look before you boost
October 8th, 2005Q: I want to turbocharge my Honda S2000. Will I have to open up the engine and change parts or can I simply bolt on the kit without making major changes?
A: That depends on how important ‘doing it right’ is to you.
>If you don’t lower compression, you can’t run as much boost.
>If you don’t change the cams you’ll be limited on how much power you can make because the charge will blow out the exhaust side without being combusted. (In general a high revving NA engine is cammed all wrong for forced induction/turbo).
>If you don’t change the injectors you’re more likely to run lean which will cause serious damage.
All these things should be worked out already if you get a top quality kit rather than a ‘bargain priced’ one but still we’d suggest you choose something less invasive and stressful on the motor.
To decide, start with a couple track days or even runs at the drag strip. Once you’ve honed your technique you can decide what you want to accomplish.
(We’d address the too-long gearing numb steering and twitchy tail before changing anything else…)