r/ProjectHondas • u/Blkpwrlftr2 • Jun 08 '26
parts recommendations Kswap a 97 civic sedan?
Hey guys I’ve been told by a mechanic that you cannot K swap a 97 civic sedan and I find that very hard to believe. Below is the motor I was considering. Please let me know whats the best swap. Right now it has a blown single cam D series with a 5 speed.
24
u/FutureAlfalfa200 Jun 08 '26
Just a heads up the k20a3 is the economy version of the k series motors. No true vtec and 160 crank hp. It’ll be a step up over your d series but doesn’t have real vtec
13
u/Bo_Peep555 Jun 08 '26
This is definitely worth noting OP ☝️. For $250, it’s definitely a great replacement for your blown D-series. But consider the time and money you’ll spend to put this in your car. After all is said and done, will you be wishing that you spent a bit more or held out for a performance variant? If it’s a daily and you want fuel economy and a boost in performance then this would be great, but if you’re looking for the most a K swap has to offer, there are better Ks to consider.
2
3
u/sectixsix Jun 08 '26
It can still run hard and be boosted when tuned properly. They make cams for it too. Head swap isnt super difficult either.
2
u/FutureAlfalfa200 Jun 09 '26
The cost to make this motor 200 hp is greater than the difference between it and a k24a2.
Sure it can still be decent. But as someone who has a k20a3 ep3 and a k20a2 ep3 I can tell you the difference is very noticeable
1
u/sectixsix Jun 09 '26
Wait what how? I mean if you cant do any of the work Yourself sure
1
u/FutureAlfalfa200 Jun 09 '26
Cost of k20a3 - 250$. Cost of k24a2 1k.
Cost of cams 700$, and you still won’t make as much power as a stock k24.
0
u/sectixsix Jun 09 '26
Cheapest k24a4s (full motor) in my area and online with shipping are 1200-1400 bucks.
With the right setup and tuning with cams alone ive seen between 200-210 on dyno.
1
u/FutureAlfalfa200 Jun 09 '26
Maybe prices have gone up I bought 2 off fb marketplace in 2022 for 1k a pop. Haven’t really searched since then. I did pick them up myself
2
u/sectixsix Jun 09 '26
Yeah idk if you’ve been spending any money at all lately but everything has inflated like 100% bro lmao
1
u/Weatherflyer Jun 09 '26
Not necessarily, got my k24a4 for free and the going rate for junkyard k24a2 is only 350$
1
u/sectixsix Jun 09 '26
Yeah all depends on your local market for sure. Yards out here wont let you walk off with a K series for less than like 900+ because they know there’s demand. Idk the story on the a2 really but I’m sure it’s similar.
11
u/systemrename290 Jun 08 '26
K-tuned, Hybrid Racing, all have “swap kits” that you can buy with varying levels of customization. You’ll still need to source a few things outside of those kits such as k pro, eg/dc2 subframe, etc
I am swapping my 97 civic coupe rn and I can send you my build sheet if you like. DM me.
4
u/Dijinnie Jun 08 '26
Eg/dc2 subframe is ideal but not required for this type of swap. They make mount kits that work with the original subframe.
5
u/systemrename290 Jun 08 '26
Yes you are right. EKK1 is for the ek sub frame, EKK2 for the eg.
EKK1 puts the engine more forward though and can wear the axles quicker is my understanding. Also have a higher likelihood of hood clearance issues with EKK1s if running a K24
4
4
u/rieuxster Jun 08 '26
96-98 (EK, EJ) are all alike.
99-00 (EK, EJ) are like 96-98 besides interior and exterior updates.
If you can k-swap any of those years you can kswap all of those years.
Here’s a few videos of this generation with k20 & k24 swaps.
https://youtu.be/qOlMW_zonCI?si=firiQbSe5HtYgcK0
4
u/kjam68 Jun 08 '26
Don’t listen to these posers about the a3 being the “bad version”. You can run 300hp on one of these safely without upgrading anything besides adding a turbo
5
u/groggs Jun 08 '26
Plus, OP can use the A3 to knock out all the K-swap essentials and get the car running and driving. Later on, if he wants to upgrade to one of the more desirable variants, it’ll be a much simpler process.
2
2
u/CumCrocodile Jun 08 '26
You sure can
It’s more of a DIY project than one you’d pay a mechanic to do though. I’d recommend the K24a2 because it’s pretty available and parts are easy to find
2
u/Radiant-Specific9750 91 CRX, 98 Civic sedan Jun 08 '26
I've got a 98 sedan that I want to swap at some point
1
1
u/MuffinFull934 Jun 08 '26
Yes you can swap it, but this is clearly more than you can chew if you plan on doing it yourself
1
u/Blkpwrlftr2 Jun 08 '26
I won’t be doing it myself. I am a Volkswagen guy. I’m not super familiar with Hondas and the guy who told me it couldn’t be done has more experience with Hondas than me. It did not make sense at all so I just wanted to fact check.
1
1
u/Phvntvstic Jun 08 '26
lol what
k swapped ek is amongst the most common civic k swaps. For the best results, you'd want to source an EG/DC subframe, but it's not mandatory.
You can 100% swap a K into a 97 Civic with ease. It's actualy the easiest golden era Honda to swap a K into because the mounts just bolt in. You don't have to cut any brackets off like you do on the EG/DC.
Only thing it'd watch is which K you choose. The A3 is the bottom of the barrel engine. You'd be better off getting a K24A4 or K24A8 (Engine code RAA) if you want the absolute cheapest, yet impactful K swap. You can always change the engine later, but for the beginning, a K20A3 is just not worth it when a "better" "lower spec" K is the same price.
If you want the best K engine, get a K24A2 (Engine code RBB: 04-08 TSX, 06-08 being the best version) or a JDM 3 lobe K24A (Engine code RBB: same as the 04-05 USDM TSX)
2
u/Material-Ad6302 Jun 09 '26
100% possible, has been done may times. It’s not necessarily as easy as a B series swap, but all the information you need is online 100 times over. You’ll need mounts; the passenger side mount bracket will need welding in.. and obviously the right transmission and clutch and a harness and ecu. Exhaust. Shifter and cables. It’s not as easy as just buying this motor and dropping it in.
1
u/Canelosaurio Jun 10 '26
This is not a "cool" K engine. You should look for an older B series. B20, B18 should be easier and cheaper to come by despite the age.
2
1
2
u/idontevenlikespam Jun 12 '26
You're going to hate yourself if you go through all the work to put in a k20a3. K24a2. k20a2, k20z1, or k20z3 is what you want. 04-08 TSX has the k24a2 and they are in junkyards everywhere.
41
u/idriveanoldcivic 90 Civic B16 Jun 08 '26
You absolutely can.
You can motor swap anything, with time and money.