Engine Accessories
Air conditioning and Power Steering add-ons Many with hybrid engines or engine swaps eliminate creature comforts like power steering. Luckily, installing power steering on the current-gen Civic is a simple and painless task. You only need the factory RSX power steering pump and hoses for fitment. Minor modifications are needed for the return lines, depending on where the steering reservoir is mounted. To get power steering to work on older-gen Civics, you'll need the RSX pump and custom lines. "Hood clearance can become a little tight on the pump, but it's nothing a die grinder can't fix," said Gillespie. Similarly, the air conditioning requires an Si or RSX compressor and custom lines. But it'll make sure you beat that summer heat.
Drivetrain Hook-Up
There are basically two different mechanisms for shifting the K-series' transmissions: the Si's dash-mounted shifter and the RSX's floor-mounted unit. The RSX shifter will directly bolt into the Civic, and the car even has a hole in the floor for the cables to pass through. Just make sure you get the correct cables to match the shift mechanism.
While the RSX shifter works like a charm on the current-gen Civic, that's not the case for other vehicles. The RSX unit rides a little on the tall side, making it incompatible under the center consoles of any of the other vehicles. Companies like Karcepts make a mounting kit that enables the user to mount the shifter under the car so the stock console can be retained. If you were to try to use the Si shifter, you would need to fabricate a custom console to hold the shift mechanism.
The clutch and transmission are hydraulically operated. On the current-gen Civic you can use RSX or Si lines to properly connect all components. Older-gen Civics and Integras require a custom line to connect the master cylinder to the transmission clutch lines or directly to the slave cylinder. For the 1988 to 1991 Civic, Hasport sells a hydro-to-cable conversion so the cable can operate the clutch release arm.
As for axels, most vehicles are in the same boat: custom units. The current Civic is the sole exception because it can use the Si's axles. Strapped for cash? Check out Web sites like K20A.org for information on how to modify stock axels.
Exhaust
Remember: the K's exhaust manifold sits toward the rear firewall. In the RSX and Si, the exhaust header exits the rear of the engine at a 45-degree angle. This works in the current Civic, but hits the cross-member in all the other models. While early K-swap pioneers were plagued by the need to custom-fabricate a header and exhaust system. Thankfully, companies such as Hasport, AEM/DC Sports and Hitech now offer headers for K-swapped vehicles. Because the exhaust exits at the rear, the catalytic converter usually needs to be moved or removed altogether. Some might cringe, but are you performance-orientated if you're concerned about your catalytic? Come on now, people!
Cooling
The D-series' radiators hose outlets are located in the wrong position and won't work with your K series. In the latest Civic, the Si radiator is a direct-fit replacement. The Si radiator can also work for older Civics and Integras with the addition of custom mounts. Some people have also used the EG/EK Civic half-sized radiator and ever so slightly moved it to the opposite side. "If you're using an Si radiator, you can take any of the three latest-gen Civics or Integra fan motor and blade and put it into an Si shroud," said Gillespie. The 1988 to 1991 Civic's engine compartment is much shorter than newer Civics and the Si radiator, requiring much more fabrication for it to properly fit. Hasport recommends a custom radiator from Full Race or C&R Racing rather than spending days making room for that stock Honda radiator.
Intake
The short ram intakes made for the Si and RSX Type-S work well on swapped Ks. Because the latest Civic's engine bay looks just like the Si, an intake designed for the Si will work nicely. With minor modification AEM cold-air intakes can be used with a K20 in an older Civic or Integra. If you have a K24 with a stock manifold, you can use a short ram intake designed for an Accord or TSX.
Swap overview
It costs more money to swap a K series into your Civic or Intregra than to swap in a B or H. It's not because the engines are more expensive, but because of the additional parts needed to make it work. Prices for these parts should drop as more manufacturers offer their wares. Engine prices are already decreasing. K24A4 Accord engines can be had for as little as $600.
What's in store for Hasport in the near future?
The techs have more K mount kits coming soon. The K series has already surpassed the B in terms of technology, but more technologically advanced engines are forthcoming. It's rumored that a turbocharged K22 engine is making its way into the new Acura RD-X. Sources claim the engine should be rated at 250 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Wait ... did I just drool?
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