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So I just bought a 2004 honda civic si coupe, (ex in the U.S. of A) with the d17 engine. I love the car but need to go faster. Im looking at a H22a with tranny and pretty much all the parts to do the swap for about $2000, not including labour which will be done by a mechanic friend of mine. the other option is to go with the K20a type R engine for $4500 that also include tranny and most of the swap components. THe third option would be to boost the **** out of the 250000km d17 and end up with a blown engine.
Any insight would be awsome.
Thanks.

 
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h22a is illegal and you would need to make numerous custom parts for it to actually work; although it's a great Honda engine, it's also inferior to a k-series in every sense.

If you're on a budget, then the k20z1 and a2 are very close relatives of the k20a for a much lower cost, because they don't have a JDM Type-R bragging right tax. The K24a2 is also an excellent engine.

 
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Is the K series also better than b series engines? Im not really on a tight budget aslong as the wife doesnt know lol...i just want it done right the first time

 
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b series is also illegal, need to make custom parts and inferior to the k20 just like the h22 is

 
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so k series swap it is then. Im gonna look around for prices, any suggestions as to where and what to look out for.

 
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so i found a k20a with a black top and 5 speed transmission for $3200, whats the differance from the redtop 6 speed?

 
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Valve cover colour isn't a great way to distinguish Honda engines.

It could be a different crank, pistons, rods, block, head, cams, ecu... you get the idea; or it could be moderately lower compression pistons and slightly weaker rods with less aggressive cams of varying degrees, but with an identical block, crank, head casting. The specific designation is the best way to tell you the difference, ie. k20a3, k20a2, k20z1, k20z3. Regardless of the engine however, that's expensive for anything but a very low mile domestic engine.

 
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Yeah i get what you mean by the valve cover comment. I just was curious as to why that engine would be different, and you made it clear. thanks

 
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Im gonna keep my eyes open and keep posting as progress is made. thanks for your time fellas

 
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No problem, keep us posted.

 
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the civic was never designed to go fast.

with that said, it'll be cheaper for you to just sell the car as is, and get a faster car. like a used RSX or something.

 
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curious what makes an rsx better to go fast with? never been into hondas but this comment intrigued me as i know the rsx and the 02-05 civics share suspension components and im sure some if not most of the chassis too

id say if you want to go fast get out of hondas or at least get an older one thats lighter and has cheaper engine choices that you can build and boost for less than your $4500 budget. this is a completely personal opinion, but you can get a sleeper 99-04 regal gut it and put that $4500 under the hood (used turbo kit and built transmission) and run consistent 11's all day long. I love my honda for mostly one reason only. 32 mpg average with aggressive driving. buddy of mine has an 03 turbo regal that runs low 12's with just the used kit and gets 20 mpg average and gets over 30 on highway trips if he stays out of boost

 
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Unless in the hands of a professional driver, an RSX and K-swapped Em2 would very likely run identical autox or track lap times. The RSX has slightly better weight distribution being a hatch, but is also slightly heavier than a Civic. The benefit Sl33py is referring too would be in the value, modifying cars is an exercise in burning money. You could buy an RSX with a K-series stock and a more attractive body and interior for much less than the combined cost of a Civic and K-swap, and when you go to sell, you would actually get money back out of an RSX.

One quick example, I know someone selling a 94 Civic with a fully built B18c and a turbo, it's a very fast car that would be in the low 11 to 10 second range with a full interior and no slicks. I'm sure, the engine build and swap all alone cost $6000-8000 without labour costs factored in. The car is for sale for $4000 and hasn't had any serious interest in a long time. Bone stock, the Civic would probably sell for $3000 quickly.

 
Rep Power: 812

K-series is overrated. unless you race the car frequently (above 5k rpms), it will feel as slow as a civic. those motors have very little torque. i never believed it until i actually drove an rsx and experienced how slow it was. even the f22 accord was quicker in the lower rpms. the h22 is a great engine but not worth the custom work to fit in a civic. youre better off selling the civic, buying a used older accord, and doing an h22 swap to it. with a few more mods you will have a very fast car with good torque and hp for daily driving. not to mention working with older cars and engines is much cheaper.

 
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why would you ever drive bellow 5k? =D

 
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2000 H23A DOHC VTEC Bluetop Long Block.

 
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That would be a great swap, if it were legal to put it in a 7th gen...but its not, so turbo or kswap or sell it are your only options.

 
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b series illegal? huh?

throw all that money in the car an decide to sell it.. it's like buying your wife a boob job and then divorcing her