This isn't a K vs B vs H vs D vs J engine discussion...

For the guys who've done the the swap (I understand the questions are very subjective):

-Was it worth the money in the end?
-What would you do different if you did it again?
-Does your car still "feel" the way it did before (responsive, nimble etc....hype R-like)?
-Why did you chose it over building your b18c5 n/a, supercharge it, etc...?
-Did you choose a k24, k20a, or k20a2 and why?
-Are you worried about re-sale?

Haven't driven in a k swapped car so Im just looking for some input on these specifics. It's a lot of money to drop, so Im looking for some more feedback...Thanks!

 

I dont own a Type-R but Im pretty sure it would lower resale value. I know I wouldnt buy a Kswapped DC2.

 

You can sell your itr and buy another integra and put a k in it and maybe come out even lol. Then just spend the money on things you'd be missing that the itr had like the bigger sway bars etc.

 

To me it was. I love everything about having a K-powered ITR.

I would have not went the crazy fully built K24 route, and just went straight to the JDM K20A engine from the start.

It actually feels a little better. The K20 motor does not weight any more than a B18C and having the engine on the passenger side of a LHD car gives it a better weight distribution.

I love the reliablity of NA engines. Reliable B-series engines do not have enough power and stupidchargers are crap. Once you drive a K-series car I promise you will be hooked.

Started with a fully built K24. Once that motor crapped out on me I remembered why I was such a fan of OEM motors. I swapped in a stock JDM K20A short block in and cannot be happier. Motor is probably good for 260-270whp and drives perfectly

Not planning on selling the car, so no.

 

I am currently putting a k24a2 (tsx) motor into a 97 type r shell that i recently picked up.
i have never owned a type r before but i have had 2 kswapped tegs and have done numerous swaps for customers. i have been in and driven many stock/swapped/built hondas and a all motor k swap is by far the most fun to drive. i dont know if i could bring myself to take apart a complete original type r and put a k motor in it. that's why i got a shell.

if your thinking about k swapping your car, you need to go for a ride in a k car. if you live close to me, pm me and i can take you for a ride in a k24 hatch. stock tsx motor with cams and it makes 272hp to the hubs. that is another reason to go k. if you like all motor, it would take alot of work to a b series to get to that. it's a fun ride and will walk 350hp turbo b's.

as far as the motor choices i would look at a k20a (type r) or a 06-08 k24a2 (tsx). the tsx is the best bang for the buck imo. it will produce the most hp and tq for the money. i can put together a tsx swap for alittle less money than a type r swap.

if your worried about resale believe it or not a k swap is reversible. i know ppl will say "but you have to cut off the passenger motor mount" yes you do but if you do it carefully the mount can be welded back on. the tunnel does not need to be cut for the shifter anymore. hybrid racing makes a shifter that mounts under the tunnel without cutting anything.

if you decide on a k swap, just make sure you look into the full costs of everything. it can add up quickly. the bad part about a k swap is you need to buy everything aftermarket. mounts, harness, kpro. it adds up, but worth every penny imo.

feel free to pm me with any questions.
if your going to expo this year and want to go for a ride. lmk

 

Great input guys!

Lots of things to think about!

 

-Was it worth the money in the end?
Yes, It was worth EVERY PENNY.

-What would you do different if you did it again?
I first went K20A2, lots of power but I was really into HPDE, so I later went with a simple K24 Frank build (not crazy like GIL). Wish I wouldve went with a K24 frank first and go 3" with reputable companies like ssr/dtr vs dc, etc.

-Does your car still "feel" the way it did before (responsive, nimble etc....hype R-like)?
Feels better. Lots of power with honda reliability.

-Why did you chose it over building your b18c5 n/a, supercharge it, etc...?
Did my swap back in 06 and wanted something different. Also wanted to stay N/A with potential of MORE POWER AND TORQUE over the B as it can only go so far. Also, I was into HPDE so I wanted the extra power. I do not recommend it for auto-x as the gearings are too short. I would go from 3rd to 4th and back to 3rd on some of the courses so if you do a lot of auto-x then stay with the B.

-Did you choose a k24, k20a, or k20a2 and why?
I first went with a k20a2 back then because it was cheaper and k24 franks werent as popular then. If I had to do it again, I would go K24 frank, TSX (K24A2), or K20A with a built head right away

-Are you worried about re-sale?
No as I plan to keep the car. This is a car that is built for racing. Yes, it can be a showcar but why waste all the money and not fully utilize it. Unfortunately, even with the K, it will still go for as much as an ITR with a B. I suggest to only do it if you plan to keep the car for a long time.

Honestly, it was one of the best decision ever for the car. Everytime I go for a ride, it still gives me chills. VTEC is sounds so different (sounds like you're in a tunnel) and its not high pitch like the B but low and loud. I love it as it pulls like a beast. My VTEC at WOT is set at 3400 and cruising is at 5700 and I make about 230 whp and 180 lb torque and thats good enough for what the car's purpose is. GL

 

hell yes, the money spent on a nice NA K setup vs a built b series NA or b series with spray or even a supercharger cannot off set the k's NA reliability with OEM parts IMO

nothing, lol i spent the money on the nice swap parts and the car is such a bad sleepeR on the street and the track ;-) mostly track

hell yes x3 lol the car feels the same except with an extra gear + stupid more amounts of power and torque. car still feels the same except the power is more pronounced and usable.

the k's NA reliability with OEM parts. the k's ability to respond so well to bolt-ons + tune. the transmission with 6 gears if you get the right tranny. K is honda's answer to all of the cons the b had in IMO, and the head flow is marvelous stock!

i dished out the money for the JDM k20a swap and since i have bought the motor all i have had to do is change the oil religiously. it has a swap header and a filter on the stock filter arm and raises hell on the track like its going out of style. future plans will be a nice header a set of cams + IM and maybe a tune

when selling the car its all about finding the right buyer. if you have buyers that are purists and want the original B in a ITR thats fine. you should visit k20.org there are people with some nice K powered civics for 14k+ because they are done right. IMO if you plan to keep your caR (like i do) do whatever you would like to your car, not what people on a forum think is mad sick or whateveR language is used see what you plan on using the car for and then take it from there

 

This thread is really inspiring. More please

 

This is some very good legitimate info from owners. Excellent thread

 

i agree with the coming out even part. at least you could always keep your b series motor and maintain it and put it back in if you had to. i mean, its still an itr overall. what better platform to drop an extra 6 grand into and still keep the aesthetic value.

 

Im running a K24A1/K20A2 setup. The torque is unbelievable. I used a RSX 6speed transmission, added a Quaife LSD, and changed the FD from a 4.389 to a 5.46.

There is a night and day difference. It really gives the car's power an entirely different feel. Depending on what you want to do with the car, you can have a full swap for under $5K. This swap will produce nearly 200WHP and 180TQ (wheel).

On paper, it does not sound like much but once you have driven, you will instantly see what just a few of us are speaking of.

Resell value - not planning on selling a car but I would purchase a K swapped ITR before I purchase a B series ITR. People who have little to no knowledge are usually the ones that are against it.

My current ITR was turbo, B series NA, and now K series NA. What I would have done differently is done the K swap a long time and kept it that way.

 

I love mine when it runs, hate it now, but Ill remember why I built it once its going again. It ***** on B series very hard. I have no need to subject any technical input, as many others did above.

 

i have two or three videos of my itR vs. a b series itR with full boltons. ill let the videos do the talking let me get them converted and ill post them for comparison.

 

That would be great!

 

-Was it worth the money in the end?
yea it was

-What would you do different if you did it again?
i would wait for deals and look around the websites instead of buying everything brand new and of done more research.

-Does your car still "feel" the way it did before (responsive, nimble etc....hype R-like)?
feels better. theres no better feeling then having power at any rpm then like a b (wen u have to be high in the rpms to feel something)

-Why did you chose it over building your b18c5 n/a, supercharge it, etc...?
i had a built b18c5 in the car before. sold it to get my k. and the stock k feels faster and more reliable. ive taken my k to the track at vir, cmp, etc beat on it at the track and drive back home to fl with no problems. never had to take my valve cover off yet ever. and burns no oil either i love it.

-Did you choose a k24, k20a, or k20a2 and why?
i went and bought a k20a. i bought a k20a. cause i had a type r and i wanted to keep it type r everything still, even though it was a k instead of b. and i really did want the type r tranny cause of the lsd and 4.7 fd i knew it would be perfect for hpde events. if i could do it over again i might of went with a k24 tsx swap and type r tranny and might of been able to save some money that route. but the new future project will be built head and stock k20a bottom end.

-Are you worried about re-sale?
not at all i built the car to my likings. and wat i wanted it for. it all depends on the market u get some people are interested in type r's with k's and some arent. just depends whos interested in it.

 

this thread is making me itch! cant wait for the money in my bank account to increase so i can add a K to my engine bay

 

To the OP, good thread I've been wanting to asking the same questions too. This thread has answred alot of qustrion I wanted to ask.

Thanks to the guy who chimmed in and help with the questions. Alot of "OG'S" kinda supprised me.

I also have a question that i wanted to ask. I've notice alot of good responce but does anyone have anything bad to say or dis like having the k over the b? Anything they mess about the b that the k doesnt have?

I've too have been looking into going k but never been in a k swap car

 

I don't own a K-swapped car but I have driven one and can wholeheartedly agree with all the above positive aspects. I guess the only concern I would have is how it fits.

I'm not talking about the proper kits that allow the motor to sit inside the engine bay, but rather the low ground clearance.

Of course a lot of people don't have problems with this, as the pan is "raised" once the car begins to crest over, say a speedbump (slowly ) - I've known others who've dinged their pan or broken it during a track day off. Nothing catastrophic in terms of epic destruction, but the K-swap would be perfect if it was possible to have almost the same ground clearance as a B.

If only dry sumps were affordable....

 

Just like any swapped car, you have to make sure that you are buying quality parts.

1. broken 3 oil pans
2. broken 2 axles and they are crazy expensive to buy
3. cut my hood
4. car shakes like crazy sometimes due to the stiff mounts (i miss the subtle feel from the B the most as ive never used aftermarket mounts before)

 

If anyone is seriously interested I have a complete JDM ITR K20A swap for sale. PM me for a special Honda-Tech hook-up price
http://forums.clubrsx.com/showthread.php?t=697853

 

if your worried about your oil pan just put a steel pan on it. the steel will dent, the aluminum will crack and break. plus the steel pans are cheap and easy to swap out.

 

so YOU bought jeremys motor! i was after that motor.

 

top thread buddy! reeeeaaally helpful!

 

Are any of you Kswap guys running PS and AC? I am in the process of doing my Kswap and I would love to keep PS.