Rep Power: 0

I have an 03 SI with CAI, exhaust (full), and the usual bolt-ons (pullies and such).

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had some tips for me if I wanted to swap my current head for what's on the RSX-S. As far as I can tell by reading and such, the motors are the same basically, with the exception of the head.
My good friend wrecked his RSX-S about 2 months ago, and has been trying to get me to buy some of the engine parts he had before the car goes to the yard. He doesn't have anything I dont already have, except the head.
I dont think it would be a hard swap, but I wanted to ask you guys if there are any un-forseen problems, or tips that you guys (and girls) might have!

Thanks for your help

nqbus82

 
Rep Power: 0

Im not sure, but as far as i know you might need the rsx ecu also.

 
Rep Power: 323

do it right, swap the whole engine tranny and ecu. If you do just the head you will need the ecu. if you do just those your bottom end will not hold together for those high rpms. if you do the whole engine you might as well rock the 6 speed also. I say all or nothing.

 
Rep Power: 291

I have done the swap on a buddys of mine si about a year ago, acutaly we both worked on it. It took about 4 day to complete. its not very hard to do at all, just not very much room to work in the engine bay. The car ran great until it got repoed about a month ago, and he never went a got it back(dumbass). I guess when the dealership goes to resale it whoever test drives it is going to be very surprised when it hits vtec, consedering its not susposed to.

 
Rep Power: 0

If you do it i would say definetly get the 6 speed, the post I have read elsewhere say that the 5 speed doesent stay in the powerband all that well with the head swap

 
Rep Power: 291

yeah your right, it seem like every time he hit vtec and it would start pulling he had to shift gears, but still pulled very hard, almost like a turbo car.

 
Rep Power: 0

if you don't i will in the next couple months :-p

 
Rep Power: 303

si w/ rsx-s head = rsx-s motor

 
Rep Power: 0

if i'm not mistaken the header and intake manifold on the si is a little bit more restricted than the rsx-s header and manifold so if you do the head swap grab the header and intake manifold also.

 
Rep Power: 0

 
Rep Power: 0

as everyone said man, if ur gunna do it. Do it right, not that many of us have a direct hookup to a k20, and if we did we would snag it. Although im not a k20 expert at all, im pretty sure there is alot more than just the head different. Plus the 6speed is best, as eveeryone said already. u gotta stay in that vtec powerband, and on that vtec lob or else u wont get its full potential.

 
Rep Power: 432

Civic Si has Same intake manifold as RSX type s.
RSX base has different manifold, Plastic.

ANY oem cat convertor is restricted.
Header and downpipe setup is almost identical, except type s has longer downpipe and shorter b pipe.



For Type S Headswap.
You need to use 310cc RSX Type S fuel injector and Hondata Kpro or Type s ECU.
Yes, you would want a2 tranny for Gearing.


To be honest, a2 head swap isn't worth it.
People pay close to $1000 just for a2 head.
Then Another $1000 for kpro.
$650-850 for used tranny..

Just save up and do Full a2 swap with Kpro.
Unless you can get used parts for Cheap.

 
Rep Power: 349

I did the typeS headswap on my Si and it was great... however if you are staying N/A I would just get the whole engine and trans... I didn't bc i was boosted also.