Here's my problem. I own a 97 Accord. Its a SOHC Non Vtec engine. I want to swap to a DOHC Vtec engine(F20B DOHC VTEC Engine only Honda Accord 97-01 ). Its coming from Japan. I just went to a shop in my area were they have a sign big as day saying they install engines and transmissions but when I told him I wanted a swap out for a different engine he looked at me like I was speaking another language. They would only do the work if I was putting in the same engine. Its frustrating because this is my first project and I'm catching on fast to half *** so called car professionals. It makes me feel like I dont want to do this car stuff anymore.These places broadcast themselves as car specialist but they dont do certain work. I just need help someone on this forum. You guys are the only people I can turn to for help right now. For the people that swapped out their engines please respond. What type of professionals did you trust . If you live in Pa and close to Philly that would be even better. In a nutshell I just want to go to someone that knows their stuff. Plz respond. Here's the site where I found the engine http://www.tigerjapanese.com/index.p...hk=1&Itemid=26

 

Well for one, most people who do the swap do it in their own garage by themselves. You need to find a performance shop around you and see if they do swaps. Standard shops will not do this, they won't even know how. There is custom work to be done.

Did you already buy this engine? Did you do any research at all? It doesn't just come out and you can put something else in.

 

I havent brought the engine yet because I'm still doing research. Looking on the net is for this information is tough. Thats why I joined to forum. Umm as far as what will be needed, I've been told I may have to get a new computer and motor mounts. Thanks for ur help. Its a start. Now I know regular shop will not do the work. So I'll look a around for performance shops when the time comes. Thx again

 

Definitely do your homework when considering swap.

Getting the easiest engine to swap is the first thing to consider. The DOHC prelude engine will bolt into the accord engine bay and has definitely been done before. That engine is the H22 engine. I don't know much about the F20B engine though.

The transmission from your accord will bolt up to the prelude engine, but the prelude transmission is geared differently for the H22.

I think that the motor mounts and axles would likely need replaced.

The last part is the ECU. You need the ECU for your new engine and you need it wired properly. If you can get a hold of a wiring harness from the donor car, then it will be simple. If not, then some modifications will have to be done to properly wire all of the sensors using your existing wiring harness.

 

You definitely need the ECU that matches the swap engine. As PAHonda said, H22 swap is the most common. I have heard the most difficult part of the swap is getting the wiring/ECU working properly.