I started out as a over the moon Honda driver… until my car started to burn oil. And I mean burn. I was going through at least 1 litre of oil per 1000kms. Smoke would bellow out of my exhaust after being stationary at traffic lights, and then taking off. I knew I had problems. I researched around and spoke to mechanics about what the problem could have been. Most of them were reluctant to diagnose the problem as a certainty and I knew that they would have had to have pulled the head off. I cut my losses and thought that the motor is still pretty new so it is most likely something to do with the valve stem seals. So I took it and left it with my mechanic Nick to pull the head off and have a look. What I though would have been 2 weeks as a max…. turned into a 10 month off the road sleep away for my car.
Upon inspecting the head, they found that the valves had been burnt and were a nice blue – ish colour and that the rings had gone and there was plenty of piston play… Nick was shocked that I hadn’t thrown a rod. They called me up and told be the news. I was devastated. But quickly got over this as I knew that now I could build my engine. Those who have done it will know that the initial time of building the engine and looking for parts so many things cross your mind. And in my case I still didn’t know if I wanted to go forced induction or N/A.
Looking around on US K20 forums, it seemed that there was a heap of potential for a N/A k20 and my first choice for parts was immediately TODA. Opting for a High comp all out 9000 rpm monster was much to the delight of Nick as a whole new world of tuning Hondas was opening up to him… with me as his guinea pig. He learnt fast as was amazed with what he was researching about the k20 and was impressed with estimated power figures. So the parts were ordered.
Now you may ask, why 10 months. To tell you, there were a few problems with obtaining parts as engine internals here are not that readily available for k20s. Lucky however as I was able to pay as the job went on. For all you spec heads here are the parts
TODA 12.5 :1 compression ratio pistons
Eagle Conrods
Honda OEM Bearings
TODA CAMS
OEM valves
TODA valve springs
TODA heavy duty chain tensioner
OEM timing chain
OEM timing chain guards
Buddy Club titanium retainers
New bore and hone for oversize pistons
Fully balanced and blue printed block
K aligned valve guides
New OEM Honda gasket kit
TODA headers
Metal Cat
Fujitsubo Exhaust
Exedy Clutch
JDM Yard baffled sump
Energy suspension Engine Mounts
If I have forgotten anything I guess I soon will remember
And the results……………. 175 fwkw naturally aspirated.
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/9149/maxpower1nd4.jpg
And for better indications of power of different heat conditions…
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/4813/back2backgh9.jpg
And what is it like to drive……………………extremely smooth power delivery thanks to James at Hondata. But it doesn’t mean that it is not blisteringly quick… I leave traffic behind me shifting at 3000 rpm….When I dare to sink my foot deeper in any gear there is power right on tap it doesn’t matter if im cruising at 80 in 6th gear it will get up and go will minimal effort. It scrambles for traction in first gear as soon as it gets into vtec range. Every time I drive it you cannot wipe the smile off my face.
As for the sound at 9000 rpm……. Un****ingbelievable … my friends have named it the baby f1 honda
A big thanks to Nick and Nathan at Forte Performance who out up with my shit for the 10 month build and have made happen one of the best dreams into reality. Thanks to James at Hondata as always his work is pure magic the tune is unbelievable so smooth and clean. Adrian at Toda and the Guys at JDM Yard for the parts
********************UPDATED 18/03/2009********************
More going on with this, DRY SUMP is here!
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