Turbocharging the Honda CRX

Soldato
Joined
24 Oct 2002
Posts
6,242
Location
Portsmouth
My house mate has just picked up a CRX for a track car. The 1.6 engine puts out a healthy 130bhp but we feel it could use more for a track weapon.

We could either convert over to a 1.8 VTEC for around 180bhp or turbocharge the existing one.

My mate thinks you can buy kits that will fit and it will just work, however I glanced at the spec list and I didn't see anything about replacement engine management. Surely something would be required which would not cut the engine as soon as the turbo started producing positive pressure?

Any idea's?

Cheers :D
 
Caporegime
Joined
21 Oct 2002
Posts
26,251
Location
Here
You definately need management. The Ecu throws a code as soon as it detects boost. Standard Map sensor will go up to 11psi and with a chipped ecu you can run up to this much boost

My cousins 1.6 Honda engined Rover Coupe fitted with a T25 turbo made 185bhp /155lb.ft before it got written off.
 
Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
7,175
Location
Sussex
im guessing its not the B16? are the regular ones D series engines?

the yanks prob have a wealth of info about it - but I would be tempted to drop a B18C into it and an LSD gearbox :)
 
Soldato
Joined
18 Feb 2003
Posts
8,612
Location
Brighton/West Wicklow
From what i've heard (may be wrong) it probably is best to swap to a B18C4 AND boost it. It reputably responds the best to boost out of the B series engines due to lower compression than the others. Also the bent long second gear will probably assist traction in this case.

EDIT : Argh Managed to delete my original post whilst trying to quote it. So it may not all be above
 
Last edited:
Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
7,175
Location
Sussex
i read your statement thanks,

but they are all so close to one another to make not that much of a difference.

If its just gonna be a track car, strip it to nothing and leave it at that.
 
Caporegime
Joined
21 Oct 2002
Posts
26,251
Location
Here
eidolon said:
Now I'm really confused.
Is Jonny your brother and do you also have a cousin who turbo'd this VTEC engine too? :confused: :confused:

My bro had a coupe with VTEC B16. My cousin had the 1.6 DOHC non-Vtec engine in his coupe - same as the CRX mentioned, hence why I posted about it.

The B16 Vtec is nothing like the D16 Non vtec.
 
Caporegime
Joined
21 Oct 2002
Posts
26,251
Location
Here
eidolon said:
aha, now I see.

You can see why I was confused though, not many people have 2 turbocharged Honda engine'd Rovers in their family!

Unfortunately both didn't exist at the same time and are now both in car heaven :(

180bhp and 5psi of boost are about your limit on stock engine. ARP head studs help stop the head lifting.
 

Mic

Mic

Soldato
Joined
4 Aug 2005
Posts
3,869
Location
Ireland
No point really to be honest.
If your gonna use it as a track car theres no point paying thousands(yes many many thousands) to get a properly running CRX Turbo.

Strip everything out of it and it should weigh 800kg, maybe less. I dont think iv seen a b18 go into a d16 car. Iv seen b16s go into d16 cars however.
Its not worth it unless hes unto track racing seriously. As if hes not it will all be a huge waste of money.
 
Caporegime
Joined
21 Oct 2002
Posts
26,251
Location
Here
Mic said:
No point really to be honest.
If your gonna use it as a track car theres no point paying thousands(yes many many thousands) to get a properly running CRX Turbo.
Won't even cost £400 if you can do it yourself.

Just need to buy a manifold, turbo and intercooler really
 
Caporegime
Joined
21 Oct 2002
Posts
26,251
Location
Here
merlin said:
Agreed, strip it, sort the handling for the track and get on with it.
Prob best really.

A guy on CRX forums had a stripped white CRX with a bit of Nitrous. Was a right weapon and he could drive. Destroyed most things on a track
 

Mic

Mic

Soldato
Joined
4 Aug 2005
Posts
3,869
Location
Ireland
Simon said:
Won't even cost £400 if you can do it yourself.

Just need to buy a manifold, turbo and intercooler really
What about the internals?
Would he be able to get enough boost on an non-uprated internals to compete with a vtec crx?
 
Back
Top Bottom