Top end tuning

sion_kwl

Active Member
Feb 22, 2016
49
3
South Wales
Hi guys,
looking for some advice for tuning at the top end of the rev range.
My current set up is AUQ with standard turbo, FMIC, 2.5" decat and cat back with minimal silencing, K&N intake, mapped to a claimed 235bhp/300ftlb ish (no reason to doubt this claim, compared to my mams TT with the same engine standard it's a bit of an animal)

however in typical fashion, got a massive lump of power at 3-4k, after which boost seems to drop off slightly and by 5.5-6k it feels somewhat strangled. I know I'm comparing this to my EP3 type R which makes the same power N/A and its all top end, but I would like to free up a bit more at the top end of the rev range.

I've been wondering if a KO4 upgrade from a 225 (or a hybrid of some sorts) might solve this. My theory being that the larger housing would allow more gasses to flow, making it less restricted top end (admittedly with I'd imagine a slight increase in lag). my old 200sx turbo was twice the size at half the pressure on the same size engine, making the same power but pulled all the way to the redline, which is what got me thinking down this route
obviously this would require a remap, but that's fine

TL;DR want same power, with a smoother power/torque curve
 
Last edited:

maccairl

Active Member
Feb 6, 2016
18
0
Belfast
Mine is AUQ mapped to 210 and it's heaps slower than my Honda prelude lol

Ko4 would have more lag but a ko3 hybrid would be a good upgrade

Long term though why not look at big turbo kits?
Seen a few people post about them and they seem reasonably priced



Sent from my GT-I9195 using Tapatalk
 

sion_kwl

Active Member
Feb 22, 2016
49
3
South Wales
I looked at the bigger turbos like a GT28/30, they'll definitely do what I want but it's a lot of expense for what is my daily driver, and the funds are much more needed in my civic lol (aiming for vtec challenge 2017!)

I also looked at hybrids but I rejected them on the premise that the exhaust side of the engine is still all the same, and from my understanding of tuning that's going to be where the majority of the top end restriction on my engine is.

lol mine's much slower than my civic once you get them going too, but my civic is 300kg lighter from factory, stripped out, tuned... dont even have a stereo so it's to be expected really lol.
 

Bigjohn84

Intagram / johnyoung84
May 5, 2015
2,330
1
Hi guys,
looking for some advice for tuning at the top end of the rev range.
My current set up is AUQ with standard turbo, FMIC, 2.5" decat and cat back with minimal silencing, K&N intake, mapped to a claimed 235bhp/300ftlb ish (no reason to doubt this claim, compared to my mams TT with the same engine standard it's a bit of an animal)

however in typical fashion, got a massive lump of power at 3-4k, after which boost seems to drop off slightly and by 5.5-6k it feels somewhat strangled. I know I'm comparing this to my EP3 type R which makes the same power N/A and its all top end, but I would like to free up a bit more at the top end of the rev range.

I've been wondering if a KO4 upgrade from a 225 (or a hybrid of some sorts) might solve this. My theory being that the larger housing would allow more gasses to flow, making it less restricted top end (admittedly with I'd imagine a slight increase in lag). my old 200sx turbo was twice the size at half the pressure on the same size engine, making the same power but pulled all the way to the redline, which is what got me thinking down this route
obviously this would require a remap, but that's fine

TL;DR want same power, with a smoother power/torque curve


I take it that's on a stage 2 map as there's no way you can get that kind of figers on a stage 1, if it is stage 1, then who ever done the map has gave u low end power and not spread it out, I have amazing top end power and I'm in stage one.I think you should go get it on a dyno and get an actual print out on how she's running mate, hear my print out.

image_zpsgiatrtwg.jpeg
 
Last edited:

ibizacupra

Jack-RIP my little Friend
Jul 25, 2001
31,333
19
glos.uk
Hi guys,
looking for some advice for tuning at the top end of the rev range.
My current set up is AUQ with standard turbo, FMIC, 2.5" decat and cat back with minimal silencing, K&N intake, mapped to a claimed 235bhp/300ftlb ish (no reason to doubt this claim, compared to my mams TT with the same engine standard it's a bit of an animal)

however in typical fashion, got a massive lump of power at 3-4k, after which boost seems to drop off slightly and by 5.5-6k it feels somewhat strangled. I know I'm comparing this to my EP3 type R which makes the same power N/A and its all top end, but I would like to free up a bit more at the top end of the rev range.

I've been wondering if a KO4 upgrade from a 225 (or a hybrid of some sorts) might solve this. My theory being that the larger housing would allow more gasses to flow, making it less restricted top end (admittedly with I'd imagine a slight increase in lag). my old 200sx turbo was twice the size at half the pressure on the same size engine, making the same power but pulled all the way to the redline, which is what got me thinking down this route
obviously this would require a remap, but that's fine

TL;DR want same power, with a smoother power/torque curve

bigger turbo will flow at higher revs.. with supporting mods.
the choke is your existing tiny k03s unit.
hybrid k03 will pull longer and stronger but k04 is larger housing

plenty of options, budget is the key
 

ibizacupra

Jack-RIP my little Friend
Jul 25, 2001
31,333
19
glos.uk
I looked at the bigger turbos like a GT28/30, they'll definitely do what I want but it's a lot of expense for what is my daily driver, and the funds are much more needed in my civic lol (aiming for vtec challenge 2017!)

I also looked at hybrids but I rejected them on the premise that the exhaust side of the engine is still all the same, and from my understanding of tuning that's going to be where the majority of the top end restriction on my engine is.

lol mine's much slower than my civic once you get them going too, but my civic is 300kg lighter from factory, stripped out, tuned... dont even have a stereo so it's to be expected really lol.

want top end power enjoy your honda.
want much more torque low and mid keep your smaller turbo
 

ibizacupra

Jack-RIP my little Friend
Jul 25, 2001
31,333
19
glos.uk
I take it that's on a stage 2 map as there's no way you can get that kind of figers on a stage 1, if it is stage 1, then who ever done the map has gave u low end power and not spread it out, I have amazing top end power and I'm in stage one.I think you should go get it on a dyno and get an actual print out on how she's running mate, hear my print out.

image_zpsgiatrtwg.jpeg

remember Dyno lottery applies. and we know some companies have happier dynos than others.. so figures are always at best a guide not an absolute
 

sion_kwl

Active Member
Feb 22, 2016
49
3
South Wales
Cheers for the comprehensive info guys!

You are correct its a stage 2 map, I have no idea who did it though, all done by previous owners, as I picked it up very cheap needing a new turbo, and since then I've been taking my time getting it running right and finding any other issues before I start fettling with it some more.

My friend has a bunch of spare KO4 stuff (manifold, downpipes etc) which he's willing to give me in exchange for me doing his mechanical work so for a lower budget upgrade that's going to be ideal, I mostly just wanted to check it's going to do what I want it too before spending the money :)

I would just carry on enjoying the honda but it's not going to be road friendly (I already need earplugs inside if I'm not wearing a helmet lol)
 
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