Rep Power: 0

Hi Everyone,

I've finally spun a rod bearing in the old D17, and I'm thinking I'll go ahead and K-swap the EM2. I have been searching around ebay for a motor and it looks like there are quite a few K20As from the euro CL7 type R available. It seems that these are drive-by-wire variants, so I'll not be able to use the "RBC" ECU that comes with them.

If I were to pick up a PRB ECU from an RSX and a cable drive throttle body, will I be able to do a fairly standard swap from that point forward? Do I also need to replace the engine harness with one from an RSX? I'm planning on starting off with a K-Tuned immobilizer bypass, but will eventually upgrade to K-Pro. Just trying to get the car back on the road with a new K20 for the time being though.

Any other advice on differences between the euro K20A and a more standard K20A2 swap would be greatly appreciated!

 
Rep Power: 223

Sounds like you have the gist of it. I cannot comment on the harness differences. Obviously there will be extra wires/connectors for the DBW throttle body that won't be needed. There may also be modifications required based on what transmission you use.

K20A's are so expensive. Have you considered a K24A2 swap from a TSX? 7,600 stock rev limit and a good chunk more torque from the high displacement. Should be quite a bit cheaper.

 
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I'm certainly considering the K20A2 as well. At the moment, I'm just shopping engines on eBay, and the idea of getting a K20A and an LSD transmission for 2k less than the CTR K20A is certainly interesting, so I figured I'd price out all the modifications necessary to actually make it work and see if that would put it right back up at the CTR prices . Unfortunately, it looks like by the time I do all the work necessary, it might do exactly that.

edit: I misread K24A2 for K20A2. I haven't looked at the K24s. I'll research that while I'm at it as well.

Thanks BrotatoChip!

 
Rep Power: 223

For much more detailed info on the K series you will want to check out the K20A.org forums. There is info here on the actual swap, in-depth K series info over there.

K20A2 as well but they're usually more rare and sought after in the US than the K24A2. K20Z3 as well since it comes with LSD 6 speed. When I went K years ago I found a '03 RSX-S with a broken timing chain for $1400. Pulled the engine/trans, replaced the timing chain (no bent valves), then swapped it in. Having the RSX there to steal every part from made it so much simpler.

 
Rep Power: 366

also, K20 are more power at high RPM.
K24 have way more torque at lower RPM (which is where you actually uses the car most of the time in streets and more enjoyable).
Try to drive a s2k stock... no torque until you get to 4k RPM...