2005 Acura RSX Type-S - Revival - Wrenchin' HT Garage

Brian pulls out the brand new, multi-layered Cometic gasket. The outer layers are an embossed viton stainless steel used for its rebound characteristics and corrosion resistance.

Before installing the gasket, Kono treats it with a copper gasket sealer spray to help deal with the added cylinder pressures of a boosted motor.

The fully assembled head is bolted into place. We've got our eye on some IPS blower cams down the line, but for now, the stockers will do.

We used an ACT Performance street clutch and flywheel kit for added clamping force in transferring power from the crank to the ground. Brian has the engine on a stand to do his work, but realistically, a clutch job can be done with all but the gearbox in place.

Kono bolts up the flywheel using a 12-point socket and tightening in a crisscross pattern for even pressure.

The flywheel is then cleaned thoroughly with acetone to rid the surface of any contaminants that would be detrimental the clutches life and/or performance.

It is equally as important to clean the pressure plate, which Brian illustrates.

There is only one way the pressure plate will secure to the flywheel, and fortunately, there are dowel pins to help installers orient it. A clutch alignment tool is also needed to hold the clutch disk in place while the pressure plate is installed.

Stock K20, ready to drop in.

As the mill is going in, we should point out that it is easiest to install a motor into the DC5 chassis from underneath the car. Here, Brian removed the whole front subframe with the motor to ease reinstallation. Once everything is returned to status quo, he sends us on our way up north to Moss Motors.

This is what we presented to the techs at Moss. They laughed at our reliance on the stock intake box. We're working on remedying that, too.

They begin by clearing out the old, so the intake manifold and airbox come off first.