How delicate is the A20A engine

[Chadroper]

I wanted to know if it would be better to turbocharge a B16 engine the one from the civic Si or the A20A3 engine. I know the A series has a cast iron block but is the civic engine a lot stronger. How would the A20A3 take boost if it was rebuilt with forged aluminum pistons, stainless steel valves, stainless steel rods, and Total Seal gapless rings.

[NXRacer]

do a search on turbos. You'll find a lot of threads regarding the ins (and mostly outs) to turbocharging an A20A3 motor.

[pimp86LX]

supercharge it! turbo is overrated!

[shepherd79]

turbos have turbo lag. I would say go with supercharging.

[NXRacer]

supers are ok, but its a lot harder to control boost. Plus, with a roots style like jackson racing makes, you run the risk of fucking up the super if the belt breaks. Also, the master cylinder is in the way for that style supercharger. Turbo would be easier to put on our cars, but since they dont make kits for either style for our cars, it would be difficult any way you choose.

[pimp86LX]

yah very true. Although a super would be nice and original, but i would figure strictly track cause you'd most likely have to make holes in the hood.

[shepherd79]

yeah, jackson racing one is good, but it has limits with boost.
if you gonna do it, try Vortech supercharger. you can remove AC and use that space for supercharger. it has plenty of space there.
the only one problem would be to make the belt lineup with main pulley, but that shouldn't be a problem for any mashine shop.

[deadlight]

Or you could just swap to a Civic Si motor, they put out 160 horse stock I think, and then there are all kinds of mods to be done to that, that's if you're wanting to spend that kind of money in the first place.

[AccordEpicenter]

i think you get more overall performance for the money if you went turbo.

[Sean]

a20a isnt as delicate as you think. the nice thing about turbos is that the backpressure in the exhuast manifold helps unload the connecting rods at high rpm.

[kicker1_solo]

Originally posted by Sean
a20a isnt as delicate as you think. very true. didn't I read somewhere about our cars having an iron block or something of the sort....

[carotman]

The weak part of the A20A is the pistons if you go with high boost (and the head gasket). These things are comon with most stock engines on the market..