To whom it may concern...judging by the fact of what this conversation of the swap has turned into (an argument about variable valvetrain systems). This is just a reply and update from the "builder" himself. I got on here and read all the different comments and questions about this swap. So I figured that maybe I could answere some of this questions as best as I could and just give you an update on what I've been working on.
Lemmie start off by first saying that Diegoaccord is not the builder of this project, I am. They call me Del, hence the username VtecDelNY...I'm originally from New York, where I took some engineering classes for a year- than decided to go to Wyoming and attend Wyotech. An automotive engineering technology institute. There I studied basic automotive, which included everything from engines,electrical system,drivetrain to chassis and suspensoins. From there I continued on to take their High performemance engines class and Chassis fabrication. All this along with a management degree course that was offered. Upon graduating I began working for BMW and been there since. That has been my day job, but I've always messed around with Honda's-I have only owned Honda's and yes my first car was a 3rd gen lude (which I still got). I've done plenty of Honda build ups, even quit BMW for 6 months to modify honda's...but work wasn't as steady. So I went back to BMW and just work on Honda's on my spare time.
For the people that said "it can't be done," "it's just sitting there for a picture," or those that asked "why?"......don't doubt me! I've got the brains,the knowledge,the know how,the experience and the resources to do a custom swap such as this.
I've had my 3rd gen since '98, and just like everyone here, I think it's the best year/chassis lude that was made, and see so much potental and beauty in them if done right. Always wished that more could be done to them..engine wise..
My originall intentions were to swap the H22 in it, than I got urge to do the whole Vtec head on our b20 block (ludespeed project...anyone remember??) Then I came across the K20, nice/new engine-something different, so I decided to mock it up.
This is where some of your questions can be answered. First of all no, it was never completed. and here are some reasons why...
lemmie start with some of the pros on doing this swap. The engine is far superior than the B series and H series. It's new technology, forget the question "is it lighter than the H22?" the K20 is lighter than a b20 by 20%. It response to mods like no other honda engine, bigger gains in hp from same mods comopared to other series. better valvtrain set up and much, much more. this could be a whole nother subject. As far as the mounting location goes, the chassis mounts were almost dead on the motor/tranny mounts. the locations are not far off at all, along with that-the shifter cables sat exactly where they needed to be attached to on the tranny. also, plenty of room for turbo and water/air IC if you wanted boost. with no signs of a front mount, no one would ever know what just smoked them.
and now,
the reasons why this swap wasn't completed. the K is a little bit taller than the b and H. The hood was hitting the vacume nipple for the brake booster, even if that was removed and relocted you still got ground clearance issues to deal with. whether the engine was straight up or tilted back the oil pan sat real low.not a good thing. I was able to locate a dry sump set up from a co. in england -cuz no1 produced any here at the time- but then i noticed that the tranny would still sit just as low to the ground. the hubs were not perfectly aligned either, the differential area of the tranny would not come back far enough to line up with the hubs. I spoke to the people at raxles, who were gonna make the axles, and they gave me specs on that situation which were still with in a workable/doable range. but as far back as I had to get it, some of the subframe (where the rear mount is) had to get trimmed. no big deal, until the area of the subframe that houses the steering box had to get cut out, just to try to get the tranny back. that was another thing i didn't like, the tranny was bassically hitting the steering box. these are some of the things that have to be worked around when doing this swap. all this and at the same time the engine was sold to a cust, which is the one that went into the crx with the rsx dash and boosted on 9lbs...sick car!!by the way. the wirring would have been the easy part.
my intensions were to install the k20, make mounts and jumper harnnesses for the 3rd gen community out there. best of both worlds, awsome car with new tech engine. I was curious if people would go for something like that??
But i've gone back to the Vtec head project, which i have already started, and i know that this might be easier than the K20 swap...since the original block is being utilized. I was wondering if 3rd gen owners would be interested in doing such a swap. If I were to pick up where Tom of Ludespeed left off, would this be something you guys out there would be willing to do?? Lemmie know, give me some feedback. Just for your information, I have already started this project for my personal vehicle (test car) I've already got the gasket made and figured out the rest, so it'll be done atleast on my lude, but what I'm trying to get at is that this could give us another option. just like Tom had originally intended. I've tried to contact Tom, but had no luck, so I decided to take this project into my own hands.
What do the 3rd gen Prelude owners think???