Is Honda Afraid of Forced Induction?

[TheProtege]

Why is Honda avoiding adding forced induction to their sports models vehicles, even as an option? Besides the RDX-Turbo (which is selling horribly), Honda doesn't currently have any forced induction drivetrains, not even as Acuras. Wouldn't you guys agree that the Integras and Si-s would sell like hot-cakes if forced induction was available, even as an option? Clearly Acura and Honda owners are very tuning-oriented, and if Honda acknowledged that, I'm sure they would make their development costs back in a jiffy. Is it because they're afraid of turbo maintenance scarring the good reliability streak? I mean, not even the SiR is getting a turbo, it's further aspired via conventional methods (and the results show with the measly 35 horses for apprx. $10,000). The K-series begs for a blower or a turbo, and the dynos show that they make the investment worth it. I just want to know if anyone else had any insight.

On a completely different note. Is it odd that even after driving my FBP FG2 day-in-and-day-out for nearly 4 months I can't help but run up to the window constantly and tell myself (and everyone around me) "damn, that's a sexy car?"

[KingMarineM16a4]

It's not their style. Mazda and VW answer to power is to stick a turbo on it and call it a day while Honda possess' their high revving, track winning, high hp with low displacement. They love it and so do we and they will keep selling cars and we will keep buying them.

[Skylinegtr06]

Fi has more problems that can go wrong and reliability will take a beating

[Mitch]

Honda is proud of their NA engines, just like BMW's M division is. Besides, Honda is known for reliability, and it's just a lot easier to do that with NA than FI.

[KingMarineM16a4]

Originally Posted by Mitch

Honda is proud of their NA engines, just like BMW's M division is. Besides, Honda is known for reliability, and it's just a lot easier to do that with NA than FI.

I forgot about that arguement, yep, it's just like BM dubb.

[tonton]

N/a > Fi :)

[TheProtege]

Trust me, I love my N/A K20, but it caps the 4-banger right around 200 where it sits now. FI, even if only on the SiR, would put the car in the 350Z, Evo, STI, G35, etc. category. Not to mention it would finally let it pass the stupid SRT-4's, whose rear passengers still have to crank their windows to flick you off.

[RedLineSi]

"Wait... Your VW needs a turbo to do what my all motor Honda does?"

[tonton]

You are right about that. But that is how honda do them all N/A. We get almost 200HP out of a 2.0L N/A 4 banger, wich is pretty good.

[Pdivizzle0112]

i have a feeling honda will be coming out with some forced induction in the future. its very like a company to come out with a turbo truck beforea car. i.e: RDX...

what's next? s2000?

btw i like my quick responding n/a car. no lag.

and im not down for turbos since my baby is daily driven. however a supercharger does sound nice when i need more power

[firmhonda]

Originally Posted by KingMarineM16a4

It's not their style. Mazda and VW answer to power is to stick a turbo on it and call it a day while Honda possess' their high revving, track winning, high hp with low displacement. They love it and so do we and they will keep selling cars and we will keep buying them.

To add onto this.. Look at hondas racing heritage. Have they gone after any forced induction based racing series? no. Why? Because they make amazing naturally aspirated engines.
That being said, I do think that Honda really needs to consider having a single forced induction model. I think it would be a huge boost in sales (no pun intended) if they just came out of left field with an awd f/i car to compete and go after the world rally championship. That would prove to a lot of people that Honda has what it takes to actually build an awesome f/i car, while still concentrating on n/a beasts.
But you've got to look at it through a business point of view. If they break into forced induction cars they're also breaking into a whole other genre and they'd be jumping into it way late in the game. As of right now, they are the kings of n/a 4 banger engines. No matter what they release, they're not going to be the kings of f/i 4 banger engines so why not just capitolize on what they've already got going for them?
I hope I'm wrong, because I would love to see them take the rdx powertrain and throw it into an accord and start from there, but I'd be willing to put money on I'm right.

[Mitch]

Originally Posted by firmhonda

To add onto this.. Look at hondas racing heritage. Have they gone after any forced induction based racing series? no. Why? Because they make amazing naturally aspirated engines.
That being said, I do think that Honda really needs to consider having a single forced induction model. I think it would be a huge boost in sales (no pun intended) if they just came out of left field with an awd f/i car to compete and go after the world rally championship. That would prove to a lot of people that Honda has what it takes to actually build an awesome f/i car, while still concentrating on n/a beasts.
But you've got to look at it through a business point of view. If they break into forced induction cars they're also breaking into a whole other genre and they'd be jumping into it way late in the game. As of right now, they are the kings of n/a 4 banger engines. No matter what they release, they're not going to be the kings of f/i 4 banger engines so why not just capitolize on what they've already got going for them?
I hope I'm wrong, because I would love to see them take the rdx powertrain and throw it into an accord and start from there, but I'd be willing to put money on I'm right.

This is what BMW did. They've only built a few turbo charged petrol cars over the years. Their 2002 Turbo was a hit back in the day, as was the SA spec 745. The 335 is no exception, other than the fact that we have a good supply of them now. BMW is still know for their smooth, high performance NA engines, but they're also grabbing some of the luxury and sports markets for torquey turbo motors.

[TheProtege]

I'm seriously considering spraying NO2 next summer for the on-demand power when racing, but I will admit that the sound of the N/A 4 banger under the hood still gives me a chubby when VTAK kicks. Anybody in our class of cars has to own up that the engine itself couldn't touch the 200 benchmark without a blower or turbo, which makes it an infinitely better canvas to start with depending on what your needs are (constant boost of a SC, limitless capability of a Turbo, or on-demand power of NO2 while retaining daily driveability).

[Mitch]

Originally Posted by TheProtege

I'm seriously considering spraying NO2 next summer for the on-demand power when racing, but I will admit that the sound of the N/A 4 banger under the hood still gives me a chubby when VTAK kicks. Anybody in our class of cars has to own up that the engine itself couldn't touch the 200 benchmark without a blower or turbo, which makes it an infinitely better canvas to start with depending on what your needs are (constant boost of a SC, limitless capability of a Turbo, or on-demand power of NO2 while retaining daily driveability).

When you say NO2 for racing, I take it you mean drag racing?

[Skylinegtr06]

Originally Posted by Pdivizzle0112

i have a feeling honda will be coming out with some forced induction in the future. its very like a company to come out with a turbo truck beforea car. i.e: RDX...

what's next? s2000?

btw i like my quick responding n/a car. no lag.

and im not down for turbos since my baby is daily driven. however a supercharger does sound nice when i need more power

What are you talking about? My car feels exactly like a turbo with lag until 5500

[goofygamer]

Honda's are supposed to be gas savers. What's the point of putting turbo, if they're car is meant for saving gas? Si just adds a little spice to it. iono, just my opinion.

[firmhonda]

Originally Posted by goofygamer

Honda's are supposed to be gas savers. What's the point of putting turbo, if they're car is meant for saving gas? Si just adds a little spice to it. iono, just my opinion.

What's the difference in delaying the cam switch point to a higher rpm and delaying the boost?

[KingMarineM16a4]

Originally Posted by firmhonda

What's the difference in delaying the cam switch point to a higher rpm and delaying the boost?

delaying the boost/ turbo means cool down time... Boo... I hated my SRT for that.

[kpSTI]

Originally Posted by KingMarineM16a4

delaying the boost/ turbo means cool down time... Boo... I hated my SRT for that.

Are SRT4's turbo only oil cooled???

[e60.deluxe]

short answer: because FI isnt as good as NA for a pure sports car.

Originally Posted by Mitch

This is what BMW did. They've only built a few turbo charged petrol cars over the years. Their 2002 Turbo was a hit back in the day, as was the SA spec 745. The 335 is no exception, other than the fact that we have a good supply of them now. BMW is still know for their smooth, high performance NA engines, but they're also grabbing some of the luxury and sports markets for torquey turbo motors.

yeah, they are making torquey turbo motors for non sports cars. people who need torque are people who buy automatics and really use power for highway crusing and passing power. BMW's sports cars are heading into the same high Rev, low but flat torque curve that Honda has been doing. same thing that Ferrari does. same thing that Porsche does. same thing that _______ sports car company does. i can see Honda making an FI Accord or TL, but not really an FI S2000 or Si or future 'Lude or whatever.