SOHC D17Ax non-VTEC - VTEC Engine Swaps Post information/questions about non-VTEC VTEC D-series engines here.

Engine swap

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 27, 2023
  #1  
BubbleGumDumDum's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered!!
 
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0
BubbleGumDumDum is an unknown quantity at this point
Engine swap

I’m buying a parts car this Friday to fix my project. I understand it’s a Honda and will be slow, but am I able to slap a turbo on it with stock internals? Haven’t driven this car in over a year just want it to be a little bit faster nothing crazy.
And would it matter if the old engine is a vtec and the new one isn’t? What other Honda engines would I be able to slap in it without a ton of work?

Last edited by BubbleGumDumDum; Jun 27, 2023 at 07:10 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2023
  #2  
xRiCeBoYx's Avatar
Administrator
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
Administrator
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 21,620
Likes: 1,252
From: Las Vegas, NV
Rep Power: 511
xRiCeBoYx has a reputation beyond reputexRiCeBoYx has a reputation beyond reputexRiCeBoYx has a reputation beyond reputexRiCeBoYx has a reputation beyond reputexRiCeBoYx has a reputation beyond reputexRiCeBoYx has a reputation beyond reputexRiCeBoYx has a reputation beyond reputexRiCeBoYx has a reputation beyond reputexRiCeBoYx has a reputation beyond reputexRiCeBoYx has a reputation beyond reputexRiCeBoYx has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Engine swap

Stock internals should be good for up to 8psi, 10 if you have a really good tuner. Make sure fuel delivery and the tune are prioritized in a turbo build. That'll make or break your setup. The plastic intake manifold will be just fine at those boost levels, too.

If you're not going for crazy boost, RSX-S 320CC injectors should do you just fine as far as fuel delivery goes. They plug right into the OEM injector connections, and you'll just have to get install like.. ¼" spacers on the fuel rail so it sits happy, since the RSX-S 320cc injectors are about ¼" longer than the D17's OEM 230cc injectors. A walbro 255lph fuel pump if you want extra added assurance but not entirely necessary. Converting to a return-style fuel system if you want to open the possibilities of raising that boost more significantly in the future.

Tuning, Hondata kpro is king, but can be expensive. I've heard of good results with the AEM F/IC. Almost had mine on that at one point, insofar as having the AEM F/IC in hand. Never did get around to getting it installed and tuned though. I had decent results with a piggyback system (A'PEXi VAFC-II), but the ECU will def try to fight it. Luckily for me, there was a problem with the internal wastegate and the shop could only pull 2.5psi boost out of it, but still made 160-ish out of my 110WHP/127BHP D17A2 (vs your 110BHP/100WHP D17A1, assuming you have a manual tranny. 90-ish whp if you have an auto).
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2023
  #3  
xRiCeBoYx's Avatar
Administrator
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
Administrator
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 21,620
Likes: 1,252
From: Las Vegas, NV
Rep Power: 511
xRiCeBoYx has a reputation beyond reputexRiCeBoYx has a reputation beyond reputexRiCeBoYx has a reputation beyond reputexRiCeBoYx has a reputation beyond reputexRiCeBoYx has a reputation beyond reputexRiCeBoYx has a reputation beyond reputexRiCeBoYx has a reputation beyond reputexRiCeBoYx has a reputation beyond reputexRiCeBoYx has a reputation beyond reputexRiCeBoYx has a reputation beyond reputexRiCeBoYx has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Engine swap

just realized.. because reading is hard. Are you swapping in a D17A1 into an EX? Are you swapping ECU as well? If not, it's gonna throw a CEL because the ECU is looking for VTEC. I skimmed the thread and naturally thought you were just planning on slapping on a turbo to your stock engine.

Now.. if you're so willing. You'll theoretically have both a D17A1 non-vtec and a D17A2 vtec engine. Slap that VTEC head on the non-vtec block. You get the benefits of VTEC on the top end (aftermarket support, really), and the lower compression ratio of the non-vtec which is safer for boost.

Let's say you do have an EX. The easiest swap would be a D17A2 (straight up replacement with the same thing)
Swapping in an LX's D17A1 will require a bit more work since you'll have to do an ECU swap and get your keys reprogrammed.
K20Ax would be a great swap, but definitely requires the most work. K20A3 came from the Civic Si hatch and base model RSX. K20A2 came from the RSX-S, K20A came from the JDM Integra-R. Much more aftermarket support, and a much better starting power level. 160, 200, and 215-220, respectively, if I remember correctly. I'm too lazy too google right now.

If you have an LX, a D17A1 swap would be easiest bc, again, straight up replacement.
D17A2 would require a bit of work. Either install a VTEC controller (like a VAFC-II) or swap in an EX ECU and get your keys reprogrammed.
Reply
Old Jun 28, 2023
  #4  
BubbleGumDumDum's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered!!
 
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0
BubbleGumDumDum is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Engine swap

Originally Posted by xRiCeBoYx
just realized.. because reading is hard. Are you swapping in a D17A1 into an EX? Are you swapping ECU as well? If not, it's gonna throw a CEL because the ECU is looking for VTEC. I skimmed the thread and naturally thought you were just planning on slapping on a turbo to your stock engine.

Now.. if you're so willing. You'll theoretically have both a D17A1 non-vtec and a D17A2 vtec engine. Slap that VTEC head on the non-vtec block. You get the benefits of VTEC on the top end (aftermarket support, really), and the lower compression ratio of the non-vtec which is safer for boost.

Let's say you do have an EX. The easiest swap would be a D17A2 (straight up replacement with the same thing)
Swapping in an LX's D17A1 will require a bit more work since you'll have to do an ECU swap and get your keys reprogrammed.
K20Ax would be a great swap, but definitely requires the most work. K20A3 came from the Civic Si hatch and base model RSX. K20A2 came from the RSX-S, K20A came from the JDM Integra-R. Much more aftermarket support, and a much better starting power level. 160, 200, and 215-220, respectively, if I remember correctly. I'm too lazy too google right now.

If you have an LX, a D17A1 swap would be easiest bc, again, straight up replacement.
D17A2 would require a bit of work. Either install a VTEC controller (like a VAFC-II) or swap in an EX ECU and get your keys reprogrammed.

yeah the current engine is a 2004 civic ex D17A2 5spd. The car I’m getting is a 2003 Civic DX non vtec auto
Reply
Old Jun 28, 2023
  #5  
xRiCeBoYx's Avatar
Administrator
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
Administrator
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 21,620
Likes: 1,252
From: Las Vegas, NV
Rep Power: 511
xRiCeBoYx has a reputation beyond reputexRiCeBoYx has a reputation beyond reputexRiCeBoYx has a reputation beyond reputexRiCeBoYx has a reputation beyond reputexRiCeBoYx has a reputation beyond reputexRiCeBoYx has a reputation beyond reputexRiCeBoYx has a reputation beyond reputexRiCeBoYx has a reputation beyond reputexRiCeBoYx has a reputation beyond reputexRiCeBoYx has a reputation beyond reputexRiCeBoYx has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Engine swap

A2 head, A1 bottom end, EX manual tranny. Boost that franken-bish. EX ECU if you're going the piggyback route. Tune for 5-8psi and giggle while you drive.

A2 head for the VTEC. A1 bottom end for the lower compression ratio (safer for boost). EX MT for the shorter gear ratio and, well, manual tranny can take a whole lot more of a beating. Lightweight flywheel if you so desire. OEM clutch kit will be good for up to like 200ft-lb torque. I'd be damn impressed if you squeeze that out of a D17 with low boost. You'll prolly get up to 170-180ft-lb at 8psi with a tuner worth a damn

Last edited by xRiCeBoYx; Jun 28, 2023 at 02:30 AM.
Reply
Old Jun 28, 2023
  #6  
BrotatoChip's Avatar
Super Moderator
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 5,073
Likes: 2,096
From: Ohio
Rep Power: 223
BrotatoChip has much to be proud ofBrotatoChip has much to be proud ofBrotatoChip has much to be proud ofBrotatoChip has much to be proud ofBrotatoChip has much to be proud ofBrotatoChip has much to be proud ofBrotatoChip has much to be proud ofBrotatoChip has much to be proud ofBrotatoChip has much to be proud ofBrotatoChip has much to be proud ofBrotatoChip has much to be proud of
Re: Engine swap

Another option, K swap. A K24a2 will get you 200 hp and 165 lb ft from an unmodified engine and stock tune. Hard to say which requires more work/money.
Reply
Old Jul 3, 2023
  #7  
chozobody's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 362
Likes: 144
Rep Power: 0
chozobody is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Engine swap

3rd Option.

Keep it stock and avoid a big headache. A D17 turbo build seems cool until you realize all that has to be done.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
Clopez95ex
1st - 5th Generation Civic 1973 - 1995
2
Dec 15, 2010 09:41 PM
tboneh2o
1st - 5th Generation Civic 1973 - 1995
0
Jul 9, 2010 03:48 PM
Minight
7th Generation Civic 2001 - 2005
0
May 14, 2009 04:30 PM
Zdrews21
Engine Swaps
12
Aug 2, 2003 06:51 PM
dre2600
General Honda Civic Forum Archive.
7
May 31, 2003 09:04 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:52 AM.