Turbo D17 or K20a?

Ashhole · 05-15-2005

I cant decide if i should build up my d17, or if i should save the money and get a k20. the best shop in town, Charlotte, NC, has quoted me at 12k to doa k20 swap. sound good except 12k is more than i paid for the car (still paying on it too), and is about what i make in a year. i see 3k for the turbo kits, but im not sure what else i would need to get aside from the kit. ive heard that our axles are only good to around 200hp, and dont know if i should start building up the motor or what. I need some serious advice on this one guys, and anyone knowing where i can get parts for either setup cheaper, please say so!

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bamb00 · 05-15-2005

first, let me get this straight, you killed a S2K on basic engine bolt-ons with ICE?

now, if you have made the choice that you really love your car and are going to keep it for some years, then i would suggest that you do a k20 swap, i am pretty sure you can get a way better price than 12k if you look around. don't be afraid to drive farther for a more reputable yet reasonable shop to do it for you.

on the other hand, if you're thinking of getting another car when you get bored with the civic, then turbo it and have fun for a few years then trade it in.

my goal for my civic was to swap and then turbo it, although that seems impossible right now lol

good luck.

Ashhole · 05-15-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by bamb00

first, let me get this straight, you killed a S2K on basic engine bolt-ons with ICE?

now, if you have made the choice that you really love your car and are going to keep it for some years, then i would suggest that you do a k20 swap, i am pretty sure you can get a way better price than 12k if you look around. don't be afraid to drive farther for a more reputable yet reasonable shop to do it for you.

on the other hand, if you're thinking of getting another car when you get bored with the civic, then turbo it and have fun for a few years then trade it in.

my goal for my civic was to swap and then turbo it, although that seems impossible right now lol

good luck.

yeah i beat the s2000 in three straight runs. dude must not have known have to drive, but doesnt matter, i still won

yea i do really love the car, and plan on keepin it for a while. but i do like the new ('06) Si's as well. i can never make a decision.

Changu-San · 05-15-2005

wow...honda musta been in a really good mood when they made your car...

TemjinX2 · 05-15-2005

12k for engine and install? Is there some kind of install monopoly in SC? A k20a engine will run you $5500 and install would run out $2000, maybe $3000 if they have real trouble with the install. A shop quoted me $2000 for install and $4-6k for the engine. This is in California though, maybe there more people that can do the swap in california or something.

BUt for 12k, might as well put down a downpayment on a s2000. I think used s2k runs around 23-25k.

In Catalyst · 05-15-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Changu-San

wow...honda musta been in a really good mood when they made your car...

Lmao...

I am sorta forced to consider the k20 swap; as misfortune would have it i bought an automatic... So I can't turbo it regardless. Consider my situation, swap + turbo + manual transmission replacment. :X

I think i'll just drive it off a cliff and collect the insurance.

rEkKaShInObI · 05-15-2005

12,000?! good lord! go boost baby!

hotrodcivic2004 · 05-15-2005

sorry, but u didtn beat an s2000. even a grandma could beat u if she were driving an s2000 and was careful about shifting. i'm sure it wasnt even racing. theres a difference between driving quick and racing. and when a civic is racing...a s2000 is just driving quick.

ExVtec01 · 05-15-2005

for 12k u could prolly turbo a k20. 3k for turbo+2k for instal+5k+for engine

nickm748 · 05-15-2005

The s2k was not racing if you beat him

Ashhole · 05-15-2005

ok you guys made your point about the s2000. Anyone else got some advice on the swap or turbo?

Tipsy_AA · 05-15-2005

This has been discussed a lot. I'm trying to decide too. Heard a lot about how turboing brings problems to your engine...is doing a K-swap reliable??

02LX · 05-15-2005

yes it is, but turbo is also reliable as well if installed properly

Ashhole · 05-15-2005

heres a better turbo question. and laugh if you must, but im still learning about engines here.

if i want to run more than 8psi, maybe upwards of 15psi, what parts do i need to replace. i know they are the "internals", but what exactly are they referring to as internals.

Dark2k1 · 05-16-2005

Sorry but the S2000 can't loose against a D17....

I win 1 of 4 drag against a S2000 with my K20a2 (HIE without cat) Em2

aznboysrfr · 05-16-2005

$12k is definitely too much.

it shouldn't cost more than $9k to get it in and running

2K1Civic17"Gabe · 05-16-2005

k20a, much better/more reliable.

Curiouz_G · 05-17-2005

save ur cash, and try n go euro, get a m3 with 50-60k miles on it for mid 20g's

Blackness · 05-17-2005

Hey MAN, I'm from Charlotte and if you go to P1 Auto, they can get you a K20 swap with install for around $3700, $3800. I don't know where you go, but you aren't looking or just asking the wrong people.

Ashhole · 05-17-2005

whoa whoa. thats the whole thing said and done for 3800?? did i read that right?

and i normally go to CP Racing on South Blvd.

aznburn210 · 05-31-2005

k20 k20 !!!

acjones21 · 05-31-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashhole

heres a better turbo question. and laugh if you must, but im still learning about engines here.

if i want to run more than 8psi, maybe upwards of 15psi, what parts do i need to replace. i know they are the "internals", but what exactly are they referring to as internals.

if you don't know this then you probably don't need a turboed engine. Internals on a honda engine are (low compression) pistons (you'll need forged probably), look at the crank if you're running 15psi (I don't know if the other turbo members have had crank trouble or not at this level), and secure the head gasket. For 15psi you'll also probably need a new transmission, clutch, axles, LSD, slicks, stand alone engine management, return-less fuel line, it goes on and on. Just enjoy your car like it is man.

diskreet · 05-31-2005

For the $5500 of the K20 you can get:
Turbo
Forged pieces
P&P head
cam, cam gear
electronics to tune
gauges
installed.

about the same HP but you can get the nice PSSSHH and not have an inevitable stack of washers somewhere

hell for this much money id take the slow car and make it RHD Just because I could. that would be awesome.

greenEX · 06-02-2005

www.osakajdmmotors.com has the base model k20A for 3300. It has lower compression than the new type r motor and is 2300 cheaper. Here's a link:

http://www.osakajdmmotors.com/codes/hondaK20A.htm

BTW my friend bought a b16 for his EF hatch from this place and he got an awesome price and that motor is really good too.

andyman97 · 06-02-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by acjones21

if you don't know this then you probably don't need a turboed engine. Internals on a honda engine are (low compression) pistons (you'll need forged probably), look at the crank if you're running 15psi (I don't know if the other turbo members have had crank trouble or not at this level), and secure the head gasket. For 15psi you'll also probably need a new transmission, clutch, axles, LSD, slicks, stand alone engine management, return-less fuel line, it goes on and on. Just enjoy your car like it is man.

What would you suggest doing to the crank? Honda crankshafts can withstand upwards of 800 horsepower. Nothing needs to be done to the crank whatsoever.
Where are you planning to get a new racing tranny for a d17? Or an LSD? Or a standalone engine management? And the car comes with a returnless fuel line stock....? Not trying to be a d1ck but you shouldn't give advice on something if you don't know what you're talking about, noob.

As far as boost or k20, I've debated that one before deciding on boost. With a k20, you pay alot more for less power. If your issue is reliability, then to get more power out of a k20, turbo is the best way to go, imo. So you run into a reliability problem with a k20 anyways. 180 whp just isn't enough for me. With boost, I plan to make about 220 whp. And that's on about 10 psi. For starters, I will run on stock pistons and rods, but soon after, I will be installing forged pistons and rods and cranking the boost to around 15-20 psi. I want over 300 hp and it's attainable but alot of work. The decision is yours.

A boosted setup will make for a quicker car than a k20......but the learning curve is pretty steep for a turbo setup as well. Start researching if you're looking at going turbo. Check out honda-tech.com. You can find info here, but there are alot of noobs who spit out advice and have no idea what they're talking about so be careful of what you read.

Hurts2bStock · 06-02-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by diskreet

hell for this much money id take the slow car and make it RHD Just because I could. that would be awesome.

I could actually see you doing that diskreet

nova4dr_racer · 06-03-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyman97

I will be installing forged pistons and rods and cranking the boost to around 15-20 psi. I want over 300 hp and it's attainable but alot of work. .

doesn't it cost more to put forged pistons and rods than to actualy do a k swap?

C2i0v0i1C · 06-03-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by nova4dr_racer

doesn't it cost more to put forged pistons and rods than to actualy do a k swap?

1100 for parts plus intall, verus k20 plus mounts, and harness and install??

diskreet · 06-03-2005

ya if you arent touching the K20 for more horses it finally seems a boosted built D17 might be better both money, weight, and COST wise.

andyman97 · 06-04-2005

A boosted d17 on stock internals will be faster than a k20 swapped civic (assuming the turbo setup isn't garbage.)
Internals will run you about 1k though. Very easy to install if you pick up a helms and follow the instructions on disassembly and reassembly.