Hey guys this is a serious question and I know it's probably been discussed but I'm new to the forum and don't know how to navigate it very well, but I'm joining the marines(I've joined I leave October) and I'm looking for a new car, I've had a third gen eclipse v6 gt, and an auto EK(which I have currently) and I'm craving an integra. I really want a GSR but can't find one with good mileage in my area, but why do people buy an LS and swap in a GSR engine instead of waiting to find a GSR, is it cheaper after it's all said and done just to swap the LS? How much would it cost to buy a good GSR engine and tranny and have somebody else do the swap for me? Because I could probably find a GSR with decent mileage for about 6500 and an LS for about 2500-3000. I always already have a sportbike so I'm not needing a car to scare the hell out of myself with. Sorry for the long post and thanks for reading thanks

 

b/c like you mentioned, it is harder to find a good mileage GSR and one not beat or engine missing with a b20/ls in it and both cars are essentially the same thing minus the engine, especially the later 00-01 cars

 

Basically my goal is an extremely dependable and durable integra ls with either a boosted gsr engine. How much would it cost to have somebody do all the work(I don't have the proper knowledge) and have a boosted gsr engine that I would not have to worry about. I would only want 250-300 hp.

 

But for a turn key reliable built motor (would want build if we are talking whp) and turbo, I would say at least $10k. But I'm probably on the low end and at that price quality would be sacrificed.

If you don't have the knowledge to do it yourself, then I would advise against doing it period. There are too many shady shops who will half *** work. And when something comes up (which if it's modified, it will) you won't know what to do and get dry raped again at a shop.

So either take the time to learn or if you want something reliable and 250-300hp, check out ms3/6, slobalt ss, evo, sti, etc.

 

My opinion of costs:

GSR motor/trans/ECU/engine harness is probably around $2000-2500.

Turbo kit range from $1500-4500 (or more) depending on type of parts and if they're new or used.

I'm guessing it's about 8-12 hours of labor (but I could be off). I'm gonna guess $60-80 per hour.

Exhaust, engine managment, and many other misc. stuff would be needed.

It's still expensive and would be around 200% (not including labor), more than the purchase of the LS Integra.
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If I was doing it, I'm buying my motor/trans from HMO (hondamotorsonline.com) and I'd try to buy used piping, intercooler, BOV, gauges, and oil pan. I'd buy a new turbo/wastegate combo and manifold (unless I found a nice used manifold).

Edit: I agree about too many shady shops. Many of them are trying to keep their heads above water and often steal from Peter to pay Paul, blame part companies when they're just slacking, or just straight up close up shop and take your stuff with them (happened to 3 friends of mine)

 

So basically for the price of a built gsr engine swap I could get a k20 and have 200hp that's very reliable and get some extra hp with small bolt ons and still have a decent pull?

 

A K-swap is not for everyone. Some prefer other platforms. Turbo is awesome. You could turbo the LS (injectors/tune) and get motor replacements as needed. It would be a blast to drive.

K-swaps:

It takes mechanical background and it is costly. But, when done correctly, they are great to drive and are dependable. I've had 2 B-series swaps in my civic. Owned the car since '96. I decided to K-swap about 3-4 years ago. I was a fan boy for a long time. I got stupid and bought a compete K20A Type R swap and all new swap parts, bolt on's, fuel system, blah blah blah. My choice and I don't regret it. I saved for a while. Wishful racer on a budget. The car is very fun to drive and cannot be compared to my B-swaps. The power-band is very different. Very short gears with the 4.7 final drive.

How much is a Kswap? In my opinion, it really depends on the type of motor and the parts.

You can buy a accord K24 for $600 give or take.

A RSX base 5-speed trans is about $600 give or take.

Kpro and ECU can be found for less than $800 used (look out for bad conterfeits).

Mounts and conversions harness will be pricey. I'm going to guess at least $700.

An accord exhaust manifold can be used. It's not a log but tubular header. Cheap. OEM K-series fuel rail can be modified to work (thread on K20A.org). RSX base OEM axles with inners swapped work. Shift box/cables, shift box cover, re-locate radiator, hoses, clutch line, fan/temp sensor unit, maybe need to swap out a sensor or two, and a K20A2 engine harness is best for swaps. Getting complicated yet? Anyways, I'd say $600-800.

Add another $350-500 for exhaust mated at a shop, fluids, new clutch, misc. and you hopefully don't go over the $500.

I may have missed something. Buts that's around $4k.

I have no clue how much a shop would charge. I did it myself. But I figure I needed decent socket/wrench set, jack, stands, 32mm socket/breaker bar for axle nuts (and 36mm b/c bigger axle), engine hoist, drill/drill bits, angle grinder, and an electrical wire stripper/crimper.

As you can see, this path takes skills, knowledge and tools but can be done on a budget. I say that in comparison to buying new swap parts, and going to a bigger axle, fuel pump/rail/lines/fpr, 6-speed trans, LSD, more hp motor, blah blah blah. Man, it was exhausting now that I look back at it.

What what I put in an Integra? K24A2 longblock and a K20A Trans (36mm nut axles). It would be fast and have great torque. Basic bolt ons, bigger fuel pump, oil pump swap, VTC swap and tune. I know guys with similar stock set ups hitting high 11's on 24.5" slicks.

 

Hell yeah man thanks for the info, and yeah it was confusing haha, but for me wanting a daily driver super dependable car with around 250 hp, do you believe K series is the route to go

 

I'm internally stock with bolt ons and Kpro. 226whp 165tq on a dynojet.

A Integra chassis with my set-up will hit mid-low 13's on basic summer radial street tires. 12's on slicks.

And it can be a DD for sure. Dependable. There are even PS and AC kits (and slightly cheaper ways with knowledge/skill).

Only down side would be motor mounts do rattle the car at idle. Foam (w/adhesive side) in between panels and body in certain places helps a lot.

It's all expensive and is out of passion. Plenty of other cars and other set ups out there. LS turbo is no joke. I'd love to have one.

 

My only problem with ls turbo is that there are stuff bound to go wrong that with me having no skills, could really set me back. But if I do wrench out the money for a complete stock k20 swap and wait till I get more skills to start building, I could eventually end up with an insanely fast car. I've always loved k series but have never looked in to them because I thought they were in the $10,000 range for a swap. But I'm starting to lean toward them now. If I could find an LS for about 3k do you believe I could eventually get it kswapped (I'm more Into the k20s for some odd reason) and completed for under 10k total? I don't plan on swapping until I'm done with my service so I have a while, or I could possibly get it worked on while I'm gone. Thanks man

 

Yes you can do it for around $10k and have a 200-210whp, 6-speed Kswap with decent bolt ons. But that's doing it yourself. If you have a friend with tools, space and wrenching knowledge...it's not that crazy. But, then again, installing a turbo kit on an Integra is not that crazy either. Someone that can remove a trans/change a clutch and able research online can do this stuff. Basic tools and rent a hoist. Too many threads online to guide you.

 

Thanks man, more than helpful, hope to see you around take it easy

 

I think you should find a clean low mile 98 integra LS only cause imo the 98 body style looks better and boost that! black leather interior is my favorite, save the money and you can make decent power on even a bone stock LS motor!

 

I have a gsr swap in an LS because clean gsr's are impossible to find these days unless you find one on a dealer lot and those are way overpriced. You can find much cleaner non-enthusiast LS's. I already had an engine so a swap made sense.

 

get a new 12+ V6 accord fun+reliable and they don't come with the tarnished rep 90's Honda's have there's your "300hp", keep the integra on the side "just to have". Plus you won't take such a huge hit in spending 15-20k on the accord as you would dumping that into the integra to make it fast.

 

Thanks guys