Any savy k series Honda people able to tell me which k series I'm looking at here. It was just legalized in a class I love to watch and I'm curious if it's the k20a2 at 200hp or the 150 k20a3.
It showed up last week and laid the snack down on the 2.3 eslinger ford powered boats.
K series engines are visually very similar across various models, and that being a custom install means stuff has been switched around. That intake manifold looks like the plastic 160hp K20A3 base RSX and EP3 Civic version. Is there a displacement cap? Could be a K24 CRV or Accord motor. That fuel rail doesn't look like an K20A3 model, more like a K24A4 CRV/Element/Accord one but they had aluminum intake manifolds.
Photo only shows up on mobile. In case any of our desktop friends are wondering where the image is.
In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :
Re -uploaded the file to hopefully show on both.
There's not a lot of info on what exactly the motor is. It's being sourced from a single supplier for the class.
I was told it was a k20. But I'm not well versed enough in the Honda stuff to know. And pictures are few and far between right now.
In reply to Run_Away :
It wouldn't surprise me that they switched manifolds to keep it tucked under the cowl that hides the motor when operating.
Given what you said, it wouldn't matter what hp k20, if it can turn the prop faster imo. Most of the esslinger headed things na max at about 7-7500. Sure I can make about 300hp with an absolute gonzo ported head.....
In reply to Ranger50 :
I imagine they are stock heads as they will want a very repeatable combo and this is the lowest class. 300hp would need a larger boat. Because the k spins backwards you can see the gearbox mounted behind. So they should have no problem getting prop speed where they want it.
In reply to Ranger50 :
I imagine they are stock heads as they will want a very repeatable combo and this is the lowest class. 300hp would need a larger boat. Because the k spins backwards you can see the gearbox mounted behind. So they should have no problem getting prop speed where they want it.
And just for kicks here's my buddy Adam's boat that runs the same class with an 2.3 and much eslinger hardware. Good for just over 100mph.
In reply to 1SlowVW :
The K spins the same direction as "normal" engines. The only reverse rotation Hondas are the ones with the engine on the left side of the engine bay, which can be condensed to "timing belt four cylinder engines". All V6s and all timing chain fours were mounted on the right.
Basically the engine always spins the same direction as the drive wheels when mounted transversely. Pretty sure the only reason Hondas ever spun backwards was because they had no longitudinal frame of reference, so they mounted and directioned the engines to make sense for a right hand drive vehicle, with the brake master cylinder over the relatively low transaxle.
The PRSU (or boat equivalent) IS interesting. So engine powerband probably means little. Do boats benefit from a wide powerband? I have heard of people sticking Powerglides on boats before...
In reply to 1SlowVW :
The theoretical NA hp limit is approaching 3hp/cube. You can definitely get 2hp/cube to live a LOOOOOONG time with minimal maintenance. If it's still a Lima headed 2.3, you're at 280hp.
In reply to Ranger50 :
It'd be nice if Esslinger's online catalog didn't suck. I'd heard amazing stories about 3+ liter engines, still eight valve, making 400hp naturally aspirated.
For Reasons I like the idea of a strong naturally aspirated Lima.
In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :
Their catalog sucks is because they have largely gotten out of the parts game. They will still make sprint car bb7's and a Lima if you supply parts. Or if you want parts, you need to buy 5 cylinder heads@3k bare each or 10 blocks@2500/each and other silly nonsense. They shifted into the 2.3 ecoboost market some, but everything there is still a modified oe ford piece.
I would love to see a true no mod Volvo head option, but that's just a pipedream anymore.
In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :
Pete,
some larger boats do run a two speed to be able to get up on plane then have a cruising gear.
These boats probably see a 2000rmp variance when on the race course. So it didn't matter that the eslinger headed motors had no power below 4K rpm because they were only there on start up.
I guess the gearbox is needed to have the prop not fighting against you in the turns. The 2.3 must spin opposite to the k series as no gearbox is required. Just a straight shaft back to the prop.
I guess maybe a better question would be , is there any way to tell visually what k motor this is without dismantling it? From photos ideally.
In reply to 1SlowVW :
Should be like most Hondas and it's stamped on the block. Interesting says back at the starter ish area.
In reply to 1SlowVW :
K series definitely spin clockwise... err, counterclockwise... err... they spin the same direction as a Lima 
It's the B and D engines (and earlier) that spin backwards. You can make a rear drive K series easily. B/D/H/etc require either a transmission with a reverse output in it or the engines need to be modified to spin the other way.
In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :
Hmmm
I wonder if the gearbox is there just to drop rpm and lower the prop shaft. If the Lima and k series spin in the same direction I wonder if this is done to help oil pan clearance ….
In reply to 1SlowVW :
Its angle and some gear speed adjustment.
Boots on the ground recon has confirm k20a3.
I'm off to find a rusted out civic or Acura I guess .
I built up a K-series for Midlana. I did not go normally-aspirated because to get real power means high rpm, which means expensive, high octane fuel, also expensive, and generates a hell of a lot of noise. I chose turbocharging as a compromise, getting the power I wanted at a more reasonable rpm, not worrying (as much) about getting black-flagged, as the turbo acted like a muffler. Supercharging would have worked as well but then we're back to being too loud.
As an aside, a local guy had an Ariel Atom, supercharged. One time he drove by while I was getting gas, and besides a Mazda rotary, it was the loudest car I'd heard in many years. Great way to get tickets.
In reply to kb58 :
I have been around some all motor k powered drag cars and they are definitely not quiet.
This will be a bone stock install until otherwise needed . Basically just want to get the harness and fuel system (just a surge tank set up) figured out.
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