It's better than a D16.

which isn't saying much.

The D17, like the D16, is an SOHC economy engine. So it's great at delivering a useable, steetable, daily driver that gets great gas mileage. (which is why it's in the civics). You only bet is to turbo charge it.

Forget N/A. Getting real performance with N/A is so expensive and too much effort... you might as well go turbo.

And no. I/H/E never transforms any engine into a monster if it isn't already.