B-Series Swap in a 2001+ Civic Coupe
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Honda-Tech Member
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B-Series Swap in a 2001+ Civic Coupe
I get PM’d quite a lot about my swap and thought it was time to post some info.
Legality:
There was a B series produced in 2001 so you could say that it is a legal swap if you have a 2001 Civic. 2002 and later are illegal. Just drop a K series in it if legality is required. Really, if your first response is “is it legal” then this swap is not for you.
Motor Mounts:
No mounts are available currently. Hasport was researching a kit and I sent them my subframe and some rough prototype parts were made. Then they decided to not make the kit. I used this prototype mount on the passenger side. The drivers side mount is based on the K-series kit body mount and an earlier B-series isolation mount. The rear mount is an Integra mount and isolation block with an adapter that I fabbed up. In short, you are going to have to fabricate everything yourself. It’s not impossible but if you can’t weld or machine up parts, don’t try it.
Shifter:
The EM2 uses a cable shifter, the B series use a rod style. I fabricated a custom set of shift rods and mounted an early Integra shifter. The shift rods were very difficult because the subframe runs right where the shift rods want to go. The choice is to either cut your subframe or make a shift rod with a 90 bend in it. I chose the latter. The photo shows my prototype rods and the extreme shapes I had to make to get it to fit. After these were completed, I made a “nice” set that was properly bent & braced.
The integra shifter is shorter than the civic, You have to install an aftermarket short shifter for the throw to be reduced enough to fit the console.
Clutch:
The EM2 uses a hydro transmission. The B series tranny slave cylinder attaches right up with no modifications.
Axles:
Custome axles from the Driveshaft Shop were used. I sent them the dimensions and they fit perfect. I suppose you could use my dimensions (they have them) but I would use your own because your lengths will be based on where you locate your motor, maybe not the same as I did.
Electronics:
Everything is totally different. Nothing plugs in. I ripped everything out and put in an AEM Universal EMS.
Exhaust:
This was an unexpected problem. The front of the subframe runs right through the natural header location. I don’t think any off the shelf header will work. When I first ran it N/A, I had to go custom. With the turbo, it’s also a custom from LoveFab. In the pic below, you can see the subframe running right where the B series headers would normally go.
Fuel System:
The EM2 has a returnless system. It looks like it would choke a lawnmower. Originally, I ran an upgraded walbro in tank pump and a –6 return system. Now I run a fuel cell with a –8 to a mechanical fuel pump.
General Fitment:
The EM2 engine bay is very small. The B is a pretty tight fit and looks huge when compared to a D. But it does fit well.
Overview:
This swap is not for the faint of heart and is not in any way to be confused with a “bolt in”. You will be fabricating a lot of parts. The payoff? A truly unique car! I think I may have one of the only ones around. I know of no other but that does not mean that there aren’t any. I did this swap over the 2003-2004 winter. Since then the car has raced at Bonneville and set a few records. It was in the AEM booth at SEMA with a 2.0L N/A motor. It has been featured in Honda Tuning on a number of occasions and just got a really big turbo as well as a dry sump system installed.
Before: D17A1, After: Turbo B-series
P.S.
This post is about how to put a B series into an EM2. It's not about the B series versus the K series, Or B vs H etc. Please don't ruin this thread with useless blabber regarding which engine you would put into your car. Thx.
Legality:
There was a B series produced in 2001 so you could say that it is a legal swap if you have a 2001 Civic. 2002 and later are illegal. Just drop a K series in it if legality is required. Really, if your first response is “is it legal” then this swap is not for you.
Motor Mounts:
No mounts are available currently. Hasport was researching a kit and I sent them my subframe and some rough prototype parts were made. Then they decided to not make the kit. I used this prototype mount on the passenger side. The drivers side mount is based on the K-series kit body mount and an earlier B-series isolation mount. The rear mount is an Integra mount and isolation block with an adapter that I fabbed up. In short, you are going to have to fabricate everything yourself. It’s not impossible but if you can’t weld or machine up parts, don’t try it.
Shifter:
The EM2 uses a cable shifter, the B series use a rod style. I fabricated a custom set of shift rods and mounted an early Integra shifter. The shift rods were very difficult because the subframe runs right where the shift rods want to go. The choice is to either cut your subframe or make a shift rod with a 90 bend in it. I chose the latter. The photo shows my prototype rods and the extreme shapes I had to make to get it to fit. After these were completed, I made a “nice” set that was properly bent & braced.
The integra shifter is shorter than the civic, You have to install an aftermarket short shifter for the throw to be reduced enough to fit the console.
Clutch:
The EM2 uses a hydro transmission. The B series tranny slave cylinder attaches right up with no modifications.
Axles:
Custome axles from the Driveshaft Shop were used. I sent them the dimensions and they fit perfect. I suppose you could use my dimensions (they have them) but I would use your own because your lengths will be based on where you locate your motor, maybe not the same as I did.
Electronics:
Everything is totally different. Nothing plugs in. I ripped everything out and put in an AEM Universal EMS.
Exhaust:
This was an unexpected problem. The front of the subframe runs right through the natural header location. I don’t think any off the shelf header will work. When I first ran it N/A, I had to go custom. With the turbo, it’s also a custom from LoveFab. In the pic below, you can see the subframe running right where the B series headers would normally go.
Fuel System:
The EM2 has a returnless system. It looks like it would choke a lawnmower. Originally, I ran an upgraded walbro in tank pump and a –6 return system. Now I run a fuel cell with a –8 to a mechanical fuel pump.
General Fitment:
The EM2 engine bay is very small. The B is a pretty tight fit and looks huge when compared to a D. But it does fit well.
Overview:
This swap is not for the faint of heart and is not in any way to be confused with a “bolt in”. You will be fabricating a lot of parts. The payoff? A truly unique car! I think I may have one of the only ones around. I know of no other but that does not mean that there aren’t any. I did this swap over the 2003-2004 winter. Since then the car has raced at Bonneville and set a few records. It was in the AEM booth at SEMA with a 2.0L N/A motor. It has been featured in Honda Tuning on a number of occasions and just got a really big turbo as well as a dry sump system installed.
Before: D17A1, After: Turbo B-series
P.S.
This post is about how to put a B series into an EM2. It's not about the B series versus the K series, Or B vs H etc. Please don't ruin this thread with useless blabber regarding which engine you would put into your car. Thx.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 420
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From: nor cal, CA
Re: B-Series Swap in a 2001+ Civic Coupe (Mirage)
wow!. i remember reading about hasport and how they said it was just too hard. good job. looks very good. i think you are the only one with a b-series turbo in a em2. 
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Joined: Jun 2005
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From: North, sc, us
Re: B-Series Swap in a 2001+ Civic Coupe (Mirage)
I WANT I WANT I WANT, i posted a while back asking why a B series wouldnt fit in a 01 civic. i didnt get much of a response, and i wish i had i dont have the money to do a k swap or i would have but i have a b20 block and a ITR head sitting im my shop going to waste!
The post was titled "B series Motor Mounts" its under RSX/EP3 tread
The post was titled "B series Motor Mounts" its under RSX/EP3 tread
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,294
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From: RRRRR, MN, USA
Re: B-Series Swap in a 2001+ Civic Coupe (BlueIntegraBoy)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BlueIntegraBoy »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">This is definitely the first Good job</TD></TR></TABLE>
Not a first. A person back on 02 did this over in Taiwan I think, along with a few people who were attempting it at the same time here. No idea if they actually finished, but I do remember they started.
Good job</TD></TR></TABLE>Not a first. A person back on 02 did this over in Taiwan I think, along with a few people who were attempting it at the same time here. No idea if they actually finished, but I do remember they started.
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 0
From: RRRRR, MN, USA
Re: (proricanracer)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by proricanracer »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I remember there was a guy who swapped a supercharged RSX Type-S engine into a EM2 at the autovations show in St. Paul....I wonder which swap was easier.</TD></TR></TABLE>
It wasn't supercharged, neither of them were. There were two of them last year, and one the year before.
I was the one who was there both years, and will be there next month as well.
It wasn't supercharged, neither of them were. There were two of them last year, and one the year before.
I was the one who was there both years, and will be there next month as well.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 229
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Re: (HondaNINE)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HondaNINE »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I am also looking to put a new engine in my 2001 civic, but i was told that it cost more to have a B engine rather then a K engine into my car. Is that true? how much did it cost for you do it?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Since I did all the fabrication work myself, I dont have a cost for the swap. However, the sheer amount of fab work required essentially requires you to do the work in house since paying a shop to do it for you would make it a financial boondoggle. If your only options are to either purchase off-the-shelf K swap parts or to pay someone to fabricate custom B swap parts then just drop in a K. In the long run, it will be cheaper.
Since I did all the fabrication work myself, I dont have a cost for the swap. However, the sheer amount of fab work required essentially requires you to do the work in house since paying a shop to do it for you would make it a financial boondoggle. If your only options are to either purchase off-the-shelf K swap parts or to pay someone to fabricate custom B swap parts then just drop in a K. In the long run, it will be cheaper.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 713
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From: MD, US
Re: (chunky)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by chunky »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">very nice.
awesome fab work.</TD></TR></TABLE>
awesome fab work.</TD></TR></TABLE>
