This is my first post, I read a lot of stuff on this forum, and I’m hoping to get a little advice. So I’ve had a couple 91 hatchbacks, wanted more power so I went with a 92 da9. It was totaled and now I’m on the hunt again. I have my eye on a few good integras, but came across this rare gem of an ef hatch turbo. The add lists:1991 Honda Civic w/ B16A2 motor swap. -Garrett turbo

-Turbosmart waste gate

-TIAL BOV

-New head gasket.

- Tuned by Innovative motorworks on 10PSI 380whp

-New Energy Suspension Motor Mounts

- Ferra 6000 Super Tech Valve train

-Wiseco pistons W/ Big Pins

-Eagle Rods

- RS Machine Sleeved Open Deck

- Stage 4 clutch

- Cammed

-Lowering springs

-New MST Gold Wheels

-No Rust on underbody or quarter panels

- S2000 Steering wheel

-JDM gauge swap

PRICE-$5,500 OBO

AND it’s mint/clean inside and out as far as the pictures show. My issue is A) no place to really work on it if need be and B) not terribly experienced with turbo setups. I worked on my Jeep when I had space but that’s not the same thing. I’ve done a lot of reading and learned a lot from it, but obviously lack the nuisance of working on turbo engines. Is it a bad idea for a guy like me to buy a car like this? I researched all these parts and it seems legit to me, any thoughts from people who know better? Does anything seem odd about the build vs claimed power?

thanks!

 

Unless you have friends/family that have a garage with ample work space, I would refrain from buying someone's financial mistake. Never, ever buy a turbocharged Honda unless you know exactly what was done to it...meaning you were there to help put it together. Just buying some random stranger's car will likely be a regret you will make. People these days seem to be in a rush and don't put pride in their work.

 

^^ Agreed. Lots of hacks out there nowadays who half *** projects and get rid of them when it doesn't work.

OP, one wrong clearance in that engine will turn $5500 into $8000-9000 quickly. That's if it's even built. I've seen a lot of cars sold with "built engines" that are really just stock blocks. People don't take the time to check and verify before they buy and get scammed. If you do buy the car then buy it expecting that you will have to throw more money at it in some way. A turbo Honda is in no way "easy" or "maintenance free" either, regardless of how well built.

 

A buddy of mine bought a supercharged Acura TL-S and he put the same amount of money into it as he paid for the car initially. Maintaining a turbocharged Honda takes time, knowledge and money. If you don't have a good mix of those 3, just buy a car, throwing some wheels on and enjoy it.

 

I'd be weary. If you can verify those parts are all truly there and not ragged out, and if you go into it as getting a good deal on parts, then maybe. If I were to buy something like this it would be with the understanding that it's going to be torn down and gone through immediately. Don't expect to buy it and just drive it.

If you're still gung-ho, I'd crawl through it with a watchful eye, ask for receipts and make sure you can identify the parts are actually there. There's lots of generic stuff in that listing like "Garret turbo", "Stage 4 clutch", "cammed", etc. that I would be looking for clarification on.

 

yep, someone who was truly invested in their build will probably document things like I did

 

Agreed, and to further their points...as someone who is currently in the middle of their first turbo build, it's crazy how many little things you need to know. I'm not sure I could ever trust someone elses build, unless it was heavily documented and they had papers for everything.

 

I mean...I've seen people who claim to have a built motor and all they did was replaced the water pump, timing belt and valve cover gasket. LOL

 

Hi, thanks guys. I was more interested in that it was a super clean EF with something besides the d15 in it, but it seemed almost too good. Might've just risked it if it were a good ol' b18 swap. It's also in a different state from me so if I went to see it I'm not leaving without it lol. Figured I'd get experienced opinions before doing anything like that. I appreciate the input!

 

I’m curious as to the specs on the turbo. To make 380whp on 10 psi I’d imagine would have to be a pretty big dude. I’m on a Garrett .57 hoping to break into the 360whp on 20psi with a similar set up GSR.

but unfortunately if no receipts are available, you’d have to see for yourself the parts that are claimed to be installed. And like the other guy said, typically when this kind of work is done, people will hang on to the receipts. Good luck on the purchase though, if it is what the seller claims i don’t think that price is too bad.

 

With that turbo setup, engine and boost level, you should make 450+ easily. 380 is way too low for 20 psi. That's like 19HP per psi.

 

Everything is electronic nowadays, amazon, Ebay, online shops, even brick and mortar send receipts via email, so if they dont have receipts that's a red flag.

And take it from these people here and me, dont buy a turbo project car when you have no garage.....bad idea. And money pit lol!

 

Exactly. I have receipts for ALL my parts and took lots of pictures throughout the process. At a bare minimum, they should have those. I'd say the price sounds reasonable; not super high and not just chump change. It seems priced to move and trying to recoup at least what went into the build. But, if the seller can't at least provide receipts, I'd be really leery.

 

Even with receipts, that doesn't compensate for a quality build. Whether the car was done at a shop or in someone's garage/driveway, the work has to be done right without cutting corners.

 

To each his own but I'll never buy a modified car. I did it once and it wasn't a good experience.

 

Yes sir, I fully agree! There are those that either can't DO that kinda work for lack of skill or space or (fill in the blank), and looking for a turnkey setup. WE know it's risky because we have the expertise. It's the Pandora's box of car buying. Lol! I had my car up for sale for a brief bit and while I got many good offers, I turned them ALL down. I considered some VERY nice bike trades with some cash on top but after considering all the buyer and I had discussed, and their answers, I did not feel it right to let them take my car because I didn't want to see it trashed out in a matter of months.

 

Same here. Bought a swapped Civic sedan a few years back and it was a nightmare. After owning it for about a month, the damn motor messed up right as I got to work. Rev the engine and the damn crank moved inwards/outwards. LOL

I know what you mean. I had a clean white '93 Civic CX hatchback with a D16Z6 swap... lowered, nice wheels, tint, etc. Sold it on CL to a local guy. 2 months later, **** wrecked it into a ditch driving reckless.

 

Yeah I’ve been boned a few times on trading for modified cars. Unless engine building records are there, treat it like stock.

 

Yeah, I was that guy that totaled a mint integra in a couple weeks, still upset about it. I was also partially concerned about whether or not I could actually handle a car that makes 380hp and weighs 2000lbs. For those saying good luck with the purchase thank you but after the first 8 posts advised against it im not gonna pull the trigger. I sort of already knew that I just wanted to hear it from people who know much more than I do. Thanks again for the input all. I know what kinda of money and skill is required of these builds, and after thinking it over and reading these replies I don’t think I’m the guy for this civic :[

 

probably a wise choice. I’ll tell you what I did. I wanted to get back into the Honda world, I’ve been out and Honda free other than my old minivan for the better part of a decade. So I saved up and decided to look around. I found (on here actually) a guy selling a civic coupe with a clean body, a built engine with paperwork, a built head with paperwork and about 4 storage totes of brand new parts. Including a garret turbo, tial WG, rc injectors, sk2 IM, and all kinds of stuff. All new in the bubble wrap. It was a project he started in 2008 and gave up on last year. I drove from Ohio to NY with a trailer and $2700 bucks later I got a race car in pieces. It worked out well, I ended up with a clean body and majority of decent quality stuff to get it back together. Keep your eye out for something like that. That way you can make the changes you want, and you know exactly what you have. Good luck on your hunt though. Hopefully you come across a sweet deal.

oh, and as far as that power level goes, for a street car. That would be very fun. My car is running. But not without issue. I have vtec disabled, and other issues. But I’m at 14psi and 260whp on a mustang dyno. And it’s a incredibly fun car to drive. Very peppy, and will pull pretty hard. Don’t get all caught up in the numbers, these cars don’t weigh a whole lot, it don’t take much to get you a car that’s a blast to drive!

 

When my civic was around 275whp it was damn fun to drive, it was controllable at that point. The power level I’m at now is 100% worthless on the street and unstable as hell lol .... it scares the crap out of me on the street

 

@Nathan937 dude I was a Jeep nut for years and the first RF hatchback I had was an absolute blast. I see a ton of those project cars on Facebook market place, but I don’t have a trailer, and also no space to work on it. I’ve read about people renting garages/storage units to work on them. Perhaps that’s something I could look into.

@turboLScrx I’ve read that 250-300 is the loss of traction of point, this guys was 380! What’s yours at now?

 

700whp, here was one of my dyno pulls at 600whp

 

oh absolutely. I’ve got to get some better tires, was debating trying out the r888. Right now I’ve just got some all season neo gens. 2nd is useless, and I’ll be at a 45mph roll and in third and hammer and start spinning again. 600hp sounds awesome, but man. Unless your using a bbg setup I’d imagine your just spinning anytime your foot even gets a little heavy lol

ah, ok. I see where your coming from. Well at that point, without really having a place to do some work in, you could buy. You’d just have to get ahold of a legitimate person who kept track of everything. They are out there, just make sure to do your homework and make sure you don’t buy someone else’s mess.

 

yeah bbg makes a huge difference for sure, but when your car makes 350-400 at 8psi it’s hard to turn things down much more with a large turbo