Rep Power: 232

well, most likely asked anyway...

i've been torn between k-swapping my civic or boosting. there's a wrecked baseline rsx and i know i can get the motor for cheap, and then just buy everything else needed and have the a3 in my em2...or for a little less i could boost it (speedfoos thread has been really inspiring).

so i've been reading though everything, figuring out how much each would cost vs hp and reliability each would have and i'm thinking...why not just trade my car in and use the $5k i would plan on spending toward k/turbo and put it on an rsx-s? only downside i have thought of so far is my insurance will go up and i'll have a car payment again...but it won't be that high considering i don't owe anything on my 04 vic.

thoughts? i love the em2, but 200hp stock vs 175 boosted...

 
Rep Power: 813

well if youve been reading, youre gonna have constant problems with a turbo. have extra time and money in hand, youll need it

 
Rep Power: 389

IBTL???

You could do either of course. Whats better a rsx with its stock engine.... or a civic with a more powerful engine. Whats going to get you more props- your swap over an rsx, I'll tell you right now. I like the idea of having a sleeper. Once you get the rsx, you'll want to mod that.. so really, what will be cheaper in the long run- a good swap, or a trade in?

You first gotta decide if you want to keep your car or not. If you swap, it'll be a few g's to start out with, but its still a honda motor and will last for ever. Plus U can go and boost that down the line and get even more power. Total sleeper. I'd hate for someone to pull up with a k20em2 swaped, and boosted, and then **** on me kuz I thought my intake and exhaust had something on them.

 
Rep Power: 0

Yeah, the stock reliability is always something to think about. Another thing to think about is that if you buy an RSX-S, you won't be allowed on civicforums anymore. I know TRIZ's password so I can ban your ***!!! MWAHAHAHAH!!!!!

J/K.

It comes down to personal choice and how much you enjoy tinkering on your car. I love wrenching on my car, troubleshooting and all that, so the headaches that will be involved in using a turbo'd D17 as a DD aren't that big of an issue for me. If it gets really bad, I can always buy a $400 beater to get me around if my 'vic takes a ****.

But to your original question, I think if you're going to swap, then swap from an RSX-S. If you're going to go through all that, do it right the first time, and swap the big boy in there, not his little brother. But you've brought up the age-old question of ,"Should I swap or should I turbo? Or should I just buy the car the swap was designed for?" I don't know. It all comes down to personal choice and how much you want to take on from an install and maintenance standpoint.