Tossing Around the idea of going Turbo

.Smitty. · Post by **.Smitty.** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 10:28 pm

For the past couple of days I have been seriously considering starting to piece together a turbo kit for my GSR. I've been looking around here, craigslist, honda-tech, and a few other places. I'm not looking for the best out there, but I also don't want to end up with a blown engine.

I want to keep this thread organized and tech-related while at the same time have a place to collect thoughts and keep notes - almost like a really, really slow build thread.

My biggest concern would be passing emissions. It's a 1998 Integra GSR which means I'd be converting to OBD-I for the tune. With the new emissions laws, is there any possible way to get around emissions besides knowing someone "on the inside"?

Also, I'm trying to decide what HP goal to aim for. The block will stay stock as will the head. I've seen numerous GSR's turboed up to 300whp on a stock engine with no problems. I think that I might go for around 275whp.

Another question is how reliable are used parts? I can save myself a ton of money and stay around my target money spent (somewhere around $1,500-$2,000). If anyone thinks I'm crazy for trying to turbo a car for around that including tune, speak up, because I'd rather be shot down now than in 6 months when I'm at $2,000 and counting.

The Forced Induction FAQ thread on H-T has an innumerable amount of threads concerning everything FI, if anyone needs some assistance or guidance.

In the beginning I was thinking a T3, then moved to a 16g internally wastegated, and now I'm over to a T3/T4. Could anyone explain to me the potential of each of these turbos? I've been trying to find enough so that I didn't have to make a thread, but this is a community about this kind of stuff, so why not?

Parts list
Turbo - again thinking t3, t3/t4, or 16g
Exhaust Manifold - money wise, thinking log style
Downpipe
Wastegate
Intercooler - for an intercooler, eBay seems all right
BOV - just decide on what sound you like
Fuel Management
Fuel Pump - walbro 255
Injectors
MAP Sensor
Piping
Oil Feed/Drain
Gauges and other misc.

Any all-around advice for anyone considering turbo is always welcome!
Thanks!

Edit: Not to turn this into a WTB thread, but if anyone is selling anything turbo related, LMK along with asking price. I'm only going to be buying one thing at a time for the most part, but if I have the money and I'm looking for it, I'll probably pick it up.

.:si:. · Post by **.:si:.** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 10:29 pm

should make 300 easy on 8 lbs...good luck...just a matter of luck on getting the parts and you have to keep an eye out all the time.

andyjt · Post by **andyjt** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 6:10 am

.Smitty.;88611 wrote:, but I also don't want to end up with a blown engine.

(somewhere in the low $1,000's). If anyone thinks I'm crazy for trying to turbo a car for around $1,000 including tune, speak up,

Those both dont go together. Not going to happen for less than 1k. .(PERIOD)

Tuning will be at minumum 200-300 at the LOW end. Factor in a ECU, conversion harnes. You at $500.

Unless you get parts for almost free/ dirt cheap. Not going to happen.

Emissions to pass.. You NEED to be OBD2. Some options for staying obd2 (are greddy and AEM; thats all i can think of off the top of my head.
Otherwise convert back to stock for emissions testing or waste money at a shop to get waivered through emissions test.

99BlackHatch · Post by **99BlackHatch** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 6:37 am

BUY MY SHIT!!! lol

.Smitty. · Post by **.Smitty.** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 7:07 am

Andyjt - didn't mean less than 1K. I know for sure that can't be done, but I'm talking anywhere from $1,500-$2,000.

The reason I'm saying around 1K is because I'm trying to keep myself from getting in over my head and buying too expensive of parts and never finishing the project. I'm trying to find a medium between a full-race kit and a junk-yard kit. This isn't going to being a bling factor kit with a topmount manifold, nor will it be complete trash and wind up blowing after 2K miles. I'm not going FullRace, but not SSAC.

With that said, what do you think?

g3integragsr · Post by **g3integragsr** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 7:08 am

go for it

andyjt · Post by **andyjt** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 7:24 am

.Smitty.;88689 wrote:Andyjt - didn't mean less than 1K. I know for sure that can't be done, but I'm talking anywhere from 1K to 1.5K.

The reason I'm saying around 1K is because I'm trying to keep myself from getting in over my head and buying too expensive of parts and never finishing the project. I'm trying to find a medium between a full-race kit and a junk-yard kit. This isn't going to being a bling factor kit with a topmount manifold, nor will it be complete trash and wind up blowing after 2K miles. I'm not going FullRace, but not SSAC.

With that said, what do you think?

Plan for $2000.

Piece it out: This is the low end. W/ real cheap prices
turbo-250
manifold-100
downpipe-100
injectors-150
wastegate-100
bov-80
conv. harness-75
ecu-100
intercooler-100
intercooler piping/couplers-150
oil lines- 100
walbro-80
gauges- 80
3bar map- 40
+mics.

Approx 1500. + tuning. Easily $2000.

.Smitty. · Post by **.Smitty.** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 7:36 am

Reality FTL.

I think I might go for it and see where I get. I know it's expensive, but what else do I have to spend money on? Not a whole lot.

It'll take me a while but I have patience. I was planning on piecing it together in the first place.

What about turbo sizing? Can ~270whp be made off of a T3 .48/.42?

Thanks for the help so far Andy.

2nrsOfSpringfield · Post by **2nrsOfSpringfield** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 5:22 pm

the XS power ebay manifolds and turbo are junk and will crack so stay away from them. I would try to find a used inline pro or drag turbo manifold and spend a few extra dollars on a good new turbo. You dont know how many times I have seen guys buy used turbos and the seals go out right after they put it on. Since you dont have a whole lot of money to spend on a turbo kit I would bet money to replace an engine may be hard to come by for you after spending the money on the turbo. So try to buy the best parts you can even if you have to save up a bit longer. A few extra hundred dollars up front is much cheaper than a new engine. Also when we install and tune t3t4 kits (like the drag kits) on stock B series we get 280-310hp on 93oct and 10psi.

PS if your car is registered in MO we dont have the emissions testing you guys do up there so like I told Blake, it may be possible to get your cars inspected down here. That what you can run a OBD1 ecu with no worries.

andyjt · Post by **andyjt** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 9:12 pm

2nrsOfSpringfield;88739 wrote:
PS if your car is registered in MO we dont have the emissions testing you guys do up there so like I told Blake, it may be possible to get your cars inspected down here. That what you can run a OBD1 ecu with no worries.

Then you car has to be registed down there. Emissions tests are based on where the vehicles address where its titled, not where you get it inspected.