Rep Power: 216

okay, firstly as this is my first post and hopefully not my last my name is.....well lets just call me dex, and im a computer/electrical person. NOT by any means a mechanic. I have just bought a stock 2003 civic sport with 115000 miles on it, driven by an old lady and has never been in an accident, bought it for 8K. ps i AM Canadian so thats a better deal for me than it is for you.

essentially I bought it out of spite for a friend of mine who has a 1.8t Vdub gti. he claims this is the fastest thing on the road and will never change his mind until I roll through with something crazy. so basically i want to overhaul this civic from **** to toes! I am leaving for the military soon so i plan on spending a fair chunk of my salary on this vehicle as living expenses are very little while doing so.

having said that, I am hoping to swap the engine out, and giving the new one a complete face lift. a body kit, some rims, exhaust system and a sound system that will rattle teeth(which is basically the only thing i can do myself)
now because my friends are dumb I thought I would ask you guys:

I was looking at a B18C (gsr) from jdm but I understand that the engine will not fit in my car as I have a 2003. I was hoping to spend 15-20 grand over a year or so but NOT hoping to fork out 8K for a k20 or k20A even thought they are quicker. so riddle me with suggestions and if any of you happen to have a 03 sport let me know whats what and lets put a Volkswagen to shame!

please keep in mind that I am Canadian and cannot take MY car to YOUR local shops, unless you live in Toronto.

 
Rep Power: 228

if you dont wanna drop 8k in a k20 a more cost effective way would be a k24 or a k20 with k24 head.

 
Rep Power: 216

what would that run me?

by the way I don't want to put parts in that would be ridiculous to find replacements for you know?

ps if i am to put a k20 with a k24 head in- would I then not have to buy a k20 to begin with?

 
Rep Power: 412

Not to be mean, but if you have no idea what you are doing, you shouldn't be planning to do a motor swap but learning. A motor swap shouldn't be part of your first project car unless you have the cash to back it up.

www.k20a.org Look there. You can get a head and short block there. You will need a tranny though.

I personally think you are going about this whole situation the wrong way. You want to beat your friend at some unknown game. who gives a **** what he says. Just learn about your car and do whatever mods you want to do. But realize the more money you invest, the more you will have to spend to keep it running well.

 
Rep Power: 216

yeah i realize that but if i have the parts, my old shop teacher from highschool is willing to do all the work as long as i feed him beers. (he was once a honda mech) and has a shop of his own. And don't worry your not being mean, and i don't really have the time to learn the advanced ins and outs of swapping engines, i get by just fine and the funds aren't really a problem.

 
Rep Power: 216

and i'd rather not buy an engine from a person whom i have never met. is there to online store dedicated to selling such products? just finding the engine is proving to be like pulling teeth.

 
Rep Power: 228

if you dont want to a k20 with a 24 head then just do a k24 swap. im not sure how much it'd cost bc where ever you buy from theyre prices are going to be different. id take a shot and say 3~5k for a swap minus labor. you might save money buy going to the junk yard and find a dc5 for cheep (but dont count on it).

 
Rep Power: 216

yeah man i dont want to buy a lemon from a scrapper although its a good call, essentially i know i want a k series whether its a k20 with k24 headers or a k24, i dont feel like blowing 8 Grand(seeing in Canadian dollars might be more who knows) but i want to do something with my civic, its either that or get a talon which i can find parts for easily for some reason, and not bad prices, either way i look at it upgrading my civic would be more expensive than buying a juicy talon, strange no?

 
Rep Power: 228

quick and easy way is turbo