1.5T Want stronger internals for more power.. what do I need?

r.camlin

Senior Member
First Name
Rob
Joined
Apr 26, 2019
Threads
40
Messages
397
Reaction score
243
Location
New Jersey
Vehicle(s)
2019 Civic Hatchback Sport
Country flag
Isnt the Si block the same as the base? Just slightly stronger internals? Might as well just build my engine with fresh internals right?
Correct. It'd be more cost effective to buy a set of Brian Crower rods and a bigger turbo. You'd probably have an engine better than Si at that point.
 
OP
OP
imcrspy

imcrspy

Senior Member
First Name
Allen
Joined
Sep 8, 2018
Threads
43
Messages
170
Reaction score
136
Location
Los Angeles
Vehicle(s)
2018 Civic Hatchback Sport
Country flag
Thank you guys for actually useful information! Exactly what I was looking for!

Next question, and I guess I should probably contact my tuner directly, but KTuner should allow me to raise the rev limit once I build the engine right? I'm assuming i'd need new valves and valve sprints to make this possible?

Also, how viable is it to switch to an Si ecu? I'm sure it's not plug and play but how difficult would it be? I know that the Si ecu isn't as aggressive with knock control as the base ECU.
 

ThatDustyFox

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2018
Threads
5
Messages
93
Reaction score
44
Location
United States
Vehicle(s)
FC1 Si
Country flag
Thank you guys for actually useful information! Exactly what I was looking for!

Next question, and I guess I should probably contact my tuner directly, but KTuner should allow me to raise the rev limit once I build the engine right? I'm assuming i'd need new valves and valve sprints to make this possible?

Also, how viable is it to switch to an Si ecu? I'm sure it's not plug and play but how difficult would it be? I know that the Si ecu isn't as aggressive with knock control as the base ECU.
You would need just about every wire and harness out of an Si to be able to successfully complete the swap. Switching to Motec would be a much more viable option if you have the money. I would suggest starting with the Saenz rods and Si pistons and going from there.
 


LilToTo17

Senior Member
First Name
Kevin
Joined
Jul 14, 2017
Threads
71
Messages
3,162
Reaction score
1,441
Location
Santa Rosa, CA
Website
wheelwell.com
Vehicle(s)
98 Civic EX with SI Conversion-Sold, 2017 Civic Si Sedan
Vehicle Showcase
1
Country flag
Isnt the Si block the same as the base? Just slightly stronger internals? Might as well just build my engine with fresh internals right?
All different internals, sensors, fuel pump,
 

kshawn

Senior Member
First Name
Matthew
Joined
Apr 23, 2016
Threads
25
Messages
2,602
Reaction score
2,796
Location
Maine
Website
www.instagram.com
Vehicle(s)
2017 Civic SI
Country flag

Jes_si562

Senior Member
First Name
Jesse
Joined
Feb 20, 2019
Threads
21
Messages
993
Reaction score
532
Location
Long Beach
Vehicle(s)
2018 civic si. 1990 Honda civic w d16z6 swap (sold) 2019 Honda Civic Hatchback sport(wifes)
Country flag
Honestly op you don't need to change to an si motor for the fact that it's almost identical, but of course si block is better then the base but it doesn't mean your block can't be built internally to be reliable. My suggestion is, if you want to save money is to build the block your currently have. Just get some rods with piston and that alone would handle the power your trying to reach without it blowing up, just have a good shop that knows what they are doing build it for you Simple, stock sleeves will handle 400whp and for the guy that is saying a 1.5 can't be a track car he's clearly don't know what he's saying cause any engine can be used for anything if it's built properly. Just get some springs and reatiners so you won't have to worry about dropping a valve
 

Dirt

Banned
Banned
Joined
Jul 11, 2019
Threads
15
Messages
181
Reaction score
164
Location
Rhode Island
Vehicle(s)
2017 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport 6-Spd Manual
Honestly op you don't need to change to an si motor for the fact that it's almost identical, but of course si block is better then the base but it doesn't mean your block can't be built internally to be reliable. My suggestion is, if you want to save money is to build the block your currently have. Just get some rods with piston and that alone would handle the power your trying to reach without it blowing up, just have a good shop that knows what they are doing build it for you Simple, stock sleeves will handle 400whp and for the guy that is saying a 1.5 can't be a track car he's clearly don't know what he's saying cause any engine can be used for anything if it's built properly. Just get some springs and reatiners so you won't have to worry about dropping a valve
It's a ticking time bomb with stock sleeves. If you're going to build it just do CSS and you don't have to do it again when your stock sleeves go.

https://twostepperformance.com/built-l15b7-1-5l-civic-for-the-2017-honda-civic-si/
 


Jes_si562

Senior Member
First Name
Jesse
Joined
Feb 20, 2019
Threads
21
Messages
993
Reaction score
532
Location
Long Beach
Vehicle(s)
2018 civic si. 1990 Honda civic w d16z6 swap (sold) 2019 Honda Civic Hatchback sport(wifes)
Country flag

Dirt

Banned
Banned
Joined
Jul 11, 2019
Threads
15
Messages
181
Reaction score
164
Location
Rhode Island
Vehicle(s)
2017 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport 6-Spd Manual
Haven't heard anyone cracking there sleeves at 350whp
If you're going to build it then track it a lot why risk it? Put the extra money for CSS. Because in the long run the builder is going to want more power eventually.
 

highroller

Senior Member
First Name
U Hash
Joined
Feb 19, 2019
Threads
9
Messages
196
Reaction score
47
Location
Pak / NY
Vehicle(s)
Civic 1.5 Turbo
Country flag
Hey guys, so i'm extremely happy with my setup right now. Running the VitViper Si turbo tuned by DRob and making 260whp/250whp on stock internals and bolt ons on an extremely conservative tune. I'm already on E85 and i'm building my car mainly for track and canyons so consistent reliable power is key. At this point I want to plan for a bigger turbo but before that happens I want to build my internals to handle it. I have a few questions hopefully you guys can help me out with:

1. If I stay stock block, can I just install new internals like rods, pistons, valve springs, retainers, and keep driving on the same setup now until i'm ready for a bigger turbo. ( ie is there any extra work that needs to be done besides installing new internals )

2. Best way to get around the crappy base ecu and it's super sensitive KC?

3. Besides rods, what should I actually replace to ensure reliability?

4. What's your opinion on the best way to get to 350whp reliably?

My eventual goal is 350whp/350tq reliably with a usable power band. I already have an MFactory LSD installed so planning on keeping the stock transmission. I love my FK7 but it doesn't seem like too many people are modifying them to extreme extents and I do understand why. I'm trying to sell myself on continuing building my FK7 but i'm getting tired of people asking if it's a Type R and why I didn't get one with all the money i've already spent. Eventually it just gets to you and you start questioning your own sanity lol. Anyways appreciate any advice you guys can give me!
Hey guys, so i'm extremely happy with my setup right now. Running the VitViper Si turbo tuned by DRob and making 260whp/250whp on stock internals and bolt ons on an extremely conservative tune. I'm already on E85 and i'm building my car mainly for track and canyons so consistent reliable power is key. At this point I want to plan for a bigger turbo but before that happens I want to build my internals to handle it. I have a few questions hopefully you guys can help me out with:

1. If I stay stock block, can I just install new internals like rods, pistons, valve springs, retainers, and keep driving on the same setup now until i'm ready for a bigger turbo. ( ie is there any extra work that needs to be done besides installing new internals )

2. Best way to get around the crappy base ecu and it's super sensitive KC?

3. Besides rods, what should I actually replace to ensure reliability?

4. What's your opinion on the best way to get to 350whp reliably?

My eventual goal is 350whp/350tq reliably with a usable power band. I already have an MFactory LSD installed so planning on keeping the stock transmission. I love my FK7 but it doesn't seem like too many people are modifying them to extreme extents and I do understand why. I'm trying to sell myself on continuing building my FK7 but i'm getting tired of people asking if it's a Type R and why I didn't get one with all the money i've already spent. Eventually it just gets to you and you start questioning your own sanity lol. Anyways appreciate any advice you guys can give me!

hey @imcrspy
I was wondering which way you went... your mods on internals might help others too..
Moreover I am mroe worried about the tranny than internals... is your hatchback CVT? I've come to know anything above 250 of torque is an invitation to rip apart cvt...
 

xjoshuax89

Senior Member
First Name
Josh
Joined
Mar 26, 2016
Threads
41
Messages
1,325
Reaction score
1,032
Location
Maryland
Vehicle(s)
'11 CR-V SE, '16 Civic EX, '17 Civic HB ST
Vehicle Showcase
2
Country flag
hey @imcrspy
I was wondering which way you went... your mods on internals might help others too..
Moreover I am mroe worried about the tranny than internals... is your hatchback CVT? I've come to know anything above 250 of torque is an invitation to rip apart cvt...
No. Hes 6mt. Cvts dont have a LSD...
 

86salmon

It's Hedley, Hedley Lamarr!
Joined
Sep 26, 2018
Threads
31
Messages
3,224
Reaction score
5,513
Location
Chucktown, SC
Vehicle(s)
2018 Civic si sedan, 2001 Nissan Frontier
Build Thread
Link
Vehicle Showcase
1
Country flag
Last edited:


 


Top