My sw20 build thread
Moderator: Moderators
Forum rules
This section of the forum is a great resource if you're looking for ideas, and it's a cool way of obtaining technical information that may otherwise not have been posted. (Members can use the Search functionality at top right of the forum to speed up finding things) Please respect others' contributions and don't diss anyone - keep comments helpful, factual, positive and polite. One thread per vehicle or owner please - don't start lots of threads about just one car. And if you need assistance with your car and want to host a spanner day, please use the appropriate section of the forum: http://mr2.org.nz/phpbb3/viewforum.php?f=35 Thank you.
This section of the forum is a great resource if you're looking for ideas, and it's a cool way of obtaining technical information that may otherwise not have been posted. (Members can use the Search functionality at top right of the forum to speed up finding things) Please respect others' contributions and don't diss anyone - keep comments helpful, factual, positive and polite. One thread per vehicle or owner please - don't start lots of threads about just one car. And if you need assistance with your car and want to host a spanner day, please use the appropriate section of the forum: http://mr2.org.nz/phpbb3/viewforum.php?f=35 Thank you.
-
- Club Member - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2019 7:01 pm
- Stomping Ground: Auckland
- Prime Mover: SW20
- First name: Stephen
My sw20 build thread
G'day all, new around these parts ( not new to cars or modifying them )
Anyway onto the car at hand, been thinking about doing this build since i saw a certain 1320 video 5 years ago and was like *Sheeeeeiiiit* thats cool.
Having had a project car at that time which i recently sold and somehow made some money on i had some spare change and decided why not give the swap a go.
So the search was on for a Hardtop sw20 shell ( don't like the t-top, just personal taste) didn't mind the condition as long as the frame rail was straight, rust wasn't much of a concern as i am going to respray and re weld up any rust in that process anyway.
After a few weeks of searching i found me a 1993 factory manual black hardtop
Car had a stuffed alternator ( i figured out why.... Change your VALVE COVER GASKET PEOPLE)
Anyway decided to get to work straight away and remove the seats, center console to give them a clean and most likely replace
Also got started on dropping the motor , deicded to pull the rear control arms as well and give them a thorough cleaning and will buy the poly bush kit to make sure everything is all dandy in the back
The cheeky before and after photo, this was after 5 minutes, crazy how dirty these things can get, after i finish cleaning them all will get them powder coated black
And that brings us up to the current progress, managed to remove the old 3sge and s54 gearbox this afternoon ( i've done a few engine removals in my day but none like this, was a definite learning experience )
Also went and purchased the replacement heart for the old girl
Anyway onto the car at hand, been thinking about doing this build since i saw a certain 1320 video 5 years ago and was like *Sheeeeeiiiit* thats cool.
Having had a project car at that time which i recently sold and somehow made some money on i had some spare change and decided why not give the swap a go.
So the search was on for a Hardtop sw20 shell ( don't like the t-top, just personal taste) didn't mind the condition as long as the frame rail was straight, rust wasn't much of a concern as i am going to respray and re weld up any rust in that process anyway.
After a few weeks of searching i found me a 1993 factory manual black hardtop
Car had a stuffed alternator ( i figured out why.... Change your VALVE COVER GASKET PEOPLE)
Anyway decided to get to work straight away and remove the seats, center console to give them a clean and most likely replace
Also got started on dropping the motor , deicded to pull the rear control arms as well and give them a thorough cleaning and will buy the poly bush kit to make sure everything is all dandy in the back
The cheeky before and after photo, this was after 5 minutes, crazy how dirty these things can get, after i finish cleaning them all will get them powder coated black
And that brings us up to the current progress, managed to remove the old 3sge and s54 gearbox this afternoon ( i've done a few engine removals in my day but none like this, was a definite learning experience )
Also went and purchased the replacement heart for the old girl
- 4CylinderSpecial
- Club Member - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 527
- Joined: Wed Sep 16, 2015 8:30 pm
- Stomping Ground: Auckland
- Prime Mover: SW20
- First name: Levi
Re: My sw20 build thread
Looks like a fun project! Not many Honda swaps in NZ so this will be quite unique. Are you going to go turbo or get it running in NA form first?
- Benckj
- Forum Moderator - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 7149
- Joined: Thu Nov 24, 2005 12:44 pm
- Stomping Ground: Otago
- Prime Mover: More than one MR2
- First name: Jim
Re: My sw20 build thread
Looks like you have some work cut out for you. Should be an interesting build.
What trans are you mating the VTEC to?
What trans are you mating the VTEC to?
Jim Benck
90 rev 1 parts car
98 rev 5 GT- all the mods
90 rev 1 parts car
98 rev 5 GT- all the mods
-
- Club Member - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2019 7:01 pm
- Stomping Ground: Auckland
- Prime Mover: SW20
- First name: Stephen
Re: My sw20 build thread
As far as I'm aware in NZ they're aren't any sw20 k swaps. At this stage I'll be building the k24 with rods and pistons and a 6262 turbo, most likely a high compression (around 10:1) and running her on e85 only4CylinderSpecial wrote:Looks like a fun project! Not many Honda swaps in NZ so this will be quite unique. Are you going to go turbo or get it running in NA form first?
-
- Club Member - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2019 7:01 pm
- Stomping Ground: Auckland
- Prime Mover: SW20
- First name: Stephen
Re: My sw20 build thread
It seems straight forward enough but as with all car projects, nothing is as it seems. At this stage i am undecided with either building a k series gear ( carbon synco's etc ) and getting DSS axles. Or doing a e153 swap. Both should work for the power that i'll be putting through them just wanting to see which is the most cost effective and reliable.Benckj wrote:Looks like you have some work cut out for you. Should be an interesting build.
What trans are you mating the VTEC to?
Ps sorry for double posting, still getting the hang of this forum stuff
- Benckj
- Forum Moderator - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 7149
- Joined: Thu Nov 24, 2005 12:44 pm
- Stomping Ground: Otago
- Prime Mover: More than one MR2
- First name: Jim
Re: My sw20 build thread
The E153 would be the most straight forward given it is used in the turbo versions of the MR2. It is getting hard to find decent ones though and new parts are limited. Would guess its the more expensive option.
Jim Benck
90 rev 1 parts car
98 rev 5 GT- all the mods
90 rev 1 parts car
98 rev 5 GT- all the mods
- GDII
- Forum Moderator - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 5739
- Joined: Sun Jul 10, 2011 5:13 pm
- Stomping Ground: Wellington
- Prime Mover: SW20
- First name: Phill
Re: My sw20 build thread
Plenty of places make Honda gearbox to Toyota Hub axles so the E153 isn't a must for this swap.
1990 SW20 MR2 G-Limited (GEN4 3SGTE Installed)
2000 AE111R Corolla Wagon NZ New Daily
1996 AE101R Corolla Sprint NZ New Selling Soon
1990 EP81 Starlet XL (Sold)
1990 EE90 Corolla XL (Sold)
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sw20glimited/
2000 AE111R Corolla Wagon NZ New Daily
1996 AE101R Corolla Sprint NZ New Selling Soon
1990 EP81 Starlet XL (Sold)
1990 EE90 Corolla XL (Sold)
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sw20glimited/
-
- Club Member - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2019 7:01 pm
- Stomping Ground: Auckland
- Prime Mover: SW20
- First name: Stephen
Re: My sw20 build thread
Yeah, thats why im leaning towards it, and also it has been proven to handle a large amount of power. I'm not too adverse about sourcing one overseas , i know i'll need shifter cables, axles and hubs along with the gearbox itself.Benckj wrote:The E153 would be the most straight forward given it is used in the turbo versions of the MR2. It is getting hard to find decent ones though and new parts are limited. Would guess its the more expensive option.
That is true, the k series box is "decently" strong on dc5's and cl7's etc. But from what hux racing has told me they tend to shred even at stock power levels given the extra traction the Mid engine chassis has. If i went down this path it would need to be built to handle quite a bit of abuse, and that includes the axles.GDII wrote:Plenty of places make Honda gearbox to Toyota Hub axles so the E153 isn't a must for this swap.
- GDII
- Forum Moderator - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 5739
- Joined: Sun Jul 10, 2011 5:13 pm
- Stomping Ground: Wellington
- Prime Mover: SW20
- First name: Phill
Re: My sw20 build thread
I don't know much about Honda but from that and your power goals the E153 does sound better. You can look at importing from Japan. Quite a lot run TRD LSDs already but you'd still need axles and the rest you listed. Also it is possible to use Camry hubs however they have been known to break so best get genuine SW20 ones.Im6bl wrote:Yeah, thats why im leaning towards it, and also it has been proven to handle a large amount of power. I'm not too adverse about sourcing one overseas , i know i'll need shifter cables, axles and hubs along with the gearbox itself.Benckj wrote:The E153 would be the most straight forward given it is used in the turbo versions of the MR2. It is getting hard to find decent ones though and new parts are limited. Would guess its the more expensive option.
That is true, the k series box is "decently" strong on dc5's and cl7's etc. But from what hux racing has told me they tend to shred even at stock power levels given the extra traction the Mid engine chassis has. If i went down this path it would need to be built to handle quite a bit of abuse, and that includes the axles.GDII wrote:Plenty of places make Honda gearbox to Toyota Hub axles so the E153 isn't a must for this swap.
1990 SW20 MR2 G-Limited (GEN4 3SGTE Installed)
2000 AE111R Corolla Wagon NZ New Daily
1996 AE101R Corolla Sprint NZ New Selling Soon
1990 EP81 Starlet XL (Sold)
1990 EE90 Corolla XL (Sold)
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sw20glimited/
2000 AE111R Corolla Wagon NZ New Daily
1996 AE101R Corolla Sprint NZ New Selling Soon
1990 EP81 Starlet XL (Sold)
1990 EE90 Corolla XL (Sold)
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sw20glimited/
-
- Site Admin - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 1182
- Joined: Thu Apr 03, 2014 1:17 am
- Stomping Ground: Auckland
- Prime Mover: More than one MR2
- First name: Michael
- Contact:
Re: My sw20 build thread
Source? I've only heard of aftermarket breaking
-
- Club Member - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2019 7:01 pm
- Stomping Ground: Auckland
- Prime Mover: SW20
- First name: Stephen
Re: My sw20 build thread
Might do some more research, also i guess on the cards would be getting a e154f if i can get it for cheap and converting it to the "rwd" spec with an aftermarket lsd as the gt4 box seems to go quite cheap. Regardless gearbox choice at the moment isn't up there, fixing rust/painting car and starting the K series build is the priorities right now. Im sure the gearbox situation will get resolved ( i'm sure i'll find a deal on something which will sway me one way or another knowing me )GDII wrote:I don't know much about Honda but from that and your power goals the E153 does sound better. You can look at importing from Japan. Quite a lot run TRD LSDs already but you'd still need axles and the rest you listed. Also it is possible to use Camry hubs however they have been known to break so best get genuine SW20 ones.Im6bl wrote:Yeah, thats why im leaning towards it, and also it has been proven to handle a large amount of power. I'm not too adverse about sourcing one overseas , i know i'll need shifter cables, axles and hubs along with the gearbox itself.Benckj wrote:The E153 would be the most straight forward given it is used in the turbo versions of the MR2. It is getting hard to find decent ones though and new parts are limited. Would guess its the more expensive option.
That is true, the k series box is "decently" strong on dc5's and cl7's etc. But from what hux racing has told me they tend to shred even at stock power levels given the extra traction the Mid engine chassis has. If i went down this path it would need to be built to handle quite a bit of abuse, and that includes the axles.GDII wrote:Plenty of places make Honda gearbox to Toyota Hub axles so the E153 isn't a must for this swap.
-
- Club Member - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2019 7:01 pm
- Stomping Ground: Auckland
- Prime Mover: SW20
- First name: Stephen
Re: My sw20 build thread
So end of the week update, got quite a bit done i feel in the limited time i've had to muck around with the old girl. Listed some of the parts on trademe that i know for a fact i dont need, got a turbo engine cover for the extra jdm points.
Also picked up and started tearing into the K24. The motor is out of a CL9 that was crashed i believe the official number is a K24A3 ( 200hp 3 lobe cam etc) Its an 06 model too which has the longer duration and higher lift intake cam from my understanding which is a bonus to me due to the fact im not touching the head at all on this build ( atleast at this stage)
Anyway got her down to bare block with sump on, still decent cross hatching on the bores so thats promisng will hopefully bust out the dial bore gauge this week and see how out of round she is and if i can get away with the old hone and go with a set of wiseco pistons.
I also managed to snag a deal on a 1991 E153 so i guess what gearbox im going with has been decided at this stage, came with both stub shafts and an axle so not much to get the whole drivetrain looking spic and span.
From looking through the whole i can see it doesn't have a bar across it and being 1991 it is most likely open diff? But from my reading if it has a pencil sized whole ( which this seems to be ) it could be an aftermarket LSD like a TRD or Kaaz for example?
Lemme know what you think people, next weeks tasks include dropping the steering rank, front control arms and hubs and painting all of the control arms, rack and the hubs at this stage.
Also picked up and started tearing into the K24. The motor is out of a CL9 that was crashed i believe the official number is a K24A3 ( 200hp 3 lobe cam etc) Its an 06 model too which has the longer duration and higher lift intake cam from my understanding which is a bonus to me due to the fact im not touching the head at all on this build ( atleast at this stage)
Anyway got her down to bare block with sump on, still decent cross hatching on the bores so thats promisng will hopefully bust out the dial bore gauge this week and see how out of round she is and if i can get away with the old hone and go with a set of wiseco pistons.
I also managed to snag a deal on a 1991 E153 so i guess what gearbox im going with has been decided at this stage, came with both stub shafts and an axle so not much to get the whole drivetrain looking spic and span.
From looking through the whole i can see it doesn't have a bar across it and being 1991 it is most likely open diff? But from my reading if it has a pencil sized whole ( which this seems to be ) it could be an aftermarket LSD like a TRD or Kaaz for example?
Lemme know what you think people, next weeks tasks include dropping the steering rank, front control arms and hubs and painting all of the control arms, rack and the hubs at this stage.
-
- Club Member - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2019 7:01 pm
- Stomping Ground: Auckland
- Prime Mover: SW20
- First name: Stephen
Re: My sw20 build thread
Manged to paint most of the rear control arms and subframe this afternoon so that was a success.
Also managed to strip the front down, removed everything again to get painted etc.
Got pistons and crank, sump girdle etc off the k24 will be borrowing a nice Mic and dial bore gauge set from a friend and will see if i need to bore or if a cheeky hone and go will be sweet
after than will most likely order pistons.
Still on a look out for a 1990-1993 spoiler with the side pieces. Also anyone wrecking a MR2 in nz or hamilton willing to cut out a section of the c pillar from the the passenger side so i can go about fixing that
Also managed to strip the front down, removed everything again to get painted etc.
Got pistons and crank, sump girdle etc off the k24 will be borrowing a nice Mic and dial bore gauge set from a friend and will see if i need to bore or if a cheeky hone and go will be sweet
after than will most likely order pistons.
Still on a look out for a 1990-1993 spoiler with the side pieces. Also anyone wrecking a MR2 in nz or hamilton willing to cut out a section of the c pillar from the the passenger side so i can go about fixing that
-
- Site Admin - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 1182
- Joined: Thu Apr 03, 2014 1:17 am
- Stomping Ground: Auckland
- Prime Mover: More than one MR2
- First name: Michael
- Contact:
Re: My sw20 build thread
Looks like you got the mounting brackets on your gearbox, the turbo and NA ones are different. I'm keen to see your build progress, good luck!
-
- Club Member - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2019 7:01 pm
- Stomping Ground: Auckland
- Prime Mover: SW20
- First name: Stephen
Re: My sw20 build thread
Yeah I did realise that, the mounts themselves have a different part number from my understanding but the S54 ones work with the e153? Also any idea if that's an open or aftermarket lsd in there from the pictures?mknz wrote:Looks like you got the mounting brackets on your gearbox, the turbo and NA ones are different. I'm keen to see your build progress, good luck!