Honda may have unknowingly introduced a new era of engines swaps, call it K-Swap era 2.0. According to Honda on their official press release, they dropped earlier today (Oct 30,2017) they’re making available the barn-burning engine in the 2017 Honda Civic Type R available to everyday enthusiasts for the low, low price of $6,519.87. It’s an oddly specific price and why they didn’t round to the nearest dollar, we can’t really answer but hey, it’s a Type R crate engine!
Honda is really spoiling the US market and making up for years of hot engine neglect. Not our words. According to Honda in their official press release,
For years, Honda racing enthusiasts in the U.S. watched with envy, as Europe- and Asia-based amateur racers were able to load their cars with Civic Type R crate engines. The wait is over. The 306-horsepower (SAE net) K20C1 engine that powers the new Civic Type R will now be available to U.S. grassroots and professional racers for verified, closed-course racing applications through the HPD Honda Racing Line program.
The specs of the engine speak for themselves. Peak 306 HP comes in at 6,500 RPM while 295 lb-ft is available from 2,500-4,500 RPM thanks to that turbo spooling up, keeping the powerband within an attainable range.
This great news doesn’t come without a catch. In order to even get a Type R engine, you must be a member of Honda Racing Line. That means you have to be a part of a nationally recognized sanctioning body and must have participated in at least two events with results in the last 12 months. DNS’s or “Do Not Starts” don’t count. This is to ensure that Honda is handing out these engines to “real deal” racing enthusiasts and now your local hooligan who just wants to terrorize the town with OEM reliability.
Despite those limitations, this does signal to the aftermarket community that the market is open for K20C1 swaps. Pair that engine to a lightweight chassis, say an EG hatch that weighs in at around 2,000 pounds, and you’ve got a recipe for a real track monster. And if you really want a Type R swap, I’m sure there are loopholes that I’m not aware of to get one yourself.
Rest assured, I’ll be keen to share with you news on the first rumblings of a Type R swapped chassis. It’s bound to happen before the year’s done.
