Turbocharger for 2002 Civic LX...?

So I'm going to start saving for a turbocharger for my car. I want to know what a good mid-range turbocharger is that won't give me problems. And also, about how much am i looking at total to put turbo in my car, with everything (turbo, intercooler, hookups, etc) total? I was thinking about nitrous but i think this is a better route to getting more horsepower, i dont think the stock engine can take nitrous that well, i could be wrong though.

[pdiggitydogg]

http://www.turbo-kits.com/civic_turbo_kits.html
at the bottom of the page

I know there was a thread on it a few months ago...I want to say it was posted by ArmyGuy. Maybe 2-3 other turbo kits for the d17

maxrev and staffordfabrications also make one for our cars. if you get a kit, it will most likely run you between 3-4 thousand

[ShagginJet]

OMG. Since you have a d series engine I'd just do it yourself. Base price starts around 800 for getting off cheap. You can buy complete kits off of ebay for that car for about 800-1200. If you but one new you're looking to spend 3000, especially if you get any sort of bling.

http://www.homemadeturbo.com/ <----Awesome sight for learning about turbos.

shit, well 3-4 thousand is kinda alot. i was hoping to get away with spending maybe 1500. but if that's not possible, is anyone willing to debate wether or not nitrous is right for me, or the stock engine? could i get away with a safe 20-30 shot of dry? without having alot of prbs

[Shaved &/or Laid]

you never talk to anyone on AIM

[pdiggitydogg]

I know I havent been talking much on aim latley...

You might be able to get a used greddy d16 kit off ebay that doesnt have a ton of miles on it and then get a GOOD shop to fab up an exhaust manifold and downpipe for you for a few hundred $. Or maybe you can get ones for d17s that fit the 15g turbo.
OR you could make your own setup yourself (same thing w/ the em and dp - fab'd) and it probably would cost you under $2k.

[AkimboStylee]

on nitrous your good till 65-75 shot, but that is if you keep your engine tuned, just like a turbo tuning is key!

[IALuder]

i would use n2o on a stock motor. i would up grade the basic then turbo it before n2o. proper tuning is the key for everything you do.

if your going to do it, do it right the first time.

so, wait on the nitrous until AFTER a turbocharger, or 'engine tuning". what type of tuning should i be doing here? I want to keep the engine in always-top condition and have been thus-far. BTW, i had some privacy issues with aol, now anyone can msg me as well as the other way around. Basically I guess what I'm doing is wanting to get all the cheap stuff before i hurt my wallet all at once with a large modification.. :\

Nitrous
advantages...
-cheap, best bang for the buck
-good kits like Nitrous Express, Venom and ZEX are already tuned for the applications
-when u are off nitrous your car drives like normal with no more extra maintenance that is required from a turbo car
-no spool up time at all! instant power!

disadvantages....
-dont have the power of nitrous all the time


turbo engine
adavantages....
-power all the time!
-nothing beats the sound of a bad a$$ blow off valve!

disadvantages...
-boosted cars require more maintenance ( plugs, valve lash, ect)
-tuning is a bitch and wil cost u lots of money on a dyno
-way more expensive not to mention u should upgrade the ECU and or atleast a piggy back like the VAFC, and injectors. The money pit never ends.


Ok let me clarify a few points here. First point I said a boosted car "requires more maintenance". Generally plugs, and valve lash needs to be done more often cuz u are on boost all the time. "9seccivc" on HT changes his plugs once a week, and lashes the valves once a week. now on more mildly boosted engines, say like on 10 pounds of boost or less I would say not really any more noticeable maintenance. I would definately talk to Thermaldfid16. He is the man to talk to around here about that. Now some people argue that turbo is more reliable. Well I disagree. Nitrous has a bad "stigma", or bad "vodoo". Most of the bad rumors come from very poor nitrous kits, improper installation, improper timing, and "old" technology (many years ago). Now days the kits are very advanced and very very good. Nitrous express has their tunning down so accurate that their kits are guaranteed to make within 2 percent of the rated horsepower. Also for all of u that doesnt know the "50 shot" means 50 wheel horsepower. Not flywheel HP! As far as reliability issues goes I am going to go out on a limb and say that nitrous is generally more reliable than a turbo engine (for most of us). Now why do I say that? Well most of us dont have an endless supply of money or the access to a dyno and a experienced tuner. If u have that access then I would say the turbo car can be very reliable. So basically people are stuck with an engine that isnt exactly tuned right. Eventually (from my experience) on hard driving bad things tend to happen. Another thing to think about is that the engine is on abuse constantly! Nitrous u are only on it like 10 seconds at a time and maybe every other weekend or so? Not even as close to the amount of abuse a turbo engine running around the same amount of boost to shot ratio. My final factor is turbos tend to create lots of heat. While in town its not that big of a deal. Unfortunately the last person I know that took their turbocharged honda on a road trip melted a ring on his B16A3 which was only on 7 pounds of boost! There is a reason why factory turbo cars run oil coolers, stainless steel valves, ect..... These are just my thoughts and my opinions here. I am not going to say I am a turbo guru or anything like that. I do have some experience with turbo kits, and tuning them. Not to mention many of my friends are big into turbo cars. I am not saying turbo is not reliable. I am just saying it doesnt seem to be reliable for the average tuner like u and me, and my friends. BTW I also have had the ZEX kit. It seems to be a good kit and ran a bottle out on my D16Z hatch. It was easy to install, and easy to use. I only had it for a week. Yes I ran a full bottle out of it! I used a 50 shot constantly on the street. I cant remember how many times I used it. But alot. I eventually gave the kit back to the guy I bought it from (second hand). I decided I didnt want to make the 300 mile round trip just to fill nitrous where I am at. How does the car run after the nitrous abuse? Well it ran absolutely fine. No problems what so ever. When I do move, I most likely will be running nitrous again on my H22'd Civic.

cool, i guess i am convinced i think ill try nitrous. but i am having trouble finding kits for 2001+ civics. im not paying for venom, that rediculous! but ZEX looked promising but they dont make applications for 2001+ civic. does anyone know other companies?>

Originally posted by Mischief(LTS)
cool, i guess i am convinced i think ill try nitrous. but i am having trouble finding kits for 2001+ civics. im not paying for venom, that rediculous! but ZEX looked promising but they dont make applications for 2001+ civic. does anyone know other companies?>

two words.

Nitrous Express!

[thermal]

just remember that 7gen civics have a returnless fuel system if you do decide to turbo it later.....