Accord Type-R - K-Swap & Supercharger Project

[TrackNutz]

Been an avid reader on here for years but I thought I'd start a new profile and a project thread, just in case it interested anyone on these cars.

The fantastic full strip thread on another Accord on here is great to see that they're still loved.

I bought this as a daily about 10 years ago, put about 60k miles on it and it even got me to the south of France and back a few times. Never missed a beat and I couldn't ever bring myself to part with it.

So one track session in 2013 and I was hooked on it's ability, surprised me that it had such great balance and corner speed considering it's a four door family saloon.

A few photos:-

[TrackNutz]

A quick spec list as the car stands at the moment:-


Engine

Spooner restorations cam cover
Magencor KV85 Leads
BYC Baffled Sump Plate
Non-A/C Drive Belt & A/C Compressor Delete
VTEC Direct 4-2-1 Manifold
Solid Fabs Decat Pipe
Infinity Exhausts Custom Decat
XTD 4.5kg Flywheel
XTD Stage 3 Clutch Kit (6 Puk)
H23 Manual Tensioner Conversion
Balance Belt Delete
VTEC Direct Camshaft End Oil Seal
AEM Short Ram Intake
VTEC Direct Solid Front Engine Mount
New OEM Oxygen Sensors
New OEM Radiator
Cylinder Head Polish/Refresh

Gearbox

Mfactory 4.64 Final Drive
Synchrotech Carbon Synchro Kit
Synchrotech Rebuild Kit
OEM Gear Ratios
OEM LSD

Body

Full Plastics4Performance Perspex Kit
Custom Modified Headlight For Engine CAI
Aerial Delete
Door Skins Removed
Window Regulators Deleted
Fibreworx Canards
Fibreworx Front Splitter (still to fit)
Fibreworx Rear Spoiler with Inbuilt Gurney (still to fit)


Interior

JJC Seat Mounts
Cobra Sebring Pro Fit
Cobra Imola Pro
OMP 90mm Dish Wheel
Takata 4 Point Harnesses
Digital Race Electronics Shift Light Unit


Brakes

MTEC C-Hook C43 AMG Front Discs
Ferodo DS2500 Front Pads
Wilwood Superlite 4 Pot Calipers
80mm Brake Ducting
HEL Braided Hoses
OEM Rear Calipers
Mintex Rear Discs and Pads
Toyracer Brake Stopper

Chassis

New Honda Wheel Bearings
New Honda Front Lower Ball Joints
Hardrace Front Camber Wishbones
Hardrace Rear Camber Arms
Hardrace Rear Toe Arms x4
All New OEM Honda Bolts/Nuts
17" Rota Blitz painted in Porsche GT White Gold - 2 Sets
Nankang NS2R 120 Compound
Blox Wheel Nuts
MeisterR Zeta-S Coilovers
Custom PAS Cooler (from Porsche Cayenne)

[TrackNutz]

In the summer this year I gave the head a polish and refresh, new stem seals and full gasket set etc.



Added a Stage 3 clutch kit and lightened flywheel.



Thren came the shorter final drive, carbon synchros, AEM intake and front camber arms.



And a quick shot of the seats fitted.

[TrackNutz]

Loads of weight saved from cutting all door skins out and adding a full perspex kit from Plastics4Performance.





New rear spoiler with in built gurney ready for paint. Toying with the idea of when I strip the dash out to remove the heater box, to refit with a flocked 997 dash, but not fully decided on that yet.



Rota Blitz wheels in Porsche White Gold and Wilwood 4 pots. Initially fitted with grooved discs but now using C-Hook.



Standard PAS cooler was not sufficent enough, my sessions ended with my fluid boiling over. So fitted a Cayenne item.



Rear suspension will be overhauled over the winter with Hardrace items and genuine Honda fixings.





And about 3 hours armed with a Dremel and I had a decent inlet for the AEM intake.

[TrackNutz]

So I decided I wanted to step it up and try competing in it, I have been using a CRX cup car for years but I fancy a change. I thought since I'd piled so much into this it would be silly not to give it a go in a Castle Combe GT's or a few rounds in the VTEC Challenge.

After pricing up a N/A H22 build for approx 260-280bhp, allthough I'd end up with a strong engine I felt I needed slightly more to be competitive, considering I'm at a weight disadavtnage against a CRX or Civic for example.

So I decided to go down the K-Swap and Supercharger route. I should safely push 400bhp which will be more than enough.

So in came the donor car.



DC5 shifter unit.



Hondata V-Pro v4 ECU.



K-Swap Manifold.



And awaiting a few supporting bits and pieces.



I've gone for the TTS Supersport Kit, which comprises the following, delivery due mid-January.

ROTREX C30-94 SUPERCHARGER ROTREX OIL KIT
1 LTR OF ROTREX OIL
SUPERCHARGER OIL COOLER
OIL COOLER MOUNTING BRACKETS
3 PIECE BILLET CNC BRACKET SET
7 RIB DRIVE BELT
CUSTOM COLD AIR INTAKE PIPE AND FILTER
ALL ALUMINIUM BOOST PIPES
ALL SILICON HOSES AND CLIPS
Deatsch Werks DEATSCH WERKS INJECTORS, ADAPTER PLUGS
RACE SPEC FRONT MOUNTED INTERCOOLER
RACE SPEC RADIATOR
UPRATED 340 LTR FUEL PUMP
4 BAR MAP SENSOR
BILLET BLOW OFF VALVE
FULL NUT AND BOLT FITTING KIT

[TrackNutz]

Thanks for all the comments.

Thanks Mudgey for that invaluable info. I had purchased that manifold as a starting point to aid me with engine placement. I had never seen a ram horn manifold before and didn't even cross my mind. Upon a quick scout across fleabay I've sourced a fair few options. So thanks again. I'll have both ready and then flog whichever I don't use.

With regards to the shafts, I had heard someone had K swapped a prelude and as you say, it's an identical front end to the CH1. So a K24 shaft was used where sorry? I assume they're different to K20?

The shafts are the thing that I predicted would cause me some thinking.

Edited by TrackNutz on Monday 11th December 13:41

[TrackNutz]

Yes they may be of very good use. I'll give you a shout when I have it slotted in and I can see what I'm playing with.

Yes you're right with regards to 1320, I've just bought their ram horn manifold, worked out at £300 including postage and customs. It will get me in and then at a later date if it isn't up to the job I'll get Maniflow or similar to make me something. Plus I'm glad I'm not using the 4-1 if I'm honest, I always wanted to keep it 4-2-1.

[TrackNutz]

This should get me better clearance, thanks again Mudgey.

[TrackNutz]

Firstly I preferred the centrifugal over a screw in terms of losses, the Rotrex being more efficient in that sense with less torque loss. Plus I think (whilst I love supercharger whine) I'd get tired of the noise all day at the circuit.

Secondly I preferred the idea of an intercooled setup, I felt I could gain more power reliably on a stock bottom end compared to bolting a Jackson Racing Twin Screw direct to the head.

Thirdly, I wanted linear power delivery. I wanted to keep it feeling NA and I think it'll be quicker in wet conditions too with a Rotrex over a turbo setup.

I'll find out if I'm right or wrong soon I guess.

[TrackNutz]

I'll either get my friend to do it (Sandy Brown) or Rich at Performance Autoworks. Rich mapped a DC2 that we run at Castle Combe with good results.

Who did you use?

[TrackNutz]

Nice one. Good read that. Cheers.

[TrackNutz]

Thanks mate.

Yes, Castle Combe is my local circuit so I do a lot there. After the engine is in I'd like to take it to Brands and Donnington, possibly Silverstone if it's full circuit, the National loop I find a bit boring.

[TrackNutz]

Trap door baffle unit arrived for the sump. I'm happy with the design.



Competition Clutch Lightened flywheel.



And the Mfactory Plated LSD.



Awaiting the clutch kit and supercharger kit and come January I'm ready to go.

[TrackNutz]

Mudgey - I sent you an email via your PH profile regarding the mounts, did you receive?

[TrackNutz]

The stage 4 clutch has finally got here but still awaiting the supercharger kit.




Workshop almost ready after a winter refurb, I'm on holiday now until 19th Feb so hoping to have the K20 out of the EP3 in two weeks.

End of March should see completion, just the driveshafts to sort now.

[TrackNutz]

I'm totally gutted.

Ordered the supercharger kit last November, it arrived yesterday, 4 months of waiting.

I ordered a bottom mount kit for a non AC car. This was ordered from Company 1, who then ordered a top mount AC kit from Company 2 by mistake.

Trying to resolve now. I'm hoping it's not another 4 month wait. I'll miss half the season otherwise.

[TrackNutz]

Yes a TTS kit but ordered wrong from Company 1.

I had debated building a high revving H22A7 but with the FRM liners it's difficult to find someone that can hone them, plus I'm limited to one choice of piston, Mahle Gold. My only choice really was to sleeve it but then the cost shoots up in terms of £/bhp.

I've never fancied the turbocharger route. So I thought supercharged and the parts catalogue for the K20 is massive, so it's a no brainer.

I get some flack off Accord Type-R owners for getting rid of the H22 but each to their own.

[TrackNutz]

I agree with all the points you make. But my main reasoning was cost. The K20 requires no internal engine work for a linear 400bhp in return.

If I was to turbo, yes I'd end up with a larger area under the curve but the engine would need to be forged, adding ££££. Five years ago I would have gone turbo maybe, but with a new house and a new baby, my budget for cars has taken a squeeze.

I love Honda's because of the way the rev and the way they demand to be driven, a supercharger for me keeps that characteristic.

I have a modified big turbo 530d that feeds my torque needs.

[TrackNutz]

All sorted. Correct kit arrived today. Cannot wait to get this plumbed in.

[TrackNutz]

Drip feeding is much more fun. A pic a day keeps the doctor away.