Hi, I was wondering if any of you guys from across the pond could give me a bit of advice. I have a 1997 civic EK4 B16A2 which I am planning to turbo. But unfortunately in the U.K Honda's arent really overly big in the tuning world so going FI over here is 1: very difficult to do as nobody sells bits
2: great if you do cos nobody has one

I would prefer to make my own kit. But as I'd have to import most of the parts from your neck of the woods, it'd make more sense buying a whole kit. I have seen 2 kits that seem to be quite a complete package. The Greddy kit with intercooler and the FMAX kit. My engine is currently stock but I intend to rebuild it at some point. I presume running 98.5 octane fuel over hear will also help prevent detonation.

So my quetions are 1: which kit is better for the fueling?
2: which kit would offer better reliabilty?
3: should I buy a thicker H/G to drop the comp?
4: what boost could I run with/without new H/G on 98oct fuel?


Anyway thanks for your time and I hope somebody can help.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Cable &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Hi, I was wondering if any of you guys from across the pond could give me a bit of advice. I have a 1997 civic EK4 B16A2 which I am planning to turbo. But unfortunately in the U.K Honda's arent really overly big in the tuning world so going FI over here is 1: very difficult to do as nobody sells bits
2: great if you do cos nobody has one

I would prefer to make my own kit. But as I'd have to import most of the parts from your neck of the woods, it'd make more sense buying a whole kit. I have seen 2 kits that seem to be quite a complete package. The Greddy kit with intercooler and the FMAX kit. My engine is currently stock but I intend to rebuild it at some point. I presume running 98.5 octane fuel over hear will also help prevent detonation.

So my quetions are 1: which kit is better for the fueling?
2: which kit would offer better reliabilty?
3: should I buy a thicker H/G to drop the comp?
4: what boost could I run with/without new H/G on 98oct fuel?


Anyway thanks for your time and I hope somebody can help. </TD></TR></TABLE>


With that octane you can have lotsa fun.
How much power are you looking for? Truthfully I would suggest doing a custom set-up. It depends on what you are lookng for, though.

 

Hi. thanks for the quick response. Im not looking for a drastic amount of power. I'd be happy with about 250-260 stock and 300+ with a built motor. Would I be able to achieve these figures with any of the two setups I mentioned. I like the sound of the Greddy as it seems almost OEM fit. But the FMAX for the whole external wastegate thing and more potential. I think

As for building my own, it'd be too difficult trying to source bits and pieces. Plus I kinda need my car so it couldnt be off the road too long while having issues.

 

I know of few people on here with good luck with the Greddy kit, but I really don't know of anyone with the FMAX kit. You should be able to get that much power (250) from either one of those kits though. It's all in the tuning. There's people on here making 500+whp on stock blocks with custom set-ups.

Even though you might think it's hard to get all the bits, and pieces. Trust me, it's not hard at all. You can find everything you will ever need right here on Honda-tech. I still stand by my suggestion on doing the custom way. It has more pesonality, and you'll learn more.

 

How do you mean tuning? I was under the assumption that the Greddy kit came with a pre-programed piggyback unit. So what could/need to be adjusted? Also what kind of boost could I run with an intercooler kit and 98 octane? I wouldnt want to fit it all and still run around on 7psi when it could be 10psi and on the flipside I dont want to run at 10psi if its gonna cause damage.

thanks again for you help

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Cable &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">How do you mean tuning? I was under the assumption that the Greddy kit came with a pre-programed piggyback unit. So what could/need to be adjusted? Also what kind of boost could I run with an intercooler kit and 98 octane? I wouldnt want to fit it all and still run around on 7psi when it could be 10psi and on the flipside I dont want to run at 10psi if its gonna cause damage.

thanks again for you help</TD></TR></TABLE>

That blue box thing that comes with the kit is worthless. It's junk.
Tuning is what you do to make sure the fuel, and the timing are safe for your set-up, and your engine doesn't blow.

I'm not trying to be a *****, but I really think you'd have better luck with something else, and you'd save $$$ in the long run. Check this out: http://full-race.com/ The guy that makes them is here on this site. He goes by the name Geoff. Turbo's can be had here as well. There are also manifolds for different uses made by Lovefab. 10psi won't blow your engine if you tune it properly. For tuning you might want to look at Hondata (costs $$$)... Uberdata is also a viable option if you are ny good with electronics. Uberdata is free, and from your side of the pond. For info on both just go up to the top of your screen, and use the search fuction. Hondata has site, and Uberdata does (somewhere) sometimes it seems.

Like I said you can learn everything right here, and everything you could ever need is also right here.

 

Hey Man...

Maybe I can help here? I'm living in London and Ran a Turbo Del Sol for about a year..

If u have any questions or anything drop me a mail at t-rex@gotadsl.co.uk

There is sh*t loads of turbo/tuning suppliers in the UK...

Good Luck.

 

Hello again. Now Styles, I really dont want to offend you as I know you're trying to help and I appreciate that a great deal. So please dont get pissed off at me when I say that I think I'd rather a kit. I'm not after a 1/4 mile monster jus summat to **** the scoobys and cosworths off. My car is more circuit set up, so going over 300bhp through front wheels is gonna be a bad idea. I think I'd be quite content with 260-290. I've got enough headaches without worrying constanlty about various maps etc. I jus wanna have a reliable low boost kit that doeasnt kill my engine.

Anyway thanks again nd_styles, and anybody who can help.

 

Cable, turbo Hondas are getting more and more common now as more people are starting to realise the potential of the B series engines and so no longer unique the way they used to be. Soon FI'd Hondas here would be a norm. I have a turbo'd UK ITR and I run http://www.Tuningfx.com here. I can source all parts including everything to do with forced induction. If you need help or guidance in the FI route IM or drop me a mail.

For sales enquiries - sales@tuningfx.com (my shop addy)
For help and advice - sw@swcorporation.com (my private email addy)

Cheers,
Steve.

 

Thanks again for everybody helping but I'm quite adamant on either the Greddy or FMAX. Has anybody had experience with either? Pros and cons?

Cheers all

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nd_styles &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Uberdata is free, and from your side of the pond. Hondata has site, and Uberdata does (somewhere) sometimes it seems.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Uberdata from England? Nope, started in Texas and now in Tampa.

Uberdata has a site all the time, not just sometimes. http://www.ecimulti.org/uberdata

The forum is where you will find most of the info you need.

 

From what I was told it was from Holland, but I could be wrong.

Go with the Greddy kit if you really want a kit. I'm just saying that there's problems with those kits. You can fix them, but I would just spend the money on a more responsive set-up myself.

To each his own. Have fun, either way.

 

Cheers Styles. Thats kinda what I needed to hear.

I've been hearing that the VAFC would be a good way to sort the fueling out. I'm a tad dubious myself as you can only change the AFR over 500rpm increments and not the injector duration. Also would it be OK with fueling only being incresed over 20% throttle? I'd rather a Power FC but I'd have to save up for that bad boy.

I think I'm beggining to see what you mean about building your own kit.
If I was to build my own kit what would I need? I'll list the bits that I think I'd need please alter accordingly anybody.

1:Turbo 2:manifold 3:downpipe 4:Intercooler and piping 5:Oil feed & Drain
6:Injectors 7:Fuel control unit 8:possibly fuel pump 9:vacuum hoses & T's 10:BOV 11:boost gauge 12:boost controler

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Cable &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Cheers Styles. Thats kinda what I needed to hear.

I've been hearing that the VAFC would be a good way to sort the fueling out. I'm a tad dubious myself as you can only change the AFR over 500rpm increments and not the injector duration. Also would it be OK with fueling only being incresed over 20% throttle? I'd rather a Power FC but I'd have to save up for that bad boy.

I think I'm beggining to see what you mean about building your own kit.
If I was to build my own kit what would I need? I'll list the bits that I think I'd need please alter accordingly anybody.

1:Turbo 2:manifold 3:downpipe 4:Intercooler and piping 5:Oil feed & Drain
6:Injectors 7:Fuel control unit 8:possibly fuel pump 9:vacuum hoses & T's 10:BOV 11:boost gauge 12:boost controler</TD></TR></TABLE>

The hack as you were refering to with the AFC has it's problems too. It will cause your ECU to run full advance I guess. I've never personally used it, but many people on here have said this, so I'm inclined to believe it. However, you can cure this with the MSD BTM, but that's just another band-aid.

As far as I can tell the Power FC isn't that bad of a unit, but it's over-priced. Truthfully I would suggest you do more research on ECU's. I would suggest Uberdata simply because it's free, and allows you to learn all about this stuff with-out having to deal with some of the "tuners" that offer their service. I pray the UK isn't like America with their over-commercializing BS that gets in the way of everything. I'll stand by the Uberdata because I'm doubting you have a whole lot of Hondata support over there.
Turbo can be had over on your side. Garrett (who makes most of the turbo components for us) is in Germany after all. If you need help sizing we could help you with that. I persoanally couldn't tell you off hand. It's been almost year since I looked at a flow-map.
I checked out that site up there iven by that other bloke (english), and I personally didn't like the feel of it, and they don't offer just the turbo manifolds. I would say try for a rev-hard manifold if you want a cheaper solution, but you'll have more lag. It's a trade off game with this stuff, as you can see. Most people don't regret the Full-race manifold for the price, and the warranty. Shipping might be a bitch though.
Any muffler shop should be able to do a downpipe for you. Go for 3" for spool.
JC whitney has intercooler piping from what I hear on here. I make my own with sheet metal, and a welder. Cheap intercoolers can be found on EBAY if you need to save $$$.
Oil feed, and drain can be had from Flamenco-t. He also has all the fittings you could ever want.
Walbro 255lph pump is good for fuel. At least for the power you're going to be making.

Boost controller, BOV, Boost gauge is all optional stuff. Don't forget wastegate's either. Piping connectors. I know I'm forgetting something, but it's late here, and I've been drinking so please bear with me.

 

I can get a power FC for the equivilant of $550. So that is a bit of a bargain and there are tuners over here with experience with the FC on EVO's and scoobys so should be able to cope. As for the down pipe, there isn't any decent muffler shops in the UK. Not for summat like that anyway. I'd have to take it to a specialist tuner who would charge the earth for summat like that.

I'm very tempted by the Apexi kit as it supplies a rollerbearing turbo, manifold and downpipe + intercooler for not a drastic amount of money. I could then go for a power FC and injectors from over here and then should get a reputable tuner to set the management up. Sound a bit better?

Thank you for you're patience & help on a Friday night

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Cable &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I can get a power FC for the equivilant of $550. So that is a bit of a bargain and there are tuners over here with experience with the FC on EVO's and scoobys so should be able to cope. As for the down pipe, there isn't any decent muffler shops in the UK. Not for summat like that anyway. I'd have to take it to a specialist tuner who would charge the earth for summat like that.

I'm very tempted by the Apexi kit as it supplies a rollerbearing turbo, manifold and downpipe + intercooler for not a drastic amount of money. I could then go for a power FC and injectors from over here and then should get a reputable tuner to set the management up. Sound a bit better?

Thank you for you're patience & help on a Friday night </TD></TR></TABLE>

Go for the Power FC the, definately. I haven't personally seen it that cheap over here. Imagine that no good mufler shops in the UK. Sorry, I'm half Irish.

I love the Apexi kit personally, and IHI has some of the best turbo's out there. I like the sounds of that.
Some people over here would drool on you for that kit. It's very rare over here for some reason. Everyone likes the clone made by Edelbrock, but I'm still not a kit person myself.

Good luck. Feel free to ask us anything that's why we're hear.