Engine work

Hey, I'm a Mechanical Engineer, and I got this civic I want to turn into a rocket. I know that I could just buy a BMW or such, but I want a "sleeper" I think is what you guys call it. I don't give a flyin crap what it looks like, I just want the thing to go alot faster than it does now. Damn thing pulls like a yugo. But I was told you can really do some things with a civic and I want to know what. This fixin up a car thing is new to me, but I understand mechanical principles and the Otto cycle, so what should I be replacing and adding. I have about $50,000 to spend, not sure how much that will do. Little civic only cost me $4000 tho! Its got a 1.6 liter with the VTEC deal.

Thanks all for any informative comments.

-SNS

Oh boy.. get ready for fifty billion replies with fifty billion different answers.

Me, I'd tear out that pos engine and swap in an Integra GS-R (B18C1) motor from www.hmotorsonline.com or something, then turbocharge the hell out of her. I'm sure you can do the swap yourself, being an engineer. Me and a buddy did mine with basic garage air tools and stuff. After that I would have a professional do the turbo work. You're going to need lower-compression forged pistons, forged rods, and definitly a stronger drivetrain i.e. valves/springs/retainers.

Swap out your clutch for a grippier one, install strengthened half shafts (axels), a good suspenion and some nice 16"x7" rims will keep her on the ground.. then a 2.75"-3" exhaust to top it off. There are endless little toys for boosted Hondas you can buy, and I'll let the rest of the kids here fill in the blanks because I'm drunk and it's 2:30 in the morning.

I suggest a nice hefty T3/T4 turbo, Hondata, 550cc injectors, 40mm Tial wastegate, HKS SSQ blowoff valve, and a big Spearco intercooler, and a Love Fab equal length turbo manifold, 3" Downpipe, with Carsound cat (or no cat at all), and Apex 3" N1 Turbo exhaust. That should get the ball rolling. After that, forged pistons and rods, resleeve the cylinders and up the boost some more.

GS quit dippin in my coolaid! I am planning something along those lines...

$50,000 to spend on a civic?! You got some cash there. Let me ask you this first, why a $50,000 on a civic? You could get either an Lexus IS300, Infinity G35, Nissan 350Z, Acura TL for around $30,000 and spend the rest on mods.

But if the Civic was your choice to slap in all that money, K20 type-R would be my choice. 220 hp at the crank stock. Then you could add in the extras that you want...Turbo maybe. With $50,000 on a car, you can get well into the 10 seconds barrier or maybe even faster.

Wow that is a lot of stuff. Thank you GScivic7, that is the kind of info I am looking for. The best brands and specific parts. Thats what I need.

And mycivic, you sound as if $50,000 would be way more than what I need. And by under 10 seconds you don't mean a 10 second 1/4 mile time do you? Because a $600,000 ferarri will only do around 11 seconds from the factory. Surely you cannot tune up a civic to outrun a ferarri for 1/12 the price?

Is this all I will need? Just turbo with accessories, pistons and rods, an engine switch, and airflow/fuel upgrades with a computer? No special Fast and furious stuff like nitrous oxide, or a big blower? I thought that stuff was what made them so fast. I guess that is why I am posting on a message board then!

Thank you for the information. And the K20 type-R engine, what is that from? And does it fit into the engine bay or will I need to move some stuff?

And mycivic, you sound as if $50,000 would be way more than what I need. And by under 10 seconds you don't mean a 10 second 1/4 mile time do you? Because a $600,000 ferarri will only do around 11 seconds from the factory. Surely you cannot tune up a civic to outrun a ferarri for 1/12 the price?

Thank you for the information. And the K20 type-R engine, what is that from? And does it fit into the engine bay or will I need to move some stuff?

OT: This is my 1000th post!!!

First off, for $50,000, you can make almost any car a "10 second car in a 1/4 mile". Ive seen some videos of cars all motor go 12 secs in 1/4 mile. So with that amount of money, your well into the 10 second barrier...with forced induction of course.

I hate to burst your bubble but yes, its possible to beat the $600,000 Ferrari in a 1/4 mile (even if you say "its just a civic") It is possible with that amount of money on a civic.

A K20 Type-R is from the Integra Type-R. Its a 2.0L engine with 220hp at the crank, and yes it can fit in a civic. All you need are motormounts from hassport.

"Click Me" (http://www.hasport.com/News/Articles/ESK1.htm)

Good luck with the project.

You can't start a project without a goal. What do you wanna make? Drag Car, Corner Car, 1/2 n 1/2, Turbo, NA, Nitrous, SCer?

GS quit dippin in my coolaid! I am planning something along those lines...
bah, I had all that planned out except the love fab manifold, T3/T4 turbo, 550cc injector and Spearco intercooler out waaaaaaay before you :p Actually, I was going to go with the exact same setup except with a T3/T04E turbo, DSM 450cc injectors, either a Johnny racecar intercooler or Revhard intercooler and a Revhard manifold.

Damn! If your spending $50,000 on a civic...you got some cash there. Care to sponsor me for a K20 swap? :evillol:

in fast and furious they did have all the essentials, turbo, computer, engine internals, just the nitrous added a little kick. and decals added a few more horses. the civic, being a very lightweight car, doesn't need much to get it moving. just try and find a local tuning and aftermarket shop, with 50 grand, they would be glad to give you all the help and advise you need.

You can't start a project without a goal. What do you wanna make? Drag Car, Corner Car, 1/2 n 1/2, Turbo, NA, Nitrous, SCer?

Well I'm looking for something that outperforms. Fast, handles well, has good features, and just generally makes normal cars appear crap compared to it. The only thing I do not care about is all the bodywork and spoilers and grills and lights that don't really make any difference at all in how the car performs. Don't get me wrong, I will keep the car waxed and looking like new. I just don't care for all that extravagant flashy stuff. It doesn't look like it would do much of anything anyway but weigh the car down and get stuff stuck in it. And attract criminals.

Does this change anything you guys were saying? I'm ready to start buying parts I don't want to spend a whole month on this thing!

nope, I still stick with my recommendation.

This month's Import Tuner (not a rag I usually read, but it was in my friend's car, and I was sitting shotty) has a beautiful example of a sleeper car. The integra is very aesthetically appealing, as well as being able to wipe the smile off of any push-rod lovin fool at the track... and be able to drive home in the same car.

Welcome to the world of the sport compact man. With a cashflow like that, I'd suggest making your car as fast as you see fit... then get a bike with what's left over. Nothing can touch you on one of those, not even the Bugatti Veyron, McLaren F1, or new Carrera GT (Stock that is, but good luck trying to find overlooked HP in any of those).

Naturally aspirated or forced induction, whatever you chose, please be sure to remember to be responsible with what you've got. Try to find a track or two in your area. Maybe autocross could catch your fancy. Just please, try to keep it legit. But most of all, have fun learning, and have fun driving!!!

Well I'm looking for something that outperforms. Fast, handles well, has good features, and just generally makes normal cars appear crap compared to it. The only thing I do not care about is all the bodywork and spoilers and grills and lights that don't really make any difference at all in how the car performs. Don't get me wrong, I will keep the car waxed and looking like new. I just don't care for all that extravagant flashy stuff. It doesn't look like it would do much of anything anyway but weigh the car down and get stuff stuck in it. And attract criminals.

Hmmm...with the amount of money you are going t spend on it, I smell a sleeper in the making. :smokin: