the 6262 gives,. This is why you see so many now being sold used: Because it looked great on paper, but not necessarily what they needed, since they did not have the block (or themselves) prepared for its capabilities. running a 6262 or something equivalent at boost pressures below its efficiency range is just a waste of a big turbo, when a smaller one, that has a more usable powerband, may be appropriate. Not everyone is trying to go the drag-strip, or wants to "grow" to be 600-700whp capable.

 

im still in awe of his 689 hp though for sure, i cant even imagine what a 4th to redline pull feels like. i think the op should do what we tell everyone else and get his power goal and build to it. btw op your car will not run if u install the injectors and if u think your bogging issue is related to the s300 then just let your tuner figure it out when u get there, thats what we pay them so much for lol. it takes like 10 min max to swap out injectors so just drive it there stock injectors and stock ecu with a charge pipe disconnected and work it out with your tuner.

imo if u want to make 400ish i would keep your cr at 10:1 to 10.5:1, with a b16 and low comp pistons that thing is gonna be a dog without boost. have u decided on a turbo yet?

 

You got to pay to play is the way I see it.
I am a FI newb and I see it as saving money in the long run by doing it right the first time. I am getting ready to go for the same power as Calidad with my GSR eg6 and I play on mirroring his build. It might not happen over night but I am aware of that. I imagine a year is my time frame. I just want to make sure it is done right!

 

my comp was 10.4:1 with the stock pistons the ones i have now lowered it to 9.5:1

i have a turbonetics t3/t4 that was on the car when i got it and i have read in some places that they can handle up to 500hp so that made me think that 400ish would be fine on it

 

no.... not going to happen without some upgraded parts.

 

what parts would have to upgraded?

 

what are the actual specs of the turbo, is it an E housing?

 

to be honest i have no clue how can you tell? and i have it with me if it would help to see it.

 

snap some pics, im sure shodan will be able to tell u everything u need to know. ideally u pull the cover off and measure the inducer and exducer to really be able to tell. if its like a 50 trim you wont get it over 400 hp without getting dangerously out of the efficiency range. 57 trim would be 420 to 430 territory and so on.

everything really, injectors, turbo, cams, exhaust. u should read through gringotegras build and calidads and anyone elses that has made the power you're looking for. see what worked for everyone else and do that. 500 is also the limit of the stock sleeves.

 

well if i make 350 or better ill be happy. and ill most likely have to get a new turbo or rebuild this one that i have the shaft is wobbly as hell. but i also wanted to know what do you think would be the most cost efective ecu for a turbo and what would be some good rings to go with my srp piston?

 

It really depends on the tuner that will tune your car and what he prefers. My tuner will do just about anything but prefers Neptune and is what I will be going with. It is a little cheaper than Hondata but is just as good.