Okay so, I've been building up this 1991 civic I got a couple months ago, and I'm wanting to turbo it. My goal isnt massive amounts of power, I'd just like to give my little 4 banger a little more oomph. From what I understand, when you aren't burying the throttle Into the floor, forced induction is beneficial to power and provides steady, reliable power. The car will be a daily driver, by the way.

Currently, as it sits, it has a B20b motor, the transmission from a mid 90s acura integra, custom exhaust, k&n cold air intake, and a p28 ECM which is chipped and tuned.

I've dug around on google for Information on making these motors turbocharged, and every search leads me back here onto several threads of "just search it" or threads of complete cars with no info on what to do.

That said, I'm new to the civic world, and have never turbocharged anything, so I would like a clear direction I need to run, specifically what I need to do to the bottom end as I would like to stay below 15psi of boost and not blow up the motor. Thanks in advance

 

You're going to get a lot of feedback that you should not turbocharge a B20. The block is weaker than the other DOHC engines. Regardless of whether you keep this block or get a new block, I would recommend tearing the engine down and having a machine shop look at it and bore/hone/deck as necessary. Buy forged rods and pistons, new bearings, and refresh all the seals and gaskets. Measure the oil pump clearance and replace if necessary. Reassemble the engine and install a new clutch rated for your target torque output. If your transmission or axles need attention, now is the time. You can keep your "chipped" ECU if your tuner is ok with tuning it that way, but I recommend upgrading to a Hondata S300v3. Make sure your fuel pump and injectors are large enough for your target power / fuel. Now, with all that sorted, you can start looking for turbo components. Keep the turbo small (based on your stated goals) and get input from a pro (I recommend Go-Autoworks) on what turbo components to buy.

 

Agreed for the most part, unless you keep power way way down if that's the case you can do a compression test on the b20 if it's healthy aim for 250 to 270 ish to keep it reliable. Honestly for the cost get a vtec head alot of gains to be made there.

15psi is relative to the turbo used with that said your not gonna be anywhere near 15psi with a decently sized turbo for your goals. Closer to 5-10


Personally not a fan of b20s too many limitations, vtec head makes it better but then your still stuck with b20 sleeve limitation. Upgrading internals is a waste of time imo it's not gonna get you much gains with the crappy sleeves.

To summarize you can boost a b20 if you keep the power low about 250. A stock B16 or gsr will allow you to bring that power up to 300 to 350 depending on how safe you wanna be. Want big power? Get a B16 or gsr and do a piston rod combo and your safe too about 400 hp.

 

The B20 is the engine that falls in the category of "less expensive to swap" than build. Sleeved is almost necessary. To keep goals small; 200-250whp range, you'll STILL spend a wad of cash on reliable, even without sleeves, with a turbo setup.

 

Big power is the absolute bottom of my priorities, and I'm not dealing with another swap. I already said I'm not looking for big power, or high boost. I'm wanting a turbo for the same reason modern motors are turbocharged; to make up for the small size of the motor and to provide consistent power delivery, without murdering the fuel economy.

No offense to yall, but I'm not ripping out my motor. I'm asking about the B20 and what can be done to it, not what motors are better. I know the B20 isnt the best, and I know it has "problems" hitting ridiculous power numbers. As stated, daily driver with get up and go is the goal, not Heracles the Powerlifting Hatchback

 

Please refer to the outlined info below..


And this one..

I understand you're trying for the EcoBoost thing but B20 sleeves ARE WEAK and really shouldn't be subjected to boost. Can you boost it? Sure, just don't hold your breath on reliability. You're looking to drop a wad of cash for a goal that would be easier achieved with less money wasted if you just dropped in a B18B. Power goals aside.. Boost + B20 block= Impending disaster....

 

@op boost it then just keep power below 250 and get a good tuner


You will need the turbo parts, injectors, fpr, s300 or other ems nothing else