PRL Motorsports Turbo Inlet Pipe Development

PRL Motorsports

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As some of you may have already seen, we recently leaked a few renderings of our Turbo Inlet Pipe Kit for the 2016+ Honda Civic 1.5T platform. Our team is ready to shine some insight in regards to what we’ve been up to, why we’ve “taken so long,” and why we’ve kept things under wraps.

Since the very beginning of our R&D on the 1.5L Turbo Civic chassis our focus has been to offer products that increase efficiency on Honda’s already notably efficient L15B7. One of the components we have been discussing how to feasibly upgrade, manufacture and bring to market over the years has been the tiny and ugly factory plastic turbocharger inlet pipe. Upgrading the factory inlet pipe will increase airflow before the turbocharger, allowing the turbocharger operate more efficiently. However, this project has given us quite a few obstacles to overcome.

The factory inlet pipe’s design is a rather complex unit. Honda’s injection molded piece utilizes a built-in bypass valve (BPV), vacuum, charge air (compressor outlet) and evap ports. All of these features paired with tight routing and unique profile of the inlet pipe has faced us with an engineering nightmare. Could we design a desirable prototype in our CAD software? Sure, but the real difficulty in manufacturing, though, is transforming an idea or design into a functioning and affordable reality. Our design team has been working together behind the scenes, implementing new technology, tools and manufacturing methods that we’ve acquired along the way in an effort to bring an aesthetically pleasing, affordable and high-performing turbo inlet pipe kit to market.

We are still making a few minor revisions to our concept before moving forward with a prototype piece for testing, but we are happy with what we’ve come up with and are happy to share our progress with the 10th Gen Civic community. Much more data including dimensions, comparisons and material(s) will be released shortly. Stay tuned!

Honda Civic 10th gen PRL Motorsports Turbo Inlet Pipe Development 1_zpszlnvgvht

Honda Civic 10th gen PRL Motorsports Turbo Inlet Pipe Development 4_zpsketsx6vo

Honda Civic 10th gen PRL Motorsports Turbo Inlet Pipe Development 3_zpscfuov7m3

Honda Civic 10th gen PRL Motorsports Turbo Inlet Pipe Development 2_zpsf93dmz8f


Basic Tech Information:

The Civic Si and Non-Si models utilize two slightly different inlet pipes. However, despite common misconception, the difference between the two in terms of flow and performance is very minor. Both pipes feature similar cross sections. – Please note that our Turbo Inlet Pipe will fit both Si and Non-Si models with stock and/or stock location, drop-in upgrade turbochargers.
 
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86salmon

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Upgrading the factory inlet pipe will increase airflow restriction before the turbocharger
Typo? Or is this a goal. I would have thought increased flow would be beneficial
 

r.camlin

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I dig it.
 

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geeeek

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is the entrance diameter of the inlet pipe same as oem?
 

airickmatthews

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If you actually read the details in the description it says it.
I read the post 3 times, just seen where they discuss how the factory inlet pipe utilizes a built in BPV, but don’t see anything about the new inlet pipe.
 

Zcfc3dc5

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I really hope it ends up being titanium like the one for the fk8
 

JKessler

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So stoked!!!!
 

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what does this part do exactly I dk nothing bout it
 


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PRL Motorsports

PRL Motorsports

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Typo? Or is this a goal. I would have thought increased flow would be beneficial
Typo. :)

This going to utilize the stock bpv?
Yes, this will retain use of the factory BPV and any stock-location BPVs.

is the entrance diameter of the inlet pipe same as oem?
No this will be MUCH larger. We will be releasing more numbers shortly.

I really hope it ends up being titanium like the one for the fk8
We are currently exploring a few different materials and manufacturing methods. At this time we do not feel that titanium will be the best option, especially in terms of cost-effectiveness. The L15B7's complex inlet pipe requires extensive machining and welding of the lower elbow and bungs on the upper pipe. Adding Ti into the mix will drastically increase pricing, though we haven't quite ruled this out. We will most likely be exploring some sort of thermal coated aluminum.

what does this part do exactly I dk nothing bout it
Upgrading the factory inlet pipe will increase airflow before the turbocharger, allowing the turbocharger operate more efficiently. Think of trying to breathe through a straw during a run in the park. Then compare this to trying to breathe without this restriction during the same workout. Your lungs (turbocharger) are working harder than they/it needs to, and would greatly benefit in terms of performance/longevity from reduced restriction.
 

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If this is an easy install, and benefits both fuel economy and performance(spool characteristics/overall airflow), it will likely be my next desired modification.
 

Neddih

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Typo. :)



Yes, this will retain use of the factory BPV and any stock-location BPVs.



No this will be MUCH larger. We will be releasing more numbers shortly.



We are currently exploring a few different materials and manufacturing methods. At this time we do not feel that titanium will be the best option, especially in terms of cost-effectiveness. The L15B7's complex inlet pipe requires extensive machining and welding of the lower elbow and bungs on the upper pipe. Adding Ti into the mix will drastically increase pricing, though we haven't quite ruled this out. We will most likely be exploring some sort of thermal coated aluminum.



Upgrading the factory inlet pipe will increase airflow before the turbocharger, allowing the turbocharger operate more efficiently. Think of trying to breathe through a straw during a run in the park. Then compare this to trying to breathe without this restriction during the same workout. Your lungs (turbocharger) are working harder than they/it needs to, and would greatly benefit in terms of performance/longevity from reduced restriction.

What about fitment as far as the rest of the intake is concerned, will this pipe only work with specific aftermarket intakes?
 

Micah

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What about fitment as far as the rest of the intake is concerned, will this pipe only work with specific aftermarket intakes?
This is going after the MAF so it shouldn't prevent you from using it with whatever aftermarket intake you want. Common knowledge on this forum however SHOULD greatly limit the number of aftermarket intakes anyone would consider putting on their car.
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