This is a very general question. So to provide a similarly general answer: yes, a turbocharged VTEC motor can be plenty reliable.

Did you have something more specific you wanted to know about?

 

wrong! you can race a car without built internals. use the set up I posted above and you can have a very fast race car for pretty cheap on a totally stock honda block

 

Okay, let me clarify. If you plan on road racing your car, you'll need to do some extensive work to ensure that you don't blow your engine, overheat, etc. Believe me, I have seen what happens to stock engines with turbos on a circuit.

 

you can run turbo on a vtec. but with proper tuning, and upgraded oil and cooling systems for reliablility.
running a turbo vtec to 8k rpm will make that temp rise very quickly.

1/4 mile runs are quick but autox or road racing, you push the whole car to the limits

it can work to have a turbo vtec reliable, but you better make sure you can stop too upgrade brakes

Boost Lee

 

Thanks for the replies.

If I were to go turbo I would get a drag gen 3 kit, I am so new to Honda's I dont really know what else to do? Stage 3 kits for VW's dont even require getting on the dyno, just bolt it on and drive away.

My goals for the car would be to have a very quick daily driver that I didnt have to worry about constantly. I would like a setup that can be driven hard on occasion but never beaten on. Will just what is included with the kit suffice for these goals? If not what problems will I run into and how will I alleviate them?

Edit this will not be my permanent setup but just a buy in to get started.

 

I personally don't feel the FMU is a reliable method of fuel managment. The AFC hack is slightly better. But if you're from the VW world, you know what kind of benefits you can get from custom chips. One of my close friends, who gives me tuning advice constantly is local to (I think Tempe), and I can put you in contact with him. He can give you advice on your build, provide tuning, and he has contacts at the local dyno shops.

-PHiZ

 

Yea I am always down to meet new people. I go to dyno comp for my dyno tuning www.dynocomp.com and have been looking at different versions of fuel management. I dont want to use the FMU and from my limited understanding on the AFC (not very compatible with VW) I dont like that it can only be programmed for full throttle and does not provide part throttle tuning abilities.

What are some of the features of common used piggyback computers? (E manage etc) Most of the sites just say the best for blah blah, you know the bit. I dont think I'll go big enough to require full on SEM

 

You don't need neccesarily need a piggyback controller. The underground honda hacking community is running boost in the stock ECU nowdays. What you would need is an OBD1 P72 ecu (assuming you are using the stock GSR IM), and an ecu crossover harness.

After which you are using the honda ecu to handle fully programmable fuel/ignition curves, and retaining all diagnostic sensors and support code (idle/cold-start/AC etc).

Dynocomp doesn't offer this service. They look like they are a european tuning outfit, more power to them. But there are people with more experience with the honda platform.

-PHiZ

 

Good info there, I was just at dyno comp as they tuned an SI turbo. They do a lot of WRX's STI's Evo's, Supra's etc etc but if they are unable to there are tons of local shops like SRD, Full Race, Import Powerhouse etc and are all very close to my home.

Whats available as pre made manifolds and IC plumbing? I am undecided if I want to just buy a kit or do my own

Honda threw in a kickass warranty so I am going to be building up my Suspension and Brakes as I reasearch. Shooting for summer install.

 

ok, well I'm just going to put you in touch with my friend, and let him advise you on the technical build details. I'll shoot his email to you in PM.

-PHiZ