Posted this over in the FI forum and got few answers:

I've done a bunch of searching already.

I'll have my ITR back soon from the shop doing the turbo, and I'm looking into ways to get more reliable power. My mechanic suggested a thicker head gasket and a block gaurd. He said the gaurd is to keep the cylander walls from moving at high RPM, enabling me to run more boost safely.

All the research I've done here on HT tells me the gaurd only protects againsed detonation. I don't understand how it does this. Please school me.

And I know, I should just get sleaves. But a gaurd and a HG are good solutions in the meantime, right?

 

As your mechanic said, the blockguard will strengthen the cylinders. I don't see any way it could help with detonation. The Honda blocks are die cast with the cylinders freestanding. The guard connects them together and with the outer walls of the block. The Honda block is what is know as open deck, with nothing connecting the tops of the cylinders. Most motors designed to be turbo'd are closed deck with a solid surface connecting the top surface of the cylinders and block together with holes for coolant and oil.

 

I agree...

 

i agree as well.....basically it will stabalize your cylinders against the increased load and pressure from forced induction.....make shure your cooling sytems such as radiator, cap and hoses are all in tip top condition, because some cars have been known to overheat from block gaurds....and i stress (SOME). Also i thicker head gasket will lower your compression allowing you to run more boost reliably.

 

thicker? can you just get 2-3 oem and stack em?

 

i had a block guard it wouldnt really over heat but it would go through coolent like every 3 days! took it out and never had any problems afterwards

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .jefs0ng &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">thicker? can you just get 2-3 oem and stack em?</TD></TR></TABLE>

thats not how gaskets work my friend

 

2 or 3 gaskets. That would be crazy!

 

not trying to get off topic but would it be safe to say a block guard is good to get for high compression as well? 12.5:1+?

 

I'd stay away from a block guard if you plan on running a lot of power. Honda knew what they were doing when they designed the block with an open deck and it's that way for a reason. Using a block gaurd at high boost or high RPM's will decrease cylinder walk, but you will be increasing the engine vibration and throwing off the harmonic balance of the engine. Also, if you are running a setup that risks damage from piston walk, you are more likely to cause lateral runout in the center of the cylinder than at the top if you use a block gaurd and the stock cylinders are not designed for that kind of abuse. I'd get some good sleeves that left it open deck. And get the sleeves step decked or something if your worried about cylinder walk under load. Do a search and find out about Benson sleeves. That should give you all the information you need to know.

 

do a serch on posting. cheaper alternitive to sleving, yet much better than a block guard. Or go to Homemadeturbo.com and snoop anound for some info on it there. I read about it there I think.

 

I second that! If you do anything, get it posted, still allows coolant to flow where it needs it, and gives support to the whole cylinder, not just the top!

 

One thing I would worry about with block guards is that it might create hotspots where it is surrounding the sleeves. Block Posting seems like a good alternative but not many people have done it. Sonny here on HT is the only one that I know of that has one it.

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=221086

 

save your money cause if it will not be put in right by you or the machine shop. To put in the right way, it costs almost as much as sleeves, save your cheddar and get some sleeves when you can afford.

Seriously, how many more threads do you need to read about someone pushing the boost and the sleeve cracks RIGHT AROUND WHERE THE BLOCKGUARD IS

I know a bunch of people that have them are gonna chime in a say "I've had mine for years now, no problems" You were lucky or your day just hasn't come.

The chances of you being in the category of having the blockguard for years no problems is small!!