Low-offset wheels seem to be the big craze currently with the Honda crowd. A couple of things to keep in mind when considering this type of setup. First, if you're opting for a very low offset for the widest stance, you're going to have to run some negative camber in order to keep them from grinding away at your fenders. This means your tire life will be dramatically reduced. Also, the wear and tear of daily driving with low-offset wheels on your wheel bearings and axle could add up over time. With the wheels pushed out much farther than Honda had intended, stress is added to your suspension on a daily basis. Keep these things in mind before you make your next wheel choice or you might end up with a car you can't drive daily.
Special K
Ok, Honda Tuning. I read your magazine every month and I keep seeing cars with K motors installed. I can't take it anymore, I NEED K POWER!!! So I've started collecting parts for the swap, and I think I'm almost there. My problem is, I don't want to deal with the wiring. It's a mess and I'm afraid I'm going to screw something up (trust me, I'm speaking from experience here). Are there any shops out there that can take care of all my wiring by mail? I live in the middle of nowhere, literally, and shops don't exist here. Thanks for listening, please give me a hand if you can. Or maybe fly out here and take care of my wiring for me! Just kidding. No, not really-help!
Randy, BF Egypt
Randy, we understand where you're coming from. There's a lot of guys that don't want to play with the tangle of wires needed to complete a K swap. Now we're not going to fly out and wire up your car for you, but we will do the next best thing since you're a regular reader. Jump on your computer and log onto Rywire.com. They offer a ton of different options from standard swap wiring, to custom hidden harnesses, and Mil-spec wiring kits.
Swap Options
Hi guys, I'm new to the Honda scene and I'm looking for a little guidance. I just inherited a 1995 Honda Civic Si, and even though it's quicker than my old Nissan I want more power. I've got about 8,000 bucks to spend, give or take a little bit, and I need some direction on what swaps cost and which direction I should go. Are engine swaps even legal?
Thomas, Stockton, CA
Thomas, welcome to the world of Hondas. We hope you're planning on staying for the long haul. Regarding swaps, there are legal and illegal options out there for you. On the legal end, a few popular choices are Integra LS, GS-R, and Type R swaps. With your budget, you could easily afford to have a shop complete the transplant, and prepare you for an appointment with the CA State Referee in order to certify your motor for street use. Of course you could research the swap, get your hands dirty, do it yourself, and save a bundle in labor fees. It's not for everyone, but it's usually much easier than people would imagine.
On the illegal swap side, you have your CRV 2.0L swap (considered a light duty truck motor in the US, not legal to swap into a Civic) and LS or CRV/VTEC combos. If you want to save a bit more, you could opt for the K series swap and again, save yourself a bundle if you do it in your garage. Take heed, the K swap takes a little more knowledge and is a bit more involved than the standard B swap. Good luck!