For Honda S2000 enthusiasts in colder climates, the off-season often means more time tinkering with their beloved cars. If you’re contemplating a significant upgrade for your Honda S2k, consider the increasingly popular K-series engine swap. Building upon previous guides, this updated article highlights key considerations and lessons learned from real-world Honda S2K K swap experiences. This guide focuses specifically on the K24/K20A2 engine family, offering crucial insights for a successful conversion.
Starting with a robust foundation is paramount for any engine swap.
Begin with the Best K24A2 Engine Your Budget Allows
This cannot be stressed enough: the cornerstone of a successful Honda S2K K swap lies in the health of your donor engine. Starting with a compromised engine will inevitably lead to troubleshooting headaches down the line. Personal experiences underscore this point vividly. Chasing cooling issues all season, for instance, can frustratingly trace back to a blown head gasket in a questionable donor engine. Even seemingly successful leak-down and compression tests can mask underlying issues that surface under boost. The hard-earned lesson? Invest in the healthiest K-series engine you can afford from the outset. JDM K24A engines are consistently praised for their quality and reliability, making them an excellent, albeit potentially pricier, option for your Honda S2K K swap project.
Engine Mounts for Your Honda S2K K Swap
When it comes to physically installing the K-series engine into your Honda S2K, engine mounts are a critical component. Two primary brands dominate the market for Honda S2K K swap mounts: Hasport and Innovative Mounts. Hasport mounts are a popular choice, attaching to the sides of the K-series engine and utilizing the stock S2000 mounting points on the chassis. Innovative Mounts offers an alternative approach, leveraging some of the original K-series engine mounting locations, including the front mount. Choosing between these brands often comes down to personal preference and specific build requirements for your Honda S2K K swap.
Adapter Plates: Marrying the K-Series to Your S2000 Transmission
To connect your chosen K-series engine to the Honda S2000 transmission, an adapter plate is essential. Several reputable companies offer adapter plates designed for Honda S2K K swaps. Inline Pro provides versatile options compatible with ZF, CD009, and the stock F20/22 S2000 transmissions. 2NRS is another well-known brand, offering an adapter plate specifically for F-series transmissions, a common choice within the Honda S2K K swap community. Ballade Sports also offers an F-series adapter plate. For those considering alternative transmissions, K-Miata specializes in adapter plates for ZF and Miata transmissions, expanding the possibilities for your Honda S2K K swap project.
Flywheel and Clutch Considerations for Honda S2K K Swap
Following the adapter plate, the flywheel and clutch become crucial elements in the Honda S2K K swap. Most adapter plate manufacturers, excluding 2NRS, offer matching flywheel solutions, often produced by reputable clutch specialists like Competition Clutch, Clutch Masters, or K Miata. For K-to-F flywheel setups, standard S2000 clutches are generally compatible. However, compatibility with BMW (ZF) flywheels may vary, necessitating direct consultation with the respective manufacturers (K-Miata, Inline Pro) to confirm suitable clutch options for your Honda S2K K swap configuration.
Intake Manifold Solutions for Optimal Performance
Choosing the right intake manifold for your Honda S2K K swap involves deciding between utilizing an F-series or K-series manifold. Opting for an F-series manifold necessitates an adapter plate, such as those offered by JSP, 2NRS, and Ballade Sports. This path allows for the use of various F-series manifolds, though F20C manifolds may require EGR modifications. Alternatively, selecting a K-series manifold offers different avenues. K-Miata provides an RWD-specific manifold designed for swaps, while manifolds like the Skunk2 Ultra series, with their multi-piece construction, can be flipped for RWD applications in your Honda S2K K swap.
Exhaust and Turbo Manifold Choices for K-Swapped S2000
The exhaust flange differences between F-series and K-series engines require attention during a Honda S2K K swap. While the difference is slight, direct compatibility isn’t guaranteed. One approach involves modifying your existing F-series exhaust manifold by welding on a K-series flange. Alternatively, several companies offer aftermarket headers specifically designed for K swaps into S2000s, including Inline Pro, 1320 Performance, and Ballade Sports. For forced induction Honda S2K K swaps, turbo manifolds are available from Inline Pro, and K-Miata is developing options that should be S2000 compatible. Currently, ready-made downpipe solutions for turbo setups may be limited, often requiring custom fabrication.
Wiring Harness Solutions for a Seamless Integration
Integrating the K-series engine’s electronics into the Honda S2000 necessitates addressing the wiring harness. Several options exist, ranging from jumper harnesses to full custom harnesses. Jumper harnesses from 2NRS and Ballade Sports offer a simpler plug-and-play solution, though compatibility may depend on the donor engine harness type (Type S). Rywire provides Motorsports-grade harnesses that maintain the integrity of the original S2000 chassis harness, offering a more comprehensive and potentially higher-quality wiring solution for your Honda S2K K swap.
Cooling Adapters: Ensuring Optimal Engine Temperature
Cooling system adaptations are crucial in a Honda S2K K swap. Differences in coolant necks between K24 and K20 heads require specific adapters. Furthermore, an adapter to clock the thermostat neck for RWD orientation is necessary. Tractuff, K-Miata, and K-Tuned are reputable brands offering cooling adapters designed for K swaps, ensuring proper coolant routing and temperature regulation in your Honda S2K.
This guide covers the fundamental components for a Honda S2K K swap. For further assistance and deeper insights, numerous resources are available. Reach out to experienced individuals via social media platforms like Instagram, explore detailed video series documenting K swaps, or join dedicated online communities such as the “K swap S2000” Facebook group. These communities provide valuable platforms for Q&A, shared experiences, and collaborative problem-solving throughout your Honda S2K K swap journey.
