I thought you all would be interested in this little project we put together last week. Basically a super budget OEM K series engine build done from mostly spare parts floating around the shop.

Here are the specs:

K24A2 block and crank from ‘04 TSX (free spare block)
‘09 TSX used pistons and rods (free from Acura parts buddy from junked motor)
K20A2 head from RSX (picked up from a buddy for $400)
Skunk2 Ultra 2 cams (we will eventually have these on our website for sale)
Supertech springs
ACL bearings
New rings, seals, etc.

Then we combined it with our road race header and Golden Eagle manifold, with 3” exhaust as usual.

8200 RPM, mated to a 6 speed and 4.10 Torsen.

Here are some pictures.

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/60660916@N06/18467611792" title="Untitled by magicDC2, on Flickr"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/430/18467611792_104b90ef86_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/60660916@N06/18268033988" title="Untitled by magicDC2, on Flickr"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/261/18268033988_1ae720aaa0_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/60660916@N06/18268140630" title="Untitled by magicDC2, on Flickr"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/419/18268140630_94a37dedee_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/60660916@N06/18473699311" title="Untitled by magicDC2, on Flickr"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/379/18473699311_cee7e5586c_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a>

And more importantly, dyno graph, tuned by Mikey at Profunction in Schaumburg, IL. 248whp, 189wtq

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/60660916@N06/18455848665" title="Untitled by magicDC2, on Flickr"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8862/18455848665_c7b72b9980_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a>

The day after the tune we took it to two race tracks in three days and beat on it and had a rowdy good time. Matt Farah from The Smoking Tire even drove it at Gingerman and is doing a review.

Cheap, fast, reliable. What’s not to love?

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/60660916@N06/18268144440" title="Untitled by magicDC2, on Flickr"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8839/18268144440_e0626e872c_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Untitled"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/60660916@N06/18455853675" title="Untitled by magicDC2, on Flickr"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8878/18455853675_f502a3e11b_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Untitled"></a>

 

<p>Pics not working</p>

 

hmmm... anyone else having this problem? They show up for me, I used the new uploader.

 

Very much broken for me.

 

Probably the vendor pics issue that Sav keeps mentioning.

 

The attached works for me... You guys are missing out!

 

I was looking forward to pictures. :(

Part of me almost wishes someone would crash into my RSX Type-S so I have an excuse to K-swap.

 

I'm seeing everything and loving it. I want this.
Take this car to the strip and post the time slip.

 

Pics work for me

 

So since this is being labeled as a "budget build" what does the actual budget look like?

Need to take into account the normal cost of a junkyard motor as well because not everyone has access to a free K series...

Also not sure what the "OEM" part is for when there are aftermarket parts like cams, bearings, and valvetrain stuff in the motor? I guess I am just confused on that one.

 

+1. OP, you can't say "super budget build" around here and not throw dollar signs at us.

In for win. The K swap is not my cup of tea but I love reading about these things.

 

Is this the motor you had me randomly pick up for you one day after work from the junkyard?

 

Pictures should be working now, yes?

By super budget build, I mean about the cheapest engine build you're gonna pull off with most engine platforms.

It's an OEM plus cams build, super common in the K world. In other words:

OEM:
block/sleeves
pistons
crank
head
valves
gasket
oil pump, etc

Valve springs are in there for safety, and ACL bearings are used because they are half the cost of the OEM bearings.

If you didn't have spare parts, you're looking at:
$400 used head
$250 used block
$190 for new '09 pistons (or re-use the old 10.5:1 pistons)
$140 for bearings
If you're a baller, $1000 for cams and valvetrain

So this is around a $2000 engine that has OEM reliability and makes awesome power, and is not too much more expensive than a junkyard k24a2.

 

I was listening to TheSmokingTire's podcast on my way to work this morning and Farah mentioned driving your car. Definitely seemed like they liked it.

 

Yeah he had a lot of fun in it, and he wasn't pushing it very hard at all.

This engine is really perfect for a Miata, and now that the suspension and alignment are sorted out, it should just keep getting faster and faster.

 

It was really awesome seeing this thing in action at Gridlife, the K really does seem perfect for the miata.

I got a good number of pictures of you out on the track. I would have been out there myself but my heater core outlet o-ring started leaking horribly and I couldn't get a replacement in time to bring the car out. Bye-bye $300

 

that's disappointing, sorry to hear.

I'd love to see some of the pics - if you get bored feel free to email a couple over.

 

Someday my car will have a new heart with Honda power.