So after being out of the Honda game since 99, ( I swapped a b16 into a crx in 1997, way before it was cool) I have found myself back in the mix. After searching for the car I finally found a very clean and well cared for 1-owner Blue Civic Si with less then 100k miles on it. The motor runs great, doesn't smoke, and only aftermarket features are an AEM cold air intake and a carbon Kevlar clutch. The AC, power windows, cruise control, sunroof, and everything else works and I plan on keeping it that way.

Now, along with the car came a "new in the box" Greddy 18g turbo kit -minus intercooler. The guy bought it several years ago but never installed it. Instead he shelved it...now its mine. But he did go as far as the clutch in preparation.

My goal of this car is to use it as a daily driver (mostly interstate) with enough power to eat up a new civic SI, maybe an old mustang, but most importantly to easily pass slow traffic and idiots on the interstate. Car will never see the track (well maybe once for kicks) and I want it to remain reliable.

My power goal is to push it past 200Hp, but sub 250.

I am completely torn as to what way to go:
-Keep it NA
-Boost it

Reading through here it appears to stay N/A and surpass 200hp I would need at minimum Head work (mill, P&P, valve job), cams, itr type intake, ECU, header, exhaust, maybe a tunable ECU, a good tuner, and a little luck. however, I built my first motor when I was 13 and I am very confident in my mechanic skills.

To boost it I would need a decent turbo kit (I think the greddy 18g is just that), an intercooler and piping, exhaust upgrade to at least 2.5", a tunable ECU, a good tuner, and maybe new injectors and pump. I know nothing about turbo...never had one, nor paid any attention to them.

I want to keep AC (not having AC is not an option) and power steering and I'm not sure if the boost option with that Greddy kit will allow me to keep these sacred options. Also, no clue what intercooler will fit/work the best (no fog lights on my ride). I Am clueless as to what ECU options I have and how to even go about getting it "tuned" as I see mentioned so often. When I start searching the forums I see acronyms and slangs used that I simply cant decipher.

Therefore, considering what I already have (solid 1 owner car, turbo kit, engine building knowledge, zero turbo knowledge, and a play budget of about 2k, what would you guys suggest here to break the 200hp mark and have a peppy street ride?

Thoughts, suggestions?

Thanks in advance...
Nick

 

Well you could hit you goal of plus 200 sub 250 easily with turboing your b16 and with in your budget if you find some good deals. N/A b16 is pointless and you won't hit 200hp even for 2K maybe 175whp if that al least a grand would go into exhaust then the other bit intake components with not enough left over. you should check out the FI(Forced induction section) on here you'll lean enough to piece it together and be reliable.

 

Put turbo on because 2K to get a B16 to 200 NA ain't freaking gonna happen.

 

I kinda had a feeling that would be the case...wishful thinking I suppose.

 

More like not doing much solid research past starting this thread obviously. 2K all motor? I almost spit out my drink. If you had even started to price stuff out you would have known that before even attempting to ask.

 

Back in the day it was said by everyone that dropping the b16 in my CRX would cost over 3 grand. This was a fact, it couldn't be done. I even think some guys did spit their drink out.

Anyway, i did the whole project for under 2. But this is because I Fabricated and welded my own mounts. Sourced and negotiate hard for a great price on the motor/trans. Built my own shift linkage, reworked my own wiring harness, axles, exhaust, and did some service bartering, etc...

When I read guys posting how much building their motors cost I usually estimate the do-it-yourself/frugal savings is anywhere from 30 - 50% less than reported LOL.

But no, hadn't really searched or sourced anything. this has all happened in the past 24 hours, and the only researched I've done led me here to this forum where there seems to be quite of few folks who've done it all. So, mainly just trolling for ideas/suggestions for what i have to work with and maybe what my best route may be. I just know i want to do something with this ride to make it zip a little quicker.

Any and all suggestions are welcomed...and criticisms entertaining nonetheless.

 

If you do it right it will cost you more then 2K that's the thing. I have just under 200whp in my GSR(usdm B18C1) total in ? probably 3K exhaust components=1K Skunk2 head package=1.1K Intake components=640$ tune=450. could have done it for cheaper yes but I wanted to do it right once i'm happy with my current set up. Currently piecing together a Turbo kit

 

Ok B-swap, that puts a little more pointed perspective on things, i.g. That's a lot of cheese for a little whiz. If you dumped that into a 1.8 and produced sub200hp, I'm almost afraid to research any further into N/A 1.6 @ +200hp. I actually almost spot my drink out!

So about this turbo kit I have new in the box...


...I think Ill mosey on over to the forced induction thread and start my planning.

Since I already have the basic greddy kit in hand and paid for, I have a feeling I'll go a lot further with my 2k budget.

 

If you fabricate/cut a lot of the stuff(IC piping) your self/do your own welding for sure you'll reach your goal within budget, source out some gently used parts even.

 

And unfortunately the IC, IC piping, and the ECU/tuning are the most mysterious pieces of the turbo puzzle. And thats mainly because i have mo experience with them at all. Now i have half a dozen welders who work for me, and material shouldn't be too hard to source, BUT I don't know enough about the dynamics, or flow properties and variables of turbo systems to even pretend I'd know what I'm doing. That is if I want to do it right. That's where you guys come in.

I'm optimistic I'll be able to do what you said and fab some parts, and hopefully find some gently used parts as well. Just some quick poking around in the past hour makes me think and IC alone is going to be 600+ new . I typically don't trust anything in eBay, but maybe (hopefully) I'll learn from you guys that there might be some parts worthy of use there or other less expensive outlets.

 

check out the welding forum too:

https://honda-tech.com/forums/welding-fabrication-53/post-your-best-welds-2503416/

they have got some serious welders there who fabricate turbo piping and exhaust headers.

IMO thats the area where you can potentially save the most $$ as it labour intensive and skilled labor, like bodywork. Since you say you have people who can weld for you for free then you only need to budget for the IC and an ECU/tune.

 

Not to be a dick but I call bullshit. "Mr. Why my shifter wobble like this and why my wheel shaking at 60mph. How do I fix this wire? I'm not gonna tare my dash apart"

You are all over the place.......

 

Like I posted in your other thread..

Use the gredd intercooler kit or fabb up your own piping and use a small intercooler like a mishimoto z line

 

You show me where in west Hell you're going to be able to build an all motor B16 for under two grand and make the horespower you're looking for. If you think it can be done, bullshit. You seem to know everything out of the gate so why are you posting?

This is NOT the place for opinions. This is not the place to be asking strangers what to do with YOUR car or how to spend your money to do it. That's pretty much what you're asking. Sounds like this thread was simply a bromance starter.

 

lol you think I don't know **** cause I'm a noob when it comes to electronics/wiring ? sure I'll never deny that,I couldn't even install my civics head unit with out help. I know my way around an engine just fine not so much the rest of the car yet. haven't even owned a Honda for more then a year these cars are my first cars i'm just 19 dude. Stop acting like you're younger then me. you can see pics of my teg in my album on my profile....it's mine

 

Personally, If the Si is in decent shape then I would leave in its factory fresh form.

too many Si's are being molested and finding one in OE trim is quite rare.


Because they were only offered in 2 model years, in a few years im quite sure it will be a collector item as they are becoming quite rare.

Id hold on to it and rub it with a cloth every weekend and use a different chassis to start modding.

you can sell that turbo kit and buy a different civic with the money. theres tons for sale in the marketplace

 

THIS

 

This is the other option I've been contemplating. For months I have been cruising All the regular online outlets, glancing at every dealership, and even had eyes at the local auction, just waiting for a mint condition Blue civic to pop up. Ive seen some molested, best up, or +/- 200k show up here and there, but mothing worth spit. Then suddenly a 1-owner with less than 100k in perfect mechanical, 9-10 exterior, un-molested and all documented service records popped up just a half hour away...I ran over and got it.

Thus Selling the turbo kit and adding my play budget to fund a project might just be the better option. Esoteric--I like where your heads at!

Grumblemarc--save it for the serman. Doesn't appear you have any fun here, or sojnd advice. Maybe this hobby/forum isn't healthly for you. Try Golf! Or, I know a good therapist, perhaps y'all should talk about you anger issues...j/k. And I didn't say I could build a monster B16 for 2k, just kind of assumed it could be done. And the B16 in my CRX was completely stock except for I/H/E.

Trust me, I won't ask for stock market advice or like from this forum...but suggestions on spending a couple grand to mess around and maybe prevent wasting the loot, sure ill ask for opinions, but really seeking facts. You guys have seemingly done it all. Isn't sharing your experiences and knowledge half the fun? Oh yeah...n/m.

 

I will for sure, If I go the Turbo route. Esoteric really has my wheels turning here

 

yup I fully agree you obviously already know how rare these cars are so leave it OEM stock, in fact replace the CAI with a stock so it you can show it off as 100% original. I think an unmolested Si like yours will be worth a mint since they are so rare. Probably send it out for a full detailing job would be a wiser investment of your dough.

 

grumblemarc....if I were a mod I would have banned you 1000x already...I think you are seriously turning a lot of people off from participating in H-T.

 

Its been done! of course you have to change out most of the internals but it can be done.

back to the OP...
Leave the unmolested SI alone.
If i had it id just drive it, and love every minute of it.
You dont need 200 plus hp to have fun or have a fast car.
Its the driver who is fast not the car.

 

I think most of you people miss the whole point of the forum.
Its a technical forum not a help me choose a color, intake, turbo, curtains, or help me put in a baby seat for my kid with no backseat.

Keep your questions to the techincal side, not the i dont know what to do please help.
Most dont even bother searching, hence why we get so many repetitive redundant questions.
Its pretty sad when you have 25 idle issues a week.
FYI Marc has been asked to be a mod many times... he has declined.
If it were put to a vote id make him a mod..... at least then the repetitive questions would go away.
People are too lazy and want to be spoon fed.
A little reading goes a long long way.

 

Agreed

 

Hold up. Hold up. You're attacking me because someone asked for an opinion and I gave it? You and the OP need to get over yourselves. If you don't have a tech question to ask and you start a thread just to explore your options and ask for opinions, this is what you need to expect to get.

And Mr. sweesiong78, what have YOU contributed since you've been here? Keep it in a PM next time.