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Hi all I will consider myself as really low leveled when it comes to all this, but I do have time and love for the car as it is a lot more than just that. I'm about to get a timing chain and water pump job ; coil covers seals; head gasket ; fuel pump; coilovers; and transmission to manual. I honestly replaced a bunch of other stuff not on the engine. Need some tips on brands n maybe how to obtain these brands. Now for the swap... I have no idea where to start or what to pick. I do want the best and know some terminology when comes to some engines. Could use the help and will appreciate any feedback.

 
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Not really sure what you're asking for here. Brands for all the parts you mentioned or what?

How much do you want to spend? You basically have three options: you can head swap to obtain VTEC, you can K swap, or you can turbo what you already have.

 
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Basically brands and a swap recommendation. The money part is workable not worried about that. And do not have a turbo -although I do want one.

 
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If you're not worried about money then what are your power goals?

 
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If you're gonna do an engine swap, I wouldn't worry about the timing belt (no chain on the D17) and all the other maintenance items, unless your immediate goal is to get a driveable car until you can get the swap stuff in order.

If you still wanna proceed with the maintenance items first just to have an operational car, OEM is the way to go. The head gasket link in my signature has parts lists for head gasket, water pump, timing belt, etc. Fuel pump, consider the Walbro 255lph pump, just to prepare yourself if you're looking to make loads more power later down the line. If your future swap intentions is just to have a little more pep to your step, OEM might do you just fine. AT to MT swap, that's @mac25 territory.

engine swap options (like brotatochip mentioned)

• Direct swap - D17A1
  • 115hp
  • 110tq
  • Same engine you're rocking right now
• VTEC head swap: D17A2 head slapped onto your D17A1 block.
  • Approximately 10whp gain reported
  • Requires a VTEC controller or a D17A2 ecu to control VTEC. If you opt for the ECU swap, you'll need to reprogram keys.
• D17A2 engine swap
  • 127hp
  • 114tq
  • You'll get VTEC and a slightly higher compression ratio, thus, a bit more power. If you're planning on going turbo on a D17 in the future, stick with option 2. The lower compression ratio of the D17A1 block will allow you to run more boost more safely.
• K20 swap: Kind of a badass engine.
  • 3 main options,
    • K20A3
      • RSX base/02-05 Civic Si
      • 160hp 130-140tq
    • K20A2
      • RSX-S
      • 200hp ~140tq
    • K20A
      • RSX Type R
      • 212-221hp 150-160tq depending on which iteration of the K20A you find
  • Will require your aforementioned AT to MT swap. A bunch of other things, as well. A bit of custom fab (trimming, really) to make it fit. Upper radiator support to clear the PS pump and I think a bit of the hood skeleton. With the k-series ECU, you'll need key programming, too. Or an immobilizer bypass.
  • Uses timing chain, unlike the timing belt of the D17
• Frankenstein K-swap; K24 with a K20 head. 218/232 wheel hp untuned/tuned, respectively, reported from a former user that did the swap.
  • A straight up K24 will be too tall to fit in the engine bay. Slapping a K20 head on it lowers the engine height considerably enough to make it fit, but you still have to find a way to shift the engine downwards, something like 4cm. Peppy like the K20, but with the torque of the K24. Lots more custom fab required. Tuning highly recommended. Given there's usually about a 15% drop from crank to wheels in these manual trannies, probably 256/273 bhp untuned/tuned based on the above numbers.

For a K-swap, I'd set aside at least 6k to complete, depending on how cheap you find the parts, and that's assuming you're doing a DIY swap. More if you're paying a shop to do the work.


edit: added brake horsepower ratings (horsepower at the crank) and torque ratings I could find. Also edited for readability

 
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Thank you so much. This was a very pleasing read for me. I enjoy all these recommendations. Im looking for the swap with most power. Any recommendations on the trans swap? I have the stock one now and plan to do the switch from automatic to manual. Thank you all.

 
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If you're looking to swap with lots of power, K swap is the way to go. Bonus points if you find a way to swap the K20C1 (10thgen Type R) into the 7thgen chassis.

Furthermore, if you're gonna do an AT to MT swap, wait until you do the K swap. You'll have to do that anyways, so might as well do it in one fell swoop.

 
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Well, fun fact, the K20C1 physically fits in the EM2 engine bay, but seemingly just barely. How to make it function is a different story.


Timestamp 8:14

The K20C1 is Honda's 2.0 turbo engine, puts out 306hp at 23.2psi boost

 
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Darn, you beat me to it. I just watched that video a few days back. Now we just need someone to try it!

 
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As far as tune goes ne suggestions?

 
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https://www.hondata.com/kpro

requires donor k-series ECU, even if you're running a D17

 
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Ya I wouldn't spend a dime on the stock D17, if you're planning to swap the engine. Also dont swap to manual, since you will need a matching transmission for whatever engine you choose.

Easiest power plat would be the k20 or k24 engines as mentioned above. Their physical size is larger than the d17, but they still fit. The mod support is great to for k series engines.

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If you want a cheaper version with mod support you could go with a B16 or B18 (older engine architecture). But these also use older technology like distributors and vacuum line governed components.

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Then there's the king power plant the J series v6.

But they're rare builds in small cars since they are much larger than D or K series engines. Which effects everything else in the build.

 
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Thought about it long and hard. I want to go 2jz.

 
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I hope your pockets are reeeaallly deep

 
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Oh lawdy. That's gonna be full custom and expensive

 
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Finished a few pms today. Got the timing belt n water pump and valcovers also got my fans to start running ill be good. Till i save for the swap. Plan for the tein coilovers next two weeks.