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K Series Engine Swap Research

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.
 
#968 ·
Why don't you just buy the intake I posted a few pages back, it has the same performance as a RBC and requires no hammering or cutting... I have a Skunk2 Ultra manifold which is larger than the RBC and it fit better. My opinion it costs $200 more than a RBC but look at all the work you have to do. I'd rather just spend $200 and be done. The Skunk manifold also has room if you ever want to upgrade the throttle body so you can run a 80 mm
 
#970 ·
First Start K20a2 Swap

I´ve some trouble trying to fit RBC manifold but with a hammer and patience its possible, so far car starts but I don't find my o2 sensor just waiting for a new Denso replacement, I'm using PnP harness from Brandon (BottledFedMR2) and no codes only o2 but I don't have it connected yet.

I've did my start cal for kpro, if any one need it I could share it, its base from Hondata but disable all the items you don't use it, so far works fine for me

A little video of the first start

 
#974 ·
Met with Uva this weekend, who is a extremely brilliant individual. After preliminary testing we have successfully been able to activate the OEM AC compressor with all OEM functions and a few improvements on a K series without the use of the OEM ECU. Stay tuned, we are planning on running a 30 days test to see if there are any glitches with the system, after the testing is complete and potential glitches have been solves we will release the AC kit. Expected release date is spring 2016 due to winter approaching now. Unfortunately there will be additional wiring that will have to be done by the owner, there is no way around this unless you send me your complete dash harness.
 
#982 ·
I'm not looking for balance. I'm looking for fast. 220whp or bust!

But seriously, if law school pans out, then I'm building a factory five GTM once I get myself situated and stable. But, if for some reason I decide to keep the MR2, then I'm going to make a 550-600 whp monster out of it, just for giggles. That would require something a bit better than a 2zz... I'm not convinced a k24 would even be up to that task, it might have be a ls motor swap to get that kind of power without running into reliability and heat issues.
 
#987 ·
I have a feeling a stock k series engine would last a decent amount of time around 350whp w/proper cooling for track use.

I was running an SR20DET w/a turbo around 330whp on track use and it was fine, even on 90+ degree days and w/an ebay a2a intercooler. Engine had oil cooler and piston oil squirters built from factory.

-G
 
#990 ·
Lol my bad I feel I may have attributed to this drift....anywho. I look forward to one day doing this swap. I decided not to and then decided to turbo. Then decided to unturbo...all the while I've had a trans and fully built K just gathering dust...I am so indecisive.....

I no longer work on Hondas for a living so my parts bin ran dry too [emoji29]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#991 ·
So about baffled oil pans (and inserts). I have a K20 Spyder with a clockwise motion baffle insert and overfill my oil, but on long sweepers, my vtec will disengage (yes I'm in the rpm/throttle requirements) until the car laterally unloads. I was told that there's oil sloshing up the timing cover (where you don't want oil anyway). The guy who told me had an extra that he gave me, pictured below, so I hope after I install this, I won't have these issues. This guy (who has a built K24 S2000) also said that this issue is an easy way to blow a motor. I had asked several people about my issue and looked online and never found this knowledge so I figured I'd share it here.

Image
 
#996 ·
i contacted them to see why they were discontinued.

me: any reason why the timing chain baffle was discontinued?

TracTuff: Yeah, low sales volume. Its not expensive or anything but no sense in making 100 and selling 2-3 a year. They are all laser cut so its simple... I just didnt think it was a good place to stick a few hundred dollars



i have one at home that hasn't been installed. hmmm...
 
#1,003 ·
Wow before you guys all jump ship into that mod, maybe do some research about its effectiveness. I have read that even with this plate some people still blew their motors. All anecdotal but still. However no one has blew their motors on mugen pans. I don't remember specifics but there were slight differences. Also kinda telling that he didn't sell many.
 
#1,005 ·
such an inexpensive part that does very much.

installation pics in this thread: http://www.k20a.org/forum/showthread.php?t=97940

Original Description:

Product Description

Initially it was designed to be installed in a machined timing chain cover but as we played with the finished product we realized it was so thin… machining was not necessary. The product installs simply by being sandwiched between the timing chain cover and oil pan. Simply add Hondabond to both sides of the baffle as well as a little extra where the height changes and your golden!

The TT-TCCB1 is manufactured from 20 gauge mild steel (.036″ thick) and laser cut to exact specifications. We designed it to be used on all k-series engines running the type s oil pump. We now modify them to work with balance shaft style oil pumps or for use with the Circuit Hero Lower Timing Chain Guide on request.
I have a clockwise baffle in my s2000 k swap, but picked this up after reading about issues about oil pressure concerns under heavy braking, due to the timing chain being in the front. (probably not a major issue since under heavy braking there wouldn't be any load.)
 
#1,014 · (Edited)
2) The factory PCV system actually does a good job of ventilating the crankcase with fresh air, and this greatly extends the life of your oil because oil degradation is proportional to the concentration of exhaust blowby gasses in the engine.

Dave[/QUOTE]

On a naturally aspirated engine, it is usually advised to keep the PCV but install an oil separating catch can between it and the intake (Mishimoto and others sell them). The argument for keeping the PCV is that it is better for the engine, not so much about being green. The valve cover side of the system can just be a breather, but some oil may come out of it under heavy load. We connected the valve cover to a small catch can/breather that is tucked behind the driver’s side taillight, so it is out of sight.
 
#1,015 ·
Wait, so which is the problem that plate is meant to solve?
1. Oil sloshing away from the oil pickup, causing oil starvation; or
2. An abundance of oil in the timing chain area causing engine failure for reasons other than oil starvation?