D15 Turbo questions
 

Yes, I know you will say "search". I have. Here, google, other sites, etc. There is different info EVERYWHERE, but most of it seems to be people telling others to search, pretty bad when I search and find threads that tell me to search. Ok, *rant off*

Sorry for the bad introduction. Anyways, I am building a tube buggy for rockcrawling/4x4cross (similar to autocross) and just for trail riding. I am using a Honda D15 engine with the transaxle as the powerplant and transmission (doubles as a transfer case as well). This buggy will be lightweight, and with the gearing going through the axle gears, it should have good power (I've seen stock D16's break axleshafts). I am trying to get this buggy done as quickly as possible (by mid April hopefully) for a race in May. This is why I need to get on the ball with ordering parts, etc.

My question: I have a D15 out of a 94 (I think) Civic. That's about all I know about it, but I can find out more (tell me where to look on the block, or what you need to know). I hear they have about ~80HP stock, correct? I'd like to up that some, but not a ton.

I am thinking about running a turbo setup, something that spools up quickly (as low RPM's as possible). I don't plan to run an intercooler, since it won't be going over 50MPH anyways. SO, what do I need to do to the engine to run the turbo, what turbo would you suggest, etc. I already plan to completely rebuild the engine (need to know if I need to upgrade any of the internals (head or block).

I am new to import car engines, so I don't know your "slang" terms, so spell it out please :) I can fabricate anything that CAN be fabbed (aluminum or steel), so if I can make something to save $$$, tell me. I have never put a turbo on anything before, I've read some about it so I am starting to understand what each part does, but it's hard to decide WHAT to buy.

I'm trying to do all this for as cheap as possible, but with decent (used is OK) quality parts.

What all do I need or don't need, where can I get it, etc. To me, these parts are just that, parts, I don't know what goes with what, whats good, etc, and frankly, I need to be working on either the engine, rebuilding the tranny (had to weld the spider gears in it), or numerous other things to hopefully have this buggy ready in a couple months (all I have so far is the engine/tranny).

Any and all help is MUCH appreciated, if I would be better off not doing a turbo, let me know, but the sound/power increase is really what I'm wanting. If I can get out for less (much less hopefully) than $1000 I'd be happy.

Thanks!

Re: D15 Turbo questions
 

BTW, I found this turbo, but not sure if it would be a good candidate? It's over now though...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...191323232&rd=1

Re: D15 Turbo questions
 

realibly the d15 motors can hold 180whp, a new clutch (something that holds the increased tq) a small t25 would work okay (correct me if Im wrong)

turbo parts:
Manifold
Turbo
injectors
blow off valve
piping
a way to tune it
oil lines

ugh Im sure theres more but thats all off the top of my head

Re: D15 Turbo questions
 

i throw a dog a bone, he better run with it...


https://www.homemadeturbo.com/forum/...?topic=28135.0 :1

Re: D15 Turbo questions
 

all the info u need to build a turbo kit is here.....and most if not all parts needed are available in the for sale section. U just need to read..make sure to read the part that says to run the wg to atmosphere with out a vac line :y

Re: D15 Turbo questions
 

You mean on stock(unopened motor) Hi compression piston's etc

Re: D15 Turbo questions
 

I say go with an IHI turbo like from a mazda or subaru. They will spool quicker than the T3 will and will hold boost till redline. You'll have a nice flat torque curve.

Re: D15 Turbo questions
 

Ok, is there any certain model of IHI turbo I should look for? I am sure that there are different models from different years of cars. From what I've read, the IHI turbo off a 2.3 T-bird (thunderbird?) would be good, or is it the T-coupe? I don't have a clue what I'm looking for...

Intake/exhaust of .48/.52 (or so?) is about what I should look for correct?

Thanks

Re: D15 Turbo questions
 

if you are good at welding and fable stuff, just weld up your own manifold and downpipe and charge pipe. bolt your turbo on it, hook up wastegate and blow off valve. some kind of engine management and your good to go.

Re: D15 Turbo questions
 

yeah and post pics/vids of this thing as you go. Sounds pretty sweet. I've seen some little offroad buggies and ---- that run D motors. Some company even mass produces them.

Re: D15 Turbo questions
 

T-birds have that turbo. That one is bigger than the mazda ones and would probably suit you nicely. look at ososlohatch's thread (4doors = more -----s, or somehting) in F/I. He used an IHI .48/.52

Re: D15 Turbo questions
 

Well, I have two more options now. A friend has a near new WRX turbo that I may can do some trading for. (option 1).

OR, another friend knows of a 92/93/94 (one of those) Volvo wagon with a fairly new turbo installed on it that is for sale. Obviously, if it is a cheap aftermarket turbo, I'd pass on it, but if it is a "factory" style turbo it would be a good deal. The car is for sale for $400 (if it hasn't sold yet). I figure I could get $400 out of the car after I took the turbo off, but would this turbo work well for my needs?

Also, I understand the manifold, wastegate, BOV, and all piping, I can handle all that. BUT the engine management for THIS application is what I need to figure out. I don't want to ru so much boost I have to spend tons of $$$ for injectors or expensive management stuff, so what should I try to stay at? 6PSI? What is a reliable management system to run on a D15? I can search (I have been searching for the past 2 hours), and have come up with very little. Whatever I have found is either for different engines, a completely different setup, or their setup ran like crap.

I hope once I get this dang thing running it will all be worth it then...

And also, what if any internals need to be upgraded in the D15? Can I leave the valve springs alone, or do they need to be swapped for stiffer ones?

Re: D15 Turbo questions
 

look into uberdata and crome...there is a lot of info on management on this site and its relitively cheap compared to standalones, hacks and fag ass hondata

Re: D15 Turbo questions
 

go to -------------, a sponsor of this site. For 70-75 dollars you send him your ecu and he chips it and puts a basemap for running a turbo on your engine. You just have to give him the specs of your setup such as the engine model, whether you are intercooled, the size of the injectors you are using, etc. He sends that back, you plug it in, and you are good to go. It would be wise to have it further tuned, but if you're just running low boost levels you likely won't have a problem.

Re: D15 Turbo questions
 

^^ Best thing you can do, if you want to take it a step further and tune the engine yourself, search for the JAW wideband reader (100-150 complete with o2 sensor), Eprom chip burner (50-100 new), laptop (own or borrow), download crome/uberdata and finally browse the engine management forum and pgmfi forums too learn how to tune. As far as what turbo to use, that volve should have a airresearch/garrett .42/.48 which should be perfect for a quick spooling and low end torque.

Re: D15 Turbo questions
 

The so called "new" turbo on the Volvo would not even spin ( I could turn it with a 1/4" drive ratchet and slight pressure), and she wanted $700 for the car, didn't want to spend that though. It was a TD04 turbo, and looked good other than not spinning easily (car has been sitting since ~July).

Anyways, I picked up a Apexi cast manifold from a friend with a T-2 flange, *free* (they are kind of sponsoring this build). They are going to powdercoat any parts needed as well (chassis, etc).

Another guy has a T25 turbo off a 300ZX that has no shaft play, and spins good. Said he'd take $100 for it. I will probably go that route. My only other option is the WRX turbo (with about 6K miles on it) that I would trade for some welding, but I doubt it would fit the T-2 flange?