400 WHP Build with Headroom – Smart or Pointless?

beaterfl5

Member
First Name
steve
Joined
Nov 20, 2024
Threads
5
Messages
37
Reaction score
20
Location
los angeles
Vehicle(s)
fl5
Hi all,

I currently have an upgraded intercooler, inlet, downpipe, exhaust, and a Stage 2 Phearable tune. I’ve also got a Kuro+, Hondata flex fuel kit, and Hondata injectors on the way.

Out of curiosity—would it be possible to limit the HP to the low 400s instead of pushing everything to the max? My goal is to prioritize reliability and longevity, and I feel like 400 WHP is more than enough for a 4-cylinder engine. My thinking is that having all the supporting mods but running them conservatively would help preserve the engine and drivetrain long-term.

This is my first "tuner" car, so it's all new to me so forgive me if I sound like idk what i'm talking about haha. Would love to hear others’ thoughts or experiences with a similar setup.

Thanks!
Sponsored

 

nattypiso

Senior Member
First Name
Dom
Joined
Aug 20, 2023
Threads
5
Messages
105
Reaction score
83
Location
Fayetteville, NC
Vehicle(s)
FL5 CW R-05536
You can reach 400whp on stock turbo if you purchase a modified High Pressure Fuel Line. OEM line is pretty restrictive.. once the line is opened up, it will flow more without pulsing issues. Less stress for your stock fuel system.

If you’re wanting to just stick with low 400’s, I’d just go with CANFlex (I think E25-E30 is the sweet spot for your stock fuel system) and a modified HPFL. You’re not going to get your moneys worth out of a Kuro/MHI stage 2 honestly.
 

Two Step Performance

Elite Sponsor
Joined
Apr 24, 2018
Threads
43
Messages
799
Reaction score
1,121
Location
USA
Website
twostepperformance.com
Vehicle(s)
2023 Type R
Cancel the CanFlex and injectors and get the smaller Kuro. You can do low 400s on 93 with the stock fuel system all day safely with that set up and save a little money.
This is the way to go. Put $2000 back in your pocket and also maintain a lightning fast spool.

The Kuro+ is great but if you aren’t going for 500+ it is overkill.
 

Websitesdown

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2024
Threads
3
Messages
240
Reaction score
156
You can reach 400whp on stock turbo if you purchase a modified High Pressure Fuel Line. OEM line is pretty restrictive.. once the line is opened up, it will flow more without pulsing issues. Less stress for your stock fuel system.

If you’re wanting to just stick with low 400’s, I’d just go with CANFlex (I think E25-E30 is the sweet spot for your stock fuel system) and a modified HPFL. You’re not going to get your moneys worth out of a Kuro/MHI stage 2 honestly.
This is the way to go. Put $2000 back in your pocket and also maintain a lightning fast spool.

The Kuro+ is great but if you aren’t going for 500+ it is overkill.

Which one of you two are correct?
 


Two Step Performance

Elite Sponsor
Joined
Apr 24, 2018
Threads
43
Messages
799
Reaction score
1,121
Location
USA
Website
twostepperformance.com
Vehicle(s)
2023 Type R
Which one of you two are correct?
I’ll have to say that I’ve never seen an honest 400whp out of a stock turbo FL5 regardless of fuel type. I do believe it *might* be possible with an ethanol blend of some sort. However, if the OP wants any kind of “headroom”, this is not the way. The fuel system would likely be pushed to the edge of it’s limits - not to mention the turbo itself.

A Kuro on 93 octane can make 400whp VERY comfortably, even up to about 425whp before running out of fuel. You also end up with a much nicer power curve, as the factory turbo taps out well before redline and the Kuro will pull of the way to The top.

All that being said, I think the Kuro makes the perfect OEM+ Type R (or Type S). You are able to maintain the lightning quick turbo spool that Honda’s engineer’s intended, but still add a strong kick in extra power up top.
 

Websitesdown

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2024
Threads
3
Messages
240
Reaction score
156
I’ll have to say that I’ve never seen an honest 400whp out of a stock turbo FL5 regardless of fuel type. I do believe it *might* be possible with an ethanol blend of some sort. However, if the OP wants any kind of “headroom”, this is not the way. The fuel system would likely be pushed to the edge of it’s limits - not to mention the turbo itself.

A Kuro on 93 octane can make 400whp VERY comfortably, even up to about 425whp before running out of fuel. You also end up with a much nicer power curve, as the factory turbo taps out well before redline and the Kuro will pull of the way to The top.

All that being said, I think the Kuro makes the perfect OEM+ Type R (or Type S). You are able to maintain the lightning quick turbo spool that Honda’s engineer’s intended, but still add a strong kick in extra power up top.

That makes sense thank you!
 

nattypiso

Senior Member
First Name
Dom
Joined
Aug 20, 2023
Threads
5
Messages
105
Reaction score
83
Location
Fayetteville, NC
Vehicle(s)
FL5 CW R-05536
Which one of you two are correct?
I guess different ways to get there, different solutions, different costs, same result.

I would assume that once you upgrade, like me, you’ll get that itch for more power. So if you go the turbo route, you’ll already have a something that’s capable of easily pushing 400+ but again, depending on your upgrades, your tune will eventually be needed to be toned down for your fuel system to compensate for that extra boost.

It also doesn’t hurt to have a good talk with your tuner as well. Derek Robinson is my tuner from IMW and I’m always picking his brain asking him questions about my build.
 
OP
OP

beaterfl5

Member
First Name
steve
Joined
Nov 20, 2024
Threads
5
Messages
37
Reaction score
20
Location
los angeles
Vehicle(s)
fl5
I’ll have to say that I’ve never seen an honest 400whp out of a stock turbo FL5 regardless of fuel type. I do believe it *might* be possible with an ethanol blend of some sort. However, if the OP wants any kind of “headroom”, this is not the way. The fuel system would likely be pushed to the edge of it’s limits - not to mention the turbo itself.

A Kuro on 93 octane can make 400whp VERY comfortably, even up to about 425whp before running out of fuel. You also end up with a much nicer power curve, as the factory turbo taps out well before redline and the Kuro will pull of the way to The top.

All that being said, I think the Kuro makes the perfect OEM+ Type R (or Type S). You are able to maintain the lightning quick turbo spool that Honda’s engineer’s intended, but still add a strong kick in extra power up top.
I think this is what i'll eventually end up doing. Just stick with the regular kuro and a proper tune, skip the fuel upgrades for now. Thanks for all the input. I just gotta shoot yall an email to yall to cancel some of my preorders though :(
 

Two Step Performance

Elite Sponsor
Joined
Apr 24, 2018
Threads
43
Messages
799
Reaction score
1,121
Location
USA
Website
twostepperformance.com
Vehicle(s)
2023 Type R
I think this is what i'll eventually end up doing. Just stick with the regular kuro and a proper tune, skip the fuel upgrades for now. Thanks for all the input. I just gotta shoot yall an email to yall to cancel some of my preorders though :(
No worries, our support team and can help get things straight for you. We are happy to help!
Sponsored

 
 







Top