JohnnyG123

Hello! I have an 03 civic hybrid with a junk IMA battery... I'm not a big fan of running in bypass mode and I have heard rumors that the 1.3 can be swapped with a K20 from a Si , it's a stick.. can this trans be used?

Any comments on frame, ECM, mounting and etc would be appreciated!

I'm also throwing around the idea of installing a 1.5 Fit motor and removing the IMA portion..

''thanks!

toyomatt84

iTrader: (1)

The K-series mounts on the opposite side of the engine bay, when compared to your stock drivetrain. So, no, you cannot use your stock transmission.

There is no support for the 1.5L from the Fit, nor is there really any engine swap support out there aside from K-series.

JohnnyG123

Thanks toyomatt84... but as I look at it everything is on the correct side the 1.3 hybrid sits the opposite of the 1.7... my pulleys are on the passenger side...(yes US car) not like the 1.7 where everything is on the drivers side....

I looked at the way the k motors mount and it appears to be similar
Thank you Majestic Honda diagrams! Lol

1.3 hybrid and 1.5 fit motor share the same "L" block design .... minus the starter location and etc...

correct me me if I'm wrong...

toyomatt84

iTrader: (1)

Ahh, looking at the 1.3 Hybrid diagrams, they do indeed look to have similar mounting points as the K-series. However, there are massive differences in the dash and body wiring that could cause issues when converting to a K. If it were me, I'd swap the dash harness over at the very least. I do know that the IMA system has an entire harness change for itself. Also, something to note, I'm not sure if the actual structure of the car is altered to fit that massive IMA system in the engine bay. And, even though the K-series mounts on the passenger side of the bay, the bellhousing on the transmission is entirely different then the 1.3... so you'd have to figure out an adapter plate setup to even bolt it to the IMA.

As for the 1.5, there is no known documentation for swapping that engine in. If you take it on, you'll be setting a precedent. That could either yield a success story, or one of massive failure. To me, it seems like a huge investment for a very weak drivetrain (a lot of Fit guys swap to K-series).

JohnnyG123

I have accepted that I will have to source a new engine and dash harness.. I'm tracking a few '07 fit engine harness and ecm's... haven't looked into the dash harness/ instrument cluster yet..

i guess I will have to look into the trans as well.. maybe I can locate a complete drop out..
trying to build a long distance commuter , not necessarily a power house.. the 1.5 engines are dirt cheap.. the k prices are all over the place.. looking at JDM's but who knows how many miles are really on those...

any suggestions for engine/trans sources?

Thanks!

toyomatt84

iTrader: (1)

Depending on where you're at with both tooling, as well as skill set... you could always go the route of tearing down a salvaged/wrecked RSX or Civic Si (EP3) hatchback, and sell off remaining items to fund the remainder of the K-swap. Since you're going for fuel economy with reliability, I would lean towards a K20A3. It'll be the most cost-effective swap for the vehicle. I guess it'll depend on if you go manual transmission or not.

JohnnyG123

Rsx base k20a3 has been purchased! Picking it up friday.. 53K complete for $250
160hp is better than 80 something!
hybrid wiring manual on the way
look like I will have to fab front and rear mounts..
Any trans recommendations for the highway? Accord MT?

toyomatt84

iTrader: (1)

Don't forget you'll need to do something about the exhaust, catalytic converter, oxygen sensors, and ECU with a sub-harness to adapt the K-series engine harness to your dash harness.


Those have different transmission mounts then the K20A3. I would assume you're going to try and stay away from custom parts to cut costs, so I would lean towards a 5spd K20 transmission or an earlier 6spd K20 transmission (gearing ratios changed later in the years, making the gearing less advantageous on the highway).

JohnnyG123

Thanks!

'I am going to wipe the dust off of my plasma cutter and mig welder for the engine/trans mounts.. I'm used to working on old iron.. just finished an MGB... looks like just the front and rear mounts are going to be a pain...

going to wait on exhaust till I have it mounted in the car.. going to try to forego the rsx/ep3 sub frame..
hopefully I can retain the electric rack and pinion as well...

Then I have to figure out the whole immobilizer thing... was thinking about buying a matched set.. ecm, immo, and key to avoid all the b/s...

JohnnyG123

I think a 5 speed will be a better financial option... I'm seeing 6 speeds going for $900+...
5 speeds are going for around 275 or so in my area of New England

Mechanictec

It can be done as i have done the 1.3 hybrid swap myself. the only hard part was the wiring. I used the ep3 sub frame front and rear arm with hubs 5 stud. The ecu i used was the stock type-r ecu then took the car to the Honda dealer for them to recode the key. Only thing i had to add was a water temp gauge as you know the hybrid is digital like the s2000

JohnnyG123

Glad to know I'm not the only one that has gone down this path.. I might have to source another motor now... showed up Friday to pickup the motor and they were closed.. told them in an email when I was going to be there, and my phone number in case anything happens...
sent them an email while I waited for an hour at their gate.. they replied and said they were going to deliver Saturday.. needless to say it didn't come..
last time I'm dealing with a no name shop on eBay... had 200+feedback on eBay too... wtf..

now they wont reply to my emails...

now im going to have to fight for my refund.. good thing they aren't that far away.. the small town PD might be of some help...

Did you use a K20 trans? 5 speed or 6?

thanks

JohnnyG123

Purchased complete drop out... price was too good not too.... just changing clutch and pressure plate and putting it back together
Going with Excedy clutch kit

then the Hybrid tear down begins...

Polygaryd

did you have to modify the ep3 subframe at all for frame to subframe or subframe to engine fitment?

Mechanictec

I use the whole subframe engine attached also hubs with 5 stud also type r shocks front and rear

UNUBIS

HEY BRO IM CURRENTLY SWAPING 03 CIVIC HYBRID, DID YOU SWAP YOUR GAUGE WIRING AS WELL? OR JUST PLUG IN AND PREY IT WONT BURN DOWN?

Mechanictec

That was the headache part of the whole swap I will upload more pictures of the wiring I had to do it took me about 14 hours to do 2.4 Frank build

BongoBennie

K20 swap going to also swap CVT to manual. About to tackle wiring as well.

BongoBennie

So I'm at the point I need to either figure out the hybrid wiring and be fine with the factory cluster which I am as long as the IMA stuff is off which I don't know. I can also pull the dash harness and replace it with the EX/LX and also be able to use a more appropriate EX cluster and plug into the ECU but will need to make EPS and different A/C system work. Any advice?

CMurray

Sorry to dig up an old thread, but I'm trying to do a similar swap and any clues on the wiring would be extremely helpful. Clearly the dash harness for the Hybrid is completely unique which I was not prepared for. Thanks in advance!

hyrti

The above post shows that is possible but I don't know what the solution but I think it is possible.

BongoBennie

I will chime back in only to say I was lucky that the battery was good and the part out paid for the car as I abandoned the project, If you have manual CJs Wiring CAN make the adapter harness but only if he has the time, CVT to manual made it just not worth the hassle and I even had pedals, shifter engine in the car.