Hi all this has been bothering me for a while and I have done quite a bit of research on it but I'd love your input.

I have a 1998 ek civic with a b16a. It's got forged internals, cylinder support system and ARP head studs, I'm also running a t3t4 turbo a/r 50. I know a setup like this is capable of well over 300hp. At the moment on low boost 0.5 bar I'm making around 235hp and on high boost 0.8 bar I'm making around 274hp and the tuners can't get it to boost more than that as they say it starts detonating.

things worth mentioning:
I'm from south Africa and our fuel quality isn't the best but I am using the best pump fuel I can get.
I'm using a cast exhaust manifold.
my head is bone stock.

All this being said I feel like it should be making more power.

thanks in advance for any helpful input.

 

I'm not going to kid you. That's about right for that level of boost pressure if you're using a 48lbs/min T3/T04E 54mm inducer, 75mm exducer, no lnock-off Garrett.

you need better fuel, and talk to your tuner about better strategy..

But that wanting more power-thing? You're fine. Don't try to compare like that with u.s. builds

 

^agreed

I was going to guess/assume that the turbo you are using is not a Garrett 50 trim (by how you listed the name); but for a 50 trim and parts combination I would say you aren't too far off from what it "should" be making in general.

 

Alright I see, thanks! And no it's not a Garrett. If my power goals are between 300 and 350 hp what would you suggest? Am I being unreasonable to expect that kind of power?
I have been thinking of upgrading to a gt30r ball bearing turbo and a better manifold.

 

a better manifold will make a good difference, but I think your limit right now is the fuel quality

 

what is the octane rating of your fuel?
Ebay turbos user smaller wheels then whats advertised, So like others said sounds about right. I think it needs more turbo but I wouldnt quite go for a 30r its a bit large for your goals/motor. I would be looking at a genuine turbo closer to 50 lbs per min.

so Garrett 50 trim ETC

 

Alright thanks guys, I expected as much but was hoping there'd be something else I could do.
The best octane we have here by the pumps is 95 (RON).
2kdrift is that a ball bearing or journal bearing turbo?

 

Actually I was thinking 57 trim that was a typo
although you might be able to get close to your goal on a 50 trim

50 trim = 46 Lbs per min
57 trim = 50 Lbs per min

50 trim would get you somewhere close to 350 and the 57 trim closer to 400 depending on fuel used
they are usually journal bearing from what I have seen being as they are a more budget friendly turbo, only place I have seen them ball bearing is through STC for an extra cost

its just an example Garrett is not the ONLY turbo turbo manufacturer lol, but they are solid and for the price do a great job.

Im on 92 octane making just over 400 on a turbo rated at 55 Lbs per min so a step up from the 57 trim, Im also on a 1.8L.
On a 1.6L i wouldn't go too large as spool will be affected thats why I say a 30r is a bit large for you. 300-350 is more then enough for a street car IMO.

Although I have heard Hp ratings are a bit different overseas so you may read into shodans comment a bit more these are general figures based on US Hp ratings

 

for those that don't know, his 95 (RON) fuel is equivelant to the US's rating system [(R+M)/2] of 90.7 octane. Which isn't terrible, but still not ideal, especially in a hot climate

 

Nice... Noted

 

I would consider a water injection kit.If you are sure your tuner is good (he is actualy listening to knock on the head phones ?) and the gas station sells clean fuel.
Search for gas stations owned by SHELL/BP not idividuals that borrowed the franchise name.
People with VW/AUDI/SKODA/SEATs makegood power on TINY inneficient turbos on tiny runner exhaust manifolds that
also require 1.5 - 2 bar boost pressure due to **** heads.But they use water/meth injection.
Your b16 on a **** manifold on a medium sized turbine wheel on europe's 95 should hit 300 easy.
On our 100 fuel a b16 here at greece hit 400 hp on stock engine with a cast iron manifold and if i remember correct a t3/t04e 60trim.

So either get a bigger t3 turbo that youll probably need anyway cause chinese turbos tend to blow up,
Or get a water/meth injection kit.

EDIT: are your injectiors new or check for flow rate if used?

 

Correct, our fuel is closest to your ACN 91 (maybe slightly worse). In my case we also operate at 5500 ft elevation (Johannesburg), which oddly is where the economic hub of the country is and therefore most race facilities and performance car builds are centred here. Some useless info, but gives some perspective on how much harder it is for us to make power compared to US numbers...

Not sure if the OP is also at 5500ft elevation or sea level

 

Yeah I'm sure he is quite good he does a lot of very good race cars in my area. I'm definitely going to get a better turbo when I can afford it and after that I'll see about a meth kit. It is my daily though so I'm not sure how much effort a meth kit would be?

my injectors aren't stock they are 650s, I should maybe get them tested and reconditioned because they are a few years old.

 

I'm based in pretoria so I'm at round about the same elevation. I do get my car dynod in Joburg though.

 

PM me who tunes your car