To swap or turbo

[nated420]

Im new to DSM always had hondas but figured I would give DSM a try! I have bought a 95 N/T DOHC. Pretty stock just has full exhaust, and CAI. Im trying to figure out if it would be better to swap out engine or to do a turbo kit??? Also if I do go with the engine swap will I need new tranny or with it bolt on to the old one? Thanks

 

[97_TSi]

Definatally turbo the 420a. It will take way too much money, time and hassle to swap a 4G63 into a n/t.

 

[92AWDHX40]

If you go turbo, make sure you have your tuning tools. Wideband, fuel, logger, link, etc. Tranny may hold up may not, i saw a thread on this before. Lots of information on the turbo swap, and things you may need to help you achieve your goal.

 

[Orange Car]

Sell and buy a DSM turbo....

 

[Boostinsideways]

If you decide to do a swap, you might as well do a modern 4g63 from an evo. More power stock. You can get the them with Mivec. They require a bit less work to fit into the 420a engine bay than the old school 4g63.

 

[Deadpool]

It all depends on what you want the car to do and your level of fabrication skills. If you have a unlimited budget and a full machine and fabrication shop at your disposal along with plenty of time to kill while you drive something else then you could swap over to a 4G63. The rest of us that do not have all that go 1 of 2 routes. The first being start with a factory turbo car and put the money saved into upgrades and the second is to build and put a turbo kit on the 420A. There is a long argument about if it is worth the money to turbo the non turbo 2gs but at the end of the day it all comes down to if you the owner think it is worth it or not. Personally I went the factory turbo 2g route but there are some respectable boosted 420A's out there and you are on the right board to research and make your own decision.

 

[Boostinsideways]

You dont even need a full machine and fabrication shop. Even working with a DSM era 4g63, the hardest part of fabrication is welding in motor mounts.

I think removing the 420 wiring harness and installing the 4g63 one would be harder/more time involved.

 

[nated420]

Thanks to everyone who relpied. After doing a little more research ive found it to be like most of you said to time/money consuming to try to swap it would be easier/better just to try and find a factory turboed dsm for sale and buy it. Im considering doing that but the car I have now is in pretty mint cond. with 130k on it and from reading all the good posts we have on this awesome webiste I think im going to rebuild the 420a motor and turbo it. Mainly because alot of the people out there are so against turboing the 420a motor. Now with the miles it has on it (130k) I should prob start rebuilding motor first then turbo??? or do you think I could get a good turbo kit and rebuild the rest?

 

[Boostinsideways]

I would start piecing together a turbo kit. Then get everything you need for a good rebuild.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/art...uild-420a-stage-2-turbo-kit-under-1000-a.html

Waterpump, oil pump, timing set, full engine gasket set, valve springes/guides/lifters. Maybe a nice set of cams, 8.5:1 pistons, forged rods. Bearings.

If its your only car I would not turbo it before you have a fresh engine that you know can handle the boost.

 

[Carter_95RS]

Make sure you do plenty of research in the 420a turbo conversion section before you go this route. For my "basic"(8 psi ) build I spent nearly 2k after all was said and done. If you choose to do this on the stock block like I did, make sure you have a good base to start from and a way to monitor everything to avoid problems. Just remember, boost is addicting.

 

[josh1095]

i wasted money ba couple years back on a 420 conversion. never finished. still have the car, all stock 5 speed. its my work car and ddriver. 200k on it and it runs, shifts perfect. i guarantee ill have atleast 250k before a major failure occurs. i even have a spare longblock when this one dies.
only needs routine maintenance. these cars are unbelievably reliable IF you dont thrash them. i just picked up a gst in excellent condtion for 1000. motor is being built now. for under 8000 ill have a 400hp car. cant beat that. and itll be reliable the way i take car of my cars.
so, i agree w everyone. its sooo much easier to go w a turbo and then upgrade. waaaaay cheaper too.

 

[BLAMExTHExLAG]

Yep, turbo would be the way to go. If it is going to be your dd, keep the boost low for now and get a conservative tune...once you get an engine build you wont have to worry nearly as much about anything breaking down.

If you are going to race it...go big or go home, right?

 

[glowryder]

turbo it.

And spend the cash to do it right , or dont do it at all.. These motors can put down nice RELIABLE power when done correctly.. running cheap parts is a shame..

Fast.Reliable.Cheap. pick 2.

 

[Shake_Zulla]

If you decide to do a swap, you might as well do a modern 4g63 from an evo. More power stock. You can get the them with Mivec. They require a bit less work to fit into the 420a engine bay than the old school 4g63.

I would just like to point out that it is a lot of work to get the newer 4g63 in even though it faces the same direction as the 420a. Not only is it a pain to mount and tune but you have to cut a hole in your firewall and hood to get it to fit. There is proof that someone has done the swap with a 4g63 from the 2nd gen 7-bolt however, there is no proof that anyone has gotten the later gen to run well (no video of it running at all).

 

[agarc023]

I think you should spend some time reading up on 2GNT.com

 

[brandonwh64]

daily drive what you have now and pickup a GSX/TSI AWD shell here on the classifieds then build a sweet engine for it in your spare time.

 

[nated420]

That 2gnt.com website is awesome thnx! N by the way I'm deff going to try to find a gsx that preferably doesn't run and needs some motor work and build a sick a$$ engine! Still gonna do some work to the N/T juss for fun so I can have a sweet dd!

 

[agarc023]

That 2gnt.com website is awesome thnx! N by the way I'm deff going to try to find a gsx that preferably doesn't run and needs some motor work and build a sick a$$ engine! Still gonna do some work to the N/T juss for fun so I can have a sweet dd!

Good choice, just be sure to read up...and read up some more. Good luck!

 

[sek_phok]

Turbo

 

[dubysnax]

well if youre like me and love my car but feels it lacks tire shredding ability what do you do?? 95 non turbo. but i have invested countless hours in this car. shaved door handles body work and paint. i have worked my ass off to get this car where it is now. what mods can i do for serious power? and how do i find parts. i used to be a honda guy and got my parts from friends.