• We've upgraded and reskinned the forum. Notice something off? Email us at [email protected] and we'll fix it.

K series swap

Desert Sasqwatch
Go for it, if you have the fabrication skills and the tools to get it done. The frame/subframe would need to be modified, new engine/transmission mounts made, rear suspension adapted and modded, fuel system figured out, wire harness reconfigured, along with a host of other things that are not Honda in a Goblin. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.
 
jirwin
Go for it, if you have the fabrication skills and the tools to get it done. The frame/subframe would need to be modified, new engine/transmission mounts made, rear suspension adapted and modded, fuel system figured out, wire harness reconfigured, along with a host of other things that are not Honda in a Goblin. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

I wonder if it would be easier to machine an adapter plate, flywheel, etc, like this:
. Might be "easier" than trying to basically make a completely custom power train.
 
A
It's me, look who's talking! I'm just trying to make a car that runs, out of old stuff. Have you got enough Bridgeports for this job? I've got to say that putting a Honda motor in a vehicle that most folks won't even know what the heck the car IS could be a conversation piece. It might be faster with a Honda Motor?, but in the 0-60 sub 4 second category you're likely talking a 1/10th or two. ****(ranting?)We put a 51 Caddy 303? V8 backed up with a 47 Lincoln Zephyr 4 speed trans in a 54 Allard(GB), (but I think Allard had done that before). Several "JTR", small block Chevy/Jags + one fat motor. SBC's in everything(including one Pantera; that stroked 400 was way cheaper than finding and building him another 351 Cleveland). Chevy 502 out of this rich fella's Cigarette (offshore racing) boat(the standard rotation one; he sold the CCW one for some $$!) into his big old Rolls with a THM400 and a Gear Vendors O/D.(he might have been running drugs?) We put a 302 Ford in a 33 roadster with a 700R4. A Jag rear in a 77 Trans Am and one in a 73 Mustang conv. ALL of these cars(and one boat) had ONE obvious similarity, their owner's deep pockets! These cars were Their Dreams and I was just helping out.**** So, yeah, it can be done, the major factors(as always!), cubic dollars and adequate time. Have ya thought about S/C, T/C or twin turbos? Nitrous? Hayabusa? JATO rockets? Tesla power? or just a plain ol' P&W PT6A-67A(turbo prop)shaft turbine? I've got nothing against repowering a Goblin other than maybe why? BUT that is your choice. I'm willing to watch!:cool:
 
Last edited:
A
I joke about doing a k swap if my LNF dies. In reality, I'd do an LS swap out of an Impala...
But really!, look long and hard at the SeriesII 3800 S/C motors! Plentiful in the yards and about the same dimensions(maybe shorter?) as an Eco-Tec. This is the child of the Buick Grand National Turbo 6. It's no slouch.
 
A
Your 95% there, just a few things and it'll be done.
Just needing an adaptor kit, engine mounts, Intake/ exhaust. Computer, wiring, plumbing. Still, "I Like To Watch!" We're with ya Buddy! ****BTW, can anyone QUANTIFY for me what this "Honda K motor" stuff does that other motors don't. (Like maybe they only blow up 1/2 as often, but they also only cost 2X as much? =/= New Math!)
 
Last edited:
Jason d
Go for it, if you have the fabrication skills and the tools to get it done. The frame/subframe would need to be modified, new engine/transmission mounts made, rear suspension adapted and modded, fuel system figured out, wire harness reconfigured, along with a host of other things that are not Honda in a Goblin. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.
The cost for the fab sub frame would be more of an issue then getting one made. I know Justin reed is running a custom fab subframe in his right now
 
Jason d
Just needing an adaptor kit, engine mounts, Intake/ exhaust. Computer, wiring, plumbing. Still, "I Like To Watch!" We're with ya Buddy! ****BTW, can anyone QUANTIFY for me what this "Honda K motor" stuff does that other motors don't. (Like maybe they only blow up 1/2 as often, but they also only cost 2X as much? =/= New Math!)
Cost/power I should stay with lsj over a k series, but being able to do something different would be fun. Plus there’s a lot more mods and parts out there for a Honda motor then there is for ecotec.
 
Jason d
Not that we know of. The kit is designed for a Cobalt setup, the juice may not be worth the squeeze. You could always be the first...
I wonder if it would be easier to machine an adapter plate, flywheel, etc, like this:
. Might be "easier" than trying to basically make a completely custom power train.
That’s sick, but I’m sure the Honda trans is small enough to also fit, plus gives an option to go sequential if wanted in the future
 
95Blitz
Justin's subframe was made by DF so not really custom. But yeah it can be done just motor and trans mounts use the subframe from a cobalt so you don't have to make your own suspension. If(when) I kill both of my LSJ's i'm going Kawi 1400.
 
Desert Sasqwatch
A
Cost/power I should stay with lsj over a k series, but being able to do something different would be fun. Plus there’s a lot more mods and parts out there for a Honda motor then there is for ecotec.
And there it is! Thanks for the splainin'. Now, once again, we shall see what we shall see! As I wrote, I've done less with more and visa versa. Like everything, there's gotta be some payoff at the end of all this. I'm having fun, I Sincerely Hope Y'all are as well!
 
duthehustle93
The path of least resistance would probably be to run the Honda 6 speed with the k20/24. The K series is a fantastic motor, but the trans is less than fantastic. They're known to fail even at stock power, also making them somewhat expensive... Not sure how it compares to an F35/F23. However, because you're going to use it to power something that's half the weight of an 8th/9th gen civic the trans will probably hold up fine in a goblin, but you should probably open it up and replace the syncros at a minimum. Particularly the early 8th gen Si's had a lot of syncro issues. They're fluid-picky, so I've seen a couple "bad" transmissions get "fixed" with some amsoil MTF. With that said, the factory LSD in the Honda trans is surprisingly good for a factory LSD IMO. If you would like to mate a K your GM transmission... Miata's have an ecotec and K swap kit available... but I don't believe patterns are published. It might be a good start to get a rough idea on the differences, though.
 
Jason d
Justin's subframe was made by DF so not really custom. But yeah it can be done just motor and trans mounts use the subframe from a cobalt so you don't have to make your own suspension. If(when) I kill both of my LSJ's i'm going Kawi 1400.
by custom I mean its still fabricated and not factory
 
Last edited:
Jason d
But really!, look long and hard at the SeriesII 3800 S/C motors! Plentiful in the yards and about the same dimensions(maybe shorter?) as an Eco-Tec. This is the child of the Buick Grand National Turbo 6. It's no slouch.
Yeah my donor already has a lsj with turbo conversion, so when I bit the bullet, I’ll do K swap
 
Back
Top