Originally Posted by gsr0102
Im thinkin on going all out motor on my 01 gsr. I have been reasearching and i dont know if i should turbo it or keep it naturally aspirated. what should i do?
Answer these questions and I'll advise you based on your answers:
1) Is smog legality a concern?
Does your state require an emissions inspection every two years?
What state do you live in?
2) How reliable do you need this car to be?
Is it your daily driver or a weekend toy?
3) What's your priority?
Straight-line speed & highway dominance?
Mountain road & autocross superiority?
4) What's your budget?
[Remember the adage: Cheap, Fast, Reliable: Choose 2, you cannot have all three.]
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If you're in a emission-controlled state and favor outright grunt over grip, I'd advise turbocharging your GSR with the GReddy bolt-on turbo kit. At least two other forum regulars run this kit at this time. For about $3500 or so, you'll have about 210-240 wheel horsepower, enough to get into the mid 13's on street tires and pump gas.
[Däs Schmoo is our resident authority on that kit - and turbocharging in general
].
The problem I see with a high-hp [230whp+] N/A build is that you're going to run into a wall of diminishing returns very quickly, particularly if you live in a state like California, which follows the CARB Exemption Order Guidlines.
Under these guidelines, only CARB-approved parts can be fitted to an emission-controlled car. If there isn't a CARB EO# for the aftermarket manifold, cams, cam gears, exhaust header, catalytic convertor or injectors, etc.. they are de facto illegal modifications and you'll fail the visual inspection before even seeing the emissions test.
Yes, it's utter bullshit... but it's the law. Unless you want to pay twice the going rate for a fraudulent smog check every two years, it's quite difficult to run a built N/A motor legally in a state like CA.