Boosting Power on RD1 CR-V Manual – Turbo/Head Swap Feasibility?

General
1

Hey everyone, I’ve seen a lot of videos where people hit around 260 hp with a head swap and turbo on the RD1 CR-V manuals. That’s super tempting, but it seems like it’s only possible on the manuals. I’m aware the automatic transmissions can become a headache when dealing with higher torque. Is there a way around this, or am I just setting myself up to spend more money if I go turbo? Haha. I get that it might not be the best idea, but I really love this car and want to squeeze more power out of her!

Thanks in advance for any advice!

6 Likes
2

Honestly, the autos on these older CR-Vs do struggle when you start pushing that much power. If you’re serious about turbocharging, you might want to look into a stronger aftermarket transmission or even a manual swap. It’s not a cheap route, but it’s the best way to handle the extra torque without turning your trans into a ticking time bomb!

5 Likes
3

If you’re really attached to the automatic, you could try beefing up the internals or adding a transmission cooler to help handle the extra strain. It won’t be bulletproof, but it could buy you some time before you have to make a major investment. Just keep in mind, it’s not gonna handle 260 hp forever!

4 Likes
4

Manual swap is definitely the way to go if you’re aiming for that much power. The automatics can be a pain once you get up there in torque, and you’ll probably end up spending just as much trying to make it work as you would with a swap. Plus, manuals are way more fun with turbo anyway!

2 Likes
5

You’re not totally screwed, but it’s definitely gonna cost more to do it right. The auto trans isn’t designed for that much torque, so you’ll need to either upgrade or swap it out. There are some transmission mods you can do to help it hold up longer, but at 260 hp, you’re probably looking at a pretty short lifespan if you don’t upgrade.

2 Likes
6

I’ve heard of people using shift kits and adding a better trans cooler to extend the life of the auto when they turbo their CR-Vs. It’s still risky, but it might be enough to get you through while you save up for a proper solution. Just be ready to shell out for repairs if it doesn’t work out!

1 Like