I want to do an engine and transmission swap on my Honda

"Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD" (300korbust)
12/29/2015 at 11:01 • Filed to: None

First of all, please enjoy this Skyline for your time.

I want to do the entire swap, but the problem is I don’t have a whole lot of experience with working on a car. Also, I’ve never done anything crazy with a car yet, but I want to learn more about working on a car. I’m frightened to buy everything and end up joining the “Never Got it Started” club, or end up doing a bunch of work and joining the “Never Got It Running” club. Still, after reading some of the garage articles on Jalopnik, I like how they are encouraging people just to try working on a car and learn from it. I feel less nervous about doing an engine swap by reading those articles and that I am making excuses for myself not to learn.

For my Honda, I want to swap in either an H22A or an F20B. According to the CB7 Tuner forums, both engines bolt right in. For the transmission, I thought about using a Prelude 5 speed transmission and do an auto to manual swap. CB7 Tuner has an awesome parts list and how to article stickied in their Swaps section. I wanted to follow that forum and YouTube on doing the entire engine and transmission swap.

I thought about doing the work over the summer and seeing if I can just ride my longboard to work since the weather would be nice. Since I have no garage, I was planning on renting a storage unit to do all of the work in. For an engine lift, I thought about just doing something through Harbor Freight and returning it when I’m done. I’d get some tools probably through Sears or something not too expensive but still good quality tools.

The reason why I’d want to do this swap is to prove to myself that I can do it, and to prove my family wrong. My family has been telling me over the years I will never be able to learn how to work on a car since I wasn’t born with the ability with understanding it. Personally, I believe that is a load of crap and that everyone can achieve something if they put their minds to it.

So, OppositeLock, is it crazy for me to do this on my own and try something new in my life? As of right now, I have the money for the exact engine and transmission I want. I really do want to go for it and challenge myself.

DISCUSSION (15)

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD
12/29/2015 at 11:44

you are correct the H/F series would be a drop in swap. If you are considering going that route I would STRONGLY recommend going with the H22B VS the F20B because the H22B would have MUCH larger aftermarket support.

if you are going that far though why not spend the extra few bucks and go for a F20/22C ?

Also pics of the car it would be going in?

Sneaky Pete > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD
12/29/2015 at 11:48

You COULD do it, but I have to ask why? The F22 is the best thing about the 90-93 Accord. The thing will run for.ev.er. Swapping in an H22 won’t make it a whole lot faster. This is coming from a guy that had a 90 Accord LX sedan and later a 92 Prelude Si. If you want a slightly faster fwd car, I’d just get a 93-01 Prelude VTEC. My experience with Honds swaps is that they usually seem to have long-term nagging issues.

Wish I still had either one of those 2 that I owned, granted they were both manual. Honda has lost the mojo they had in those late 80s to mid 90s cars.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > Sneaky Pete
12/29/2015 at 11:51

I was wanting to go VTEC for at least double the power I have now. I mostly just want to prove those, and myself, who say I can’t work on cars completely wrong.

RazoE > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD
12/29/2015 at 11:55

Step 1: Contact Bisimoto

Step 2: write blank check

Step 3: ???

Step 4: PROFIT

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
12/29/2015 at 11:56

Kinja'd!!!

Here you go! Are these okay?

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD
12/29/2015 at 12:06

If you want some help let me know, Im just north of you near littleton. Ive never done an engine swap but I may be of some insight to what you want to do as I tend to be mechanically inclined. Both my parents are very anti-DIY and I have proved to them I know what I’m doing so Ive been where you are

Aaron M - MasoFiST > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD
12/29/2015 at 12:42

The one mistake is turning your driver into a project. I can promise you, no matter how much you plan, what contingencies you have, something will take longer than you think and suddenly you’re stuck without transportation. Hell, this happened to me with my Subaru, and I never went beyond bolt-ons. So yeah, the swap is doable...but step 1 is buy another car, because this one isn’t going to be a DD until it’s finished, and it will take 2-3x as long as you think to finish it.

64C10 > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD
12/29/2015 at 14:26

I say go for it, prove all the haters wrong! Seriously, if you have access to YouTube and a Haynes (or equivalent) manual, and some Harbor Freight tools, you can do it. But, I agree with the other commenters, don’t make your daily into a project. Either buy a cheap second car to drive until you finish it, or buy a 1000$ shell without an engine and engine swap that.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > Aaron M - MasoFiST
12/29/2015 at 18:37

Possibly a beater? Funny how you posted this I suddenly realized I would be without transportation and be stuck. Thank you for pointing that out!

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > 64C10
12/29/2015 at 18:39

You know, I might do a shell. I might even go for a pop up headlight Accord. Thanks for the encouragement!

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
12/29/2015 at 18:40

Could definitely use your help! Thanks! I’m probably going to do this on another shell. Possibly a two door or a pop-up headlight Accord.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD
12/29/2015 at 22:35

I didnt know that the 1984-1989 accord came in a 2 door variety

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
12/30/2015 at 00:22

Kinja'd!!!

I’m guessing it is a pretty rare car.

Hi there > Sneaky Pete
01/18/2016 at 23:52

Closest thing I’ve found to them is the 13+ Accord Sport 6spd. Bought a ‘14 to be the dd after my old beater ‘91 hatchback hit 480k miles and needed some days worth of waiting for parts to arrive and installing them as they came. 19k miles, works well with michelin pilot super sports in spring through fall and blizzaks or some other winter tire in the snow. Does not snow here often and when it does I use my 4x4 truck with chains but Continental dws06 for winter because the michelins warn against cold and especially wet and cold weather. Has been fun, routinely gets 32-34MPG on the interstates with occasional 35-36mpg full tank averages in the midwest from time to time. Usually get 25-30 mpg around town. Stock radio is terrible, can be improved with a dsp and a system of your choice. Swapping in a single or double din is :-/ not like it was on 80's and 90's hondas.

Hi there > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
01/18/2016 at 23:54

Friend of mine had an ‘89 5 speed 4cyl accord coupe around 2007-2009 until a drunk lady tboned him and the car got totaled out. It was pretty sweet for a very inexpensive automobile.