The purpose of this thread is to share my current ideas for this car and to get some feedback and suggestions for specific parts/specs to achieve my goals. Speaking of goals, this car will be turbo and must have A/C and must be reliable enough for cross-country trips. Horsepower goal is 350-400 whp with as much torque as possible as low in the rev range as possible- any "spirited" driving I do in the mountains or canyons is typically in the 3-5k RPM range, rarely higher. I don't redline my cars, never have and never will. I don't do drag races- this is not a race car, this will be a "grand touring" style car with creature comforts like the A/C, additional sound insulation, and a nice comfy suspension. I got this car with the B18C5 swap already in it, so I'd like to keep the motor if possible. I've not checked to see if it has a LSD or not, but it appears to have an LS trans based on the RPM and speeds I'm seeing in each gear. I'll gear it somewhat tall, though not as tall as a VX, since it will see lots of 75-80 mph highway miles. I'm a decent welder, worked doing metal fab for a few companies for a couple years, and I'm comfortable with doing just about all the labor and whatnot on this car by myself, except any machine work since I don't have equipment for that. I anticipate taking up to two years to fully complete this build, since I've got a very demanding job, 3 kids, and other hobbies too. After talking to a few local tuners, this is what they've suggested:

A/C turbo manifold such as InlinePro
GT3076 turbo
1200cc injectors
Walbro 450 fuel pump
new rods
new pistons
block guard (I'm leaning more towards sleeves despite higher cost)
head studs
Set up to run E85 with flex fuel option
Hondata S300 (already in car)

My main concern is making sure I size the turbo components correctly and also avoiding heat soak of A/C components. I'll heat coat/wrap and use a turbo blanket and whatever else I can think of to help keep temps down. Part of me wants to try a rear mount turbo, but almost every single thread I can find about that is full of replies saying it doesn't work. I'd like to think that if the components are sized correctly, then it would work just fine, although obviously not as efficiently as a standard setup. Either way, I want the car to be easy to drive on the street with power available when I want it. I would consider lowering VTEC engagement as well since otherwise I'll basically never use it.

Any thoughts or input is greatly appreciated.

 

You do not need sleeves for that power level, and please do not use a block guard. If anything go with CSS for added peace of mind.

You shouldn't have any problems keeping things cool as long as you get a good flowing intercooler, radiator and a high CFM SPAL fan.

Otherwise the plan and intended goal looks okay, other than the C5 is really a top end beast and will be hard to push more torque at the mid RPM range you want. The turbo size sounds right but I think you should run some GSR cams and 10:1 pistons.

 

You can read my build thread as I’ve documented it pretty decent but power goal was the same as yours. I’m running a smaller turbo @ 17.5psi making right at 400wheel.

 

Heck yeah, I'll read it today for sure. What made you go with the smaller turbo, and how does it feel in terms of throttle response? Do you like the way it turned out, and would you say it is a pretty fun car?

 

I’ll pretty much Second what 2x0 said. CSS would be the ticket if anything. Since it sounds like your not too hard on your cars, plus shooting for 400 on e85, your sleeves “should” be fine. Your turbo size sounds fine, but double check the 3071r, as I think it may achieve your power level with a smidge quicker response your after. Recently, I achieved 375whp using a piston and rod GSR, 93 octane, and a old style Garret JB .57 trim turbos maxed out at 19psi and a ramhorn manifold.

the only thing to consider, is replacing the synchros in your transmission. After the boost mine got a little grumpy with the increase in torque. My civic have a very fun power band, and at that power was just an overkill for the chassis I had. Something about 400hp in a 20+ year old economy car is just sketchy without some serious upgrades all around.

it will be a fun ride for you though for sure. Sounds like you about got it figured out, I think you’ll be able to hit your target with ease.

 

Thanks for the reply- I’ll do some more reading on that turbo- I’ve seen a few good comments about it but haven’t really put any time into following up on it yet. 375 on pump gas sounds great! Everyone has basically been telling me to go with E85 for best performance, but I’d be totally fine if a flex fuel setup could hit 350-375 on 93, and only get near 400 with E85. There are plenty of E85 stations near me so it won’t be hard to find it, but regular gas seems to be a bit easier to deal with. I’ll be rebuilding literally the entire car, sort of a resto-mod deal, and totally stripping this thing inside and out. Brand new suspension components all around, full rebuild of engine and trans, and at least a cleaning and inspection of all other parts.

 

Sounds like my setup, but I did it with a D16Z6. Full interior street car with AC and PS and I run flex fuel also. AC blows cold all summer. Heat wrap the downpipe, recirculate the dump tube and wrap it too. Run a turbo blanket. Put heat sheath on the AC lines.

Go-Autoworks makes AC compatible kits that will meet your power goals. You'll want to go with as small of a turbo as possible to still meet your goals. It will be responsive and lots of fun to drive. I'm making just over 400 whp with the Turbonetics C15 52/57.

 

I just got done doing this to my b18c5. Using a PFAB log ac compatible manifold, t04e bb cxracing turbo with a 2.5” dp. I think there is plenty of room to run a 3” dp but the turbo I have was just about big as I can get , compressor side fits tight, had to do a bit of trimming and moved my radiator forward about an inch, exhaust side plenty room, I am using a d series ac compressor and running a 4 bolt turbo. This is a bone stock b18c5 just springs and retainers in a hatchback with ac, 91 pump gas on 7lb it will probably take out most cars on the street. It is still untuned, I’ve just had a degree taken out per lb and played with the fuel to make it run better, also just got the e85 sensor hooked up and will get it tuned again with the boost turned up to 10 and if she holds up I am guessing it will make well over 300 in stock form. If I had extra funds and do it over again, I would have went with a Ramhorn manifold ac compatible so I could run a bigger turbo wg and dp. But it is a daily and it’s plenty power to use on the street. Super fun to drive, Good Luck.

 

So I went with a GT2871R and hit 400flat at 17.5psi on 93 octane. Another person via Instagram who chose the turbo based on how I enjoyed mine just got dynod today and it looks just like my graph. The thing I like about this setup is it's not an on-off switch like 100% throttle annnnd 150whp, 200whp, BOOM 400whp. The car is like a big NA car just linear and not as "violent". I'm running a B16 tranny so with the short gearing and such the thing is a response monster...if I am at 4k in any gear she is beyond ready to rock and roll.

 

Why dont you make a build thread Small turbo setups are allways interesting.

 

That's pretty cool. What's the instagram account you say had a dyno posted? Like you, I also want my throttle to actually be usable and not jump to max power and risk losing traction. I like a fat, linear powerband. I know this is a small displacement 4 cylinder and you can't have everything, but I love this car and want to get as close as possible to that. I'll be gearing mine a good bit taller, somewhere between the LS and VX gearing. I'll stick with the LS trans until the engine is done and see how it feels, but I'll likely go taller when it's all said and done. Anyways, having a decent amount of boost at 3500-4k RPM sounds great, especially considering I will rarely, if ever, hit above 7k RPM unless it's on a dyno.

 

If you wont go above 6000 ofter id say god for an even smaller GT2860RS / G25-550 .48 / GTX2860 etc...
My evo x turbo hit 7 psi at 3500 rpm but you need a custom manifld for it (divided route)

 

He does have a build thread in here, and a slightly more in-depth one in the CRX/EF forum.

 

I also would agree with going with something a little bit smaller than the gt3076r that you're planning. Something much more responsive would do the car good, as well as replacing not only the synchros (only if necessary) but go to a higher final drive of the LS transmission if you are indeed running LS transmission.

but you really want to verify what transmission you have first before you buy any parts. Confirm

 

I had a t3/t4 on my stock b18c1 and made great power and was very fun on the street. Car ran as fast as a 11.6 @119mph with that turbo. Had that combo from 1998-2018 flawlessly

 

I am still running the T3/T4 and it is decent. With LS gearing it can feel a bit sluggish in lower RPM but really wakes up above 4500. After installing an LSD I can say it is a must have, it used to shred tire in almost any gear once the power hit but now it feels much more linear and hooks up great.