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K24/K20 Frankenstien swap - What needs to be done!

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801K views 629 replies 248 participants last post by  ruinedbyboost  
#1 · (Edited)
Alright, first off... BIG BIG BIG shout out to Jnaut as he's been an unbelievable help to me doing this swap as in also telling me what needs to be done. Another big thanks to Sk33ny for taking some of the pics needed for this write-up. And :thumb: to Dori, Mo, Justin and Ku for being my third hand when I needed it. So with that said... here we go!

This is going to let you know what needs to be done to make this conversion possible. It's going to explain sensor differences, what you need, what's optional and show what I personally did because of the pics. The lists will just let you know what parts you need; they will be explained at the caption of the picture to avoid less confusion and up/down scrolling. So MAKE SURE you read the captions of the pics because that is where the information will be!

Since I didn't take enough pics on how to drop/lift a motor, I'm going to assume that you already know how. Along with removing the subframe IF you decide to drop it. I have found that you can LIFT the motor out which AVOIDS the hassle of the subframe. It doesn't look like you can but you CAN. Especially if you remove the radiator support and radiator... TRUST ME along with Jnaut. It's easily possible!

Subframe Removal link thanks to blueroadster:

http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/engi...-diy-2006-si-turbo-related-subframe-oil-pan-removal-installation-pic-heavy.html

Engine Removal link:
None yet but will be inserted here when there is one!


Requirements:
- K24 bottom end (duhhh)
- K24 headgasket, timing chain, timing chain cover
- 2002-2006 CRV Passenger side Engine mount bracket P/N: 11910-PPA-000

Options:
- 2002 - 2006 RSX-S oil pump, chain and baffle plate P/N: Oil Pump-15100-PRB-A01 Chain-13441-PCX-004 Baffle Plate-11221-PNC-000
- K20Z3 stock oil cooler
- Any internal upgrade that you wish to do

Background:
These pics will be from my swap which consists of a K24A2 (TSX) bottom and and K20Z3 head and external components. But this can be put to use with the K24A1, A3, A4 or A8. Hers's a thread to help familiarize yourself.Here is the best Information about K motors - K20A.org .:. The K Series Source . Honda / Acura K20a k24a Engine Forum.

The motor - K24A2: Yeah, I bought the complete long block. You only need the bottom end and it's components! So don't get confused with all the extra stuff you see attached to it! I have ALOT of stuff left over =/.
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Down to what you NEED (other than headstuds)...sorry but I had to include my sexy headstuds in the pic =)
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Oil pan off
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Oil pumps: You can use the stock oil pump/balance shafts. But as you guys know, it takes a bit of power to spin those shafts/weights being submerged in that oil so alot of people delete it with the RSX-S oil pump, chain and baffle plate to free up some hidden HP. BUT if you like that smooth/quiet motor feel then keep the balance shafts. Deleting the balance shafts will add a teeny bit more "engine feel". It'll feel like having a mini-torque dampener or something. But I like it =). If you go with the type-S oil pump and are using a TSX or Accord block, you will need to modify the mounting surface of the pump to accomodate the lump in the lower plate. The CRV block you do NOT have to modify the pump. It's a flat surface. Here's a few shots.
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Also, if you delete those balance shafts you'll have an open oil orifice in the main bearing cap #3 on the lower plate. YOU NEED TO REMOVE THE JET AND PLUG THAT HOLE OR YOU WILL HAVE VERY LOW OIL PRESSURE! Here's how! A wood screw and a 12mm honda bolt coated with RTV =)
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Put your oil pan back on! You can use the steel one that comes with the K24 if you keep the balance shafts but if you use the type-S oil pump you're going to have to use your aluminum one. Now that the very bottom stuff is done, lets move up!


Oil cooler: The K24 does not come with an oil cooler. You can skip this step and not run with an oil cooler but I highly suggest swapping it over or running an external one. You'll need a 10mm allen key to remove the plug inside. Make sure you remember to put the O-ring in between the block and oil filter pedastal! You won't be a happy camper if you don't!
TSX
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Civic Si
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The transfer...
TSX
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Civic Si
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Now put that cooler/filter holder onto that TSX block! DON'T FORGET THE O-RING!


Now go put your head on along with the cams, timing chain, cover. Get it all torqued down! This is a VERY good time to do your valve adjustment. Since you'll most likely have 360º access to all the rockers you may as well do it now rather than struggling to with it in the car. But if your car was perfectly quiet before, then I guess you have nothing to worry about. Be sure to lube all the components with some 10w-40 or assembly lube too. Just to help the motor stay moist =X. I did both... I also had a brand new head so it was BONE dry.
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Crank Pulley: You gotta use your K20 one! Notice the size difference between the TSX and K20. TSX at left and K20 at right. If you forget to use your k20 crank pulley you will DIE trying to put the belt on. Trust me, holding a non-worn out tensioner all the way open for a extended period of time is NOT fun. Especially when you realize that you put your K24 pulley on -_-.
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Time for the sensors. You will be transfering all of your sensors and components that attach to the block. Use all of your old stuff. Everything fit the same except for these few sensors' clips. Here are the differences...

Crank Position Sensor - TSX: Left | Civic Si: Right

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Knock Sensor - Civic Si: Left | TSX: Right (yes the sensor goes into a sealed hole. It's just a microphone for our ecu plain and simple.
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Oil Pressure Sending Unit - Civic Si: Left(plastic connector) | TSX: Right(metal probe) (Make sure you put some teflon tape on the threads to guarantee a seal)
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The CRV mount: The CRV mount is just a shorter version of the Civic Si one. It's to make up for that added height of the 2.4L block. You don't use the stud from the old mount. Just get 2 17mm bolts long enough to go through the mount and put a significant length of thread into the bracket.

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Now get it all back together!

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Might as well change the clutch and flywheel while I'm at it right?! (No I'm not tightening the pressure plate bolts all the way down with the air ratchet. I'm just getting them all snug. Everything was torqued according to spec.)
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The lazy way of putting a tranny on!
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Alright time to go back in. Sorry I didn't take that many pics so I'll just put the final few in.
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Make sure all your fluids are filled, bolts tightened, electrical connectors connected and start it up! Have complete silence around you while it runs... listens for any abnormal rattles, clatters, whines, howls, grinding =X, etc. Also watch for a CEL. If you have one, turn the car off immediately and double check all of your connectors and make sure they're plugged in their right spots. Then reset the battery and go for another try. If it's still on it most likely means it's an internal problem which would really suck. Immediately turn the car off and find a buddy with a scanner to figure out the code. Hopefully it's nothing that will make you slam your head through a wall. BUT if you start it and no CEL....:clapping: you've just done a frankenstien swap! Congrats and have fun!

As for engine management, I'm running on the stock ecu for now. So I'm revving to 7800. Jnaut, has run with the reflash and reported that from 7900-8600 the car leaned out. But 7800 and below he was perfectly in the safe zone. Until, a stand alone comes out... I'll be sticking to the stock ecu.

Any questions/corrections/reguards feel free to PM me.
 
#35 ·
I'll post up a vid once I get my engine bay tidied up. I don't know if you guys will be able to tell the difference through the vid but I'll post it anyway.

How does it feel?! significantly faster?
It feels ALOT more torquey. I can stay in 6th gear all the way down to 50mph on the highway and I can climb back up at partial throttle without wanting to downshift to 5th. The throttle feels alot more lighter also because of the raised tq.

did u have to extend any wire's on the hanress? do all the sensors go plug n play? I just did two swaps this week, a b16 and a type r, but this looks easier then that. i'm tryna think of what else gaev us problems...i dunno, but i'd like to do this as well, can u pm me a finished list of parts?
It's alot easier than the B series motors actually. No worries about OBD2 to 1 conversions, no adding a vtec wire, no needing to add sensors, etc. The wiring harness is a direct plug and play since you'll be using all of your Civic Si sensors. The list of parts you need is at the top of the thread. Unless you want a list of what I personally used which isn't necessary. If you lift the motor out... no joke you can take it out in an hour if you knew what you were doing and 1 1/2 hours if you took your time. Everything is easy access to disconnect.

I'm not sure if you saw Hondata's post a little while ago but they said if you use the stock MAF housing you get good AFRs with the K24 bottom. They also said it's not smart to rev it past 7800 or 8k (I can't remember) to keep the bottom end safe.

EDIT - Here it is: http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/bolt...ums/bolt-ons-all-motor/82534-just-got-off-phone-doug-hondata.html?highlight=maf
I'm currently redoing another CAI that will have a MAF housing on it. I'm debating whether I want to put it right at the filter or by the throttle body still. I'm going to stock limiter. So 7800, 7900, 8000 I dunnoe exactly. But I picked 7800.

I am real jealous. You got a tsx block.. my engine is out and parts are all over the country 80). Cant wait to get stuff back so i can get my k24 in.
I hope you get yours up and running good too! Then we can discuss the fun of having a fun motor.

Any shot this swap will pass the Nazi sniffer?
No idea. I was actually thinking of getting my buddy to run it on the dyno as a practice test. But I'm using a BCRH right now and I'm kinda lazy to take it off and put the stock one on. And my cutout has a teeny leak too so I'll have to take care of those before I do check. I am curious though. I'm assuming NOX would be my primary region of failure. But we got a while... about 4 or 6 years I think. Unless you get a state ref ticket =X (knocks on wood).
 
#21 · (Edited)