TheSamba.com :: View topic - Acura 3.2 vtec coversion. Iam new and need help

Wed Sep 10, 2008 8:36 pm

Iam ready to start the conversion but I need a step by step guide on how to go about it. It's going into a big two seat a-arm buggy, I also need a custom wiring harness and an aftermarket easy to tune ecu comp that's pretty affordable. I have the trans adapter, engine and turbo kit.

Wed Sep 10, 2008 8:58 pm

You need to give us at least an idea of vision... what you expect the car to do.

I mean come on something?

Wed Sep 10, 2008 9:24 pm

pull old engine, remove what you need to, install trans adapter, install engine and start hooking things up.

Wed Sep 10, 2008 9:43 pm

runslikeapenguin wrote: pull old engine, remove what you need to, install trans adapter, install engine and start hooking things up. f

I wish it was that easy. Iam going from a 2276cc Aircooled turbo engine to a 2003 acura/Honda 3.2ltr. Iam smart enought to know that I will need a diffrent wire harness for the new engine.

I expect the car to haul ass, that's what I want to do.

Wed Sep 10, 2008 11:00 pm

actually it is that easy, if you dont have engine mounts you still need to mount the engine and keep it suspended by a jack stand to keep the weight off of the trans bolts and then start fabing new mounts, once thats done leave it in and start with the wiring. im not sure what your expecting us to tell you.

Thu Sep 11, 2008 5:49 am

I was expecting to get some names or links for affordable wiring harnesses, someone that has done this before, and may have a guide so it makes it easy to know.

Thu Sep 11, 2008 6:24 am

Don't take this the wrong way, but if you are really in need of a step by step guide then maybe you should take it to a qualified buggy shop and have it done.There is no step by step guide,every car is different.And everyone has a different opinion about where things like the radiator should go.If you just want a link to buy stuff do a search and find V tec performance.I believe they have everything you will need.

Thu Sep 11, 2008 11:04 am

your right, iam new to the car and buggy scene. However I feel capable of doing it myself just need places to buy and what to dos, and what not to do. I did an exchange on 2002 dodge cummins and all I did was put it in the way I removed the old one. I also installed BD twin turbo on it, however 82k miles later it blew the head gasket and the engine expired. With the experience I have, I know it can't be that hard.

Thu Sep 11, 2008 1:01 pm

If you feel confident I say go for it.

Like the others mentioned here you'll need to do some other modifications to the frame to facilitate the radiator and motor mounts, a beefier transmission mount mid-mount is a wise choice too since the VTEC weighs alot more then the aircooled. This is what I used for the trans mount: http://www.mooreparts.com/store/product/1079/AC311235/

Also the stock VW Transmissions are not adequate in holding up against any horsepower without a very light gas foot. There are plenty places that build bus boxes or you can go with aftermarket transaxles = $$$.

A separate waterproof enclosure for the computer/relays/etc. I used a Home Depot WP electrical junction box. There are companys that make aftermarket ECUs and wiring harnesses for engine swaps but I used a place called www.enginewiring.com out of Erie, PA to modify my harness and reprogram my ECU on my 2.2L Ecotec swap into my rail.

Depending on the suspension it will most likely need upgrading. The stock torsions (22mm) are undersized for aggressive off-road driving and with the additional weight. Another option is coilovers.

There is a few items to look out for. Best of luck with your swap.

Thu Sep 11, 2008 2:09 pm

Arrowhunter wrote: Iam ready to start the conversion but I need a step by step guide on how to go about it. It's going into a big two seat a-arm buggy, I also need a custom wiring harness and an aftermarket easy to tune ecu comp that's pretty affordable. I have the trans adapter, engine and turbo kit.

My 2 pennies:

Make sure that you have everything that you need before you start fabricating: Engine, ECU, Radiator, Headers or Muffler, etc... Most of the "issues" arise from clearance and routing concerns and each will be different in each chassis.

You will need a "paired-down" ECU to not have errors with the computer. You can buy an ECU/harness from a vendor such as VTEC, Southwest Performance or there are some very knowledgable people (NPetric, Kraut_N_Rice) here on the forums. There is no "step by step" internet guide to wire the ECU. Folks that know how to do it will charge to have it done... and money well spent. You will get an ECU/harness with minimal wires and labels of where they need to go and their amperage needs.

After you have all of the "parts", start installing the engine and "working around" any issues that come up. If you have a large open chassis, it should be straight forward. However, if you are trying to "shoe-horn" it into a very small area... then you may need to get creative.

All in all, if you can change a tire you can do an engine swap... the Acura swap is very straight forward... as long as you have everything before you start.

Thu Sep 11, 2008 2:40 pm

thank-you pozi and desert guy, the links and names where of great help. I will have to use an aftermarket radiator so I don't have to saw on the frame. That's good to hear "pretty strait forward" now I know I can do it.

Thu Sep 11, 2008 6:10 pm

One thing to keep in mind: since you are going with a turbo, you are going to need to tune the engine for it. You can buy an aftermarket computer and tune it yourself, or find someone in your area with Honda/Acura experience to tune the factory computer. Keep in mind, tuning isn't cheap, but it is cheaper than burning up and engine from running too lean.

Thu Sep 11, 2008 6:37 pm

takotruckin wrote: One thing to keep in mind: since you are going with a turbo, you are going to need to tune the engine for it. You can buy an aftermarket computer and tune it yourself, or find someone in your area with Honda/Acura experience to tune the factory computer. Keep in mind, tuning isn't cheap, but it is cheaper than burning up and engine from running too lean.

Yes. Iam Going to buy the wire harness with a motec comp. It's going to cost me $2800.00

Thu Sep 11, 2008 8:17 pm

You may want to go with an AEM EMS ECU, which you can get with a harness that you can custom mount. Depending on what acura motor you are gonna use and if you are gonna use the stock wiring harness from the car, the motor came out of. they may have a plug and play box for that car.
let me know if you need one, i can get you a deal on AEM products. these ECU's are becoming the industry standard.

Thu Sep 11, 2008 8:33 pm

or, you could go REALLY hands on and use a megasquirt ECU. The computer,harness and WB02 would cost about $800. Tuning is alot more hands on though.- this is the route i am going with my duratec, i seem to enjoy this type of punishment however.

Fri Sep 12, 2008 8:53 am

DUSTY BUS wrote: You may want to go with an AEM EMS ECU, which you can get with a harness that you can custom mount. Depending on what acura motor you are gonna use and if you are gonna use the stock wiring harness from the car, the motor came out of. they may have a plug and play box for that car.
let me know if you need one, i can get you a deal on AEM products. these ECU's are becoming the industry standard.

I would like a wiring harness that's simple, a car wiring harness has too much going on. Can the harness be any more simple. What kind of savings if any are we talking about. I want to be able to run trouble free engine wise for a while.

Sat Sep 13, 2008 6:31 am

Why spend all the $$$ for Motec?? You racing? Something else that hasn't been mentioned, what you're backing this up with. Built 091 minimum, if not a Mendeola. Keep the factory ECU, harness, etc...less hassle.

Sat Sep 13, 2008 6:52 am

dezertryno wrote: Why spend all the $$$ for Motec?? You racing? Something else that hasn't been mentioned, what you're backing this up with. Built 091 minimum, if not a Mendeola. Keep the factory ECU, harness, etc...less hassle.
Keeping the factory ECU will also require bypassing the Immobilizer depending on what year you use.And just about all the Acuras has them from 98 and up.

Tue Sep 16, 2008 7:24 pm

well I just contacted Vtecperform.com iam getting the harness with a modified ecu for $1300 much better. I have a built 091 however it won't be strong enought I was told. The engine I will be running is supposed to have 275hp stock. The 3.2 acuta type s is supposed to be a pretty high compression engine engine, made me think twice about installing the turbo. I will probably blow it up if I do. It would be over 400hp, that may be a little too much.

Wed Sep 17, 2008 11:21 am

I'm in the middle of installing my 3.5 honda vtec.

MOTOR IS IN THE CAR. :D

Right now Im working on the fuel and cooling systems. Im just running a stock ECU.

whish i could be more help.