[brianduke523]

Recently found a local halfway done K20A2 swap into an 1989 Civic DX, it’s a ~60k mile engine dropped in on hasport mounts, stock intake, k-tuned fuel kit, custom engine harness, immobilizer delete. All stuff pulled from another swapped car.

According to the seller all it needs is the header, exhaust, o2 and for everything to get plugged in.

Sounds perfect so my first question was obviously “what’s wrong with it?” He said that he just can’t afford to finish it.

I’ve got 5k right now, is it reasonable to buy this is and finish it in my driveway? I have wrenches and can get a mig welder if necessary.

 

[Them Witches]

welcome to the forum and thank you for registering.

how can it be proved that it has 60,000 miles on the engine? you really cannot prove that, just have to take their word.
not trying to be rude, are you mechanically inclined? can you check over the engine before actually exchanging money?

example, can you do a compression test? pull the valve cover inspect the timing chain, cams, valvetrain, spark plugs?
Installing a header, exhaust etc. is easy and easy to build. The big question is did the previous owner skip steps, forget something (we all do that from time to time or some do it really bad), do they have a service manual?

 

[brianduke523]

welcome to the forum and thank you for registering.

how can it be proved that it has 60,000 miles on the engine? you really cannot prove that, just have to take their word.
not trying to be rude, are you mechanically inclined? can you check over the engine before actually exchanging money?

example, can you do a compression test? pull the valve cover inspect the timing chain, cams, valvetrain, spark plugs?
Installing a header, exhaust etc. is easy and easy to build. The big question is did the previous owner skip steps, forget something (we all do that from time to time or some do it really bad), do they have a service manual?
[/

welcome to the forum and thank you for registering.

how can it be proved that it has 60,000 miles on the engine? you really cannot prove that, just have to take their word.
not trying to be rude, are you mechanically inclined? can you check over the engine before actually exchanging?

Thank you and yah you are right, I can’t prove the miles. And I am not a mechanic and haven’t ever done a swap, just filters, chains, belts, plugs, and injectors (the basic stuff) but I’ve been learning about k swaps for a couple months now and I think I could do most of it.
And yah I like what you said about checking the stuff first, I’ll make sure to do those, compression test, chains, etc. Is there any common problems with that engine or parts that I should look out for?

And I plan on going through the steps of the swap to see if and where he skipped anything or did anything wrong.
Thanks again for your reply, I’ll make sure to check those things.

 

[KBuilt]

If the engine checks out sounds like a pretty decent deal if you want to do a little work but I would look it over carefully.

 

[LotusElise]

Sounds perfect so my first question was obviously “what’s wrong with it?” He said that he just can’t afford to finish it.

Did you buy it finally?

 

[brianduke523]

Did you buy it finally?

Someone else beat me to it :/ hope to see them on the forums though.
Had a pretty major financial setback but I'm saving back up, still planning to go EF and K-swap, maybe like an 89' CRX Si.

 

[LotusElise]

Had a pretty major financial setback but I'm saving back up, still planning to go EF and K-swap, maybe like an 89' CRX Si.

Sorry to read this. I hope you can back up your budget fast. I believe if you call it out quite often enough and work hard on that aim the occasion density of good EF-deals will increase. Do you have already detailed plans of which K-series engine you will install?

 

[brianduke523]

Sorry to read this. I hope you can back up your budget fast. I believe if you call it out quite often enough and work hard on that aim the occasion density of good EF-deals will increase. Do you have already detailed plans of which K-series engine you will install?

Amen. And yah, hoping to make 350-450WHP with a K20a2 with an RSX-base 5-speed Transmission all stock except a CC Stage 4 clutch. Then Turbocharged with a journal bearing Turbo like a GT35, GT30, or TO4E. Not sure how big to go, heard the GT35 is the best for the money but also heard it makes 500+ HP easy.
Any thoughts, tips, or advice?

 

[LotusElise]

Any thoughts, tips, or advice?

Sure I have. Would you open an thread for this please?