Owning a Honda Civic puts you in a very good position in terms of building a car. You have several options for engine swaps as well as anything else performance- or aesthetic-oriented. Well, as much as everyone wants their single-slam motor to pull a little harder, sometimes swapping in a B16A motor isn't the easiest alternative due to smog and availability issues. So what can you do? Bolt on an intake and crappy muffler, then call it a day? Sit on your hands and search your name on the Internet to see how many times it comes up? Nah, we wouldn't hear of such insolence.
The PerformerX turbo kit comes with cast-iron exhaust manifold, ball bearing T28 turbo with internal wastegate, larger intake manifold with four secondary injectors, intercooler and piping, hoses and clamps, downpipe, lines and fittings, blow-off valve, intake pipe and filter, oil sandwich adapter, piggyback computer, and harness.
There's hope for all you '96-'00 single-slammers out there after all with the JG Edelbrock PerformerX turbo kit. Since the unit that's being installed here is the first kit to come out of production, you're getting your first look at it right along with us and JG. Upon further inspection, this kit seems about as complete as you can get. The goal for these guys was to push the power up from 109 hp to 170 hp at the wheels with only about 7 psi of boost. Well, that's exactly what they did, and just in time for SEMA's International Auto Salon, where this kit was debuted. But wait, it gets better. Currently the company is working on having the kit CARB-approved so that you won't get hassled by the fuzz or your local smog check station. That's always a plus. Much of this low-emission output has to do with the four secondary injectors running on the underside of the JG Edelbrock intake manifold. These are controlled by a piggyback computer so the stock ECU isn't making the factory injectors work any harder than they should be. Also, the catalytic converter, O2 sensor, charcoal canister, and all other emissions equipment remains intact.
The Low Down
MSRP: $3,495
Pros: Nobody will make fun of you for having a single-cam anymore.
Cons: You will have to reuse many of the stock bolts.
Install Difficulty: Intermediate
Verdict: Excellent upgrade once this thing becomes CARB-certified.