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So I own a 2005 Honda Civic Special Edition sedan. I recently decided to do a k20 swap on it in order to have a little more power while merging on the interstate and such...yes I am leaving it automatic, why you ask? Well I drive about 40 min each way to work and frankly I want to be lazy. I previously had a 2003 sedan with a manual transmission and sold it when I bought this 2005.
I found a 2003 Acura RSX with minimal body damage but running and driving with no mechanical issues for $1500.
Wow... love your work thus far! Its nice to see you forging the front for the automatic (almost OEM+ style) swap. Best of luck, and I hope everything goes smoothly.
Front 5 lug is done! While installing them, I noticed the Civic had larger calipers than the RSX. The rotors are the same size. I used the Civic caliper and bracket on the RSX spindle so I now have 5 lug with my original calipers.
Got the engine bolted in an most everything hooked up. I ran into a couple issues though. While researching the swap, Many people stated that you needed EP3 A/C Suction Hose and that the RSX hoses wouldn't work. The EP3 suction hose WILL NOT clear cruise control or power steering. I elected to try the RSX A/C Suction Hose and it worked with very minor tweaking. I used the EP3 Discharge hose to go from the A/C Compressor to the original condenser.
I moved on to installing the power steering reservoir, I read in many places that you need a eg bracket .... yada, yada, yada.... I used the original d17 bracket, I used a self tapping screw and bolted it to the body part of the engine mount. It works perfect. Also I'm using the original hoses and reservoir from the RSX.
If you look closely in this picture you can see the head of the self tapping bolt at the bottom of the power steering reservoir bracket. It is a tight fit in this civic.
Even though the caliper's exterior dimensions are larger then the DC5, are the pistons any larger? I would assume that (without swapping the proportioning valve and front calipers) you may have slight brake balance issues.
Even though the caliper's exterior dimensions are larger then the DC5, are the pistons any larger? I would assume that (without swapping the proportioning valve and front calipers) you may have slight brake balance issues.
I honestly have no idea, I didn't even look at the pistons in the calipers. I'll check them out when I get off work today and see if there is any difference.
I got the RSX shift installed. Unfortunately, it's a little too tall. It will work until I have a chance to go check out some other shifter assemblies at the junkyard. Also wired in the sport shifter.
No real updates. I got the c101 wiring complete and the battery wired to the underhood fuse box. Only wiring left is wiring the fan switch to the radiator and wiring the primary o2 sensor from the pigtails at the c101 connector. Still have to add 2.25" to the RSX exhaust and install it. Waiting on hood shocks and slim fans to come in for the radiator (dc5, ep3, nor es2 would work). I'm using the EP3 radiator, since EP3 never came in auto, the radiator's were not offered with the transmission coolers. I purchased an aftermarket transmission cooler and installed it.
Got the throttle cable and battery installed. Extended the wiring from the fuse box over to the battery. Extended the rsx exhaust 2.25 inches and it bolted right up as well. I took it up to my buddy's shop on 7/5/17 and he programmed the key for me. After programming the key, it started right up!!!!! As of now, I have to wire in the shift lock relay and diode, the fan switch, and the primary o2 sensor. Slim fans for the radiator should be delivered today, then I'll be able to install the radiator. Hood shocks should also be delivered today so I can eliminate the oem hood prop. Hopefully I can get it off to have an alignment around the first of the week.
Last night I finished up the last bit of wiring, changed the oil and transmission fluid, then went for a test drive!!!! I put about 10 miles on it and it feels so much better than the d17.
Pleased to report that I've put about 500 miles on it now and everything is doing great! A/C is charged and working well! Got an alignment on 7/10/17 to make sure that I was still in spec after the 5 lug conversion.
You did a great job on this project! That engine literally looks like it was made for that car. Holy crap you got a great deal on that running RSX for $1500. How much did this swap cost total? If I may make a couple suggestions, I would suggest moving the battery to the trunk for weight distribution since you have a much heavier engine in the car than what it was made for. That will help handling and make a lot more room in the engine bay. I would also suggest installing a larger exhaust system since it was designed for the D17 and is way undersized for the stronger K20. I would use a 2.25 inch system. That would probably gain you about 20 horsepower. Max. horsepower for the stock 1.75 inch pipe is around 115, so you need more flow for 160HP. Anyways, have fun with your car!
You did a great job on this project! That engine literally looks like it was made for that car. Holy crap you got a great deal on that running RSX for $1500. How much did this swap cost total? If I may make a couple suggestions, I would suggest moving the battery to the trunk for weight distribution since you have a much heavier engine in the car than what it was made for. That will help handling and make a lot more room in the engine bay. I would also suggest installing a larger exhaust system since it was designed for the D17 and is way undersized for the stronger K20. I would use a 2.25 inch system. That would probably gain you about 20 horsepower. Max. horsepower for the stock 1.75 inch pipe is around 115, so you need more flow for 160HP. Anyways, have fun with your car!
Thanks! I think I wound up with about $1800 total in it, but I buy and sell a lot of Honda's so I'll put my stock trans in another car. Already put my stock d17 in another sedan I bought that was knocking. I've parted out some of the RSX. After all is said and done, I'll have little to nothing in the swap.
I'm not concerned with weight distribution. The weight of the sedan and the rsx are very similar. The battery is mounted in the same location as the rsx. I now have the larger rsx sway bars. It handles and drives as good or better than it did with the d17.
I am using the rsx exhaust. I had to extend the mid pipe 2.25 inches and it bolted right in. I did reuse the stock civic muffler because the RSX had an aftermarket can on it and I'm not a fan. The civic muffler had the same size piping as the rsx exhaust.
Thanks! I think I wound up with about $1800 total in it, but I buy and sell a lot of Honda's so I'll put my stock trans in another car. Already put my stock d17 in another sedan I bought that was knocking. I've parted out some of the RSX. After all is said and done, I'll have little to nothing in the swap.
I'm not concerned with weight distribution. The weight of the sedan and the rsx are very similar. The battery is mounted in the same location as the rsx. I now have the larger rsx sway bars. It handles and drives as good or better than it did with the d17.
I am using the rsx exhaust. I had to extend the mid pipe 2.25 inches and it bolted right in. I did reuse the stock civic muffler because the RSX had an aftermarket can on it and I'm not a fan. The civic muffler had the same size piping as the rsx exhaust.
Cool! I didn't know that you used the RSX exhaust, and I did not even know that it would fit a Civic. I did not know that RSX sway bars would fit a Civic either. What size are the RSX sway bars? Did the RSX sway bars noticeably improve the handling? I might put RSX sway bars on my Civic. Great job with the swap!
06-30-2017, 07:57 AM
2005 Civic ES2 k20a3 swap
