K swap help please?


vtec baby

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Dec 19, 2010
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Hi guys I'm wanting to do a k swap into an ej9 I'm knowledgable of Hondas I've had 5 in 2 years 2 ej9s ek4 Jordan an ep2 and an ep3 I've done the b16 , b18 swaps and would love to do this legendary swap!!! I'll have both cars next to each other (ej9 and ep3) my questions are apart from mounts and driveshafts (ep3 shafts with b series outers) can I fabricate the exhaust mani, wiring loom shifter assembly mounting ect I'm a qualified mechanic and keen fabricator so look forward to this! Another question is if I have the ecu, key and ignition barrel ect from the ep3 can I merge that into the current ej9 wiring or do I need to buy a special conversion harness custom ecu and a magician to map it all? The way I see it if I match all the wires I can to the dash loom of the ej9 and the rest just to the ecu from the bay loom it should run just like it did in the ep3? Thanks for your time guys! I look forward to hearing from you!
 
You dont need to fabricate anything... its all available off the shelf including the swap manifold, swap looms, your just making work for yourself. DC5 shifter setup and cables bolt in. Use the ep3 engine harness to the ecu and mod the charge harness to go into your exsisting fusebox. The swap loom acts as a jumper between your ek dash loom and the ep3 engine loom. You dont need the ep3 key and barrel. If you run the stock ecu you need the immobilser bypass or get kpro and you turn off the immobiliser.
 
As above ^^

Also the ep3 shafts are a bit short

you would be better with the drivers side ep3 shaft with the ep3 passenger inner cv fitted and placed on the passenger side if your ek.. Then a DC5 shaft for the drivers side

What you can also use are RSX Integra Type-S shafts with the inner CV's swapped from right to left so that you have the longer of the RSX shafts on your ek drivers side where you need it
 
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That's awsome news!! Thanks guys I'm aware everything is off the shelf but I like to make things where I have the option also I've read I need a eg/dc subframe to get a better fit is this true or can it remain the ej9 subframe? Cheers again!!!!
 
Also for PAS I'll need a dc5 pump? Or can I make brackets for the ej9 one with new pipes obv thanks!
 
EG/DC2 subframe sits the engine better yes.. PAS use DC5 or k20 CRV setup... or there are other options like retro fitting an electric P/S pump system as found on 106/Saxo etc. I wouldnt bother myself but parking can be a pain!
 
Ok so subframe not essential but better for placement ect ok awsome!! Aww man my first b16 swap I negated the pas and regretted it!! Haha thanks for your help ernie!!!!
 
Personally I wouldn't run a car without PS again... parking is one thing but on track the PS helps more than you'd think and allows you to concentrate on getting the corner perfect rather than battling with the steering wheel. I'm sure others will disagree but thats just my opinion.

I'm currently running the DC5 pump which is the easiest option, but I also have a electric PS unit from a MK1 MR2 which I've been looking into installing... not sure yet however as it does look a bit long winded... supposedly frees up around 8hp though!
 
I'm using a 106 electro hydraulic pump on mine - works perfectly to be fair to it! Feels better weighted (slightly heavier) than the standard ek9 setup. Very easy to fit, wire and plumb up too
 
Yeah its a personal thing the p/s... I dont like p/s on track it gives less feedback IMO... and dont even get me started on the electric setup on the ep3... that is terrible!
 
I'm using a 106 electro hydraulic pump on mine - works perfectly to be fair to it! Feels better weighted (slightly heavier) than the standard ek9 setup. Very easy to fit, wire and plumb up too

Any chance you have a diagram of how you wired everything up mate? I have an idea but not 100percent so wouldnt mind some help :)
 
Awsome guys!! Think I'll be going down the electric pump route seems simple enough! Also what should I run for cooling? Can an alloy b series rad cool a k? If so do I get special hoses or do I need a k swap kit? And for fuel lines I just see what fittings I need at the time? Thanks again!!!!!
 
As said I have a MR2 pump if you are interested. Not sure if I can get my head around the wiring lol.

With the rad, many people have run half width ali rad off the bseries with no problems, but you will need to make custom rad hoses. I would/ am running a standard ep3 rad which is more than sufficient.

Search up for kits, ktuned do a stage 4 swap kit which has pretty much everything you'd need. Much easier than finding bits here and there but then it does cost more.
 
Cheers thuongk20 I would snap it up if I had the cars I'm just researching atm ok well I'll have both ep3 and ej9 so I'll just retrofit the ep3 rad ect I would buy a kit but I think I can save a lot and I have time to search out parts I'm still in Oz atm but will start this when I return home!
 
Having an ep3 right there is very useful as buying engines alone you'll find that you end up missing bits here and there.

Most of the ep3 parts can retro fit into the ej9 such as radiator which saves a lot of money buying new. The loom can be spliced together with out a harness so another saving there... If you can source a set of bseries shafts then you can put together the ep3 inners and bseries outers which saves money on more expensive but stronger k swap shafts... OR I have ej9 hubs which were modified to run the stronger ep3 hub which may help you out. Plenty of money saving areas...
 
Having an ep3 right there is very useful as buying engines alone you'll find that you end up missing bits here and there.

Most of the ep3 parts can retro fit into the ej9 such as radiator which saves a lot of money buying new. The loom can be spliced together with out a harness so another saving there... If you can source a set of bseries shafts then you can put together the ep3 inners and bseries outers which saves money on more expensive but stronger k swap shafts... OR I have ej9 hubs which were modified to run the stronger ep3 hub which may help you out. Plenty of money saving areas...

Can you elaborate on what you done with the hubs? Was it bored to take a bigger bearing and then use ep3 drive flanges?

Also interested to know how much effort it took to splice the loom, always thought it cans be that technical?
 
Can you elaborate on what you done with the hubs? Was it bored to take a bigger bearing and then use ep3 drive flanges?

Also interested to know how much effort it took to splice the loom, always thought it cans be that technical?

Tbh mate I didn't do it. My local garage did it for me. No idea what he did but he sent it out to be matched up.
 
Thanks again guys this info is priceless I know the answers are out there but finding the exact one to my questions are s nightmare!!! Can't wait to start this project now! I'm wondering if the k20 manifold can be Frankensteined (properly welded) to fit the ej or is it a definite you have to buy a k swap unit cheers!
 
It can be done and it has been done but why cheap out like that ?
if you gonna do and fabricate your own parts why not doing it properly instead of trying to hack OEM parts and guess if they gonna fit or not, and in the end they gonna ended up hurting the motor instead of helping it...
 
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