Hey guys! I'm currently wrapping up a deployment and am looking into buying a 1996-2000 Honda Civic. My goal is to buy a K20 motor and install it myself. Here's the thing, I've never worked on a car in my life. The most I've done is change my own oil. Other than "take it to a shop and have it professionally done", what advice would you give a beginner looking to do a swap himself? Also, I know there are websites that sell "Swap kits", but what parts would ya'll recommend I ABSOLUTELY have in order to complete this job? Yes, I have the tools necessary for this. I don't need any troll posts, I'm not a complete idiot, and I do my own research. Serious replies please. Thank you!

 

Most problems with swaps tend to be with getting the electrical working, you need to have general skill in that area. I would also suggest experience with removing and replacing a stock engine first.

 

GL SON.

 

On a serious note, either find folks with knowledge to help or PAY a shop/person to do the work. People assume a motor swap is easy..... then give up half way through.

 

The hard part is putting it in and get it to run. Pulling it out is simple. Just like anything, tear a part is easy 'til you need to put it back together. I would advise watching vid of swap, read up on swap instructions. If you even get stuck at 1 step, you may want to consider paying someone do it for you. Need to grasp ecu pin out. Which wire goes where, what function it has. May seem simple when looking at pictures but when it comes down to it, u will be pulling your hairs out. If this swap is your main DD, you should not attempt it. Expect to have it down for couple days to weeks depending on how smooth it goes.

 

Have you thought about looking for one that's already done. With the time and energy you will save you can go about doing lots of other tweeks to the car, like brakes and suspension to make it yours.

 

Luckily, I have someone in the family that's a mechanic. I'll most likely end up bringing the car to him and working on it together. Seriously, thanks for all the replies and I appreciate each view of the situation. I'd rather not get stuck for weeks on the engine when I could have this done in a couple days by a professional considering I only have so much time back home.

 

It is easy. Just need to have the motivation/dedication to finish projects

 

Ide swap the engine with a rsx type s k20.. then swap the body too.




Buy an Rsx type S or 8 th gen SI. Itll cost the same as a swap but with alot less headaches