Originally posted by '98tegls
It all depends on your definition of high boost. If 30 lbs. of boost is high for you, then you'll need a fully built block. If your thinking 20 lbs. of boost is high, then all you need is Hondata 4b and blockguard.
The AEM EMS isn't fully developed yet. The software needs to be updated before it can be as beneficial as Hondata. The software is so bad that even people trained by AEM have blown up a few engines.
30 lbs of boost is very high for our motors. $hit, 20 lbs is considerable boost. It's still a matter of time before your motor goes, FI @ 20 lbs or even 8 lbs, or NA too. By staying NA, you will probably outlive a turbo motor in an initially similar state.
It's been said before that FUEL is the keyword, and I will second that. At least partially. The worst thing that can happen to a turbo engine is detonation in the combustion chamber(s). The way people prevent that is by adding more fuel to the air/fuel mixture by using some sort of upgraded fuel system (like the intank fuel pump, bigger injectors, etc.) in conjunction with an engine management computer (Hondata is popular) to control delivery of fuel and ignition of the mixture.
If you can prevent detonation, you're in really good shape. No matter how you build your engine, a couple of knocks will open the door wide open if you know what I mean. I know only a few honda guys with turbos and proper fueling/engine management, and they all have STOCK motors. None have ever had any detonation problems. You will be pleased to know that one guy in particular has had his GSR trouble free @ 10 psi for the last year. He babies the hell out of his car though. Changes oil every 2k miles, pops his hood every time he gets gas, and doesn't boost everywhere he goes. But when he steps on the throttle, there's nothing quite like it.....
I still don't know crap about the turbo stuff, but there's tons of information out there. Just talk to people with turbo cars and see what they've done right (and wrong!). Good luck with ur car.