Well, I started on my turbo install today. This is the first major upgrade I've ever attempted alone, so bear with me.

First, here is what I'm starting with. A 90 si hatch, peeling paint, and a b16.



First thing I noticed was that the radiator support was bent. I don't know when or how this happened, but what do you guys think I should do about it? Obviously it needs to be straight to fit the intercooler in there.



Next problem is one we are all too familiar with: the compressor housing is hitting the block. After a while trying to do it with heavy duty cutting discs on the dremel, I went to sears hardware and got this.



Result:



Now after getting the turbo on, I tried to test fit my full length fluidyne. No dice. I played a little with clocking the compressor, but having it point straight down pretty much eliminates charge piping because it will run right into the Jimfab. I had to angle it out a little (better seen in the second pic), but this is what I'm left with for space.



Not much. I think the old radiator I have may be able to be forced in there, but it's bad anyway. Here's a comparison of the fludyne vs. the auto 4g EX radiator that used to be in the car before the swap. Don't mind the stocker, it's been sitting outside for over a year.



I have no idea what I'm going to do with this yet. I'm gonna have to get creative with the charge piping and somehow find room for a radiator. I think my fluidyne is out of the question.

I was wondering what you guys think can be done, I'm open to any suggestions. thanks.

Btw, I'm using a drag manifold, a t3/t04e, hasport mounts, umm...I guess thats all that really matters right now.

 

Also, do you think I will have a problem with the oil return. Its gotta cut to the right with not a whole lot of going down. I'm kind of worried about it.

 

My ideas:
1-switch to a fluidyne half width
2-cut out the rad support-I don't think it does anything

other than that, have fun

-Dustin

 

Well I think the half widths still span that far across dont they? I think I will still have the same problem, but I'm gonna see if I can find someone with one so I can check it out. I was hoping I could cut the rad support.


Here's some pics I just took of the oil return. Sorry, I already took the turbo off, but here's my best guess where the return line starts from the pictures above.





*edit - the dot reperesents where the oil return line comes off of the turbo. I will be tapping the oil pan, I was wondering if the angle wasn't steep enough.


Modified by ricodemus at 4:28 PM 9/29/2003

 

80 views and 1 reply? cmon guys...

 

it kind of depends on how far from the block it is too, get a pic with it installed.

-Dustin

 

I feel your pain man. Thank god I don't have a B series otherwise I don't know how turbo's would fit in these frieken 4th gens. As for the radiator problem just put in a half sized one from a newer civic. I got this one for $20 and it's been fine in over 100 degree heat. Stock crossmember so I cut up the rad support on the bottom. Big pic, so sue me

 

Dude,

FINALLY got arond do doing this... good for you...

I'm no wizard, but I had many similar issues with my radiator, I can drive by and show you what I did... I'm too lazy to post a picture! Ok, maybe not:





PM me, when you get this, I'll stop by. (maybe even take you for a ride )

Sean

 

Wow thats interesting. When I get some time again, I'll think of what I want to do. I'm an engineer, so problem solving is my nature.


yep, I finally got around to doing it. It's been many a month of parts collecting, research, and a lack of time on my part. I gotta finish it before the weather really turns. I'm on a mission...

 

looks good so far man! let us see how it comes out, i hope to shoehorn the same kinda setup in my ef one day

 

i have a 89 rex w/revhard kit. the kit puts the turbo on the oppisite side giving me tons of room for a eg radiator and stock fan. makes charge pipes and oil return fairly simple too

 

SO now all the DE turbo guys are coming out, figures it happens when my damn motor is in cali... o well, definatly gotta check that out when its done!

 

bump for any other opinions. Thanks for the comments so far.

 

hey get a little creative with it....stick with the fullsize. most ones ive seen have welded an elbow on the outlet of turbo... you can come check this one out if you want...this has full and twin fal fans(pusher) with most of rad support intact.

 

wowsers.
if your planning on putting the oil return line where you ahve the yellow dot your nuts.
it has to go on the oil pan. as high up as you can put it and as straight as possible with the turbo..

can't put it on the bottom of the block...

doesn't jimfab make the rad support beam to use a 92+civic radiator? not to sure. imma em1 kinda guy

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by em1-t &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">wowsers.
if your planning on putting the oil return line where you ahve the yellow dot your nuts.
it has to go on the oil pan. as high up as you can put it and as straight as possible with the turbo..

can't put it on the bottom of the block...

doesn't jimfab make the rad support beam to use a 92+civic radiator? not to sure. imma em1 kinda guy </TD></TR></TABLE>

heh, you're the 2nd to say that. The dot is to illustrate the position of the oil return fitting on the turbo. I am going to have a fitting welded to the oil pan.

 

I know how your radiator support got bent from experience. All you need is a stupid friend (Koala Yummies) to jack your car up and have it slip off the jacking point It the jack will land right on your lower radiator bracket and bend everything

But that's what friends are for

 

Hey I feel for ya man. I was in the SAME boat as you with my install. It sucked. Oil return line is a bitch. Piping is a bitch. I hope you're running external wastegate. Itll make things much easier for you (unlike what I had to do)


Here's a pic of my piping. It's a bit drastic BUT nothing else worked. I had to aim the outlet straight up (right side) for it to fit. It actually worked. Aiming it down i had no chance. Maybe this will work for ya.


Good luck man.

I have some more pics if your interested on how goofy I made stuff to get it to fit.

It's here
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=632926

Dont worry, there's always a way out. It takes time, but you'll get it
Good job so far.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by quickda6 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">hey get a little creative with it....stick with the fullsize. most ones ive seen have welded an elbow on the outlet of turbo... you can come check this one out if you want...this has full and twin fal fans(pusher) with most of rad support intact.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

but that one looks like it uses the stock mounting points. There is no way I can accomplish that. I'm gonna try and ghetto fab something when I get another chance to play with it.

racinskittle: I havent considered turning the compressor up, but I will definitely look at that - thanks. I'm still surprised you had to do it in a Sol though, you probably have twice the space I do.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ricodemus &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
racinskittle: I havent considered turning the compressor up, but I will definitely look at that - thanks. I'm still surprised you had to do it in a Sol though, you probably have twice the space I do.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, I tried pointing it down, but the wastegate actuator for my internal wastegate hit the stupid outlet on the compressor housing. So i searched on here and some guy had some pics of his facing up so I tried it and it actually worked perfect.
The internal wastegate really caused me problems

 

finished a crx b16a turbo not too long ago.. (my car)

used stock rad.. not much clearance.. had to use the jimfab bar, had to shave block a bit aswell.. wish i would have used a manifold that held the compressor on the drivers side.. .

for the fmic, i cut the bumper support, than welded in a peice for strength, painted it.. and bolted up the intercooler, it worked real well actually.

 

here's my setup, i'm using Place Racing front x-member.

 

nice setup.. i gotta get my pics back up.. .

 

NICE Swain coatings on that white car! VERY sweet setup.

Everyone's seen my pics, so nothing new here...

I'm running a W/A Intercooler, but I have my compressor on the passenger side like you. If nothing else, alot of ED cars I've seen ran their turbo's backwards like how the Green Del Sol has his, and just use the A/C dryer hole (enlarged) for the piping to the FMIC.

Try that out. It's worth it.

Also, If you're interested in selling that beautiful Radiator, let me know in a PM.

 

for all the hard work, everything looked like it worked out just fine.