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As some may know i blew my engine a few weeks ago. I have been driving around my moms element since then. I found a D17a2 ex engine. I need to know what ALL I need to do this swap. Please help. I've searched but nothing came up.

 
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if you're swapping the whole engine, you just need an EX ecu and keys to be recoded to the new ecu.

 
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u also need some kinda of a vtec controller. like emanage/vafcII

 
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All you really need is a VAFCII, you don't need to swap ECU's. I even have all the settings for the d17a2 using the LX/DX ECU, and the VAFCII if you need it.

 
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No, he wouldnt if he was using the EX ecu. (The keys will have to be reprogrammed to the new ecu) If he is using the LX/DX ecu then yes you will need that to engage vtec.

You can't just throw somebody else's setting into your EMS and think it will run the same and have the same affect on your car. You live in a totally different climate,elevation etc. Using the vafc2/emanage piggybacking the lx/dx ecu will be inconistant with fuel. Your MPG will be less. You are also interupting the engagment of vtec by using said devices. The EX ecu looks for 3-4 different variables (engine temp,oil pressure,WOT etc) to allow vtec to engage.

But, it will work, no doubt. It just wont give you the consistancy as a normal setup would.

 
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What should i do about the exhaust setup?

can I just buy an after market EX catback exhaust system?

 
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this is true but everybody needs some starting point for thier settings. And running the LX/DX ecu on a D17a2 it will run rich below vtec engagement and lean afterwards. So if you set it at the point where VTEC kicks into high cam only according to RPM which is 4200rpm on our model years, not by pressure which is around 2700rpm, and not open it up before the engine is warmed up you will be fine. So basically remember less fuel before hi cam engagement and more afterwards.

I did a full EX exhaust in my car before the turbo setup. you will need the EX header if you run EX exhaust. You will also need ot extend your o2 sensor wires. i made a thread on how ot do it about a year or so ago.

 
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i have an ecu if you need it

 
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i just got a 05 ex engine an the ecu today. only had 6k miles on it for $700w/warranty. i just need to get a full exhaust setup minus the headers

 
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heres your options... with the ex engine in your car you have 2 choices as far as ecu...

first thing you can do is get the ex ecu... swap the motor.. tow the car down to a local dealer that can REFLASH the ecu to match your key and so forth.. so ur gotta pay for the towing and the reflash...

second thing you can do is swap the motor and install a vafc2 into your car... plain and simple no towing or reflashes.. its basically the same thing as if you were doing a head swap... just after your done you should have someone tune it..


as far as exhaust setup goes you can still use your dx/lx exhaust for it will bolt up the same... the FULL dx/lx exhaust is swapable to a FULL ex exhaust setup and vice versa... there all interchangeable and you dont need a ex exhuast to run the ex motor...


now in my opinion if you were planning to add a little more umph to your car since you are swapping the motor out anyways here is what might be a good start

1. get the vafc2 instead of the reflash
2. get after market headers and full exhaust... why pay for a ex exhaust when you can pay a few bucks more for upgraded exhaust.
3. if you dont have a ex tranny nows a good time to get one and swap that to.


now if your just going stock for stock then the reflash and ex exhaust is the best bet..

 
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u should just do a K20 swap on your car. I had an 02 Ex and it was very slow and not worth the money. I got the new 2006 si now and it is way faster than my old civic (plus i got the 8k redline). Just save some more money and put it in, you will appreciate it alot more.

 
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u gotta remember that not everyone can afford a $5000+ swap... he already said he picked up a motor for $700 with the warranty so that has to same something about his budget

 
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Thanks for the help. As for the k20, I dont need it. i just need an engine. i was going to do the k20 but i am saving up for a ridgeline,by june. You said something about geting an ex transmition, how much of a diff are there between the lx and ex trannys.

 
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the EX tranny has shorter gears.

 
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hey ajhdragon, how much you leting the that vafcII go for?

 
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I did the head swap and i just hooked up the vtec solenoid to a push button so now i can just engage it when i want...or not use it at all to save on gas...no vafc2 or no reflashing or no towing...hahahahahahaha

 
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thats bad for your car.... its not adding more fuel when u engage vtec... your running on the lean side.. gonna burn some piston rings or maybe the head gasket.. lol

 
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no you didn't man.... wtf!

listen to Xproductions.... this guy is the ****! You ain't gonna get very far driving like that..... i had generic vafcII settings and it caused major problems... do it right or don't do it.

 
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someome please help me i have a ex and swapped engine to another ex the car was driving fine for a few hours then the battery light came on, tachometer stopped working and temp gauge now the car starts but wont rev that high engine light is constantly on when i start it batter light stays on a while and then comes off tested the whole car and fuses and alternators and its charging i dont know what it could be? any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

the computer isnt giving out any codes does that mean it was bad? it was working fine after swap for a few hours

 
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if the alternator load tests fine, its gotta be a wiring issue (short)

 
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Agreed. Sounds like a short. Good luck finding it, those can be a huge pain.

 
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yeh alternator is fine im thinking it might be the ecu but can it be a immobilizer issue the key light lept flashing once, i have a spare engine wiring harness but i dont understand car was driving fine for a while till i redlined it