Hello all,
I’m going to start off by saying I’m new to forums so I apologize in advance if anything I ask has already been touched on. Moving forward, I’ve never done a build aside from basic bolt on stuff (I.e. exhaust, intake, etc) and I’m wanting to build a boosted civic for as cheap as I can get away with. I plan on doing most if not all of the work myself and learn as I go. What would a budget 500whp turbo build cost at minimum? What engine is optimal to work with to keep things on the cheaper side yet offer minimal issues? Any recommendations for parts (rods, pistons, sleeves, etc.)? What turbo would be recommended for Colorado Altitude to achieve 500whp? Thanks in advance for the help

 

Hello. Here's a link to alot of great info if your just starting out.
Hope it helps.
https://honda-tech.com/forums/forced...2A%2A-1024174/

 

A good turbo kit will cost, all in with everything, about $5-6k. That includes the turbo kit, fuel upgrades, computer, tuning. You need another $3k in motor work as well or it will probably break fast. Maybe start with 300hp or less first if you're on a budget

 

Cheap, fast, and reliable. You can only pick 2.

500hp? There’s that fast option.

Budget? There’s the cheap one.

Bye bye reliability.

 

this isn't the early 2000s with those Full Race Turbo kits. SMH....

 

$500 injectors
$600 computer
$600 tune
$100 fuel pump
$100 tune up parts (plugs, wires, fuel filter etc)
$300 clutch

So you're at $2200 and you haven't even bought the turbo kit yet.... $3k for goautoworks, you're at $5200. Incidentals add even more... Then if you want 500hp you have to build the motor...add another $1500-3k.

 

Yeah, the Full Race kit would have cost even more. From a quality standpoint, can you name a better product ? I submit it is the benchmark.

 

$600 computer? You serious? I doubt we're talking about a used K-PRO ecu here.


I'm just referring to the price of the turbo kit itself.

 

Hondata brand new with ECU and new capacitors ..$600 I think...?

 

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say you are using the term, "budget" loosely and interchangeably with the word, "cheap"? I assure you stranger, 500whp is not gonna be cheap.

 

this is very helpful, thank you!

 

Maybe budget was the wrong word choice, I’m just wondering realistically what the cheaper side of a build like this would look like. As in a function over form type of build. How would you go about something like this parts wise? Any preference of engine to build?

 

Budget was the wrong choice of words, cash for the build wouldn’t be an issue but the more money I get to keep in my wallet the happier I would be if you catch my drift. Which comes down to a budget build, I know I’m going to need forged parts/ built motor, possibly a built trans (unless anyone can shoot me straight otherwise), fueling, turbo and all related parts, tires etc etc. I’m curious to see how one can get away with this in a cheaper fashion opposed to all out, shiny, expensive, and not necessarily necessary parts (relatively speaking)

 

So $8,200 roughly? Is there an optimal engine worth building over others?

 

If I were you I'd build any b series motor b16, b18, b20, or even an LS motor. Keep it at 300hp. If you go more the cost skyrockets fast, and if you dont spend money, it will break that simple.

 

It's a difficult question to answer without knowing what skills you possess. Can you weld steel and aluminum? Do you have access to shop tools like metal saws, drill presses, hydraulic presses? Do you have engine assembly/inspection tools and a place to assemble an engine? Or are you going to outsource all of the fabrication and engine assembly. This alone can swing the cost several hundred if not a few thousand dollars in each direction. If you can do all your own fab and assembly work and go with knock-off parts, you could probably build a 500 whp Civic for just a few thousand dollars. If you have to outsource everything and use high quality parts, I'd plan for at least $10K if not more. A 500 whp build is almost always all "function" and not much "form". While cheaper parts may work, think of nicer parts as having less risk. I didn't say no risk, just less risk. How much risk you are willing to take should drive which parts you buy.

For your goals, I'd suggest building a B18C1.

 

You trying to start a war in here? There are questions you JUST DON'T ASK... To a woman: "How old are you?", "Are you gonna eat THAT?", "Can you move, you're blocking the T.V.?"
On Honda-tech FI forums: you damn sure don't ask which engine is best to build over others!!

 

CHURCH!....

THAT type of Research, Boost Hunter, you can find on your own. Asking that will throw this thread into a ****-faced windstorm.

 

Fair enough, I do have a few other questions. At what power level is sleeving necessary? Is there a point where decking is better vs sleeving? Also are there going to be any parts that can be left untouched (at least in regards to the heads)? Optimal transmission? Will transmission need to be built?

 

Sincerest apologies, this is going to be my very first encounter with anything Honda related and I definitely don’t want to start a war lol

 

Sleeving or CSS isn't really a bad idea, but not 100% necessary. There are documented builds over 400hp+ on stock sleeves. Hell, mine is bored to service limit, 76mm, stock sleeves. How long will it last? Til it breaks. Lol! CSS is less cost and they guarantee it up to I believe 600whp on a Z6. Anywho.. Stock head is good up to about 500. I did some mild port work on the exhaust side, opened them up maybe 1/2mm or so and a light polish, and a cam with valvetrain. Standard valve sizes as well. If you're looking for 500, I'd recommend similar work on the ports, just smooth out casting defects and re-texture the intake ports. Intake manifold and throttle body will need to be swapped.. Skunk2, VictorX, etc.. 70mm TB at least. I'm running a DX transmission. Stock everything in it. I don't hard launch it though either. Lol! Treating me well after 2 builds and about 12000 boosted miles. If you're staying in stock rev ranges and very few hard launches, transmission should be fine with just freshening up.