What to do?? Turbo, Supercharger or Swap??

**Johnny@CustomAuto** · 07-13-2003, 03:58 AM

I'm thinking about selling my Ninja and using the cash to do a real performance upgrade on my car. I got a 2000 Civic Si. What's the best bang for the buck? Turbo or Swap?? I need some opinions!!

**Weapon_R** · 07-13-2003, 04:16 AM

Turbo for power, swap (if done right) is quite reliable.

**ninspeed** · 07-13-2003, 04:33 AM

swap in a k series with boost

**rice_eater** · 07-13-2003, 10:49 AM

sell the bike AND the civic and get a car that's fast to begin with...

**Double0Civic** · 07-13-2003, 10:52 AM

swapping in a k series would be a whore.

it really depends on the cash you'll be spending, but you gotta keep in mind that the d series engines dont have alot of potential when compared to an engine like a b16 or 18.
If I was you I would do a b16 engine and look for a used turbo kit.
but with limited funds you gotta be prepared to wait and look.
good luck.

Double0Civic

**Johnny@CustomAuto** · 07-13-2003, 12:06 PM

Originally posted by rice_eater
sell the bike AND the civic and get a car that's fast to begin with...

I thought of that too. But I owe a hell of a lot of money on the car still, and it's just not worth it to sell right now. I want to tinker around with my car for now, and keep it for 2 more years. Then I'll won't make the same mistake by buying a slow car.

**rice_eater** · 07-13-2003, 12:12 PM

ok...since i don't know too much about the civic swaps then i will say turbo...mostly because you can have the turbo only when you want, unlike the supercharger when it's always on...and for future upgrades you just swap in a bigger turbine rather than having to get a brand new supercharger....but that is way to broad a subject...but turbo is expensive so maybe engine swap and bolt ons will be better for you

**Hash_man** · 07-13-2003, 01:26 PM

I would say go with a swap.. especially because of the potential that the B series engines have. Most likely if I were you, I would swap in a JDM B18c5... the Integra type R engine. I saw a swap like that done on your kind of car, and with the engine and exaust, it was dynoed at 188hp at the front wheels.

**civicrider** · 07-13-2003, 01:40 PM

Ya id say swap in a new engine, ither B16 or B18, there better to work off of too

**BarryBeach** · 07-13-2003, 04:25 PM

Buy a '87 GTI high compression 8V and throw 5 g's into it ...

**That.Guy.S30** · 07-13-2003, 05:22 PM

or you can just leave it stock.. and save up ur money pay off the car and then do somethin else.. its really useless have a 200hp car when you follow speed limits which i hope everyone does cuz the fines are hella expensive and totally not worth it when u get caught.. plus there is alot of heat on imports these days.. just a thought! dont burn me

**djfob** · 07-13-2003, 06:25 PM

I'd say turbo the d series cuz they are cheaper to replace if blown.
D series engines can push decent numbers if done right.

**aiy_yah** · 07-13-2003, 07:36 PM

Originally posted by rice_eater
ok...since i don't know too much about the civic swaps then i will say turbo...mostly because you can have the turbo only when you want, unlike the supercharger when it's always on...and for future upgrades you just swap in a bigger turbine rather than having to get a brand new supercharger....but that is way to broad a subject...but turbo is expensive so maybe engine swap and bolt ons will be better for you

Doesn't Jackson Racing's supercharger have this flap thingie (I just heard about this, so I don't know for sure) that allows that the supercharger to spool if the throttle is opened a certain amount? That way, you only get the power when you punch the gas.

**Johnny@CustomAuto** · 07-13-2003, 07:59 PM

Thanks guys. But I am thinking a swap for the amount of money and work is not worth it, when compared to doing a turbo properly shouldn't I get well over 200 HP? I know everyone is crazy about the swaps nowadays, but my main goal is to have power.

**civicrider** · 07-13-2003, 08:13 PM

out of a stock D16 turboed adds around 50% hp, but it all depends on the turbo set up you get.

**Double0Civic** · 07-13-2003, 09:36 PM

Unless your planning on a complete internal build-up, it would be unrealistic to expect 200hp out of a D series.

I have your same car, and I think I have around 100 at the wheels.
but lets be generous and say 110. so add 50% to that, and you have 165.

But... lets say you CAN get 200 hp, the rods of a d series WILL NOT handle more than 220 hp (at the fly, mind you) which probly limits you to 195 at the wheels, and thats at breaking point. you could probly run 170-75 for awhile.
Provided you take it easy most of the time.

There was an article in honda tuning a few months back with a d series running a custom (junkyard) turbo setup with 6 lbs, and was getting 176hp/167 tq to the front tires. i would say thats all you could expect out of your car without any REAL major mods, ie. good management, significantly better fuel system, built internals, more aggressive clutch/tranny, and still daily driving it.

So... for about the same cash, you could get a JDM b16 installed which comes with 170 hp, and a hell of alot more potential

and will be alot more reliable.

hope that helped.

Double0Civic

**B18C** · 07-13-2003, 09:42 PM

Talk to dirty_sohc. He has a turbo Si motor that puts out ~190whp.

Jackson racing makes a supercharger kit for your car but I wouldn't waste my time with it. The gains with it are not that impressive on a D-series.

Yes, the jackson racing supercharger has a bypass valve so you aren't boosting when you are cruising.

**Double0Civic** · 07-13-2003, 10:30 PM

I just remembered where I got my numbers on wrecking d series engines.

http://www.homemadeturbo.com/tech_pr...ors/index.html

I would encourage anyone to take a look, if not for their own info, just for a laugh. this guy has cooked 4 D series engines and has pics.
Worth checking out.

Double0Civic.

**egmike** · 07-13-2003, 10:44 PM

Why not turbo the d series and when you get bored or blow it up swap in a b series, there is always someone looking for turbo kits so selling the turbo kit would be easy to pay for the swap

**Dirty_SOHC** · 07-14-2003, 08:32 AM

Originally posted by Double0Civic
Unless your planning on a complete internal build-up, it would be unrealistic to expect 200hp out of a D series.

I have your same car, and I think I have around 100 at the wheels.
but lets be generous and say 110. so add 50% to that, and you have 165.

But... lets say you CAN get 200 hp, the rods of a d series WILL NOT handle more than 220 hp (at the fly, mind you) which probly limits you to 195 at the wheels, and thats at breaking point. you could probly run 170-75 for awhile.
Provided you take it easy most of the time.

Double0Civic

I'm still running good and strong. D series engines can support and hold up to 210 HP at the wheels daily on stock internals.

And ask most people I do not take it easy on my car most of the time

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