Buying an HMT'ed car... advice?
 

I'm trying to buy a turbo'd 99 EJ8 Civic locally. The guy who owns the car recently did a custom install with his dad, who is a mechanic (I think he has his own shop). They claim it is an IHI from a 626 so I'm assuming it's an RHB5 VJ5. I haven't been able to find any compressor maps for it so I'm wondering if anyone know how it compares to the Nissan T25 (that I already have in my 'gonna HMT my car' collection). They also told me that after installing it, he decided to sell the car cuz he's moving off to college up north so he bought himself a tC. So, they never got around to putting on any management. So apparently it running at 10psi (stock internal WG) with only a resistor on the IAT to trick the ECU into running rich. My Q is, what are the chances the engine has been damaged by running it like this? I don't think they've driven it much since they installed it, but I know they've driven it some. And I think they supposedly dyno'ed it since they claim it has 217hp (btw, is that frickin possible with no tune or management?). I'm gonna go see/drive the car on Sat., but I'm trying to find out what i should expect/check b4 I go.

Re: Buying an HMT'ed car... advice?
 

Kick the tires.

Re: Buying an HMT'ed car... advice?
 

Sounds like they're feeding you a big bowl of bullshit, I'd avoid that car unless you can get it hella cheap.

Re: Buying an HMT'ed car... advice?
 

kick the guy in the nuts

Re: Buying an HMT'ed car... advice?
 

NEVER EVEr buy a modified car from some one you do NOT know, (ok, not even the ones you know)

Re: Buying an HMT'ed car... advice?
 

Seeing as how you can tear a sohc head off in 15 minutes with nothing more than a large stick and a scissors, I'd say you want to see the pistons. There's no way just an IAT resistor would help with 10psi, as even a few pounds on a small turbo like that will hit 160+, which is the limit of those injectors. I mean the stock injectors will be at 70ish percent stock, and thats just 100whp.

If not, do a compression test, look for flakes in the oil, and get it for a steal. Basicly assume the engine is junk, and you'll be fine.

Re: Buying an HMT'ed car... advice?
 

Car just got sold... :'( Back to the drawing board. Thx for the responses. Looks like I'm gonna get a stock 99-00 and put my setup on it. If anyone is selling or knows of someone who's selling in very good condition in FL, hit me up.

HiProfile: Your avatar had my coworker and me hypnotized for at least 10 minutes.

Re: Buying an HMT'ed car... advice?
 

Now it's some one elses problem. I bet it will be blown in a few day's. 10psi and no managment, I bet it's pinging like crazy and has high EGT from running to damn lean. 217whp on that dinky turbo? Thats pushing it.