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<< there's a link to that article earlier in this thread. i think it was posted by soniccivc. >>

Jup.

Not to mention I went through the trouble of scanning the actual article while doing a little editing.

 
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Now that someone's doing the k20.. I fear a frankenstein isn;t to far away.

 
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wow man, good for you, post some pics and stats when everything is done

 
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If only I had that kind of money[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/IMG][IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/IMG]

 
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<< Now that someone's doing the k20.. I fear a frankenstein isn;t to far away. >>



Are you referring to the CRV engine with the RSX-S head? Is that even possible without SERIOUS engine bay modification, a la Papadakis? [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/IMG]

 
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I read about the frankenstien w/ the k20a head and the new CRV bottom end,.....
I guess it won't work w/ out some really serious bottom end work, HT said that your engine would go KA-BOOM if you went over like 6,000 rpm's or something like that........
they said as far as frankenstien's....there a nogo w/ the k20a,.....just stick to that, it's an all around good motor.
[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/IMG][IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/IMG]

 
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It IS after all, still an INTEGRA motor, DOHC! I hear turbo. . .

 
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I just spoke with Jeff at ImportBuilders. They've been working nonstop, full-time on my car for the entire week. Everything is going smoothly, but they discovered today that they need to replace my factory crossmember with an RSX crossmember (my crossmember is on the wrong side so it has to be removed). Unfortunately, it will take a few days to order a crossmember, so for the moment they are temporarily delayed. Once the crossmember arrives, the motor is ready to be wired into the car. They've already got everything figured out and labeled, so the wiring should be a piece of cake.

We are looking at a final completion date in about 1.5 to 2 weeks.

 
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omg... if this actually work.. ill buy an rsx engine... MY NEXT MOD!! forget rims.. forget kits.. exhaust... RSX engine would be an interesting one

 
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man cant wait to see that

 
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all hail htown

 
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Hey HTOWN any chance that importbuilers will let me go down there and check it out? maybe take my digital cam &gt; Hee hee
i live about 20 min from there

 
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<< Hey HTOWN any chance that importbuilers will let me go down there and check it out? maybe take my digital cam &gt; Hee hee
i live about 20 min from there >>



I don't think they would mind - just give them a call beforehand.

 
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I've got to tell you - i just read this whole thread and i am tired. It is like a great movie with an unknown ending. Big - no huge - props to htown for taking this project on. I started thinking about it as soon as I drove the RSX. I think this is some of the best reading I have done in a long time and I can't wait to see it through.

Keep the posts coming - and take your time sharing whatever you feel is right at the time.

Jazzy

 
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Maybe now people will start to respect the 7th gen a little more.[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG]

 
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I just got caught up on my reading. H-Town, I don't know what to say.... congrats, way to go, or just whoa! Your ride is going to be the the best. Keep us posted and I can't wait to see pics.

 
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well i got so tired of hearing the dreams of this swap that i hadnt ever opened this topic...WOW this is the most interesting topic i have read in the last year...I just got done reading the ENTIRE thread...ZZZ.. This was harder work than ive done all day.. 2:30 in the morning now.. i guess i can go dream about your car. I commend you on your hard work and cool temper. You are my civic hero, we all have similar parts for our cars now you bring true originality to the table. Now i can talk about u at all the car shows. Hope the work it completed successfully, bring your car to NOPI nationals and i will make my car better so we can park next to each other at the show. Well at least i will come to see it. I live close so!!! I have a new anspiration to perfect my ride. Too bad this game comes at a high price$$$ Finishing out the swap (i see your modisty) we need to get you full sponsorships, mag coverage, dyno, 1/4 mile time, pics (duh). If you want to show your car alot, your doors will be open little cost for anything after this. Just my imput i have been here all night reading every word in the thread, nearly novel size, and I dont even like reading [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG] Oh well it was worth it. I would like to request that this thread not be dirtied by flaming or offtopic crap.. sorry about long post, just my $.03[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/IMG] Good luck and may the civic gods be with you[IMG]i/expressions/beer_yum.gif[/IMG][IMG]i/expressions/beer_yum.gif[/IMG][IMG]i/expressions/beer_yum.gif[/IMG]

 
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rowdyb7

Well I'll definitely try to make it to the NOPI Nat'ls in Atlanta as part of the SuperStreet Tour south caravan. I'm looking forward to meeting all the 7thgencivic.com members who are coming down there that weekend.

I'll definitely have IB do a dyno plot as soon as the swap is done. I expect around 175 or so hp to the wheels - I'll only have an exhaust (no aftermarket intake as of yet) when the swap is complete. I plan to install an AEM cold air intake on as soon as the car is back in Houston, but I'll have to first investigate the fitment details to see if it will fit properly in my car. The motor will stay stock at least until the end of the year. Next year there will probably be a slew of aftermarket parts for the DC5 - aftermarket pistons and rods as well as a whole set of N/A goodies from TODA and Jun. I'm leaning toward building a turbocharger setup, but I'm going to wait on the sidelines for a little bit until everyone works out the kinks with the new returnless fuel system turbos. HKS, GReddy, FMax, and Revhard all plan to release their turbo kits by 2003, but I'm more worried about the effectiveness/reliability of the new breed of engine management systems that these new turbos are going to use. Hondata should have their EMS available for the Type S sometime next year, which will help things greatly.

When I arrive in LA to pick up the car, I'm going to spend about half a day driving it around to make sure everything is working properly. The real test will come when I make the 1500 mile return trip to Houston. But with less than 4000 miles on the motor, I don't think I'll experience any problems. The break-in period for the engine is already passed, and I don't think the original owner has even done an oil change yet (the engine still had the factory blue Honda oil filter when I bought it).

And you can bet that I'll be at Houston Raceway Park as soon as I get back to see what kind of times the new motor/chassis combo will produce.

Like I said before, I'm not the type of guy to enter my car in the SCC USCC or anything like that, but if any mag wants to do an article I'll happily oblige. Jeff Schaefer from IB knows a few of the guys at Turbo magazine and Super Street, so we may very well see an article when everything is done. You can be sure I'll give props to everyone at 7thgencivic.com for making this swap possible

 
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I/m also interested in the swap, myself. I have the cash and just need the facts! Can I speak to you personally? My email is incapearl01@kc.rr.com

 
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aaaaaaaaaaa[IMG]i/expressions/laugh2.gif[/IMG]

 
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<< I/m also interested in the swap, myself. I have the cash and just need the facts! Can I speak to you personally? My email is incapearl01@kc.rr.com >>



You've got mail.

 
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well htown i am sure its hard not to feel good with all the complements your getting, but its takes special car people to make innovative desicions. Its great to see someone leading the way for our generation. I havent seen many cars on here that look like magazine cars (but i do love all the cars here) you know what i mean. Most of our cars are practical daily drivers. Its always good to open new doors for our car. Its good in more reasons then just the swap, your work might spark more companies to make more exciting parts for our cars which is great. We can show the corporate world that our generation civic isnt the boring family car, but a real potential.

Im prolly not the best person to call the mags for you (age wize) but we need someone to really contact you for info and then call the scc turbo super street.... anyone want to volunteer, let us know....

Thanks
Brandon

 
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HTown like you've already said..you could have just done the swap all quiet and alone..here I am spending two hours reading this and can't wait for the swap to be done..didn't surprise me that CARBOY wouldn't do the swap cuz they have already got their reputations made.
You are the first one who started this..proud that you are one of our Houstonians man, guess I should have saved the money and go for the swaps too..



BTW, it's probably very dumb to ask this but...has anyone thought about dropping a different kind of engines other than a K20A or a Honda engine? I just had this weird dream that I was at this car shop and they told me that I could drop a WRX engine in there and all that stuff...well it was only a dream..

Haven't heard from Htown for ages...what's up man..we gotta hang and you gotta be kind(not that you aren't) and teach me some of your knowledges..

 
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Sorry,
Just one more thing HTown, do you know any junkyards that we could go visit for the parts and all that stuff around Town? I'm still new to this import game but I just need a good guider..would you help me out please? My e mail is ming_dahai@hotmail.com

If we do have emission tests in Harris County..then I don't think GUDE package is legall..am I correct?

 
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<< HTown like you've already said..you could have just done the swap all quiet and alone..here I am spending two hours reading this and can't wait for the swap to be done..didn't surprise me that CARBOY wouldn't do the swap cuz they have already got their reputations made. >>


Well I respect Carboy's professionalism throughout the whole process. But I was very disappointed that once they encountered some stumbling blocks, they didn't seem to be interested in figuring out a way to overcome them. Carboy was, however, very courteous during the period that they were researching the swap, and thoroughly explained to me the reasons why they felt they weren't able to do it. I was then able to use these questions to grill ImportBuilders pretty thoroughly when I was checking them out. I was pretty satisfied with IB's answers to all of my questions, but what probably sealed the deal was Jeff's eagerness and determination to FIND a way, INVENT a way, do WHATEVER it takes to get the swap done. "We WANT to do this swap!" "We will fabricate an entire new car if we have to!" His boundless enthusiasm was the completely different from the cautious approach that Carboy was taking. Couple this with the fact that one of his mechanics (Jerry) is a world-class welder and a former lead mechanic straight from Honda, and IB was definitely the best choice.

When comparing Carboy vs. IB, you also have to consider that Carboy has a long-standing reputation as one of the best and most reputable shops in Texas (along with Jotech in Dallas). I have lots of friends who swear by them and they are well-known for taking care of their customers. They didn't want to undertake a project like this, have it fail, and then let that tarnish their rep. In fact, Henry from Carboy told me flat out, "No one has ever done this before, and we don't want to be the first ones to do it and fail."

On the other hand, IB itself is a relative new shop, but the guys who run it have been around the import scene for many, many years. They were originally part of a shop called Atomic Motorsports, but about 6-8 months ago there was a big falling out and the various members of Atomic split up. Some formed them own shops, others just left the scene entirely. I am kind of fuzzy on the details of what happened, but from what I've heard it involved Endyn screwing them over pretty badly. In the middle of this big mess, Dr. Charles (probably THE HONDA GURU in SoCal) left the group to go work for Area51 Fabrications. So anyways, IB has been in business for less than a year and during that time they have amassed a pretty loyal, satisfied base of customers. I checked out a lot of their references and was pretty amazed at the positive things people had to say about Jeff and Co. When I finally had a chance to visit them in person, my confidence in them was only reinforced. Bottom line - IB is an up-and-coming shop, a bunch of a talented guys who want to make a name for themselves in the import scene. Completing the K20 swap will certainly gain them much prestige and exposure.



<< You are the first one who started this..proud that you are one of our Houstonians man, guess I should have saved the money and go for the swaps too.. >>


We've definitely come a long way in the past four months or so. We've solved all of the major questions about what it takes to make the swap work, and we are pretty close to finishing this thing. IB already has the mounts fabricated, all the wiring labeled and diagrammed, and they've got the Type S axle and immobilizer unit. We are just waiting for the RSX crossmember to arrive. Once they install the new crossmember, the motor can be mounted into the chassis and wired up. After that, Jeff is having a guy from an Acura dealership drop by the shop to cut a key for the new engine. Jeff said that they will be done in 2 weeks or less, barring any catastrophic problems.

Believe me, as times goes by and the price of motors drops, this swap will become quite feasible. RSX owners I've talked to (either in person or on clubrsx.com) are in denial about it, but the fact that HASport is mass producing motor mounts for this very same swap speaks volumes about the future of the K20A2 -&gt; EM Civic swap.

An import lesson from all of this is that there would have been no reward without a high amount of risk. When I first bought the motor off of eBay, I was fairly certain that the swap would be possible, but I knew very well that if the swap could not be completed I was going to be out of a substantial amount of money. But it was a risk that I was willing to take. You won't believe how bummed I was when Carboy said they could not do the swap. For a brief while I thought about just giving up and cutting my losses. I even e-mailed the other guys who bid on the motor and asked if they would be interested in buying it off of me. But after thinking long and hard about it, I decided to give it another shot and started looking for other shops to do what Carboy couldn't/wouldn't. All of you were helpful in suggesting alternate shops, and I believe delacampos was the one who mentioned ImportBuilders. At that point in time I was thinking, "I don't want to bring my car all the way from Houston to LA." But the more I talked to IB, the more it became clear that they were the right guys to do it.



<< Haven't heard from Htown for ages...what's up man..we gotta hang and you gotta be kind(not that you aren't) and teach me some of your knowledges.. >>


All of the Texas guys have a meet in Austin scheduled for sometime in July - check the South forum for the appropriate thread. Hope to see you there.

 
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<< Sorry,
Just one more thing HTown, do you know any junkyards that we could go visit for the parts and all that stuff around Town? I'm still new to this import game but I just need a good guider..would you help me out please? My e mail is ming_dahai@hotmail.com

If we do have emission tests in Harris County..then I don't think GUDE package is legall..am I correct? >>



You've got mail.

About the Gude package - I have no idea whether it will pass emissions or not. You could always get an emissions test in Fort Bend county (SW Houston) if it's a problem.

 
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I think you´re D-Man htown, i know this is going to sond weird but im only 18, and i think i have enough money to do the swap but i want to know how much have you invested in this, cause i live in Mexico and don´t think i could travel so much being that im in college and working, just want to know if you can gimme info on your swap............ thanks

my e-mail is: lafv@hotmail.com

 
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If anyone is interested there is another RSX engine on sale at ebay:

Link

 
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this thread is still alive???

 
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I guarantee you, my grandkids will be reading it one day [IMG]i/expressions/laugh2.gif[/IMG]