Question for everyone with an engine swap

[Psykoasn]

I might have to buy a new engine, because mine is making a knocking noise and another noise that’s hard to describe, I have about 91,300 miles on the engine, my mechanic said the noise is coming from around the timing chain, he suggested I just replace the engine since it would most likely be cheaper than taking the engine apart and trying to find the problem, my question is did you have to also replace the ECU with the engine swap or can i use the stock ECU? I want to see my options, if I’m better off getting another K20A3 or going with a better engine

Thanks

[jed_averill]

I think you should look for a good deal on a new and better engine. One of the ephatchers found a k24 in a junk yard that still starts and works, and got it for $1k. As for the ECU, you might have to change that considering if you are going to get an engine other than the a3.

[56chevydan]

If you replace the K20a3 with another K20a3 engine you do not have to do anything with the computer. If you go to a stock K24a1 or K24a4 engine you need to just run the 310cc injectors from a K20a2, so the engine does not run lean. No change to the computer here either. If you switch to a K20a2, K20z1, K20z3, K24a2 or add cams or race header etc. to the stock K24a1/ K24a4 engine you will need to run Hondata K-Pro.