need some guidance

[qikteg]

i've been pondering a lot of things lately about my lil ol DA3 integra, and i'm not sure which way i should be going with it. It is my daily driver, so bare that in mind, that i need it to be reliable, relatively fuel efficient, and i can't have it off the road for long stints at a time... (ie more than a week).

so i'm starting to consider which direction i should go in terms of what to modify. its a ZC d16a8, 1.6l, the same as what is available in some crx's and civic si's. so now, i need to decide whether to tune the ZC motor and keep it NA, bolt-on turbo kit, or go for an engine transplant to either a vtec or turbo (least likely option).

so now, there's a few basic mods that i wanna do. i want to lower the car a couple of inches (nothin absurd), and improve handling/suspension setup. i'm going to install an exhaust system in the next few weeks, most likely a 2.25" mandrel bent system, complete with extractors. i've already setup a CAI and pod filter.

so two things i need to know, is will a 2.25" exhaust be suitable for a bolt on turbo, and will my handling/suspension setup be affected by whether i go NA or turbo?

[Q_ball]

Depends on many factors to do with ya turbo setup.
2.25" maybe a lil restrictive, most people have 3" for their exhausts on a turbo car.
Suspension should be right, it only plays a big factor if you plan on taking the car to the drags, tracks etc.
For daily driving and boosting, it should be fine.
Stiffer would be better tho imo.

[EGB16A]

i've been pondering a lot of things lately about my lil ol DA3 integra, and i'm not sure which way i should be going with it. It is my daily driver, so bare that in mind, that i need it to be reliable, relatively fuel efficient, and i can't have it off the road for long stints at a time... (ie more than a week).

so i'm starting to consider which direction i should go in terms of what to modify. its a ZC d16a8, 1.6l, the same as what is available in some crx's and civic si's. so now, i need to decide whether to tune the ZC motor and keep it NA, bolt-on turbo kit, or go for an engine transplant to either a vtec or turbo (least likely option).

so now, there's a few basic mods that i wanna do. i want to lower the car a couple of inches (nothin absurd), and improve handling/suspension setup. i'm going to install an exhaust system in the next few weeks, most likely a 2.25" mandrel bent system, complete with extractors. i've already setup a CAI and pod filter.

so two things i need to know, is will a 2.25" exhaust be suitable for a bolt on turbo, and will my handling/suspension setup be affected by whether i go NA or turbo?

my advice would be to go for a low KM b18c swap. as for the rest, i agree with Q ball

[qikteg]

so will a 2.25" exhaust be sufficient for a stock b18c engine?

because if it is, it means that i can get my suspension and a 2.25" exhaust system done without having to replace them if i upgrade the motor (which is a good thing).

[Q_ball]

2.25" exhaust will be sufficient yes.
However, its more suited for better low end response, rather then top end.
2.5" is what you would use to get a better high end gain.

[bennjamin]

my advice would be to go for a low KM b18c swap. as for the rest, i agree with Q ball

~ what he said.

2.5inch is too big IMO for a 1.6l engine or even stock 1.8l engine. 2.25 seems to be perfect for both mentioned as mentioned :P
It is not worth it at all , further modifying your existing engine as there are very little options out there apart from custom work. IMO as above , source some later model 1.6 or 1.8l engines , say a b16a2 or b18c2 or c7 from later EG/EK and DC2's and with a few $$$ worth of parts n labour you will have a nicer result.

Write down your budget on paper and consider either a few breathing mods for "a nicer noise" from yuor exisiting engine or save up and chuck it into either a conversion OR sell the car and start fresh with something WITH a nicer engine to begin with :)

[qikteg]

thanks for the great feedback guys, it definately has helped me with some decisions. does this sound like a good plan?

i'll get the tegsy lowered a bit and improve the handling/suspension, then i'll go for a 2.25" catback. then i can save up some money and research the best option for swapping to a b series engine with extractors and a hi-flow cat. i may do some basic work to the b engine, lightened fly wheel, clutch, adjustable cam gears, intake etc but nothing big

[Limbo]

yup sounds good, get some strut braces if you can get them cheap they help with handling quite abit. I've got them all round my car and they work wonders. A larger swaybar also comes in handy.

[qikteg]

tops, gotta find wat kind of strut/sway bars fit on my chassis...

alrite, well thats great, thanks everyone!

[Q_ball]

tops, gotta find wat kind of strut/sway bars fit on my chassis...

alrite, well thats great, thanks everyone!
Check out the Whiteline website for their range.
They tend to be the brand to go :)