What route to take now!? J vs K

secretcitizensecretcitizen Wagonist
in General Civic Wagon Discussion
So I abandoned my b20 vtec build. Sold it all. The wagon will say down until next year. I want to go bigger and better than a B-series anyway. I would like to do a k20, k24/k20 OR a J32a (V-6) swap. I want to go this route because I am tired of just doing the b series stuff. I love the idea of having a STOCK motor out perform a mildly built b-series. I want the reliability of the two as well as more than enough power to move me along.
I would like to hear your opinion on what motor to go with:


K20
220.jpg

J32a
221.jpg

Comments

  • superhatchsuperhatch Moderator
    I spent the last 2 years digging into the K world due to my EP3 and I must say I'm amazed by the potential, design, and efficiency of the K series platform. The ability to mix and match intake and exhaust manis, heads and internals makes me think of it as the best iteration of the D and B series engines in terms of mixing and matching components to get the build you want.

    Want a crazy all motor with OEM parts? K24A1 with exhaust rockers replacing the intake, s2000 springs and retainers, and RSX-S cams. With K pro you're looking at 220hp for under 2k (motor, parts, kpro).

    Want crazy torque? K24 bottom, K20 top...or just snag a 06+ TSX motor.

    I don't know much about the J world...but the K world fascinates me, and the possibilities are endless.
  • secretcitizensecretcitizen Wagonist
    I know a j series with all oe parts have hit 300whp and about 300ftlbs
  • superhatchsuperhatch Moderator
    Why not just jam a V8 in there? :lol:

    I like the idea of a stock 2.0L 4 banger making HP/L on par with supercars. :mrgreen:
  • turbo_tegturbo_teg Council Member
    I say find yerself a k20z3 from what ive seen they are far cheaper than RSX & TSX swaps and not much harder to make work. just need to hunt down an Earlier RSX ECU, TB adapter, and speed sensor adapter and u get a 6 speed with lsd, the sought after z3 IM, and u dont need to take the cam gears out and machine them to get the fulll affect of the i-vtec like u do with the TSX motors. k's love boost theres a midori green EK hatch in the tri-cities been running a stock RSX motor for years boosted last time i talked to the shop that built the car it still runs like a champ even after swithcing owners a few times.
  • secretcitizensecretcitizen Wagonist
    oh yeah forgot to mention that a entire j32a swap will only cost $3500.
    K's are still running high after k-pro, mounts, and etc.
  • Dash-N-CarsDash-N-Cars Senior Wagonist
    I always thought about a J swap into the wagon...but then again the K swap would be amazing too. Like I stated a few weeks ago, A good K24 swap with a CRV awd tranny swap with it, would be amazing.
  • FejFej Wagonist
    Either would be cool. But I voted J32 just out of the shear insanity of attempting to put one of those in a wagon.
  • CharbCharb Administrator
    K>J

    J's are too heavy and a pain in the ass for the amount of power you get...

    K FTMFW!!
  • secretcitizensecretcitizen Wagonist
    jon-wa-GO-van wrote:
    I always thought about a J swap into the wagon...but then again the K swap would be amazing too. Like I stated a few weeks ago, A good K24 swap with a CRV awd tranny swap with it, would be amazing.
    IDK, I never really liked Honda's FWD biased system. I love the all wagons but I will probably never own a rt-4wd with intentions of performance. I just found a place in Houston that sells k20a2 SWAPS ranging $2500-$3500 depending on miles. I added all the parts up with a low mile k20 and it comes to about $5500.
    The k20 is very appealing right now simply because it is tried and true, but I'm partially with Fej, that a V6 in the wagon would be just awesome.
    It will not be a hard parker it will be driven!!!
  • secretcitizensecretcitizen Wagonist
    Charb1618 wrote:
    K>J

    J's are too heavy and a pain in the ass for the amount of power you get...

    K FTMFW!!
    they are only 50 more pounds
  • turbo_tegturbo_teg Council Member
    what ECU would u run with a j? J-pro at all? haha
  • secretcitizensecretcitizen Wagonist
    turbo_teg wrote:
    what ECU would u run with a j? J-pro at all? haha
    The best ecu THEY say to use is a '04 CL type S. I think you can use other CL ecu's it just that you will have to send it off to (forgot name of company) to get the immobilizer removed and to make it work with manual tranny. The stock ecu limits it to 6500rpm but there is no need. That is what is great about these motors, you may have a k series making 300whp BUT the J will make 300 at a lower rpm and alot more torque throughout the powerband.
    I think that AEM and hondata has stuff to work with these.
  • CharbCharb Administrator
    secretcitizen wrote:
    Charb1618 wrote:
    K>J

    J's are too heavy and a pain in the ass for the amount of power you get...

    K FTMFW!!
    they are only 50 more pounds

    50 pounds more than the K... which is heavier than your D.... which stands taller (hood clearance)... and continues the unbalancing of your car... which is ok if you intend to drive it in a straight line (boring)

    The J is the modern H... seems cool cuz everyone doesn't have one yet... then everyone will realize what a waste of time...
  • secretcitizensecretcitizen Wagonist
    Charb1618 wrote:
    secretcitizen wrote:
    Charb1618 wrote:
    K>J

    J's are too heavy and a pain in the ass for the amount of power you get...

    K FTMFW!!
    they are only 50 more pounds

    50 pounds more than the K... which is heavier than your D.... which stands taller (hood clearance)... and continues the unbalancing of your car... which is ok if you intend to drive it in a straight line (boring)

    The J is the modern H... seems cool cuz everyone doesn't have one yet... then everyone will realize what a waste of time...

    So....... D > K?
  • CharbCharb Administrator
    secretcitizen wrote:
    So....... D > K?

    That's not the discussion. Again though, it comes back to what you're trying to do. And what you want. If I had bottomless pockets, I'd be building a K24RT. But I don't. So I'm simply installing a Z6 or DOHC ZC for now.

    Never ever in my life would I consider building a B series for all motor. But you did. If you want the wow factor of a V6 by all means do it. It will be cool. It's just my belief that a K is a much better way to go. Especially if you're looking to mod it, like your B20. There just isn't the market (yet) for the J build parts.
  • secretcitizensecretcitizen Wagonist
    I'm just being a smartass lol. You are right though, in almost every way the K-series comes out ahead.
  • superhatchsuperhatch Moderator
    secretcitizen wrote:
    So....... D > K?

    Shhhh. :mrgreen:
Sign In or Register to comment.

© Vanilla Keystone Theme 2025