Honda SOHC D16 Engine Build - Bisimoto - Super Street Magazine

This month, as promised, the focus for my 700hp D16 is on the turbocharger system, controls and electronics. Bisimoto Engineering has always been synonymous with excellence; we also only choose the best parts for our own facility and customer builds to ensure reliable power.

For the heart of the Bisimoto Engineering Wagon build, we opted to use a custom turbo from Turbonetics. This unit, fondly dubbed by us as the BTX6565, was designed to maximize efficiency at high boost pressures, and features a ported compressor housing to limit the unpleasant effects of surge. The unique porting, reminiscent of Turbonetics GT-K series, provides additional flow to make maximum horsepower across the entire RPM band. The BTX6565 was equipped with the latest HP compressor wheels, and as the Bisimoto Engineering Wagon houses a small displacement D16Z6 engine, spooling such a large turbo with a 65.5mm inducer wheel may prove to be somewhat difficult. That is where the unique F1 series turbine housing came into effect: a T4 twin scroll (tangential divided) housing, coupled with Turbonetics patented ceramic ball bearing technology will ensure quick and efficient spooling properties for the turbo system. Feeding the twin scroll turbine is a custom prototype, top-mount Bisimoto turbo manifold, with strategically stepped tubing and Turbo-Hot coated for heat insulation and aesthetics. This BTX6565 also features a 3'' v-band outlet to expel gases post use. In order to control boost levels, a RG-45 Turbonetics wastegate was chosen. This 1.77'' income valve laden wastegate uses v-band connections, can handle over 750 hp and is fed by two wastegate dump tubes.

The air-to-air intercooler of choice was a Spearco 5-364. With the dimensions being 3.5'' thick, 10.5'' tall and 28'' wide core, it would have normally been a feat to install into the EE/EF chassis. Not for Bisimoto Engineering! With a slight fabrication modification, hence converting this efficient heat exchanger to a "double-backdoor", the 5-364 "chiller" was a nice slide fit... with the clearances to fit behind a stock EE/EF bumper!

While under boost and heavy throttle, the BTX6565 will move large amounts of air. As soon a the throttle is lifted, the 68mm Skunk 2 throttle-body will close, severely limiting the pressurized air from entering the Golden Eagle intake manifold and ultimately the engine. This excess pressure in the polished 3'' Driftmotion intercooler piping would build up and flow back out of the compressor and prevent the compressor wheel from rotating properly. The solution: an efficiently designed blow-off valve. For the boost pressures that we expect, only the Turbonetics Godzilla blow-off valve would do. Proudly mounted on the charge pipe, this monster BOV is a must have for any race, drift or show enthusiast who demands the very best in response and surge protection.

If the turbocharger is the heart of our 700 whp Wagovan, then the brain and central nervous systems are the electronics. AEM's series of electronics was our weapon of choice. The new AEM Series 2 Plug & Play 6040 EMS plugs into the factory harness, offers 1 megabyte of memory, ultra-fast USB connectivity and the new user-friendly tuner maps can be password protected. The AEM EMS offers excellent dollar value versus other off-road use only engine management systems, as there is no need to solder in components, pay for consumer add-ons or purchase a factory Honda ECU. Just like Bisimoto Engineering, AEM invests highly in R&D. In these challenging economic times, as other companies cut back on research and development, AEM continues to launch new, innovative products to the masses. Over a dozen new products have emerged from the AEM stables in the past year alone.

The easy-to-use AEM Series 2 was mated to an AEM twin-fire ignition, AEM Engine Position Module, AEM pencil coils and NGK BKR8EIX iridium spark plugs. This setup, wired in by the mil/spec guru himself - Ryan Basseri of Rywire - also featured a unique Coil-On-Plug setup, an AEM electronic boost control solenoid, AEM 5-bar MAP sensor, AEM 100 psi Oil pressure sensor, 150 psi Fuel pressure sensor and factory Honda knock, AIT and TPS sensors.

The COP system allows for power enhancing ignition spark, accurate timing events and individual cylinder timing adjustments. This is the same system used on all Bisimoto Engineering projects. Reliable, clean wiring is the key to a successful electronics setup and Rywire came to the rescue. Using full Raychem insulation, with twisted and shielded cables to keep any electrical noise at bay, Ryan performed his magic on the Bisimoto Engineering Wagon.

There are so many battery manufacturers out there, but we at team Bisimoto Engineering only trust our race, show and street vehicles to XS Power! The XS Power S680 is a lightweight (17 pound), 12 volt (AGM) battery that packs more amperage and cranking power into half the space of most top-post 12 volt batteries. These absorbed glass mat batteries are perfect for race cars, show cars and daily drivers that are short on space. The XS Power starting batteries can be mounted at any angle (except upside-down) and don't have external vents, so they're safe to put just about anywhere, including inside the passenger compartment or under the passenger seat, like in the Bisimoto Engineering Wagon! XS Power starting batteries are guaranteed not to leak (even if damaged) and include SAE post adapter terminals and a protective metal case for underhood use.

Sound technology is paramount when it comes to us designing, building engines and choosing the right parts. Next month we'll dip into the fuel injection setup and cooling performance for the Bisimoto Wagon, so y'all come back now, y'hear?