K20A swap into 9th r18 sedan

ozed

ozed

Well-Known Member
21
10
Lahore, Pakistan
Vehicle Model
Civic
Body Style
Sedan
I just want to say I am pretty much a noob when it comes to the actual workings of a car, so I'm going to need some help here. I have a 2014 Asian-Spec Civic R18 with an automatic transmission, and I seriously want to swap a k20a into the car. Yes, I realize that this is going to take some SERIOUS modification, time, and money (assuming it's even possible), but I'm okay with that.

I can get the following things pretty easily
- Motor
- 6-speed LSD Transmission 4.7 Final Drive (Y2M3)
- ECU
- Alternator
- Starter
- Clutch
- Flywheel
- Intake Manifold
- Exhaust Manifold
- Fuel Rail
- Injectors
- Coil Pack
- Engine Harness
- Half Shaft
- Shifter Cables and Shifter box
- All Sensors

But what do I do about the motor mounts, radiator system, fuel system, power steering, axles, dash gauges, etc.?
 
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I am by no means an expert when it comes to this kind of stuff, but having an older Honda and having swapped some parts into and out of if I do know a few things.

If time and money are no objective anything can be accomplished.

That being said practicality is another thing. If you truly want to do this swap you would need to reference a Honda parts catalogue. The fuel system and radiator should be the same but you would have to compare part numbers from your model and the numbers from the si. All 9th gens have electric power steering so there shouldn't be any hydraulic lines you would have to worry about. Your best bet on the motor mounts would probably be an aftermarket solution like Hasport. The chassis mounting points are probably relatively the same, but the actual mounts themselves will be very different.

As for the gauges I would speculate that the original gauges would work, but the tach just wouldn't read high enough for the new redline. Honda and most manufactures have a habit of using almost identical wire harnesses in their vehicles, it cuts costs for them. If this is the case you could also consider a cluster swap from an si. Again comparing the part numbers in a Honda parts catalogue would tell you this.

Something to be noted here. All this information would cover a k24z7 swap into your chassis. The k20a engine would of course fit in the bay, but you may have clearance issues with the exhaust manifold since it is a traditional manifold vs the newer downpipe configuration. Also I would check your local laws. Most places will not allow you to swap an older engine into a newer vehicle registered for highway use.

Hope some of this helps.
 
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Flightmaster127 said:
I am by no means an expert when it comes to this kind of stuff, but having an older Honda and having swapped some parts into and out of if I do know a few things.

If time and money are no objective anything can be accomplished.

That being said practicality is another thing. If you truly want to do this swap you would need to reference a Honda parts catalogue. The fuel system and radiator should be the same but you would have to compare part numbers from your model and the numbers from the si. All 9th gens have electric power steering so there shouldn't be any hydraulic lines you would have to worry about. Your best bet on the motor mounts would probably be an aftermarket solution like Hasport. The chassis mounting points are probably relatively the same, but the actual mounts themselves will be very different.

As for the gauges I would speculate that the original gauges would work, but the tach just wouldn't read high enough for the new redline. Honda and most manufactures have a habit of using almost identical wire harnesses in their vehicles, it cuts costs for them. If this is the case you could also consider a cluster swap from an si. Again comparing the part numbers in a Honda parts catalogue would tell you this.

Something to be noted here. All this information would cover a k24z7 swap into your chassis. The k20a engine would of course fit in the bay, but you may have clearance issues with the exhaust manifold since it is a traditional manifold vs the newer downpipe configuration. Also I would check your local laws. Most places will not allow you to swap an older engine into a newer vehicle registered for highway use.

Hope some of this helps.
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Thanks, you gave me some good information here. I'll check out Hasport's site or contact them if need be for the mounts. For the gauges, I was thinking I'd leave it as is, and just custom install a shift light into the tach that engages around 8100 rpm. And yes, a big concern here for me is clearance, especially since I want room for a turbo somewhere in there. Living in Pakistan, I don't think the local laws will be a problem, haha.
 
No need to get a big shift light. If your planning on doing something like this I would suggest Kpro from hondata. If it is anything like the s300 I have in my older civic it will have a feature where it can light up your CEL when you hit your desired shift point. Kpro is a little expensive but its one of those things that truly pays off over time, especially when your talking about running a turbo down the road.
 
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5SK said:
what is ur goal ozed? people normally get a k20a for all motor builds
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I guess my goal is just to make an awesome car. Plans have actually changed a bit, I'm planning on buying a wrecked FD1 and doing a full conversion to FD2, maybe even Mugen RR. Yeah I understand the K20A is a high compression engine and therefore sub-optimal for boost, but I've been reading around and many people have been driving turbocharged K20A's for years with proper care.
 
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ozed said:
I guess my goal is just to make an awesome car. Plans have actually changed a bit, I'm planning on buying a wrecked FD1 and doing a full conversion to FD2, maybe even Mugen RR. Yeah I understand the K20A is a high compression engine and therefore sub-optimal for boost, but I've been reading around and many people have been driving turbocharged K20A's for years with proper care.
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Custom fabrication into a fd2 from a 9thGen? that'll definitely be different. I'm not saying a boosted k20a can't be done but I figure a built k20/k24 would be more ideal for boost.
 
Good luck on your build! This is always nice to see a lower model Honda with a higher model engine.

my one input as being an owner of both SI and non Si 9th civic is the Si has a dog bone motor mount on the top left of the engine bay and the Non Si does not even have the area where the mount is located, you would have to have someone add that mount location into your engine for support.
 
Axles, knuckles, and front lower control arms are tricky too. Just make sure you match everything up. I know that the 8th gen R18/non-si could run the Si knuckle with RSX axles. Might be worth poking around on the acura RSX forums a bit too.

The 2006-11 R18 non-si matches up very well with the RSX base, not the Type-S

The 8th gen SI was very similar to the RSX Type-S.

Just a couple cars you might be able to get parts from to help with the swap.

Also the non-si had a lot in common with the 03-05 EP3 Si. Just check out the big brake kit options and the fitments are similar on the base RSX/8th R18/EP3
 
You should buy a k24z3 perferably one out of a tsx. Ive seen long blocks sell for as low as 800-1500 on ebay. I think that swap would be a lot easier for you. Just my .2 cents
Goodluck chum
 
Actually guys, I'm not going to go from a 9th gen to an FD2. That was the plan initially, but I've changed my mind. I'm actually going to buy a wrecked 8th gen R18 (FD1), and convert it into an FD2 Mugen RR. I'm thinking most components will swap pretty easily, and this will be considerably easier than my first idea. Regardless, I really appreciate all of your help guys.

From this:
honda-civic-vti-1-8-i-vtec-oriel-2010-5442884.jpg

To this:
Honda_Civic_MugenRR.jpg
 
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Sweet i wanted to buy an acura csx and change the badges ect to look like a mugen rr a couple years ago. Acura csx's here in Canada dont even come with r18 engines only kseries. I thought that was kinda cool. You should try and get csx parts for your conversion to save some $$$.
 
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jdmster said:
Sweet i wanted to buy an acura csx and change the badges ect to look like a mugen rr a couple years ago. Acura csx's here in Canada dont even come with r18 engines only kseries. I thought that was kinda cool. You should try and get csx parts for your conversion to save some $$$.
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That would be awesome, you should have done it! All you'd have to do is change out some parts, paint it, turbo it (I would), and you'd be done. No internals swapping necessary.
 
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ozed said:
That would be awesome, you should have done it! All you'd have to do is change out some parts, paint it, turbo it (I would), and you'd be done. No internals swapping necessary.
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Yup I know I would have done it if I had the chance. Technically FD2 isn't turbo'd but every1 loves a turbo! I'm doing a bit of a fd2 conversion as well but on my FA5. Won't be doing the whole front end swap for a long while but I will eventually lol.
 
5SK said:
Yup I know I would have done it if I had the chance. Technically FD2 isn't turbo'd but every1 loves a turbo! I'm doing a bit of a fd2 conversion as well but on my FA5. Won't be doing the whole front end swap for a long while but I will eventually lol.
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Haha yeah the turbo was my own addition. Front end conversion would be pretty sweet! Will the JDM headlights be a straight fit with the FD2 bumper? Are you plannning to do the taillights as well?
 
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ozed said:
Haha yeah the turbo was my own addition. Front end conversion would be pretty sweet! Will the JDM headlights be a straight fit with the FD2 bumper? Are you plannning to do the taillights as well?
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Mine as well lol so don't feel bad. Nope along with the head lights & bumper I'll also need fenders, hood & headlight brackets. Tail Lights were done last month
 
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