is TURBO really that bad? - Honda Prelude Forum

Omega3001x · 03-16-2003, 08:00 AM

ok, ive been reading posts here and there for a long time on this forum and ive been waffling back and forth considering going turbo. ive got an H23A1 with almost 122,000 miles. it runs fine...could use a tune up im sure. i realize you cant tell me anything about what my specific motor can or cant do but in general, it seems like turbo is just a waste of money and asking for trouble. it seems like everyone now adays is going turbo but if you have a prelude, youre gonna toast the motor. well, im not down with that. can preludes not handle boost as much as you guys make it sound? i really would like to go turbo if i could be assured it wouldnt screw up on me.

assume one had $5000 cash laying around. this money has to include the turbo kit, any engine modification, any fuel/ignition mods, and any labor costs. do you think it would be possible to put together a low boost turbo set up that is as close to 100% reliable as possible for this much cash? and here is the kicker....do you think with proper maintenence the setup would have the capacity to last reliably for years to come? im not into balls to the walls all out performance but after driving friends' turbo cars, my i/h/e/p h23 doesnt compare. do you think a good condition stock internaled h23 could withstand like 5psi for a few years if not boosting 24hours a day? is it true that every psi is roughly 10 ponies gained? if so, that would be a gain of 50hp...not too shabby.

ok, i expect some lenghty, in-depth responses so type away with your profound knowledge!

ECHprelude · 03-16-2003, 11:06 AM

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ok, i expect some lenghty, in-depth responses so type away with your profound knowledge! [/B]

yes, no, and yes

j/k i was about to ask these same questions. i have same motor and was looking to do the same thing. i wanna know if you can do it on stock internals. do you have to sleeve the block?

chomorro · 03-16-2003, 03:05 PM

My experience is that most people don't stay at 5 psi like you want to go. Once you feel the boost you want more. If your are truly going to stay at 5 psi of boost you have to get a properly sized turbo that will respond well with the engine and psi. I believe most turbo kits come with turbos that are engineered to be efficient at 7 psi or more. I was running a 5 psi setup with a big t3/t4E turbo and it ran fine but wasn't enough. I was getting taking by modded none turbo eclipses. Probably because my turbo was too big I don't know. With 5000 grand in your pocket there is so much you can do to go faster. I highly recommend you get in touch with a mechanic or good friend who knows what he is doing and do most of the work your self. It will save you so much money. Yes you do get a warranty on the work but its usually not the work when something goes wrong on a turbo install, it usually bad tuning or broken parts such as turbo seal leaks or blown motor. Be sure to get it tuned right away and have it retuned at the first sight of detonation or any fluctuation in drivability. I made the mistake off waiting and you could easily ruin your motor.

With that much money you can bo a full rebuild with stock specs and get a stand alone engine management. This along with a good turbo kit. I don't know of any good ones for your car off the top of my head. You would have an awesome low boost setup with new motor that should last a very very long time. Of course in this period of time you might have to replace the turbo or lines and such but over all it should be reliable. Remember that most kits come with a 7 psi wastegate spring so opt for the lower one. Also look for a cast manifold so chances of cracking are reduced. And plan on a new clutch after install.
Every psi is not equivilent to 10 hp, there is too many factors to say this is true in general. With my 5 psi I felt like my car was around 200 whp, with 9 psi it felt like around 270whp. This is judging from my SC experience and other peoples dynos and seat of the pants feel.

Once you have this stuff on your car the sound of the bov will almost definitely make you want to push the car all the time just to hear it go off. Mostlikely with this setup you will either crash, get your license taking away, or too many speeding tickets before the your car starts to fail completely. ALso figure in smog limitations, probably aren't any where you are but its a big problem here. I hoped this helps you. If you were near me I could help you install everything. I am not at all a turbo expert I just go by ear and what my friends and I have experienced with turbo ludes.

Omega3001x · 03-16-2003, 06:29 PM

thanks chromorro! just the type of response i was looking for...lengthy and insightful. yeah, we dont have smog issues or emissions testing or anything like that where i live so thats no problem. and do you really think i could have an engine rebuild and turbo kit for $5000? cuz if i was to do an engine rebuild, i would run like 7 to 9 psi which is more the status quo. and of course the whistle on spool-up and blow-off valve on shift is ultimately my motive for turbo...that and bragging/showing off. im lame...no need to remind me. if power was all i cared about, id totally go with nitrous...cheap, easy, low risk power when you really need it. but no blow-off valve...and no whinning on the spool up

purge valve thing is pretty cool though. but anyway...now the question is can i rebuild my motor and get a turbo kit for $5000? new clutch not included cuz thats already taken care of. i was under the impression turbo kits ran close to $4000. and i thought full engine rebuilds ran around $3000. so thats $2000 over budget. thats 2 more months of savings. but hell, can anyone promise me that a fully build h23a specifically for turbo with a 7-9 psi turbo kit will hold up for a few years if properly maintained? keep in mind, this car wont see the track and will rarely race on the street. i generally shift between 3k and 4k rpm but id say i give it a good redline or two a day. oh yeah, and i rode in a turbo eclipse with an aftermarket bov one night and he was shifting very conservatively and not gassing it hardly at all in the parking lot but it was still making all kinds of wonderful noises. what bov is this that makes so much noise even driving easy?? i want it! lol