Vtec04

I would really like to K swap my 05 Civic, but I can't spend much on it. I don't mind working harder than necessary to do the swap if I can save money. For example, I will happily rewire the C101 connector to save the $200 for a conversion harness. A local self service junkyard has great prices on parts. I don't need power steering, exhaust system, or any extras like that right now. I don't care about minor details like the engine light being on and stuff like that. Here's a short list of major parts that I can think of quickly that I would need:
Engine- $160 flat rate on all complete engines
Transmission- $80
ECU- $23
Subframe with motor mounts- $40
Pedal assembly- $20
Clutch master cylinder- $17
Different CV axles- $20 for both
At $380, this swap may be doable if I save up for a year or so. But there must be hidden charges somewhere. What I need to know is what those hidden charges are, and how much it would cost. Thanks.

pogeeboy27

iTrader: (3)

If it takes you a year to save up $380, you shouldn't be doing any car mods at all, especially if this is your first time doing a swap. There will be things you miss or you may screw up on something that requires you to buy more parts.

Vtec04

I've changed engines before, but always with the same kind that came out. I guess a lot of you guys are rich or something, $380 is a LOT of money to me.

pogeeboy27

iTrader: (3)

If it's one thing I've learned throughout the years modding cars is not cheap, especially if you want to do it right. Also where are you able to get prices like that for engines and transmissions? Those are crack head prices.

Vtec04

My local U pull it junkyard has flat rate pricing on every engine and transmission, if I can find one.

JRCivic1

This means that you will have to be very patient and make a trip every morning to your local U-pull-it junkyard to check their inventory so that you get first dibs on anything really good. RSX's and EP3 Hatchbacks are not common junkyard finds... and this is what you need for your 7G chassis. To do the swap correctly, there are many things that you left out. However, since you stated above that you really aren't interested in doing it right... I am not sure what to put on your list.

For sure... clutch, flywheel, EP3 radiator w/ upper and lower radiator hoses and cooling fan assembly.

You also forgot the expensive stuff that you won't find at the junkyard... a MOUNT KIT.

Good Luck.

1999 Civic Si

I helped a buddy k swap his 05 civic coupe and even with him having a 100% complete parts car (ep3) he still spent a couple grand on the swap not including the car(s), of course some of that money was spent on maintenance related things, exhaust work, etc... There are things that you aren't going to find or be able to use from a car out in the yard. I would suggest researching online for k swapping the EM2 chassis to get a better idea of what you are really going to need to do the swap.

Vtec04

I never specified a K20. A K24A1 CR-V motor or K24A4 Accord motor would be very easy to find at a junkyard and would still make good power. I could put a K24A2 head on it later also.

Klasse

I don't want to be judgmental but I'm going to be anyway. I really think if it takes you a year to save $380 you shouldn't spend $380 unnecessarily on a car.

Caoboy

You can barely save 31.66 per month?

​​​​​A swap is not in your budget. That 31.66 should be put towards maintaining the current engine.

JRCivic1

I didn't state a specific engine... you assumed this because of the chassis choices that I recommended. Regardless, the engine choice is of little concern. It is the transmission and supporting components of these two applications that ARE important. You must do a large amount of research in order to collect the PROPER parts for your application... getting the wrong parts will cost you more money in the long run, and since you seem to be really short on cash, you cannot afford to make a bad choice.

Vtec04

You're unfortunately probably right. Now I think I have a blown head gasket because someone drained my coolant in the middle of the night, and the engine overheated. I won't be able to afford a $40 head gasket for about a month, so I definitely am broke.

Caoboy

Maybe you're car overheated when you towed that trailer

Vtec04

The temp never exceeded 200 while pulling the trailer.

Chance EG

Jesus christ dude get a (better?) job and/or get your expenses under control.

Why were you even asking about K swaps in the first place? You're absolutely high if you think you can afford this right now, regardless of how many options you omit and how much DIY is performed.

NVturbo

Agreed with you guys. If you can't afford to mod your cars, leave the **** alone. Just look at all those cars on Craigslist, half-assed and incomplete. They think it's going to be fun and cheap and eventually, they don't even have money to replace a $25 part.

greenwitenvydc2

I am 100% sure some of my brain cells just died reading this post. I've almost completed my K SWAP and its taken me some time buying used parts and finding deals and I am still almost 2k into it. I have an accord K24 and EP3 trans and that was 900.