Guys who have turbo Preludes, I need some input on a possible turbo set up for a my '96 Prelude VTEC. What have you done, and what kind HP does your ride develope? What's the best system for the money DRAG or FMAX? Others? If I go ahead, I plan on lowering compression. Any piston/rod recommendations? Would it be good to go with an OBD-1 conversion and a Hondata ? Best place to get the goodies?

 

I have the exact same car. From all the reasearch I have done, I have found the best "kit" for our car is the Fmax kit. For piston/rods I went w/ Crower/Arias. 9.1 compression. As far as the ECU I am going w/ the AEM EMS. I got the Fmax kit for a pretty good deal, I upgraded a bunch of parts too. But its been awhile since i have received it, they said 4-6 weeks, once I get then I'll tell you. If you do a search too here, you should find lots of info about all this. Good luck

 

I have a Built Block, and custom Turbo Setup:
JG Sleeved H22a1 Block
Arias 9-1 Piston
Eagle H Beam Rods
Micropolished crank
RC 720 cc Injectors
High Rev Springs
Titanium Retainers
STR Fuel Rail
Holley FPR
ATR In Tank Fuel Pump
STR Cam Gears
Turbonetics T60-1 HiFi
Spearco Intercooler
Custom Intercooler Piping
Blitz DD BOV
Accel DFI Standalone
This setup is producing 328 HP at 9 psi. I only have about 1000 miles on it so far, so I can't go past 4500 RPM's, but for those 4500 RPMs.......WOW

 

Wow! 328 ponies sounds nice. I won't be going quite as exotic, but certainly admire your setup. More along the lines of what Prelude VTEC 23 is building. Seems, from these posts and others I've talked to, that 9:1 is the ratio of choice. Thoughts?

 

Drag2 kit with aem ems at 6psi should look something like this...

 

Let me try again...

 

damn I can't post it.... well anyways its 245hp@6psi

 

tell you the truth i have a civic with a gsr but my boy is in the same boat, i told him to just get a drag cause for the money it puts down mad power. converting to ob1 and getting the hondata is a real good idea. i fully built my gsr and running the hondata and im real happy with what i had. i put down 324hp 289tq before it blew on the dyno

and that was only base line!


[Modified by W.ZeroB18C1T, 4:07 AM 6/27/2002]

 

Evil Lude, if you got the money than go with a custom kit, but for the money i'd go with the drag kit. Definitely build the motor to get some crazy power and boost the hell out of it!

TrboH22 How much did it cost to sleeve your block and how much do they charge?
Also what was the turn around time? Thanks

And have fun when you get your kit


[Modified by ichibanjap, 5:32 AM 6/27/2002]

 

When it comes to the cylinders, is it reliable to go with a .020" overbore? (I know less metal won't be able to conduct heat out as efficiently.) I'm sure liners are best, but probably considerably more expensive?? Do you guys run factory rod and main bearings, or aftermarket? This input is great, and helping immensely. Thanks!

 

always use factory honda bearings. always.

you can go .20 overbore with even stock sleeves but you won't be able to use forged pistons. there is also a specific process in boring the h22a sleeves. you can resleeve your block for sometimes int he area of $600 if you can find a groupbuy here on hondatech. so depending on your patience it's not that pricey.

as for the turbo, decide what you want first. meaning, your set-up so you don't waste money. do you want a stand alone, stay with teh stock ecu.

you don't need to change the stock 96p13 obd2 ecu. they make plenty of power. far different from teh 97-up ecu's.

i used to run a custom turbo set-up on my 96 accord. running a 99h22a4, 95h22a1 tranny and 96obd2 ecu. made plenty of power though i never got on the dyno. ran a 14.4@102mph. very traction limited with a 2.5.. 60foot and my check engine light on.

if you go with the aem ems, go with a custom kit if possible. or piece together a kit and buy the piping from fmax or ben from importparts.com.
drag has a nice kit but their turbo is way too small for the h22a. turbine a/r is .48 i believe. they also use the deltagate, chrome piping which sometimes blows off with their home depot clamps.

 

Yes to the factory honda bearings. No to the boring out stock sleeves.

 

 

As usual, it seems factory Honda pieces are really good. Looks like I need to factor in some more $$$$ for sleeves. I don't want to spend a fortune, but I don't mind spending money to do it right. I just don't want to have it fly apart on it's first pass because something was done cheap, or was skimped on to save a buck. Thanks for everyone's input!

 

There are other good bearings out there.

 

i am in the process of building my 96 h22 now
see signature

 

 

clevite makes good bearings.

 

Nevermind


[Modified by Storm Shadow, 11:45 PM 6/29/2002]