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Is a K20 swap worth it?

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Old 08-06-2009, 08:22 PM
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Default Is a K20 swap worth it?

Compaired to doing a B16 or B18 swap, would you say it's worth the extra cash?
Old 08-06-2009, 08:24 PM
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Default Re: Is a K20 swap worth it?

nope. you only getting a few lbs of torqe for a few grand more
but k20 is still cool.
Old 08-06-2009, 08:25 PM
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Default Re: Is a K20 swap worth it?

in an area like mine it owuld definately be worth it because nobody has the money around here or the knowledge to do one so it would be a first for my area, plus i think that with k series you can make more power off a stock motor just by boosting it then what most safely tuned b built b series makes. imo
Old 08-06-2009, 08:27 PM
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Default Re: Is a K20 swap worth it?

I kinda hope the K20 starts to become cheaper and more popular so the older engines will drop in price.
Old 08-06-2009, 08:32 PM
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Default Re: Is a K20 swap worth it?

getting a kseries for cheap isnt the problem, you can always find a good deal on a k dropout, its buying everything else to make the k work in yur car and perform at its best is what gets really expensive
Old 08-06-2009, 08:45 PM
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Default Re: Is a K20 swap worth it?

It really depends on what setup you are going for.
Old 08-06-2009, 08:49 PM
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Default Re: Is a K20 swap worth it?

Originally Posted by NACvicSi
It really depends on what setup you are going for.
Old 08-06-2009, 08:56 PM
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Default Re: Is a K20 swap worth it?

No it's not.
Old 08-06-2009, 08:56 PM
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Default Re: Is a K20 swap worth it?

Arent the K20 and B18C5 VERY close in terms of power? Obviously the K20 is newer and has better technology, but im talking number here HP and torque.
Old 08-06-2009, 09:39 PM
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Default Re: Is a K20 swap worth it?

K20 has more under the curve and a 6 speed. I honestly don't think it's worth it. The J swap can be done cheaper, with better results. You can make a C5 faster for the difference in price, too (if you're smart with your money).
Old 08-06-2009, 10:20 PM
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Default Re: Is a K20 swap worth it?

The K20 swap is definately worth it!! You can build a B series and have 200hp or you can buy a K and start out with 200hp.. If you want more info on K series check out K20a.org. They have all the info you'd want about K series motors. I went from a semi built B20vtec to a K20a2 and it was a night and day difference. Then went from the a2 to a K20a and its ever better. Its definately worth it, just my .02
Old 08-06-2009, 10:53 PM
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Default Re: Is a K20 swap worth it?

to each their own.. i personally think a B is better than a K... up to you on how much you wanna spend or what kinda build you want.
Old 08-06-2009, 11:07 PM
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Default Re: Is a K20 swap worth it?

I think a B would be more suitable to work on seeing how K parts are expensive.
Old 08-07-2009, 12:07 AM
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Default Re: Is a K20 swap worth it?

hey man to keep it real with you when it comes to k swaps its more of an EGO thing due to they are not to manny at the local meets

for the money you can have a faster B swap or you can have more street cred up to you
Old 08-07-2009, 12:30 AM
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Default Re: Is a K20 swap worth it?

Its more of rarity and complexity than anything IMO that comes with respect. Its makes your car more unique because less have it. It makes people think of you as top of the line and they are right you do have a great motor and obviously spent a lot of time and money to put it in that engine bay. I do not think it is worth it unless you are shooting for a crazy drag car. Look at how much power you can get out of swaps half the cost. If you want all motor and plan to keep it that way go K because you will get the most all motor power from it. For higher power your going to need forced induction no matter what and if your not going over like 500HP + I say why bother. More of a flashy item to me, i'll stick with B.
Old 08-07-2009, 03:56 AM
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Default Re: Is a K20 swap worth it?

B series is cheaper power but K series is more reliable power. If you want 250whp you can get that all motor from a k20, but not from a b series. If you want more than 300whp I would go b series since they're cheaper and easier to replace things when they break due to availability and price. Look at at least 6-7k to get a k20 and everything you need to get the car driving. A gsr swap can be found used for less than half that.
Old 08-07-2009, 04:06 AM
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Default Re: Is a K20 swap worth it?

Originally Posted by BrianFreels
getting a kseries for cheap isnt the problem, you can always find a good deal on a k dropout, its buying everything else to make the k work in yur car and perform at its best is what gets really expensive
aint that the truth...i am getting into a k24/k20 build,got a good deal on the basics,just about everything else is like selling ur arm
Old 08-07-2009, 04:11 AM
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Default Re: Is a K20 swap worth it?

I doubt the price of the K20 will ever drop, maybe a little.

Look at any B VTEC motor, they have stayed pretty much the same price for a long time (especially the B18C R/B16B). And a lot of these engines are old!

Of course there are deals to be found, I am mostly speaking about prices from reputable engine suppliers like HMO.
Old 08-07-2009, 04:11 AM
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Default Re: Is a K20 swap worth it?

don't get me wrong though,i am an "oldschool" guy i love the super B's,but i wanted something up to date for my ej. its really to each his own,but most of all how much do u want to spend to get to ur particular goal
Old 08-07-2009, 04:15 AM
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Default Re: Is a K20 swap worth it?

even the b18c5 or b16b with the lsd trans your still looking at 4500-5600 (on the east) for a legal setup,you now ur going to want more power
Old 08-07-2009, 11:19 AM
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Default Re: Is a K20 swap worth it?

Originally Posted by n/ahonda97
even the b18c5 or b16b with the lsd trans your still looking at 4500-5600 (on the east) for a legal setup,you now ur going to want more power
$4400 97 spec $4800 98+ spec all day every day lol What is the difference thats what I would like to know. Also if you get the motors from Japan chances are they will have around 20k miles on them.
Old 08-07-2009, 11:45 AM
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Default Re: Is a K20 swap worth it?

Originally Posted by BrianFreels
getting a kseries for cheap isnt the problem, you can always find a good deal on a k dropout, its buying everything else to make the k work in yur car and perform at its best is what gets really expensive
correct
Old 08-07-2009, 12:49 PM
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Default Re: Is a K20 swap worth it?

get a b20 and call it a day. well worth the money for one and powerful
Old 08-07-2009, 12:56 PM
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Default Re: Is a K20 swap worth it?

Originally Posted by 98civdx
nope. you only getting a few lbs of torqe for a few grand more
but k20 is still cool.
Kinda an uninformed statement dont you think?

You not only get that few hp and torque more, the power potential and aftermarket support for these motors is insane. My friends bone stock 07 si put down 186 or something like that, reports of 200+ being made with just kpro and some boltons, good luck EVER seeing that from a B16 or B18 with those mods. There are also K motor combos making in excess of 300whp all motor, and those are the mild built ones.

Aside from the hp ratings, you have a beautifully geared transmission with a 4.78FD (i think) so your RPM fallout between shifts is very minimal, and if you get the jdm version of the engine it revs to 9k and not 8.6k like the usdm version, plus the cams are hotter in the jdm hence the few extra hp.
Old 08-07-2009, 01:01 PM
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Default Re: Is a K20 swap worth it?

Originally Posted by F20B-CX
K20 has more under the curve and a 6 speed. I honestly don't think it's worth it. The J swap can be done cheaper, with better results. You can make a C5 faster for the difference in price, too (if you're smart with your money).
But I will be god damned if the J swap doesnt completely funk the weight balance of a civic, at least with a k20 you can still take the thing around a road course.


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