Engine Tuning Comparison - Power Tuning Kits - Comparison

Turbo vs. NA: Dollar for Dollar

Is the all-motor tuning route really that much more expensive than other power adders? That question prompted Charles Madrid and Tony Shagday of Skunk2 to do a cost analysis, comparing what it would take to add 75-100 horsepower to an otherwise stock '04 RSX-S using a turbo-charger versus leaving it naturally aspirated. Their results are in listed the chart below.

Note that the costs for the turbo pieces come from turbo-kits.com, but the Skunk2 prices are MSRP, meaning the "street" price of the Skunk2 components could be lower.

2004 ACURA RSX-S STOCK
TURBO (PRICING FROM TURBO-KITS.COM)
	PRICE
HKS	5,685.00
with 60mm exhaust and K-pro ECU
Full Race	6,294.00
Rev Hard	4,000.00
Greddy	3,644.00
Skunk2 Exhaust 70mm	631.75
K-pro ECU	900.00
TOTAL	$5,469
+Labor	$800-$1000
+HP	75-100

ALL MOTOR
	PRICE
Skunk2 Stage 3 Cams	836.57
Skunk2 High Comp. Valves	345.80
Skunk2 Tuner Series Springs	285.95
Skunk2 Retainers	226.10
Skunk2 Cam Gear (exhaust)	239.40
Port and polish head	700.00
Gaskets and seals	150.00
11.5 1 pistons	450.00
Oil pump	150.00
Rod Bearing	100.00
06 Civic Intake Manifold	303.24
Skunk2 Custom Adaptor plate	95.00
Skunk2 Throttle Body	345.80
Skunk2 Custom intake pipe	100.00
Headers	650.00
Skunk2 Exhaust 70mm	631.75
K-pro ECU	900.00
TOTAL	$6,509.61
+Labor	$1000-$1800
+HP	80-100
NOTE: ALL SKUNK2 PRODUCTS ARE AT MSRP

CONNECT
Garrett	Nitrous Oxide Systems 2970 Airway Ave. Costa Mesa CA 92626
Hasport Performance http:// www.hasport.com	Skunk2 Racing http://www.skunk2.com
Hondata 2341 W. 205th St. Torrance CA 90501 3-10/-782-8278 www.hondata.com	Stillen 3176 Airway Costa Mesa CA 92626 714-540-5566 www.stillen.com
Jackson Racing	Turbonetics 2255 Agate Ct. Simi Valley CA 93065 8-05/-581-0333 www.turboneticsinc.com
Nitrous Express 5411 Seymour Hwy. Wichita Falls TX 76310	Vortech Engineering Oxnard CA 8-05/-247-0226 www.vortechsuperchargers.com