Preperation for a turbo

I have a stock B16A2 motor in my 93 eg hatchback...

After checking compression etc and making sure that's ok, what are the first things s should do in preperation for a turbo?

I've read two opinions, one which says to work on fuel supply and ignition first, then get the turbo, then work on the engine internals before upping the boost. And i've also been advised to wok on fuel and ignition, then uprate all the internals of the engine as I can afford it (lowering compression), and then get the turbo when i can afford that...

I don't like the idea of dropping any power for any length of time so i don't really want to have to lower the compression, what do people suggest?

A step-by-step kind of guide would be a life-saver!

p.s I'm looking for over 300hp from the engine (in the long run) so suggestions for good turbo set-ups etc which could get me close would help a lot.

[silver]

man you're busting new threads out everywhere. i believe this was answered in your thread in the hybrid section. Read again my explanation about compression, you don't have to lower it if you tune it correctly. Lowering compression means you can run more boost, but running 12psi at low compression will give you the same results as 8psi at stock compression(that is just an example).

[thermal]

I agree with silver. This is what I would do if I was you;

1) Upgrade to a full 3 inch exhaust pipe and high flow cat

2) Get a high volume fuel pump. Any 255 LPH will do

3) Get a bigger set of injectors. At least 440cc. BUT since you want over 300HP later, I'd get a 720cc or something.....

4) Get an MSD 6BTM, Blaster coil, pro-cap, and NGK 7 series plugs.

5) Save money and get an AEM EMS or Hondata. Depending on the Hondata system that you want, most of it will have a preset timing retard.

These are the basic for now. Also, make sure that you get a big turbo for a 300HP plan that you have. At least a T3T4 will suffice.

Do not get too cheap with Fuel enhancement. Fuel enhancement will save your engine in the long run. It takes a big role with the tuning aspect of a turbo set-up......

Thanks, sorry for posting a few new threads but i'm really new at this and I don't understand half the things i'm being told.

Silver, that post you made in the Civic forum helped a lot and i really appreciate it, but i still feel like i don't know where to start (although you just helped thermal - thanks). I think i need translations of all your posts in simpleton language!

I do really appreciate the responses i've got, sorry for filling up the forums with the same questions though.

[silver]

sometimes i don't know what comes out of my own mouth
there are a lot of misconceptions/urban legends/false facts about forced induction. I recommend you get a book and read about it. lot's of people disagree with me on this board when it comes to turbos and how they work. get a book and read and decide for yourself who's right. also find a local tuner and pick their brain, but go into it having a basic knowledge of what you're going to ask and see if they really know what their talking about. good luck with your motor.

[Addict]

Start with your ignition & fuel. Don't worry about internals until you get the turbo. It'll be easier to match them up once you have the turbo. Exhaust is another thing to tackle prior though.

Originally posted by DjBert
I think i need translations of all your posts in simpleton language!

I do really appreciate the responses i've got, sorry for filling up the forums with the same questions though.

Don't sweat the posts. Its all part of leaning.

As for the first part....

FUEL MAKES THE POWER
Remember that. If you short yourself on fuel supply, you will hurt your power output and possibly the motor.

AEM makes some good fuel components so have a look on their site. Just FYI, if it fits the 99-00 Si (USDM) it'll fit your hatch(fuel component wise). I say that because I doubt alot of companies will list the VTi.

Anyhow, good luck with your car.

[thermal]

DjBert, I apologize for being too technical. I tell you what, email me at arceoa@porter.navy.mil for any specific questions that you have. Before it's too late, I will re-emphasize....... Get a decent Fuel Upgrade..... or at least plan for it....

Do not be afraid to post rookie turbo questions here. We will help you to the best of our ability. The turbo moderators here are my friends and they know what they are talking about. Otherwise, I would not have recommended them to run this forum. Shiet, I learn stuff from them each time I talk to them. Ask away! Have your friends stop by this site as well

thanks guys, if i sounded like i knew what i was talking about at any point then forgive me cos i don't! I would like to learn though and i figured this would be a better place (talking to people who've actually done it rather than just reading info on web sites)

oh thanks i didn't realise any 99-00 stuff would fit my engine. Is the SiR the equivalent of my VTi over there? or is it the SiR-II?

So, from the sounds of things, fuel and exhaust first yeah?

So...

Fuel: Does this mean uprating everythig to do with fuel supply? e.g bigger fuel lines? better fuel pump? bigger injectors i know, but what else? Do I want to buy a fuel/air monitor (like the Apex VAFC) before or after i get the turbo?

Exhaust wise, i keep hearing everyone say i'll need a bigger exhaust (3 or 4 inch), is that from the down-pipe all the way through? Would twin 2-inch exhausts provide the same flow or would it be more restrictive?

Another couple of dumb questions coming up... I keep hearing people talk about the header. is this what i would call the manifold? And I was going to get an Apex forced induction kit a few days ago but then I wondered whether this would be redundant when i got the turbo, would it be replaced or what?

Thanks again for the help and for putting up with me!

[Addict]

Yeah the Si (US) is the eqivelant to the VTi. Same engine & tranny.

You shouldn't need bigger lines. But a better fuel pump, adjustable fuel pressure regulator, fuel rail, etc would be a good idea.

I don't know what the Apex forced induction kit is, but you don't want to waste money on a header if you get a turbo. The turbo will have a custom manifold. Dual exhausts have to be calculated a little differently for flow. 2 2in. exhausts don't flow like a single 4". I would advise going with a single 3" all the way from the cat back.

Ok that should help with my choice of parts then if i decide to import anything from over there. thanks

sorry i meant the AEM forced air induction kit.

oh so the turbo will come with a full manifold will it? didn't know that!

yeah i thought as much, so would there be no way of having say a 4 inch pipe from the manifold, and then twin 2"s coming out the back? Also, is it possible to have a decent muffler without sacrificing flow?

thanks again

[Addict]

Originally posted by DjBert
Ok that should help with my choice of parts then if i decide to import anything from over there. thanks

sorry i meant the AEM forced air induction kit.

oh so the turbo will come with a full manifold will it? didn't know that!

yeah i thought as much, so would there be no way of having say a 4 inch pipe from the manifold, and then twin 2"s coming out the back? Also, is it possible to have a decent muffler without sacrificing flow?

thanks again

Yes the AEM will be eliminated.

Yes it will have a manifold if you buy it as a kit.

You could do it, but I'd stick with a single 3". The muffler shouldn't be an issue.

[Sivik]

i just put a turbo on my car. I went with the GReddy kit since its 50 state legal here in the US and a pretty simple and straight forward install. I didn't have to upgrade anything for the kit. It pushes 5.5 psi for the boost. I love the difference it made.

As for pre-turbo checklist, I was just like you in with the questions, and I still am (right thermal? ). The only thing you need to upgrade with the GReddy kit is a more open exhaust. The stock piping is very restrictive and with a forced induction setup it will hurt you instead of help. Get an exhaust system with at least 2.25" piping if you plan on staying in the 5-8 psi. Anything higher than that I would go with 3" piping. I'm going to replace my exhaust piping with 3" all the way once I turn up the boost.

One of the biggest things overlooked before turboing is a regular engine tune-up. Check everything out before you slap on the turbo. Plugs, wires, fuel filter, compression, etc... all that will help you in the long run. And plus it won't hurt your engine either.

Like I said before, the only upgrade I had to do before turbo was my exhaust and I at the pre-set boost of 5.5 psi. Now before I turn up the boost, I will have to change out plugs, fuel pump, injectors and all that stuff. I'm not going to replace internals because 1) I'm not going to boost more than 10, and 2) I'm going to have it professionally tuned. TUNING is the biggest key when it comes to the turbo. Remember that.

So sorry for the long post, but I would suggest the GReddy kit as for the sake of simplicity. Before the turbo, perform a complete engine tuneup and upgrade your exhaust. You should be in goods hands from there.

Oh there is another post by Dr. Drew on what setups you should run according to turbo applications. Read it!