Tuner parts for a 2008 Civic Si

[twilyth]

This all theoretical, so don't waste a lot of time responding, but if I wanted to boost performance on my car, what mods could my engine (K20Z3) handle and what would the performance gain in horse power for each be.

In particular, could the engine handle and intercooled turbo as is or would it have to be modified.

Again, I go an entire week without driving at all so it would really be a waste of money to do this, but I'm really curious now after reading some of the other car threads.

TIA.

Robin.

[Wile E]

A good low boost intercooled turbo kit would be fine. Make sure you upgrade your clutch as well. And an aftermarket exhaust is always wise on a turbo install, as backpressure severely effects turbo efficiency. The stock one will not hold the power. Keep it around 400hp or less.

Pretty good kit: http://www.procivic.com/pages-product_car_part_info/category-70_88/product-915/index.html

The turbo in that particular kit is only good for around 350HP, but it spools really quickly. It's known in the industry as the "Disco Potato" turbo. It was so named because the engineer that developed it put it on his early 2000's Sentra, that was painted in a weird brownish color-shifting paint, making the car look like a giant potato.

It really all depends on how much cash you want to spend and how much power you want to make whether you build it or not.

[twilyth]

Thanks man. I guess you're the only one here who knows anything about hondas. (nutlick) http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x206/twilyth/e98227b2.gif

So with the kit you referred to, would I need any engine or drive train modifications to handle the power? I'm understanding you to say that the turbo would give me an extra 150hp. It's hard to imagine that the stock engine could handle that kind of an increase.

Aside from the expense (about 4 grand for the kit with electronics), I don't want to burn out my engine. I've only got about 10k miles on the car so if I wanted to sell it right now I should get top dollar.

But if I could get my mechanic to slap that on w/o any other mods, it might be interesting.

If that's not the case, what about some lower tech mods. For example what kind of hp increase would one see from

a. catalytic converter
b. exhaust
c. headers
d. intake manifold
e. air intake
f. throttle body
g. other . . .

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

[1Kurgan1]

I don't know a ton about Honda's (I didnt respond because I hate the word tuner, lol), but in general, high hp/l means they are eeking everything they can out of that motor NA as it sits. It doesn't mean you won't see any gains from exhaust and intake mods, but generally, forced induction is just going to be your best bet.

[twilyth]

I don't know a ton about Honda's (I didnt respond because I hate the word tuner, lol), but in general, high hp/l means they are eeking everything they can out of that motor NA as it sits. It doesn't mean you won't see any gains from exhaust and intake mods, but generally, forced induction is just going to be your best bet.
But what are the odds I could put that particular turbo kit on my car without any engine mods? I would think at the least I would need new cams and a crank, plus bearings maybe. I mean going from 197 to around 350 hp is going to put a lot more strain on the engine.

And there's the rest of the drive train. Honda is good but I don't think they overengineer parts like maybe Mercedes or BMW.

[1Kurgan1]

Cams help with Forced Induction, but not needed, and cranks in modern motors are usually strong enough to make almost double the factory hp (not in all cases).

Don't think BMW or Mercedes engines are diff than the rest, the S52's in the old 3 series can't go out and triple their hp on stock bottom ends. Theres few motors that can, but you'd be surprised which ones they are, or at least surprised at a few of them.

I'm pretty sure I've actually seen K20's, or maybe it was a K24 taking like 500whp on a stock bottom end, now who knows how long it would last, but I think it's been done.

[Wile E]

But what are the odds I could put that particular turbo kit on my car without any engine mods? I would think at the least I would need new cams and a crank, plus bearings maybe. I mean going from 197 to around 350 hp is going to put a lot more strain on the engine.

And there's the rest of the drive train. Honda is good but I don't think they overengineer parts like maybe Mercedes or BMW.

350hp is the upper limit of what I would pump into a stock bottom end on a K20 for longevity purposes.

Cams won't help with power handling. They would help make more power. They have nothing to do with strength. The crank can take over 500hp reliably. It's the rods and pistons that are the weakest links.

350hp really isn't all that much. Just make sure you get it professionally tuned.

As far as supporting parts, a high flow exhaust is always a good addition to a turbo charged car. Less backpressure = better spool = lower EGTs = lower cylinder temps.

[de.das.dude]

hope you dont end up killing the motor :P that would be sad :(

[Magibeg]

But what are the odds I could put that particular turbo kit on my car without any engine mods? I would think at the least I would need new cams and a crank, plus bearings maybe. I mean going from 197 to around 350 hp is going to put a lot more strain on the engine.

And there's the rest of the drive train. Honda is good but I don't think they overengineer parts like maybe Mercedes or BMW.

Intake, headers, exhaust, and tune.

That's really all you need and you should be putting down in the range of 200-210whp.

You will FEEL the difference :)

[1Kurgan1]

Headers and tune will most likely be the biggest gains out of those 4. Intake on most cars I've ever owned was very little to no gain (just a gain of nice sound). Same with catback.

[Magibeg]

Headers and tune will most likely be the biggest gains out of those 4. Intake on most cars I've ever owned was very little to no gain (just a gain of nice sound). Same with catback.

I have a friend (also my mechanic) who used to build up civics for people(not for himself of course). Basically the intake by itself won't give big gains, but with a tune the extra/cooler air really helps. Really those 3 things help the engine breath and the tune takes advantage of it. I wouldn't be surprised if an intake + tune would yield more power than headers + tune.

[twilyth]

when you guys say tune, I assume you mean replacing the onboard computer or at least reprogramming it with a different ROM - yes? No?

[Magibeg]

when you guys say tune, I assume you mean replacing the onboard computer or at least reprogramming it with a different ROM - yes? No?

Yea, but preferably going to an actual dyno to get it tuned.

[Wile E]

Nah, go turbo. 300whp is way better than 210whp.