As many of you know, I own what it probably the world's slowest Type R. Having a D15B8 in place of the stock B18C5 just wasn't cutting it for me. The fact that my friends could almost outrun me on foot put a damper on things while I await the insurance check that, along with the funds in my bank account, will buy my K20A. The clutch was shot to begin with and needed desperate replacement. Being in this situation, I decided to have some fun with this engine.

This past week marked the arrival of an EX transmission and a Fidanza flywheel to accompany the Exedy clutch I had laying around. A trip to Pep Boys resulted in a fresh set of axles, and I stopped by the Chevy dealership on the way home to pick up some Synchromesh. I then realized that I only had one jack, no cherry picker, no lift, and only two jackstands, so I decided to swap everything at work, where at least we have another jack.

I decided early on that removing the engine was the only logical option. Yes it's quite possible to swap a clutch with the engine in the car, however the lack of necessary equipment along with the fact that I'm not all that strong had me thinking that it wasn't the best idea. After doing the prep work (removing everything except the mounting bolts), I caught a flash of insight: we have forklifts. I grabbed a two-by-four board and held it up to the tow hooks to check for clearance and everything was good. I then grabbed a four-by-four post and a forklift and proceeded to lift the front of the car high enough to sit on the highest perch of the jackstands to facilitate removal of the engine. I then grabbed a pallet and it conveniently lifted all the way to the oil pan without chassis clearance issues. I unbolted and removed the engine.

Installation of the clutch was a snap thanks to a sexy new torque wrench, and the EX tranny went on without incident. I did however move all of the brackets and stuff from the CX tranny to the EX tranny because it was ugly as hell (Everything was rusted plus I spent a solid hour yesterday with degreaser and a wire brush just trying to get it clean). Also, the bitch pin wasn't removed from the EX tranny, the linkage was cut instead. I then discovered that no manner of hammering with my relatively small hammer could cause it to budge, so I called on the help of a coworker brave enough to hold the punch while I whipped out a sledgehammer. It took only one swing.

Thanks to the forklift and the pallet, getting the engine back in was rediculously easy. Easier than any cherry picker, and even easier than with a lift. So easy in fact that I'm seriously debating the purchase of a forklift for jobs like this in the future. Everything went in with no issues, and she started up just as strong (or weak rather) as ever.

The maiden voyage made me kick myself for not doing this sooner. Sure, I had plans to do it sooner, but it kept getting put off. The difference was like night and day. She doesn't rev all that much quicker than stock, but everything is remarkably smoother (especially clutch engagement). In other words, she stopped being a bitch. After seeing such positive results from a new clutch and a tranny swap, I'm seriously considering going with a 4.9 final drive just for ***** and giggles.

Cliff Notes: I replaced the clutch and swapped the tranny in my CX powered ITR and saw a remarkable improvement.

P.S. I would take pics if someone hadn't stolen my digital camera.

 

Damn you have a 1.5 CX motor with a EX tranny in your ITR .What happen to the stock motor?

 

ahah slowest itr i saw ur post on the swap

 

Take that ish to the track and post up some 1/4 times! lol

 

m4d n0n-vtAk y0

 

slowest itr ever.

 

You need to bolt a turbo on that thing so you can keep up with a Yugo.
Hurry up with the K-series, I think that you are losing it

 

D15 = teh hotness

 

lol it's some funny stuff

 

Those would have been some funny pictures, damn theives, now theyre stealing our cool cameras.

Good idea with the forklift.

 

is there any smaller honda engine than the d15? getting an ATS for it will just take you a step away from the K20a

 

weak - get the K series in there already!!!

 

Wanna race it with my sentra gxe?

 

Strangest thing I've read all day.

 

Nice

 

I would not waste any time or money on that D15...do the K20 already.

 

sohc powered ITR is my drEEm!

fug, if j00 were w/in somewhat reasonable driving distance I'd drive over just to see it & take pix

g00t luck w/ the insurance.

 

Sounds like a lot of money spent recently

Glad your having fun with it.

 

Kendall - SOHC turbo w/ Nitrous!!!!!

Chris - who says "DO IT!!"

 

yeah.. turdblow that sohc!.. they're cheap to replace when blow up and you can have matching tq per hp.. like 230whp/wtq

 

integra type r - $20,000
d15b8 motor - free
new tranny and clutch - $300
actually spending money on the shitbox 8 valve motor in your ITR - priceless

 

ya ide N02 that bitch up and have some real fun!

 

Just wait till some thieves decide "man...lets steal that type-r motor" and become very disappointed.

 

The original plan was to build a turbo minime out of this engine, and we're still aiming for it, but we decided to put off the Z6 head swap, and the turbo until after I get back to NC in order to save money on gas during the trip. Until then, I have an assload of D series parts laying around my house taking up space.

 

k series abandoned?