Well, I did it...

[Gearhead Geek]

Well, I was browsing eBay this morning for one reason or another, and I stumbled across noneother than a K20A2 head and an acompanying RSX-S ecu. I sat, and contemplated, but the Buy It Now button just drew me in. Paid a little bit much, $1300 for the head+ecu+shipping insurance, but considering I won't be paying for labor on the install, I figured what the hell. So, everything should be arriving in about a week and a half, and if all goes as planned, I'll get the head tested and installed a week or so after words, possibly with a DIY for anyone considering the swap.

[skooba]

Nice, keep us updated :)

[DavidT]

Sweet mang, bet your excited. Hope all goes well.

[myeverlovinsir]

Congrats!:D

[Gearhead Geek]

myeverlovinsir, clear our your pm box a bit, i tried sendin you a pm before because i have a few questions about the inevitable post-swap work that will need to be done, but your box was full :)

[myeverlovinsir]

Originally posted by Gearhead Geek
myeverlovinsir, clear our your pm box a bit, i tried sendin you a pm before because i have a few questions about the inevitable post-swap work that will need to be done, but your box was full :)

e-mail only, thanks.;)

[Gearhead Geek]

e-mail sent :)

[Gearhead Geek]

reply recieved, thanks myeverlovinsir :)

[pLopSI]

wow... u crazy and lucky SOB. jp. Can't wait to see how ur project goes. G'luck with everything.

[myeverlovinsir]

Any updates? You did mention that the intall would be free, don't know your connections but it's an interesting install. Keep us updated.;)

[Gearhead Geek]

Well, head and ecu were shipped out 2 days ago, should be getting here on Monday. Then I just need to find a shop to Magnaflux it for me, do a 3 angle valve job, and check my clearances (The last one I could do myself, but I figure they'd prolly do it anyway if I have them do a 3 angle job). Then from there, I still need to decide what to do about injectors (Wether to get stock RSX-S ones, get the RC Engineering ones, or attempt to run on the stock EP3 ones for a little while), and I have to order a head gasket, head bolts, and a Hondata heat shield gasket. Then from there, I have the have to decide wether I'm gonna install it myself (that's what I meant when I said I could get it installed myself). I know I can install it, however the only problem is if I'll have a place to install it where I can chill for the night in the event I don't get it done in one day. And that's about all the info I have to give at the moment :)

[myeverlovinsir]

If your doing it yourself you may need a day or two to get it done right. Hondata heatshield is not necessary. Head gasket is. If I interpret what you said correctly, are you not going to get a down flow test done along with a valve seat pressure test? Both are critical but if you do the 3 angle grind you will definitely need a down flow test after. Stock head bolts should be OK, but you are covering all the bases nicely. Did you find an A2 ECU yet?;)

[Gearhead Geek]

Ya, I know I need the head gasket ;)
As for the Hondata heatshield gasket, I just figure if I'm gonna have the intake manifold off, I might as well get one and install it. As for the down flow test and the valve seat pressure test, thanks for reminding me. I would assume they would do that when doing a 3 angle valve job, but I'll check to make sure, and if not, I'll have them do one. And yes, I did find an A2 ECU. I bought it when I bought the head, cause the guy was selling both.
About the injectors, did you try running with the stock ones at all when you did the swap, or did you just install the RC's when you got the head installed? Cause I noticed on the A/F graph you were running kinda rich there, so I was thinking perhaps the stock injectors would keep it a little more in stichio? Just an idea *shrug* (and thinking of how I may be able to save myself $400 :p )

[BSEVEER]

What kind of gains to you expect when you are finished?

[myeverlovinsir]

Originally posted by Gearhead Geek
Ya, I know I need the head gasket ;)
As for the Hondata heatshield gasket, I just figure if I'm gonna have the intake manifold off, I might as well get one and install it. As for the down flow test and the valve seat pressure test, thanks for reminding me. I would assume they would do that when doing a 3 angle valve job, but I'll check to make sure, and if not, I'll have them do one. And yes, I did find an A2 ECU. I bought it when I bought the head, cause the guy was selling both.
About the injectors, did you try running with the stock ones at all when you did the swap, or did you just install the RC's when you got the head installed? Cause I noticed on the A/F graph you were running kinda rich there, so I was thinking perhaps the stock injectors would keep it a little more in stichio? Just an idea *shrug* (and thinking of how I may be able to save myself $400 :p )

Under load you will want 13.5:1 ideally. Stock injectors would be too lean during load IMO, but I did not try them so have at it.
stichio is only desirable at idle.

[Gearhead Geek]

Well, i believe myeverlovinsir got ~20whp out of it (chime in and correct me if I'm wrong). but, in all honesty, i care more about the real vtec, and higher flow capacity, than immidiate whp (although i know i'll get some), because that's gonna come in handy down the road when i build up the block and boost.

[myeverlovinsir]

Yes sir, boostability is what it's geared for and is a faster ride than any modded A3 N/A.;)

I got 20whp out of it before tuning and think I am near 30whp after tuning. Still have to dyno tune.

[BSEVEER]

Gotcha, thanks guys.

[Gearhead Geek]

Originally posted by myeverlovinsir
Under load you will want 13.5:1 ideally. Stock injectors would be too lean during load IMO, but I did not try them so have at it.
stichio is only desirable at idle.

hrm...i was always under the impression that you wanted to try and be close to stich unless under WOT. guess i stand corrected. hrm. well, I've got some time to decide wether or not to use the stockies or upgrade to 310cc. Oh ya did you have to do any modification to install the RC's, or did they just go right in?

[myeverlovinsir]

The RC injectors went in without mods, however getting them to fit into the fuel rail with the new rubber O rings can be a challenge. Use some light oil on the rubber O rings to help ease them in. The RC injectors are also taller than the stockies and come with a fuel rail spacer kit. The spacers (washers) about 3/8" thick sit on the fuel rail studs. Nothing complex, most intricate job is properly soldering the wires. They come with crimp ferrels but I would solder them on after. The RC wires are not color coded and you will have to keep track of the color of the + and - stock wires to match them up to the proper wires on the RC injectors.;)

[chunky]

hehe. did you happen to buy it from a guy in GA? if so, I know him.

[Siman]

hey myeverlovinsir....

do you know if the A3 bottem end is the SAME as the A2?? I am just worried about the type-s's redline....i am going to do that swap this sommer for sure, but want to get Hondata, stock type-s redline with the lower vtec engaugement point....and i am talking about running the headswap with tht type-s ecu.

how confident are you guys that the bottem end will hold up to MANY 8,000 rpm plus runs!!!???:eek:

well, like it would matter anyway...my warranty will be out this month at 36,000 miles heheheh:D

[Gearhead Geek]

Originally posted by chunky
hehe. did you happen to buy it from a guy in GA? if so, I know him.

yup, indeed i did :)

[Siman]

Originally posted by Siman
hey myeverlovinsir....

do you know if the A3 bottem end is the SAME as the A2?? I am just worried about the type-s's redline....i am going to do that swap this sommer for sure, but want to get Hondata, stock type-s redline with the lower vtec engaugement point....and i am talking about running the headswap with tht type-s ecu.

how confident are you guys that the bottem end will hold up to MANY 8,000 rpm plus runs!!!???:eek:

well, like it would matter anyway...my warranty will be out this month at 36,000 miles heheheh:D

anyone?

[Gearhead Geek]

the a3 and a2 bottom end are not the same. i believe they have different pistons, rods, and their crankshaft is better balanced than ours. as far as runs to 8000 go, it shouldn't be a problem. the Hondata flash for the a3 goes to 7800, and as myeverlovinsir has said in other posts, there doesn't seem to be much useable power above that with the a2 head on there. plus (at least for me), when it comes time to get more power (boost), the bottom end can get built up on our motors, which it should be anyway to lower the compression ratio (8.0:1 with 14+ psi anyone? :D ;) ) and decrease chances of breaking a rod (which, most people believe to be the weak link in our motors)

[chunky]

Originally posted by Gearhead Geek
the a3 and a2 bottom end are not the same. i believe they have different pistons, rods, and their crankshaft is better balanced than ours. as far as runs to 8000 go, it shouldn't be a problem. the Hondata flash for the a3 goes to 7800, and as myeverlovinsir has said in other posts, there doesn't seem to be much useable power above that with the a2 head on there. plus (at least for me), when it comes time to get more power (boost), the bottom end can get built up on our motors, which it should be anyway to lower the compression ratio (8.0:1 with 14+ psi anyone? :D ;) ) and decrease chances of breaking a rod (which, most people believe to be the weak link in our motors)

as mentioned rods, pistons, crank.

the oil pumps are different, there are no oil squirters on the a3 block.

[tbone_ep3]

Originally posted by Gearhead Geek
yup, indeed i did :)

Oh yeah he did. Did you get that thing yet?:D

[Gearhead Geek]

Originally posted by tbone_ep3
Oh yeah he did. Did you get that thing yet?:D

Hehe, nah, still waitin on it. Hopefully it'll be here today. Unfortunately USPS has a terrible tracking system so as of right now it's just saying "Accepted at (wherever) GA" from the day you sent it, and then they'll update it gets delievered. Oh well, no rush though :)
And yes, you'll still be getting your super-duper-awesome feedback for the sale :)

[Gearhead Geek]

omg omg omg....it's sitting at the post office! :D
they delivered while i wasn't here, so i just have to go pick it up!
of course, i got home at 5...and they closed at 4 :'(
oh well, i'll have to wake up extra early tomorrow to pick it up before school :D