MR2 SpyderChat banner

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.
 
#1,506 ·
just checking

Just looking for a confirmation: The Spyder heater hose is the heater return to the engine? The supply to the heater core is from a T connection in the main pipe that sends coolant to the radiator. This means that the K20 cylinder head water outlet fitting gets plugged, right? What did you guys plug the fitting next to the #4 exhaust port with; a straight thread plug or tapered pipe plug?

Dave
 
#1,507 ·
Just looking for a confirmation: The Spyder heater hose is the heater return to the engine? The supply to the heater core is from a T connection in the main pipe that sends coolant to the radiator. This means that the K20 cylinder head water outlet fitting gets plugged, right? What did you guys plug the fitting next to the #4 exhaust port with; a straight thread plug or tapered pipe plug?

Dave
There is a flanged allen head plug which is sometimes found on the engine where the OEM oil cooler coolant supply flows. I had an extra laying about due to my mad hoarder skills.

You can see it next to the worm clamp which feeds the heater return hose here. I don't know thread pitch, part numbers, nor anything else more useful. Sorry!

Image
 
#1,532 ·
This was not all on my shoulders. You should thank Al Small "sylverstreak" for the actual prototyping and design. He spent about 8 months and $1200 on mock up to get alignment correct making prototype brackets by hand. Mrtoyota my father for his engineering experience and solidworks. Lastly Paul price at PPE for putting up with the back and forth and helping with this project concidering he had no financial gain from this. This is just about breaking even at this point

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk
 
#1,537 ·
To be honest there is no"stock setup" Since the K series engine has been produce since 2002, the pulleys and pulley sizes are greatly vary between actual k series engines and the years. It isn't like the 2zz, where the 2zz tensioner is the same regardless of what vehicle and which year it came out. This means there are a variety of different size combination that are possible as we have discovered. We have since stopped providing serpentine belts due to having to ship them back and forth multiple time because what is stock on one engine is different on another. What I suggest is buying multiple belts. We have a list of belts we have found that work with various engines depending on the crank pulley, idler pulley, tensioner pulley, etc etc. I will ask Kenny to edit the first post and add them to it. Then go to you local auto parts store and I suggest buying all of them and returning the ones that do not fit.
 
#1,538 · (Edited)
Here is a excerpt from my build regarding belt sizing. This was not for ac so disregard the length of the belt I had used but the method should get you in the ballpark. FYI I used a seamstress/taylor flexible measurements​ tape.
"I had measured around the serpentine at 52.5" so I knew it needed to be about 1/2" less to allow the tensioner to do its job.
Went to NAPA got a few belts all were too small. I was scratching my head for a while. Measured the belt which helped me figure out they (belt manufacturers) measure the outside diameter of the belt and not the inside. (terrible way to do things.) At any rate if you measure your pulleys add 1.5" and you should have the correct size. I wanted a 52" and needed to buy a 53.5". Hopefully that helps someone in the future on their build."
Also look at the back of the box for the belt it will say the exact length.

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk
 
#1,541 ·
So I installed my ac bracket and compressor today. First off let me preface this by saying i have a huge advantage over most of you guys in that I cut a huge hole in my firewall before installing my engine so that my RBC manifold would not have clearance issues and I could have access to everything.




So first off I installed with the engine in the car already, and the ac lines already attached to the compressor. My ac system was never broken.

First you need to grind off the tabs like the above posts say.

It is IMPOSSIBLE to install this if you do not attach the bracket to the compressor FIRST and then attack the bracket to the engine. There is not enough clearance to put the bolts through the bracket if it is already attached to the engine.

I loosely attached the bracket to the compressor and then lifted it up to bolt it to the car. I bolted the top two bolts in loosely and the started the bottom 2 before torquing everything down.

Installing this already in the car was a PITA and it was 100 times easier because of the hole in the firewall. It will be very hard to do without help.

The bar on the bottom that the ebrake cable will need to be removed and you will need to tie up the ebrake cable somewhere else. The pulley on the compressor goes through where this bar normally sits.

The compressor sits lower than stock so I was not able to get the lines to bolt back into the factory location. I will have to figure something else out but I have some time to get everything done right.

I took a couple pictures to show you all how it looks and which needs to be removed.

 
#1,543 ·
Yes it is accisible from under the car. And don't get me wrong I'm not trying to say anything negative about the product, I'm glad I bought it. I am just trying to give the other guys a heads up on the install. I know I wasted a lot of time installing the bracket and trying to put in the compressor but the bolts won't clear the firewall that way. I ended up bolting both bottom bolts and the 2 compressor bolts from under the car the second time.


Brandon, how did you secure the e brake cable? I was just going to make a bracket that replaced the bar I removed and bolt it to that.

Also, everyone (including me) needs to remember this is a completely custom swap and there will be a lot of parts that aren't easy. I apologize if you felt I was being negative about my post. I was only trying to help the other guys. I appreciate all of you're guys work on making this for all of us.
 
#1,546 ·
Not sure if this warrants a different thread or not, but I'm curious as to the reliability of the k-swap. I want to start gathering parts for the swap soon that I will perform over next winter. Ultimately looking for something reliable though, I want to be able to take the car on a decent road trip without worrying if something is going to constantly need attention. I understand things break of course, but I would like to be able to jump in the car and go most of the time without tinkering. Goal would be about 220-240 whp so I was figuring some top end work on the k24a2, but nothing too crazy. Thoughts?
 
#1,547 ·
Ive MR2 with K20A2 last year Id 220 whps just with bolts ons and good tune, I added 100 shot of NOS and woks great, now Ive 90,000 miles in my car 120,000 miles motor complete stock but with Turbo charger with 380 whps so far and drove 1,000 miles last week in 3 days, no issue at all just one tire and some problem with liner fenders but car with this swap is amazing
 
#1,549 ·
Im going to be running a stock K24A2 and it should be just as reliable as any Acura TSX. The trans should be just as reliable as any Civic Si. Both of those components are very reliable in their donor vehicles when driven daily.

Tracking them is a different story. That's where you are going to run into reliability issues, but no different than tracking any other car, it's hard on the powertrain.

Keep up your maintenance schedule and perform regular preventive maintenance inspections and I don't see why it shouldn't be a reliable swap.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#1,550 ·
This. Ive driven to the Dragon and back to NY with zero hiccups. I've only had to replace the bearing in the EP3 pulley once but that was easy to do. My dss axles are making noise and for awhile but I'm just gonna chalk it up to aftermarket parts. I will try the other brand once these get really bad, probably this fall. Engine and tranny zero issues and zero issues with start up.
 
#1,556 · (Edited)
Ok guys. I got a belt to fit on my engine. For reference I have a K20Z1 (same pulleys as k20a2), stock alternator pulley, stock crank pulley, etc. the belt that fit for me was a 6K650. The deminsions on the packaging say 65 1/2" long and it's a 6 rib belt.

Forgot to mention I am using the ep3 idler pulley that goes in place of the power steering pump.

Hope this helps some of you.