Are you planning to build a racecar out of a Honda S2000 or do you want something more stout than what the stock engine has to offer? If so, you can now swap in a brand-new Honda Civic Type R (K20C1) engine into the S2000 chassis. ScienceofSpeed, an Arizona-based tuning shop, has everything you need to make the swap happen. Let’s take a closer look.

What do you need to swap a Honda Civic Type R engine into an S2000?

There are plenty of parts needed to swap the venerable Civic Type R engine into an S2000. Here is a list of them according to ScienceofSpeed:

• Honda K20C1 Crate Engine or an equivalent used engine
• ScienceofSpeed engine mount kit
• Intake Manifold and air filter kit
• Exhaust downpipe kit
• A transmission adapter kit with an upgraded clutch and flywheel
• ScienceofSpeed intercooler and charge tubes
• ScienceofSpeed engine coolant relocation kit
• ScienceofSpeed fuel lines, fittings, and regulator
• A high-flow fuel pump
• An engine control package

Yes, that’s a pretty big list of the parts. Depending on which model year your Honda S2000 is – Ap1 (99-03) or AP2 (04-09) – the cost for all of these parts can vary. According to the ScienceofSpeed website, you’re looking at anywhere between $14,000 to $16,500 depending on which parts you’ll need to use for your specific application.

Of course, you might be able to save some money by sourcing a used K20C1 engine online. However, the few that we found for sale on engine retailer sites and eBay are listed at around $6,000 to $6,500. Considering the crate engine from HPD costs $6,790, that’s obviously the better way to go.

Why would anyone want to swap a K20C1 engine into an S2000?

The Civic Type R engine puts out more horsepower and more torque than the stock S2000 engine in either form – F20C or F22C. According to ScienceofSpeed’s testing, the K20C1 test engine achieved 305 hp and 303 lb-ft of torque at the wheels. Keep in mind that Honda’s factory rating for this engine is 306 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, so it’s definitely underrated by the factory.

In comparison, the more-powerful S2000 (F22C) engine produces 240 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque at the crankshaft. Another plus is that the K20C1 is 20 pounds lighter than the stock engine, so if you’re planning on building a track car with this engine swap, then it will benefit from some weight savings.

Is it worth it to swap a K20C1 engine into an S2000?

Yes and no. This engine swap is worth it If you’re planning to build a genuine racecar for the track and want Honda reliability to go with it. ScienceofSpeed is known for creating top-notch parts for the Honda S2000 and the Acura NSX, so we have no doubt that the parts they built for this swap are of good quality as well. Also, the K20C1 engine also puts out plenty of power from the get-go, so the bump in horses is a no-brainer.

That being said, if you’re planning on swapping a K20C1 into your S2000 streetcar, then the price may be a tad high for the performance gains you’ll achieve. Unless your car’s stock engine is blown and you have massive wads of cash to spend. Otherwise, you may want to look into supercharging or turbocharging your S2000 for a fraction of the cost of this swap.