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Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyers Guide - Super Street Magazine

Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyers Guide - Super Street Magazine   |   Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyer's Guide

It’s an old topic but with Sean’s engine swap story elsewhere in this issue, we thought it would be a good refresher to show the main ingredients for a K- or B-series swap. While several years ago a K-series swap might have been new territory, today both swaps have been proven a thousand times over and over again. So forget worrying if it’s going to fit or be reliable. It will as long as you get the right gear and do some basic homework. If you’re new to the topic, it’s always best to consult your local Honda guru or the listed specialists below to ensure you have all the right parts to make your swap a success.

B-Series
First off, the B-series isn’t as powerful and new as the K but it’s more affordable and will net you 200whp naturally-aspirated or 300+whp with a bolt-on turbo upgrade. The four-cylinder DOHC VTEC engine came in a 1.6- to 1.8-liter and was rated from 160-200hp. While offered in almost all Civics and Integras in Japan, they were a little harder to come by here in the States, only equipped in Integras and a couple different model Civics. But because the motor was available here, it’s easier to get CARB-approved. You can pick up a basic B-series nowadays for around a grand but the more attractive motors will run you a bit more like the imported JDM models.

K-Series
After Honda retired the B-series, the K-series took over with cars such as the RSX, TSX, Civic Si and Accord. Still one of the best transverse naturally-aspirated four-cylinders around, it makes about 160-220hp. It’s become a very easy and proven swap, and with the addition of some basic bolt-ons, you can have a 250whp K20. Priced at a higher premium compared to the B-series, engine costs ranged up to five grand for a pristine motor—but well worth it if you have the coin.

Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyers Guide - Super Street Magazine   |   Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyer's Guide

5 Key Ingredients

Motor
 The best and cheapest way to find a K- or B-series is by checking out the sale ads on your favorite Honda forum. Also check places like Craigslist and local junkyards, too. For JDM motors, you can hit up importers like Zerolift Autolab (zerolift.com) and JDM Engine Depot (jdmenginedepot.com). But here are some other must-have engine parts you’ll need.

Intake Manifold
How Much: from $499.99
Source: bloxracing.com, edelbrock.com, goldeneaglemfg.com, skunk2.com
Pictured: Skunk2 Pro Series

Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyers Guide - Super Street Magazine   |   Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyer's Guide

Throttle Body
How Much: from $275
Where: bloxracing.com; bwrusa.com; skunk2.com
Pictured: Blox Racing Billet

Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyers Guide - Super Street Magazine   |   Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyer's Guide

Header/Exhaust Manifold
How Much: From $400
Where: aempower.com, bisimoto.com, bloxracing.com, buddyclub.us, dcsports.com, skunk2.com

Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyers Guide - Super Street Magazine   |   Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyer's Guide Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyers Guide - Super Street Magazine   |   Blox Racing 4-2-1 Header
  • Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyers Guide - Super Street Magazine
  • Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyers Guide - Super Street Magazine
  • Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyers Guide - Super Street Magazine
  • Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyers Guide - Super Street Magazine
  • Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyers Guide - Super Street Magazine
  • Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyers Guide - Super Street Magazine

Drivetrain
 The next piece of the puzzle is to make sure you have all the proper drivetrain components (if it already isn’t included when you pick up the motor). But remember, you’ll need the half-shaft, shift linkage and proper axles for the swap.

Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyers Guide - Super Street Magazine   |   Hasport

Axles
How Much: from $330
Where: driveshaftshop.com, hasport.com

Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyers Guide - Super Street Magazine   |   Driveshaft Shop Level 5.9 K-series axle/hub kit

Clutch Line
How Much: from $65.99
Where: chasebaysonline.com, hybrid-racing.com
Pictured: Chase Bays

Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyers Guide - Super Street Magazine   |   Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyer's Guide

Bolt-In Shifter
How Much: from $379
Where: hasport.com, hybrid-racing.com
Pictured: hybrid racing

Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyers Guide - Super Street Magazine   |   Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyer's Guide

Shifter Mounting Kit
How Much: $125
Where: karcepts.com

Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyers Guide - Super Street Magazine   |   Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyer's Guide

Mounts
 Can’t use the factory mounts because the motor wasn’t intended for every Honda chassis. Duh! But now you can find tailored mounts for almost every Honda and Acura model including the Integra AV/DA/DC, Civic EA/EF/EG/EK, Accord and more. There are also variations on durometers (stiffness) and colors so check with each mount supplier.

Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyers Guide - Super Street Magazine   |   Hasport K-Swap mounts

Mount Kits
How Much: from $499
Where: hasport.com, hybrid-racing.com, innovativemounts.com

Electronics
 One of the key components to a successful swap is the wiring harness to make the motor in your applicable chassis work. After all, you’ll want all your gauges and ancillaries to be running like factory. The ECU is also important to ensure your motor runs like a champ whether you’re sticking to just bolt-ons or forced induction.

Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyers Guide - Super Street Magazine   |   Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyer's Guide

ECU Modification/Reflash
How Much: from $595
Where: hondata.com

Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyers Guide - Super Street Magazine   |   Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyer's Guide Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyers Guide - Super Street Magazine   |   Hondata K-Pro ECU modification

Conversion/ Adapter Harness
How Much: from $299
Where: chasebaysonline.com, hasport.com, hybrid-racing.com, k-tuned.com, rywire.com

Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyers Guide - Super Street Magazine   |   Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyer's Guide Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyers Guide - Super Street Magazine   |   Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyer's Guide Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyers Guide - Super Street Magazine   |   AEM engine management system

Fueling & Cooling
 The final things you’ve got to worry about are keepin’ the motor fueled and cooled. You won’t need to do too much to the fueling except a new fuel rail. As for the cooling, you’ll need a radiator. There are plenty of different options from full- to half-size models as well as tucked radiators to keep the bay minimal.

Fuel Rail Kit
How Much: from $125
Where: goldeneaglemfg.com, hybrid-racing.com, karcepts.com, powerrevracing.com

Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyers Guide - Super Street Magazine   |   Karcepts K-Series fuel rail kit

Radiator
How Much: from $399.99
Where: chasebaysonline.com, karcepts.com, koyorad.com, mishimoto.com, rywire.com
Pictured: Chasebays, Rywire

Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyers Guide - Super Street Magazine   |   Chase Bays tucked radiator
  • Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyers Guide - Super Street Magazine
  • Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyers Guide - Super Street Magazine
  • Breakin’ Down the Parts for a K- and B-Series Swap - Buyers Guide - Super Street Magazine
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