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K Series Engine Swap Research

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6.8M views 2.3K replies 159 participants last post by  mcmcmc  
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Last Update: 3/12/2014

"Getting closer and closer, Thanks to all who are helping make this a more manageable task for others"
Mounts: Solved
Shifting Mechanism: Solved
Axles: Solved, Updated 3/12/2014
Wiring: Researching, Updated 3/12/2014
Radiator Hoses: Solved
Heater Hoses: Solved
A/C: Pending Updated 3/12/2014
Throttle Cable: Pending Updated 3/12/2014
Fuel System: Solved
Exhaust System: Solved, Updated 3/12/2014
Anti-Lock Brakes: Solved
Power Steering: Solved


General Info: Always Read First...!
Well, I have been gone for a long time and will try to keep this updated. Sorry about the delay as I am in a transition period and can't work on the swap.
Also some really big information the innovative mounts put the engine so far forward that only the PRB intake manifold off of an RSX type S will fit.

BottledFedMR2 has confirmed this and it's been verified. So anything else will require the firewall to be cut or the manifold to be shortened. This sucks but at the same time it's nice to have the engine weight as far forward as possible as it puts it more centered.

I will have CONFIRMED next to everything I know for 100% is correct information.

Mounts: CONFIRMED
Recommends 75 was told by innovative that it's the same as a 65a poly used by
other companies. Theirs is pure poly so 65a could sag over time.
http://www.innovativemounts.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=90551

Shifting Mechanism: CONFIRMED
Use the Factory MR2 cables and this bracket will make them interface with no other mods.
http://www.innovativemounts.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=50507
**Note: 2006+ Civic SI transmission will require the shift "Arms" off of an RSX type S transmission. You will then be able to
hook up the innovative shift Mechanism as it would be on a normal RSX-type s Transmission.


Axles: CONFIRMED
Axles can be ordered through Drive Shaft Shop they now have part numbers on file though they are not on their website.
Part Number: RA9040x2 and RA9041X2

Wiring:
There is much debate about the wiring so far it's every man for himself. I haven't actually started the physical wiring so I can't confirm anything or have a proven design. There are a few that have completed their swaps and have them running and driving but they all sort of do wiring differently. Monkeywrench racing is working on a full swap kit and will be selling the parts all separately. I talked to them and they will be offering a wiring solution. Right now this is known for a fact!

If you want the car to fully function like a stock spyder you will need to shotgun the ECUs (Factory Toyota ECU and Honda ECU) if you don't care and want to replace your cluster then you can run a straight Honda ECU but don't expect it to be very easy and you will need to know wiring to do it. You will also find it a lot harder to get the A/C running correctly without redesigning the whole A/C wiring system.

Now if you just run the Honda ECU by itself and keep your factory cluster you will lose your TEMP gauge and a few other idiot lights.


Old Info 3/12/2014

ABS:

I have found in theory that the ABS is almost completely independent of the engine control unit there is one wire going to the ECU and from talks with people its a input to tell ecu that ABS is active.

P/S:
The P/S system isn't too much of an issue in my eyes as it will keep running if you don't give it any signal from ECU. So at the basic level, you have P/S no matter what. Now if you want to operate factory style then you need to configure Kpro to see the signal from the pump to IDLE UP on the current draw which is PIN E3-25.

There is also a pin on the ECU for turning the pump on and off while the engine is running/off. This pin is E3-19 on the ECU. From what I understand if the Power Steering ECU doesn't see any input on this pin it will just stay on all the time with the car in ACC/ON position. As for any speed variance to Pump pressure adjustments, this is all done between the P/S ECU and the ABS ECU (as the ABS ECU supplies the speed signal).

A/C:
I am working with innovative and when I start my swap will be using a prototype A/C adapter plate. You will want to keep your 1zz compressor as it will be the easiest by far to adapt to work. The K-series compressors are bigger and right now the 1zz one will barely fit.

I will be running wiring straight to the HVAC controls so that I can bypass the Toyota multiplex system and in essence just hard wiring the functions like Honda has in its cars all the way up to 2002. I will be recreating the same system they used in the earlier model civics that did not require any type of digital electronics.

At the back of the Toyota Hvac controls the A/C switch comes out as an analog +12 or Grounded signal that goes to the combo meter where it is processed and sent to the ECU on a multiplex. I will just be wiring straight to this output on the HVAC control and cutting the meter and associated multiplex functions out of the circuit. I will then create a patch harness for the A/C compressor that contains the High/Low switch relays to cut the clutch and also figure out a way to wire a freeze-out switch into this same harness.


Unless I am missing something and by all means correct me. I see that if you completely remove the factory Toyota ECU the only things that will not work are the A/C, Temp gauge, and Some idiot lights and that is it. Everything else can be wired/jumped to function like normal.

The Temp gauge is on multiplex along with some of the idiot lights and A/C. You could make these work using the factory ECU as a multiplex conversion box and feed it the K-swaps sensor signals and hope they are in the same range as factory Toyota's or hook up factory Toyota sensors in addition to the Honda ones on the engine. IE: two oil pressure switches, two temp sensors ETC...

My goal is to make it as streamlined and simple as possible (Wiring/Electronics). That is why I want the Toyota ECU to be completely gone and all functions controlled by the Honda ECU.

Overall I am getting more and more done day by day and hope to start buying parts soon. I wanted to figure out most of the wiring before I even took the first bolt off the car. I'm hoping to have some of the conversion harness already made before I even start working on the car. "


Throttle Cable:
Was informed that if you buy a Cruise Control delete it will allow the factory cable to bolt in no major mods are needed. Getting verification but should be for a 00-04 RSX.

Radiator Hoses: CONFIRMED
He also said that the K-series and the 2zz are very similar in where all the hoses route. Since this is true He has confirmed the fact that in the swap in the lotus all the hoses fit up 99% perfectly.

He said cutting one hose 2 inches is all that is required on the lotus. Since the engine is what determines the placement of hoses then the spyder should be no different than what's required for a 2zz swap.

Heater Hoses: CONFIRMED
Read Radiator Hoses Same applies.

A/C System:
Again BottledFedMR2 is the guy to see, he is working on bringing an A/C bracket to production. He is close to having it ready and I myself will be buying one.
It will use the 1zz compressor, he says it will be a little lower than he would like but it doesn't seem to be a big issue.

Tim said they are in the works to make a bracket for the Lotus with Kswap. So He says he doesn't see why the spyder wouldn't be able to use it. Again like the throttle cable he would need someone to test fit it and confirm or send it back to have it modified till they get it right. But it is doable and not a big issue.

The Lotus has issues with A/C line clearance and he said that is one of the problems they are working on. When I asked him if the Lotus and spyder have very similar bay layouts I didn't know for sure but he said the way the firewalls are the spyder might actually have more room for the lines. Like everything though he can't say for sure.

Exhaust System: CONFIRMED
PPE makes a Header now for MR-2 Spyder with Kswap and is also available through MWR.
The collector size is 2.5" and the overall header is longer than the stock one so will stick out further than the factory.
Still waiting to get info on if you can use a downpipe to make it line up with the rest of the factory system.

Fuel System: CONFIRMED
You will need to run a return of some sort. You will need to also get a fuel regulator. I am still a little iffy on this from a basic swap standpoint because Honda uses a returnless system factory so you might not need to do this if you're just going to OEM performance.

Extra Notes:
I will update this a little more in a few days. I wanted to get something new on here as I have been away from the forums for a while and people might like to see a summary of the events going on with the Kswap. The main thing that is missing is the wiring. Once there is an agreed-upon design that everyone thinks works and is simple as it can be will the swap gets easy enough for everyone.
 
#730 ·
I make each one by hand. Right now I'm waiting on the C101 connector to come in from overseas. The pre-orderes I had were filled and the rest of the orders will have to wait until the plug comes in. Also I saw the AC bracket and Im stoked about it. Its really solid and is going to work great, I was going to take pictures but my phone was near dead so it wouldnt let me snap any. Im waiting of the rest of the order at this point
 
#735 ·
Got it hooked up and didn't do the inspection because I need to register first but I did want to see if the power and signal lights would light up when you connected the NYS machine on. It did so that means wires were done right and its getting.. well power and signal. :biggrin-new:

Monday I will have final results.

Ps - and the way I wired it up was extremely easy. I had an extra DLC connector so just plumbed it into one of the main connectors wires. I'll clean it up and make the stock connector work once I actually pass.
 
#746 ·
No inspection results yet? I did some research on the subject, and it seems like all the NYS inspection computer will be looking for is a lack of codes, so it should not matter if the ECU is not the original one or original OEM. Also it seems that the Kpro is pretty easy to setup for the state inspection.

Dave
 
#741 ·
Wow, tons and tons of info on this swap.

I would like to thank all of you for your research, and especially bottlefed (I inquired about a swap harness on k20a.org) for all the work and testing to get this done over the past couple years. I fully intend to do this swap (although I dont have a spyder yet) and hopefully will be able to buy the harness from you, bottle. I already have a motor, its a K20Z1, Ill use an RBC manifold, and an EP3 trans with an MFactory LSD. Ill be turbo so I dont have to worry about a swap header, and other than that everything else seems to already be roadmapped for me.

Just need to decide if I want to keep AC.

Also, looks like I am only a couple hours from you, KseriesPower.
 
#747 ·
Dave I changed my plans for doing inspection. I will not gave to do it. Instead I'll connect a code reader to the port to show it works and readiness status.

One issue I ran into the wiring preventing data transfer was corrosion in the pins. That pin was coincidentally the data. It did get power though. I'm almost one hundred percent sure it will work after this is corrected. I'll get to it next week and post back.
 
#749 ·
And there you go. I never thought this part of the wiring was gonna be an issue at all. I'll still try mines out since I don't have Bottles harness.
If I had to do again I'd definitely get a swap harness. Messing with all those wires was a pain but it was a good lesson to learn.

Now back on track to this ac bracket. :biggrin-new::biggrin-new:
 
#750 ·
Well after returning from my shake down weekend putting over 1k miles on the car and 6 laps of the Ring in Germany the car performed well.
Few issues to sort out one of them was to shorten the Shifter length, missed shift at least one gear each lap.
Does anyone know if the Spyder short shift kits work with the K20 swap?

thanks
Phil
 
#752 ·
I have a C's short shifter and the Innovative shifter adapter. It works pretty well, it isn't buttery smooth, and I miss 3rd maybe once a week putting around town, but on track it was fine. Sunday, at an autocross it popped out of 2nd but I was bouncing around over a really bumpy surface, so I don't think it will be a real issue.

One more electrical question: Why does the SRS ECU get a signal from the Engine ECU? Can anyone confirm that keeping the Airbag functionality is not going to be an issue if we don't have the Spyder ECU in place?

Dave
I have just the Kpro ecu and I don't have any airbag warning lights on; I have not tested the functionality yet though...thank God.
 
#753 ·
I'd love to do this swap but I still can't get over how low that oil pan sits. Just a matter of time until you put a hole in it and it leaves you stranded and maybe w/a dead engine if you don't catch it soon enough.

You guys may think it's not an issue, but I've driven a track-prep'd car on the street for a few years and I've hit my cross-member quite a few times and that's essentially where this oil pan would have been instead. You can't see all bumps in the road all the time.

Track-only car -- no problem. Street/track or street only car -- no thanks.

-G
 
#761 ·
Yes about 1" lower; it's the factory oil pan that came with the K20A2 (with a baffle insert but that doesn't affect height).
 
#762 ·
I was on coilovers lowered a decent amount with k24 swap. I've been daily driving it for a few months now in NYC, land of potholes and all that good stuff. I have not dented my pan once and it has amazed me too. I've scrapped my subframe BEFORE the pan and I've scrapped my exhaust AFTER the pan but never the pan. The worst are entrance/exit ramps into parking lots where both sides are going downwards and I swear I was going to get stuck like a flipped turtle. Subframe scraps but never the pan.

I do not have an airbag light on either.
 
#767 ·
I'm running Kpro.

I just passed GA state emissions test which requires an OBD2 communication with the state's machines! I followed KSeriesPower's wiring guide and 1 step on his OBD2 addendum: moved 1 wire (the K-line) to be correct and that's it. Super happy right now. (K20A2 and Kpro only)
Woohoo. I guess that was easier than me running wires into a separate DLC connector my friend gave me.

Now AC bracket and getting that to work and watertemp gauge and this will be as complete a swap as the 2zz.
 
#764 ·
Passed emissions!

I just passed GA state emissions test which requires an OBD2 communication with the state's machines! I followed KSeriesPower's wiring guide and 1 step on his OBD2 addendum: moved 1 wire (the K-line) to be correct and that's it. Super happy right now. (K20A2 and Kpro only)
 
#773 · (Edited)
Maybe me? I told you the wiring change required, the k-line.