It was back at the 2002 SEMA show that I met up with Edelbrock representative, and good friend, Rex Urasaki. That's when he walked me to the center of their booth and briefed me on Edelbrock's new EK turbo kit for the 16-valve sohc Civic.
2NR: Does it come with that Performer X intake manifold?Rex: Yes.
2NR: What about those four additional injectors?Rex: Yup, it also comes with a computer that controls the extra injectors and ignition timing.
2NR: Is that a T-2.5 Garrett ball-bearing turbo?Rex: Yes.
2NR: That's Tial blowoff valve? Rex: Yes.
2NR: Shit, you guys are probably going to sell this kit for over $5000!Rex: Actually, it should retail for around $3500 and is 50-state legal.
2NR: You guys are nuts!Rex: Yes we are.
After the SEMA show, the buzz around the office was why Edelbrock would sell a turbo kit with quality parts for so cheap. In all honesty, you can't even buy the turbo, intercooler and blowoff valve for that price. Not stopping there, they plan on giving you the rest of the parts to complete the turbo kit for that same price! When we first laid eyes on it, our first thought was that the kit was going to be broken up in stages. It wasn't until we spoke to Rex that we found out the kit was the company's first stage. To complete the list, the system includes Tial blowoff, Garret turbo, air-to-air intercooler, fuel & timing computer, four extra injectors, PerformerX intake manifold, cast exhaust manifold, intercooler piping, cast elbow with downpipe, air intake and to top it off, a CARB sticker with papers to prove the kit is 100-percent legit. If you ask me, this is better then going with a dohc engine.
Turbo & DownpipeHorsepower is made through a Garrett ball-bearing turbo. Turbo selection was excellent for quick on-throttle power without sacrificing top end power. The turbo is the same one that is on factory J-Spec Sylvias but in ball bearing trim. An internal wastegate was chosen to control boost pressure to 6 or 7 psi and since its size is very compact, the use of a cast iron exhaust outlet (an elbow) is possible. Since the elbow is considered part of the downpipe this also helps installation much easier since it is two-piece unit. The downpipe is constructed of 2 1/2-in mild steel and thermal coated to lower external heat temperature. The Edelbrock exhaust manifold comes cast to ensure no cracks for the life of the turbo kit.
Air ChargeOn the air intake side, the turbo's inlet comes via cast aluminum intake with an open-element air filter. To guarantee seal between the turbo inlet and air intake pipe the kit uses an O-ring seal. For the high pressure charge mild-steel 2 1/4-in ceramic-coated intercooler pipes are used, which require mild modification to the vehicles plastic under tray. Turbo air charge outlet is also sealed via O-ring located on the cast aluminum bend. Relieving the engine's air charge in between shifts comes by way of the Tial blow off valve. Chilling the air charge is in the hands of a Spearco air-to-air core with cast Edelbrock end tank. No cutting required for intercooler fitment.