2023+ Honda Civic Type-R FL5 Turbocharger Upgrade Talk

Since the Honda's release of the 2023 Honda Civic Type-R, we've seen a lot of different assumptions regarding its turbocharger. Our team decided to tear the factory turbocharger assembly apart to provide some data for the community to lay any false data to rest.

At a first glance, the FL5 engine bay and turbocharger design appears to be very similar. We have already confirmed that our P700 Drop-In Turbocharger bolts directly onto the 2023 K20C1 engine, meaning that any FK8-style turbocharger can be fitted. However, upon closer inspection we can see that the factory FL5 turbocharger's design is quite different than the factory FK8 turbocharger in terms of wheels/aero.

2023+ Honda Civic Type-R Turbocharger Part Number 18900-66V-A01

2017-2021 Honda Civic Type-R Turbocharger Part Number 18900-5BF-A01

The factory FL5 turbocharger features an 8-blade billet compressor wheel with "extended-tip" technology in comparison to the FK8's cast 6+6 "split" 6-blade wheel. Because of material differences, the FL5's compressor wheel is thinner, lighter, and features more aggressive aero. Extended-tip wheels promote greater airflow, providing a faster boost response at lower engine speeds and increases efficiency at higher boost pressures. Basically, extended tip technology allows smaller wheels to achieve/amplify the benefits of smaller and larger wheels into one, compact design. This new turbocharger also has a different contour to the compressor wheel design, utilizing a more laid-over fin profile. Another notable change is the significant reduction in root size, that is visually maintained throughout the entire root of the turbocharger. All of these revisions, including the increased wheel diameters, are how Honda was effectively able to increase overall efficiency of the FL5 turbocharger.

The FL5 turbocharger features a 9-blade design, while the FK8 features an 11-blade design. We can also see that this new design features quite a bit more angle and contour to its blades.

We can speculate that the FL5 Civic Type-R's factory turbocharger will allow for a minor increase in efficiency in comparison to the FK8 Turbocharger.