1.5T PRL Motorsports 10th Gen Civic 1.5T Drop-In Turbocharger Upgrade Development

PRL Motorsports

Premium Performance Products
Elite Sponsor
Joined
Jan 26, 2017
Threads
113
Messages
1,575
Reaction score
4,325
Location
Export, PA
Website
prlmotorsports.com
Vehicle(s)
2017 Civic Si, 2016 Civic EX-T, 2018 Type R
Country flag
Honda Civic 10th gen PRL Motorsports 10th Gen Civic 1.5T Drop-In Turbocharger Upgrade Development PRL_10th&11thGen-Turbo-13


Over the past few months our team has been working to develop drop-in turbocharger upgrades for both the 10th and 11th Gen Civic platforms. During our development, we've discussed the similarities and differences between each factory turbocharger (read more below):

Blog Posts:
Blog Post 1
Blog Post 2

After much effort and careful consideration, we have spec'd out a well-rounded drop-in turbocharger for the 10th Gen Civic and 11th Gen Civic platforms (note, each platform will use a different turbocharger). Here's a sneak peak at our 10th Gen Honda Civic drop-in turbocharger upgrade. More details and pictures to come in our blog post this Friday, stay tuned! :thumbsup:
Sponsored

 

Crakzor

Senior Member
First Name
Mathanael
Joined
Dec 13, 2019
Threads
34
Messages
338
Reaction score
499
Location
DFW
Vehicle(s)
2014 Chevy Cruze, 2020 Civic Si
Vehicle Showcase
1
Country flag
anything on 10th gen 1.5t high volume downpipe upgrade? expected date keeps getting pushed back
 

Ap1 George

Senior Member
First Name
George
Joined
Jul 9, 2019
Threads
7
Messages
559
Reaction score
442
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada
Vehicle(s)
2017 SGP Civic Sport Hatch 6MT
Country flag
PRL_10th&11thGen-Turbo-13.jpg


Over the past few months our team has been working to develop drop-in turbocharger upgrades for both the 10th and 11th Gen Civic platforms. During our development, we've discussed the similarities and differences between each factory turbocharger (read more below):

Blog Posts:
Blog Post 1
Blog Post 2

After much effort and careful consideration, we have spec'd out a well-rounded drop-in turbocharger for the 10th Gen Civic and 11th Gen Civic platforms (note, each platform will use a different turbocharger). Here's a sneak peak at our 10th Gen Honda Civic drop-in turbocharger upgrade. More details and pictures to come in our blog post this Friday, stay tuned! :thumbsup:
MEH. these hybrid turbos that keep the stock shape will always be limited with the housing thickness material. The wall that separates the turbine wheel to the wastegate is already kinda thin, now fitting a bigger turbine wheel will make that wall even thinner. This is why people always get cracks from the wastegate to the turbine wheel on these hybrid turbos on this 1.5t. I'd much rather have you guys keep the garrett retrofits but I understand with these EPA crackdowns.
 
Last edited:

fk7_rs

Member
First Name
Jordan
Joined
May 29, 2021
Threads
6
Messages
28
Reaction score
10
Location
Australia
Vehicle(s)
Fk7 RS
Country flag
I know I’m better off waiting until Friday for the blog but just a quick one

How does the power gain increase compare from this 1.5 Drop in to your big garrets turbo kit that was discontinued ? Does this 1.5 drop in still make that sick (Suuututututu) turbo flutter like how the garrets turbo does?
 
OP
OP
PRL Motorsports

PRL Motorsports

Premium Performance Products
Elite Sponsor
Joined
Jan 26, 2017
Threads
113
Messages
1,575
Reaction score
4,325
Location
Export, PA
Website
prlmotorsports.com
Vehicle(s)
2017 Civic Si, 2016 Civic EX-T, 2018 Type R
Country flag
anything on 10th gen 1.5t high volume downpipe upgrade? expected date keeps getting pushed back
Our expected stock is still on target for late September, which hasn't changed since we've put the note on our site a few months back. However, @Two Step Performance has plenty of these in stock. TSP purchased our first full batch of these when we reopened orders.

MEH. these hybrid turbos that keep the stock shape will always be limited with the housing thickness material. The wall that separates the turbine wheel to the wastegate is already kinda thin, now fitting a bigger turbine wheel will make that wall even thinner. This is why people always get cracks from the wastegate to the turbine wheel on these hybrid turbos on this 1.5t. I'd much rather have you guys keep the garrett retrofits but I understand with these EPA crackdowns.
We totally understand and have kept this in mind. This is why our turbos will have their own, redesigned castings and bearing structure for increased reliability, rather than reworked factory units.

I know I’m better off waiting until Friday for the blog but just a quick one

How does the power gain increase compare from this 1.5 Drop in to your big garrets turbo kit that was discontinued ? Does this 1.5 drop in still make that sick (Suuututututu) turbo flutter like how the garrets turbo does?
This is all far too soon to tell. We will begin initial performance testing within the next two weeks. If power gains are on par with our goals, we will continue to test for longevity and pushing the limits.
 


Ap1 George

Senior Member
First Name
George
Joined
Jul 9, 2019
Threads
7
Messages
559
Reaction score
442
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada
Vehicle(s)
2017 SGP Civic Sport Hatch 6MT
Country flag
We totally understand and have kept this in mind. This is why our turbos will have their own, redesigned castings and bearing structure for increased reliability, rather than reworked factory units.
Does this mean your housing casting molds will not be 1:1 with the OEM unit exterior wise? It will actually be a bit bigger to give some room in the housing much like the W2?
 
OP
OP
PRL Motorsports

PRL Motorsports

Premium Performance Products
Elite Sponsor
Joined
Jan 26, 2017
Threads
113
Messages
1,575
Reaction score
4,325
Location
Export, PA
Website
prlmotorsports.com
Vehicle(s)
2017 Civic Si, 2016 Civic EX-T, 2018 Type R
Country flag
A few months back we compared Honda's 10th Gen and 11th Gen Civic’s (which is also the same as the 2023+ Acura Integra) turbochargers, discussed turbocharger measurements/specifications and mentioned that we would be developing a 100% drop-in turbocharger upgrade for these platforms. Today we are here to showoff what our team has put together for thus far and what these communities can expect to see from PRL Motorsports.

Bigger is Better
  • Well, sometimes... As a company built on grassroots racing history, we have always strived to push the limits and develop products that offer the highest potential while keeping as broad of a power curve possible. Typically “bigger” turbocharger wheels and housings translate to higher power potential. However, there are times that “bigger” is not always better depending on the application.
Turbocharger Spool
  • It is important for manufacturers and customers to properly match turbocharger specifications around their desired power goals, driving style or application. Though larger turbine wheels, compressor wheels or housing sizes may result in increased power potential, it can also mean increased turbocharger lag/response. Properly spec’ing out a turbocharger can be a balancing act - trying to implement the best of all scenarios into one package. This is where compressor/turbine wheel aero design comes into play, such as blade count and profile. Modern technology and aero knowledge allow manufacturers the ability to manipulate or change potential airflow with various designs within a given footprint.
Spacing Constraints & Reliability
  • One of the biggest hurdles manufacturers must overcome, especially with drop-in, factory-location turbochargers, is tight spacing constraints. We must keep in mind existing housing sizes, connections to surrounding components such as oil/coolant lines, downpipe, charge pipe, intake, inlet pipe, etc. There also becomes a point where fitting too large of components such as turbine or compressor wheels can lead to reliability issues if the CHRA’s bearing structure isn’t intended to support that large of a rotational mass or spin that fast, or if there isn’t enough material left in the housings, which can lead to cracking. We cover many of the leading causes of turbocharger failures, issues and preventative care in a previous blog article
Our development team has kept all of these factors in mind while designing our 1.5L turbocharger upgrades. We implemented a moderately sized, high-efficiency turbine wheel to properly complement Honda’s small displacement 1.5L Turbo engines for optimal spool, while also mating it to a high-efficiency compressor wheel that utilizes the latest in aero technology. The wastegate actuator diameter has been increased to alleviate back pressure and promote turbine exhaust flow. Reduced backpressure from the larger wastegate actuator hole and reduced shaft speed (in comparison to other options) from our selected compressor wheel, will help aid in turbocharger longevity. A journal bearing CHRA will be retained to keep the price point down for the 1.5L Honda market.

This turbocharger was designed with the goal of efficiently producing around 350 horsepower, hoping to touch around the 400 horsepower mark at max effort. We plan to begin testing these turbochargers within the upcoming weeks to see what they’re capable of.

2016-2021 10th Gen Civic Comparison:
Honda Civic 10th gen PRL Motorsports 10th Gen Civic 1.5T Drop-In Turbocharger Upgrade Development PRL_10th&11thGen-Turbo-13

Honda Civic 10th gen PRL Motorsports 10th Gen Civic 1.5T Drop-In Turbocharger Upgrade Development DropInTurbo_Wheel-1

Honda Civic 10th gen PRL Motorsports 10th Gen Civic 1.5T Drop-In Turbocharger Upgrade Development DropInTurbo_Wheel-2

Honda Civic 10th gen PRL Motorsports 10th Gen Civic 1.5T Drop-In Turbocharger Upgrade Development DropInTurbo_Wheel-3


Prototype Turbocharger Specs:
  • Journal bearing CHRA
  • High efficiency point-milled 9-blade billet 7075 aluminum 65 Trim compressor wheel (48mm inducer, 60mm exducer)
  • High efficiency Inconel 713C 9-blade 84 Trim turbine wheel (47mm inducer, 42mm exducer)
  • Larger wastegate actuator door
 

Jason Baker

Senior Member
First Name
Jason
Joined
Sep 2, 2020
Threads
79
Messages
1,832
Reaction score
1,425
Location
Lake George, NY
Vehicle(s)
2018 Civic Si Coupe
Vehicle Showcase
1
Country flag
A few months back we compared Honda's 10th Gen and 11th Gen Civic’s (which is also the same as the 2023+ Acura Integra) turbochargers, discussed turbocharger measurements/specifications and mentioned that we would be developing a 100% drop-in turbocharger upgrade for these platforms. Today we are here to showoff what our team has put together for thus far and what these communities can expect to see from PRL Motorsports.

Bigger is Better
  • Well, sometimes... As a company built on grassroots racing history, we have always strived to push the limits and develop products that offer the highest potential while keeping as broad of a power curve possible. Typically “bigger” turbocharger wheels and housings translate to higher power potential. However, there are times that “bigger” is not always better depending on the application.
Turbocharger Spool
  • It is important for manufacturers and customers to properly match turbocharger specifications around their desired power goals, driving style or application. Though larger turbine wheels, compressor wheels or housing sizes may result in increased power potential, it can also mean increased turbocharger lag/response. Properly spec’ing out a turbocharger can be a balancing act - trying to implement the best of all scenarios into one package. This is where compressor/turbine wheel aero design comes into play, such as blade count and profile. Modern technology and aero knowledge allow manufacturers the ability to manipulate or change potential airflow with various designs within a given footprint.
Spacing Constraints & Reliability
  • One of the biggest hurdles manufacturers must overcome, especially with drop-in, factory-location turbochargers, is tight spacing constraints. We must keep in mind existing housing sizes, connections to surrounding components such as oil/coolant lines, downpipe, charge pipe, intake, inlet pipe, etc. There also becomes a point where fitting too large of components such as turbine or compressor wheels can lead to reliability issues if the CHRA’s bearing structure isn’t intended to support that large of a rotational mass or spin that fast, or if there isn’t enough material left in the housings, which can lead to cracking. We cover many of the leading causes of turbocharger failures, issues and preventative care in a previous blog article
Our development team has kept all of these factors in mind while designing our 1.5L turbocharger upgrades. We implemented a moderately sized, high-efficiency turbine wheel to properly complement Honda’s small displacement 1.5L Turbo engines for optimal spool, while also mating it to a high-efficiency compressor wheel that utilizes the latest in aero technology. The wastegate actuator diameter has been increased to alleviate back pressure and promote turbine exhaust flow. Reduced backpressure from the larger wastegate actuator hole and reduced shaft speed (in comparison to other options) from our selected compressor wheel, will help aid in turbocharger longevity. A journal bearing CHRA will be retained to keep the price point down for the 1.5L Honda market.

This turbocharger was designed with the goal of efficiently producing around 350 horsepower, hoping to touch around the 400 horsepower mark at max effort. We plan to begin testing these turbochargers within the upcoming weeks to see what they’re capable of.

2016-2021 10th Gen Civic Comparison:
PRL_10th&11thGen-Turbo-13.jpg

DropInTurbo_Wheel-1.jpg

DropInTurbo_Wheel-2.jpg

DropInTurbo_Wheel-3.jpg


Prototype Turbocharger Specs:
  • Journal bearing CHRA
  • High efficiency point-milled 9-blade billet 7075 aluminum 65 Trim compressor wheel (48mm inducer, 60mm exducer)
  • High efficiency Inconel 713C 9-blade 84 Trim turbine wheel (47mm inducer, 42mm exducer)
  • Larger wastegate actuator door
PRL
Can you update us on where you are at with this? We are all frothing at the mouth!
 
OP
OP
PRL Motorsports

PRL Motorsports

Premium Performance Products
Elite Sponsor
Joined
Jan 26, 2017
Threads
113
Messages
1,575
Reaction score
4,325
Location
Export, PA
Website
prlmotorsports.com
Vehicle(s)
2017 Civic Si, 2016 Civic EX-T, 2018 Type R
Country flag
PRL
Can you update us on where you are at with this? We are all frothing at the mouth!
Hey Folks! We're still in the development phases of this, but we're probably looking at the release date being in the new year.
 

Renciso6

New Member
First Name
Rogelio
Joined
May 7, 2020
Threads
0
Messages
2
Reaction score
1
Location
California
Vehicle(s)
Honda Civic Sport (CVT)
Country flag
Hey Folks! We're still in the development phases of this, but we're probably looking at the release date being in the new year.
PRL
Is there any updates I wanna upgrade mine but want to see if I should wait or not :)
Sponsored

 


 


Top