Finally finished Honda install!

[jody391]

Its been awhile since being on here! and I haven't seen a lot of you in blooming ages1

Back in March last year I decided to bite the bullet and go head first into an engine swap in my S1, Covid helped this somewhat by stopping my boys football/rugby training and matches giving me week day nights and weekends.

First I needed to source an engine, after Alan and Alex having there cars to ponder over I was initially looking at a K20A2 EP3 engine, but finding one under 100k was near on impossible unless it was re built and costing a small fortune!

So I decided to look at the slightly newer FN2 K20 Z4 engine, having read up the differences in the engines some were none issues and some where going to cause some headaches!

I finally found what looked like a good engine at a breakers who specialised in engines, having spoken to them the purchase was completed along with gearbox and drive shafts on a quite low mileage of 70k, this was also the mileage of my car1 so it seemed fitting.

Jumping some months and some headaches and the engine was fitted and 150 ish miles were put on the car checking the fit/mounts and the general install.

Dan @ HPE sorted me a slot for mapping which was the final piece of the puzzle so a date was set and arranged.

The day of the mapping was somewhat of a roller coaster as 20 mins into the mapping session a huge plum of smoke appeared and que me shouting Dan to kill the engine as we also now had fire!! my heart sank but the fire quickly stopped as Dan switched the ignition off!

An oil pressure gauge sender extension line had got to hot and a small pinhole was firing oil onto the hot manifold!!!

Luckily Dan had some blank plugs and I after a few hours had the blank plug in so we could still finish the mapping the same day.

Final figures: 218bhp and 159lbft of torque! que my rather large smile at the time seeing all the hard work and head aches come together!

All I an say is as others have said before WOW the engine is what the car should of had in the first place! boy do they f@&king go! and the noise is immense! I can not recommend the swap enough!

Some during and after images, hoping to get out to some meets soon!

 

[kieranexige]

Immense mate 

[martenr1975]

Wow! I can only imagine how much effort and work has gone in to the conversion but I'm sure it's totally worthwhile. Hope to see & hear it on a run in the not too distant.

[@ndy]

You know how I feel about ditching the K-series but well done Jody mate, I bet that's a corker, they'll be no keeping up with you on track now.... 🤪

[KurtB]

This is great news! Well done Jode! 

[jody391]

8 hours ago, @ndy said:

You know how I feel about ditching the K-series but well done Jody mate, I bet that's a corker, they'll be no keeping up with you on track now.... 🤪

I know I know but pound for pound it’s more than upgrading the rover K would of achieved!

and it sounds mega!!

[scatty]

Roll on the Milf evenings... looks amazing mate...

[stockhome]

Jody that looks amazing very tidy, can’t wait the see it. Kudos to you mate 

[Elisemadray]

Bloody brilliant, tats one hell of a job

Well Done Jody 

[@ndy]

15 hours ago, jody391 said:

I know I know but pound for pound it’s more than upgrading the rover K would of achieved!

and it sounds mega!!

I know it makes sense, I'm just jealous I never did it to mine, I think I need a project 😏

[dobbo]

Well done Jody, looks great.

[jody391]

Thanks guys it was a lot of fun and some hair pulling at times but really happy with the result and she for sure goes!

[M@r]{]

Great job Jody, look forward to seeing it!

[chrisdb]

Well done, that looks like a great job! 
 

I am considering doing the same next winter, which mounts/driveshafts/shifter etc did you use? 

[jody391]

8 hours ago, chrisdb said:

Well done, that looks like a great job! 
 

I am considering doing the same next winter, which mounts/driveshafts/shifter etc did you use? 

Martin edwards drive shafts, Harry’s gear shifter and I made my own engine mounts.

I tried to make it look as OEM as possible.