More horsepower!!!

[Dbwy]

Hi...so I have a 2012 aa3 na with the k24z7. Although I am pretty happy with it, i seem to be wanting more power (especially at speeds above 90). I am happy with gears 1-3, but 4-6 seem to be a lot more sluggish due to the aerodynamics of the car. Furthermore, the characteristics of the engine are not as aggressive as I hoped for. Coming from numerous s2000's and a few built Hondas (among many other cars), I have come to like higher revving and more aggressive higher rpm motors. These seem to be a lot more fun to me.

So here is what I'm thinking and I would appreciate any feedback (especially from people with experience).

1. The easiest option is to purchase the supercharger kit. It's supposed to give 50-60 hp (I believe). But at a price of 8-10k installed, I started thinking about other options. Plus, would this really give me what I want (would it give me any more rpm's, and would it rev any faster)?

2. I found a company who makes a turbo kit for the 2012 civic si (k24z7). I would have to get somebody to fabricate an inter cooler and piping, but I could use their manifold and turbo. I think once complete, this kit will cost around $5000. I usually don't like turbos, but I like this set up for a few reasons. First, they dyno tuned a stock civic to get 285whp at 6 lbs of boost. Those are great numbers at low boost (and would be very safe for the stock internals). Second, I believe I can get a tune that includes boost by gear. I like the idea of keeping the boost low through the first few gears and then get it up to about 10 pounds in 5th and 6th. The stock motor was tested to handle 11 pounds before sensors and other things need to be changed. Lastly, I like the turbo idea, because it can always be adjusted or retuned to get the power exactly where it feels best.

3. I can have a k24a motor built that will put out a reliable 300whp. It will have the aggressive characteristics that I like, and rev high and fast like a well built Honda should. I believe when it's all said and done it will cost around 8k.

What have you guys done, or what would you do? Keep in mind that I'm not looking to go crazy. I think 300whp would be sufficient.

[bolus]

I think 300whp would be sufficient.

Hahahahahaha hahaha hhaaaa haha aha !!!!!!



Several of us ecotec owners went turbo. The honda guys like to go with the rotrex superchargers. You are looking at a lot of custom work either way though.

[McFred]

Hi...so I have a 2012 aa3 na with the k24z7. Although I am pretty happy with it, i seem to be wanting more power (especially at speeds above 90).

This is something you'll have to decide for yourself, obviously, but at least you have a variety of options. As an s2k owner and general honda enthusiast (like me) it seems like the all-motor route would be the clear choice. This is the route I took, and if you're near sea level I don't think you really need to force feed the engine. If you like high revs but see the K20A as a downgrade, you could use the 90mm s2k crank in the tall K24 block to give you a hybrid between the rev-happy K20 and the more torquey K24. I've seen a lot of K24 dynos going to 9 or 10k, but I think these are mostly drag engines and I'm not sure you would want to do that for hours and hours. If you can live with 8k I think you can get a lot of reliable power out of a K24 build. These are pretty common now and easy to get shelf parts for.

The turbos and rotrex builds tend to be peaky, but maybe this is exactly what you want since you seem happy with the lower RPM range. The roots blowers tend to increase torque everywhere and if anything fall off a bit on top, but as you say that is probably the easiest route with your existing setup. With either blower you need to keep an eye on RPM and pulley selection because you don't want to over-rev the blower, so there may be some trade-offs there in terms of having a wide power band and peak power.

[Dbwy]

As an s2k owner and general honda enthusiast (like me) it seems like the all-motor route would be the clear choice. This is the route I took, and if you're near sea level I don't think you really need to force feed the engine. If you like high revs but see the K20A as a downgrade, you could use the 90mm s2k crank in the tall K24 block to give you a hybrid between the rev-happy K20 and the more torquey K24. I've seen a lot of K24 dynos going to 9 or 10k, but I think these are mostly drag engines and I'm not sure you would want to do that for hours and hours. If you can live with 8k I think you can get a lot of reliable power out of a K24 build. These are pretty common now and easy to get shelf parts

Yes, I am at sea level (San Diego). I think I would be happy with 8-8500 rpm's, as long as it had an aggressive feel at the top and in vtec.

Do you have a post with your build?