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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.
 
#1,657 ·
My rear mount cracked but luckily I had a spare, and on that one, I drilled the hole through the subframe for the bolt to sandwich it more firmly and I believe it's working well. My passenger mount broke much worse than that little crack so a fabricator friend sandwiched 2 X 1/4" steel plates, welded them, and made a bracket of his own, also seems to be doing well. My rear poly mount destroyed itself twice in 1.5 years but I found an E36 rear trailing arm bushing can be compressed and stuck in there (after cutting out the tabs in the middle). It seems to be a more resilient (albeit softer) replacement. My mounts have gone through hell...stock K20A2 but tracked to heaven and back.
Image
 
#1,658 ·
My My mounts have gone through hell...stock K20A2 but tracked to heaven and back.
Truth! I enjoy watching you beat you car on YouTube lol.

All mounts are still perfect from the lack of driving. Next year I will be properly driving the car though so I will be paying more attention.

Thanks for all the tips!
 
#1,659 ·
EFI main

I have a problem with my EFI main relay not shutting itself off. This is the one that hooks up to the ECU through the Toyota E3 pin 21 to the Honda E pin 7 through the PNP harness. In the Honda system it supplies both memory power (when the ignition is off) and ECU power when the ignition is on. My analysis is that either the EFI main relay or the IG2 relay is staying closed when the ignition is switched off. I replaced the EFI main with the proper Honda EFI relay and it did not make a difference. i thought it might because the Honda and Toyota relays have different coil resistance and I thought it should be the correct level for the Honda ECU memory circuit. Anway now I will check to see if for some reason the IG2 relay is not shutting off. The only remaining possibilty is that the relay inside the Hondata ECU is hanging up. Has anyone else seen this issue with your KSwap? You might not ever notice it if you have a big battery and you drive the car regularly. This will kill my battery in less than a couple of days of not running.

My first indication of this problem was when working with KManager software and the Kmanager said the ignition was still on even when I removed the ignition key.

If I pull the EFI fuse and plug it right back in, the EFI main relay does shut off and stays off until the next key-on.

Dave
 
#1,661 ·
I have a problem with my EFI main relay not shutting itself off. This is the one that hooks up to the ECU through the Toyota E3 pin 21 to the Honda E pin 7 through the PNP harness. In the Honda system it supplies both memory power (when the ignition is off) and ECU power when the ignition is on. My analysis is that either the EFI main relay or the IG2 relay is staying closed when the ignition is switched off. I replaced the EFI main with the proper Honda EFI relay and it did not make a difference. i thought it might because the Honda and Toyota relays have different coil resistance and I thought it should be the correct level for the Honda ECU memory circuit. Anway now I will check to see if for some reason the IG2 relay is not shutting off. The only remaining possibilty is that the relay inside the Hondata ECU is hanging up. Has anyone else seen this issue with your KSwap? You might not ever notice it if you have a big battery and you drive the car regularly. This will kill my battery in less than a couple of days of not running.

My first indication of this problem was when working with KManager software and the Kmanager said the ignition was still on even when I removed the ignition key.

If I pull the EFI fuse and plug it right back in, the EFI main relay does shut off and stays off until the next key-on.

Dave
I have this issue, I solved it by unplugging the white body harness (BC2 maybe?) every time I turned off the car and it cleared the 'condition'. It was also fixed by removing a wire related to the O2 sensor. I am very curious to know if you find a good solution to this...
 
#1,663 ·
dblotii, the Harness is the problem not your computer. I sent mine into hondata and they told me it was perfect. I have had problems for 2 years now.

On my old harness it was somewhere on the bc1 plug now it's the efi main and the condenser fan relay. I did a manual ground switch for my main which works perfectly. I have went through every pin to no avail. I'm guessing something is being feed power when it should be grounding.

Do you have the a/c equipped harness by chance?
 
#1,664 ·
No AC.

I have the ECU and relay wired up properly to the KPro E7 pin, so memory power is supplied through the relay coil. I believe the ECU is supposed to internally switch to grounding the relay coil circuit to energize the EFI relay, but how does the ECU get the signal to turn off? I figure it could be through E pin 9, IG1 ignition signal, but my testing shows this does turn to 0 volts with the key-off. Does anyone know how the ECU gets the key off signal to turn off the EFI relay.

The key to this is to figure out what signal the ECU needs to get at key-off to switch the E7 terminal.

Dave
 
#1,666 ·
I've had a problem with something not shutting off as well sometimes. I did all my own wiring. If I turn the car on, but don't start it, then turn it off, something stays on. If I start the car, then shut it all off, that something is no longer on. It hasn't been a big enough issue for me to want to figure it out - I just always start the car if I turn it on.
 
#1,667 ·
Problem solved with help from Brandon and Hondata and the Acura shop manual! A bit of rewiring is required, we'll summarize as soon I find time to write it up. You will need a relay to operate the O2 sensor heater. I am using the AC relay, but any Honda 4-pin relay should work since the heater circuit is only about 2 Amps. The basic principle is to follow the strategy for the main, fuel pump and O2 sensor relays as shown on the Hondata website.

Dave
 
#1,677 ·
Just got my K20 Spyder to pass NY emissions! K20 with Hondata with Evap all hooked up and just the WB O2 sensor.

The inspection computer cited something like unexpected data, which means it detected that that the ECU was not a Toyota, but the system still lets me pass since all the monitors were ready and no Mil. Anyone else have a similar experience?

Dave
 
#1,681 ·
Innovative Mounts Failures

With several reports of failed Innovative passenger-side mounts in Spyderchat, I would like to see a summary from everyone who has had this failure, so we can judge if this is something we all need to correct.

If you have had one of these mounts crack, please post the following:

1) 2.0 or 2.4 L
2) approximate peak power
3) how much of your driving was on a race track
4) approximately how many miles did it take for the failure to

Dave
 
#1,683 ·
With several reports of failed Innovative passenger-side mounts in Spyderchat, I would like to see a summary from everyone who has had this failure, so we can judge if this is something we all need to correct.

If you have had one of these mounts crack, please post the following:

1) 2.0 or 2.4 L
2) approximate peak power
3) how much of your driving was on a race track
4) approximately how many miles did it take for the failure to

Dave
1) 2.0L (Stock K20A2)
2) 200 whp, 145 ft-lb
3) 8 autocrosses, 25 track days, 9 drift days, maybe 5 mountain runs.
4) 30k miles

installed with the swap which completed in 11/2014, broken/replaced 5/1/17
Also of note, my rear mount bracket has failed/been replaced with the newer version with the bolt through the subframe and seems to be holding up; and the rear poly mount has failed twice and I have since replaced it with a rubber bushing, a rear trailing arm from an E36 BMW, since rubber has more memory. It seems to be lasting more than poly although allowing more movement initially.

Here's my passenger fix which is almost the same:
 
#1,682 ·
Hey Dave, it may be hard to gather enough data to really make it worth aggregating. I would let it suffice that "There exists significant enough risk of failure to be worth changing mount component given the ease of fabricating a new one."

1) 2.4L
2) 205-275whp
3) 60% Racing (Time attack, open lapping, etc..)
4) 5k miles to failure

My fix is below. It's essentially two 1/4 plates with three holes drilled cut to shape and welded together. I'm not sure they even need to be welded together. I simply painted it and inspected after the last couple races.

https://imgur.com/a/kxcRo
 
#1,684 ·
Someone should make a new thread with a detailed first post w/all the updates over the years of the k-swap. It's too much for someone wanting to do the k-swap to read all these posts. I think we should start over fresh w/a new thread w/updated info.

-G
 
#1,686 ·
Agreed. When I was still doing my swap I was trying to read through this thread because I remembered there being an answer to a question I had somewhere in here. It took a very long time to find it haha and thats coming from someone who has followed the thread so I generally know where the conversations have gone.
 
#1,687 ·
Performance Exhaust

Anyone have direct experience with how the exhaust system has effected your performance in you Naturally-aspirated K Swap Spyder? I currently am using the K-Tuned Swap headers modified a bit, with a 2.5" inch intermediate piece containing a Vibrant GESI metallic substrate cat and ending with an OBX cat-back system. My big disappointment is that the OBX is 2.5 inch OD tubing, so it is actually less cross-section area than the rest of my piping, which is 2.5" ID stainless. It looks like I will have to fabricate my own system if I want 2.5 or 3" diameter cat-back system. All of the commercially available ones use the same tubing size as the OBX. Anyone find a better system to use with a K20 or K24? Any documented power gains? My K20 is stock with CAI and running Hondata.

Dave
 
#1,688 ·
Anyone have direct experience with how the exhaust system has effected your performance in you Naturally-aspirated K Swap Spyder? I currently am using the K-Tuned Swap headers modified a bit, with a 2.5" inch intermediate piece containing a Vibrant GESI metallic substrate cat and ending with an OBX cat-back system. My big disappointment is that the OBX is 2.5 inch OD tubing, so it is actually less cross-section area than the rest of my piping, which is 2.5" ID stainless. It looks like I will have to fabricate my own system if I want 2.5 or 3" diameter cat-back system. All of the commercially available ones use the same tubing size as the OBX. Anyone find a better system to use with a K20 or K24? Any documented power gains? My K20 is stock with CAI and running Hondata.

Dave
it is an undeniable fact that K's make more power on 3" exhaust. Even a bone stock k20a2

Im using a PLM 4-1 budget swap header 2.5" outlet with the flex cutoff going to 3" U-bend exhaust to a 3" inlet magnaflow Camaro/firebird muffler with dual 2.5" outlets (same style as team moon).
 
#1,696 ·
Question for anyone running an unboosted K20 in road racing or open track events: Is it likely that you can keep your oil temp below 260F using just the OEM oil-to-water cooler? This assumes you have the rest of your cooling system sorted out and working well.

Dave
In my experience no. I have a Setrab double pass oil cooler and the factory oil-to-water and during track days, I can get oil up to 260F in less than 10 minutes, maybe 5 minutes on a hot day. This is going on track around 140F oil, 160F coolant (just warmed up). Stock K20A2, 8500 rev limit. Currently deciding what action to take to keep those temps down...it sucks. I'm not sure why though, doesn't seem like a huge issue with other platform's K20's. Coolant (stock system) stays below 200, or even 190 while getting these oil temps btw.
 
#1,699 ·
Another question: anyone tried using the stock OEM pass-side motor mount with your Kswap? It looks like it could be a direct swap if you keep the bracket from the motor to top bolt (the piece that breaks). The reason would be to reduce vibrations transmitted to the body, and it would probably reduce the stress in the piece that breaks. Not sure of what the downside would be to a softer mount.

Dave
 
#1,703 ·
Although this is more honda specific than swap specific, I'm using a k24a1 bottom end from a 2004 CRV, and a k20z3 head. From what I've found, I can use the crank sensor, the cam TDC sensor for the exhaust cam, water temp sensor, and the VTC oil control valve from the CRV. I will however have to run the RSX-S VTC spool valve, knock sensor and intake cam TDC sensor though. Map sensor will be a Hondata 4 bar and TPS sensor is already taken care of as well. Anyone care to confirm this?
 
#1,704 ·
motor mounts

I am running a K20 with the Innovative 75a motor mounts and find them to be much higher vibration transmission than I expected. I have my car stored for the winter , but i decided to see if the OEM pass-side mount would mate to the Innovative steel piece (the bracket with 3 holes); and it does fit. Has anyone tried it or have an opinion on whether this would work well? It looks like I could do something similar for the driver's side mount. In addition to reducing noise and vibration, I believe it would alleviate the fatigue failures some of you have seen in the pass side mount. More compliance in the mount means less stress on the bracket.

Dave
 
#1,705 · (Edited)
*edit* solved I traced it back to the obd Port and it was correct. Can't explain the 12v....


Hey guys, my K-line wire from kpro ( E Plug 23) broke off my harness and I need to make sure that I'm connecting it to the correct body harness wire. From the wiring pinout I have it shows that the wire (A11) is supposed to be black, but on my harness it is white/green. When I tested the wire (white/green) the wire is showing 12v, I don't think this is correct. Maybe I got the wrong diagram or something? Thanks guys!




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