10th & 11th Gen Civic 1.5T / 3rd Gen Acura Integra Drop-In Turbocharger Upgrade Development

10th & 11th Gen Civic 1.5T / 3rd Gen Acura Integra Drop-In Turbocharger Upgrade Development

13 comments

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 Motorsports 10th Gen Honda Civic Drop-In Turbocharger Comparison

 

2022+ 11th Gen Civic 1.5T & 2023+ 3rd Gen Integra Turbocharger Comparison:

PRL Motorsports 11th Gen Honda Civic Drop-In Turbocharger Comparison

PRL Motorsports 11th Gen Honda Civic Drop-In Turbocharger Comparison

PRL Motorsports Drop-In Turbo Comparison L15CA

PRL Motorsports Drop-In Turbo Comparison L15CA

PRL Motorsports Drop-In Turbo Comparison L15CA

 

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

Comments (13)

jacob

any updates as to a release date?

john blane

Would you be able to include a direct bolt in upgrade for the CR-V as well. It also has the 1.5 and is seriously under powered for this application.

Michael winter

When will this product be ready for the 10th gens

Joel

Something new? Or date to release, I can’t wait to see if I’m going for it or if it’s not worth it

chris

Mr. Jack, we do plan on announcing a release date in the very near future. Please stay tuned.

Jack

Is there an estimated release date yet??

chris

Mr. Gabe, one of the reasons for the journal bearing CHRA to be retained is to keep the price point down for the 1.5L Honda market. We believe that our design will perform beautifully.

chris

Mr. Winchell, we hope to produce one of the highest quality drop in options on the market. Once we begin testing , we’ll announce the performance benefits for all to compare. Please stay tuned.

Dylan

Cant wait till this is released. Be willing to try it out as well

Gabe S.

Curious if there is a roadmap for ball bearing design. Honestly I’d prefer to go with the W2 since it has a ball bearing option unless that’s something you plan to offer down the line.

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