Why the Honda K20 is the Best Engine Ever

[@scose]

10:15 always enjoy seeing the pristine shiny condition of the oil pump that spent its life immersed in oil, no explosions, no force

[@speedkar99]

It sure is nice. The entire thing seems to sit in the oil.

[@leighchamberlain25]

4 years since I started watching your videos, I still love them. Thanks 👍 If it ain't made in Japan, don't even think about it!

[@davidrobert2007]

Fun fact: The reason many Honda engines are laid out in the opposite way to most front wheel drive cars is that - they are designed from the outset to be right hand drive cars (because they drive on the left side of the road in Japan) so for crash safety reasons the biggest under bonnet component is placed ahead of the passenger seat (which is occupied less than the drivers seat) - this is why they put the engine on the left and the (smaller) gearbox on the right (in front of the driver). Later iterations of the Honda engine saw this trend reversed, as they fell in line with the majority of front wheel drive car layouts, designed in countries where they drive on the right, and the driver sits on the left of the car (ie: Europe). Thanks for coming to my TED talk 😊

[@Fortheloveofjdm]

Are the manuals like that too over there. Or in front of the driver?

[@kristianhermann5971]

Indeed - Mitsubishi did this too with early cars - one disadvantage was it required an additional countershaft in the transmissions to reverse the rotation direction of the final drive so the front wheels turned forward - this made the transmissions larger, heavier, and added complexity

[@JeremiBulakowski]

However K series engine is laid the same way most of the transverse mounted engines. From what I recall the B, D and H series were mounted the opposite way with the exhaust in front of the engine and intake to the firewall. K series is also a quite high engine, especially the K24, so it was probably not possible to mount it that way, as the exhaust would go under the Oil sump.

[@kristianhermann5971]

@@JeremiBulakowski Which side the intake/exhaust are on and which way the engine rotates are two separate and exclusive things - you can switch the intake/exhaust and still have a clockwise rotating engine - FYI

[@JeremiBulakowski]

​@@kristianhermann5971 I wrote it as a mental shortcut, in comparison to previous Honda engines that had it that way.

[@tdemask]

Man, I love your dry sense of humor and super tight / efficient editing. Not only is your content great, but the production is too!

[@TroyStevensStelzerPaintingInc]

Every one of your vids are absolute gold and packed with only useful info. I appreciate ya!

[@speedkar99]

Glad you learn something!

[@00jamiejohnson00]

this video should have thousands of likes. this guy has an impressive amount of knowledge on the k20

[@kjlovescoffee]

16:58 "Especially when the engine goes from vrrrrrrr to VRRRRRRRRRR" - I genuinely lauged out loud 😂

[@craigiefconcert6493]

Crazy how well designed and made that k series is. Roller rockers. Ladder frame. Beefy crank. Good oiling system. I bet they can be boosted to give a ton of power.

[@Givelasagna]

I have a boosted k24a at around 13 psi but they can go upwards to 18 and sometimes 20 but that's pushing it. It's best to keep them below 600 whp because the transmission wouldn't be able to handle it without upgraded gearing. After that you'd have to look into internals for the engine

[@TammyDenseDdank5658]

Lol, sees a well made beefy underpowered engine and wants to boost it.

[@TxcGren]

that is exactly what they’re known for lol

[@craigiefconcert6493]

@@TammyDenseDdank5658 it’s only a vicarious want. I’m way too cheap to do it and I’m happy with my slow lame cars. I just watch too many KZbin car channels 😂

[@thehumbleonez4030]

I love his tear down videos.. straight to the point and no 🐂 💩

[@ChavezDIY]

Those camshaft lobes look beautiful. My k24 lobes have normal wear marks, but no scoring. Awesome video!

[@titanicsauce2152]

Your mechanical knowledge always impresses me, excellent video as usual.

[@vivi_75]

Finally he got a K20, Can't wait until Speed gets a B58

[@stevesmith8155]

I drive a B58, so I hope it's a long wait due to its reliability. So far its been sound!

[@Just_In_credible6]

I am waiting for a 2.5 from a hybrid rav4. I may be waiting forever though because they are so reliable.

[@engineerisengihere44]

Im waiting to see the OG Taurus SHO engine. Sadly he is in Canada so finding one might be hard

[@RicardoMoreiraKrahnin]

Excelent video, the amount of knowledge you share on your videos in so little time is insane, thank you

[@FowlerAskew]

7:40 - a lot of VTEC solenoid check engine lights are actually caused by corroded/loose connectors on the solenoid and not the actual actuation of the valve. It's something worth checking before spending the time and money to replace the part

[@kclefthanded427]

Those metal chain guides are better than those milk carton ones found on Mini Coopers

[@ibrahimeltony4865]

WOW .. man this engine is so clean you are the best.... loved it thanks for your work

[@PhillyCheeseQuake]

A magnet for ricers!!! I have not heard that term in a long time. Love it.

[@olspanner]

Aaaaaaah, a goodie at last......seem few and far between these days. Nice work, as usual. Thanks.

[@kingmarz3635]

Yes yes yes More Honda please Been watching since 100subs from New Zealand , land of JDM

[@cgeorge4930]

Jack Della Madalena?

[@Pat-Van-Canada]

I have learned so much from your videos over the years

[@aquapisces24]

thanks for all these interesting videos and the efforts made in creating such content. i just wished the voice was clearer than the electric tightener though especially for viewers using headphones

[@JossieRocha]

I really love my R18 due to his reliability, simple design and fuel economy, but I wish this K20 to be my next engine.

[@Iowa599]

It is basically like VTEC-E, it goes it runs almost 12-valve when vtec is off, 16-valve when vtec is on.

[@amanda_bynes226]

great video btw, excellent return to form

[@speedkar99]

Thanks

[@jmurphy1389]

mine lasted until 310,000 miles. My sons lasted to 360,000 miles. Honday's K20 rules.

[@acescok]

That’s my quality time well spent 🎉

[@speedkar99]

Thanks

[@SilverTippedArrow101]

first! I love your videos brother you are fantastic

[@stevesmith8155]

SpeedKar: I really enjoy your channel! You cover the design quite well and with excellent brevity. You stay right on topic and avoid distractions. Exception is the source of your rags, which are the perfect levity. Hmmm? Is this an inadvertent Haiku?

[@marinsrok6100]

Great video. It'd be really interesting to see the insides of some of the Jazz engines (L13's and L15's)

[@nabeelsherazi8860]

love your vids so informative every time. hoping for a b58 teardown soon 🙏🙏🙏

[@danielwilliams4331]

Great video!

[@speedkar99]

Thanks!

[@marclours]

Awesome, love those.

[@speedkar99]

Me too!

[@whoguy4231]

Honda should have kept with their NA high revving high output/litre engines rather than the turbo crap they have now. They are beautifully elegant strong engines 👍

[@waterloo123100]

Blame the epa regulations for that

[@PistonAvatarGuy]

@@waterloo123100 It's not related to the EPA. Toyota has more powerful engines that are more fuel efficient, without relying on turbocharging and small displacement. Compare the 2.5 NA 4 cylinder in the Camry to the 1.5 liter turbo in the Accord. It's not even the EPA that's regulating fuel economy, you people are just massively confused.

[@franzbeloso6553]

As a K series engine and a car owner. I agree

[@oscarlmolina]

Great video! Very interesting

[@cgberz]

The K23 in the RDX has a metal thermostat housing if you were looking for an OE metal housing.

[@mattj65816]

3:34 haha... "this is gonna lead to the throttle body to gum up your intake." Yep, that's what it's designed for.

[@ChavezDIY]

No, the PCV valve doesn't lead to the throttle body. It goes into the top of the intake manifold right before the ports. Those gasses do not pass through the throttle body.

[@mattj65816]

@@ChavezDIY it was a joke.

[@TheCloser1]

I’ve done several vtc gaskets lately, they can drain a crankcase in 20 miles when they get bad enough Edit- if you have an oil leak you can find, look at the little 2 bolt cover behind the belt tensioner. “Vtc gasket”

[@scose]

Still praying for a 1uz or 3uz someday 🙏

[@speedkar99]

I wish. They are very expensive to obtain.

[@K20C2-Slow]

Fun fact there is a K20C engine variant that is still port injected! It's the K20C2 found in the 10th and 11th gen civics. It's 2.0L in displacement as the name suggests but is a naturally aspirated motor with VTEC on the intake. Very stout motors, and go for relatively cheap. I'd love to see you tear one down and hear your thoughts!

[@hustla818]

Yup. When I heard his comment I was immediately like "Nope, my 2023 civic with the k20c2 is still definitely port injected "

[@applepoop10]

Nah man, the K24/K20 build is better.

[@landshass2849]

I got 2 on a 2006 and 2007 2.4 Accords. The 2006 reached the 400K miles then the car got hit and totaled, actually I drove it home with blown airbags. The 2007 reached 350K miles and got hit and totalled 😢. I gave up on Hondas now, CVT and turbo.. no way.

[@speedkar99]

Why not get a manual Honda civic ?

[@landshass2849]

@@speedkar99 now I drive 2021 Camry hybrid Le 52 MPG, A25A-FXS with planetary gear Ecvt. It fits my age now.

[@michaelbrinks8089]

I would think a bowl shaped piston head would work good on a high compression 2 stroke engine. Especially if the transfer ports were shaped to direct the A/F mixture into the bowl towards the intske side of the of the piston. Then make it swirl around in the bowl if possible. Causing less of the fresh A/F mix to escape out the exhaust port on it's compression stroke. Then have the cylinder head be more flat inside. Instead of a dome shape.

[@jordangreeley2950]

New subscriber to your channel and I'm loving it! Do you help diagnose engine issues? I've got a K24 out of a '15 Acura TLX. When I'm stopped at a light and the car is still in Drive, I've got a significant vibration. Not all the time, but more often than not. I've checked engine mounts, doesn't seem to be the issue. Thank you for the awesome videos!

[@fear-is-a-token]

Great video, as always! Haven't worked on Honda K so far, only D and B series (we don't have too many post-2000 Hondas here in Portugal), but this looks sturdy! Are there any popular European engines available in Canada? Would really love to see some Fiat or Peugeot engine get disassembled by you

[@uhtred7860]

He should have lots to choose from, especially FIATs they are terrible cars, with crap engines.😆😆

[@jadesmith6823]

Brilliant 👏 👏 👏

[@speedkar99]

Thanks

[@thetruth7633]

B16b, near perfect rod to stroke ratio 🦹

[@sivucit]

can u pls do a video on yaw rate sensor, G sensor and Steering wheel sensor. I always look at your videos to understand how it works. i could not find a good one in youtube.

[@gercho1991]

I really wanna see R20A02 honda engine and your thoughts about it :)

[@sulljason]

For timing chain guides don't you want part of it to be plastic so it doesn't leave metal everywhere or eat the chain. There's different kinds of plastics. Probably one with good lubricity.

[@sulljason]

And the galley plugs are probably for access when they're drilling the galleys into the block. They're not part of the casting afaik. Does give you nice inspection/cleaning ports though.

[@jnunez9771]

Can you do the k20c2 motor and compare it to this one would be a great video to see an updated k20 motor vs an older version of

[@speedkar99]

I'd love to if I can get one. They aren't cheap, even blown up.

[@jnunez9771]

@@speedkar99 no worries just a suggestion great videos thanks for the response

[@nebojsa1976]

Is there cut line between cylinders? I guess they started putting it later on K20C4 engines. That's where the head gasket fails.

[@abraham3981]

4:05 Actually for the 2025 model year, Honda will be replacing the Otto cycle port injected K20C2 Engine (158 HP) in the 2024 N/A civics with the new K20C9 Atkinson cycle direct injected engine (150 HP).

[@speedkar99]

Nice. Less power.

[@abraham3981]

@@speedkar99 Direct injected engines are more prone to carbon buildup in the long run, this is why Toyota at least still keeps a set of port injectors with the direct injectors and programs the computer to synchronize both sets for more efficiency and to prevent carbon buildup in the long run.

[@hakujona]

@@abraham3981 its interesting they chose direct injection since it reduces reliability over time

[@Skywalker_83]

@@hakujona emissions....

[@chuckh.2227]

In the intro did you say a magnet for racers or ricers ?

[@brighter22]

I wonder how long before a review/teardown of a K24W 2.4 NA earth dreams DI engine?

[@izzy9022]

Honda introduced a balance shaft in the oil pump for the K20Z3 (FG2 Si) which meant it actually makes a little less power than the K20Z1 (RSX/Integra Type S facelift engine), which is funny to me because the Si is supposed to be the more "raw" model.

[@Givelasagna]

The 3 lobe cams in both the intake and exhaust is the "true" vtec. You have to make sure you don't have the eco k engine which does not like upgrades.

[@BLKSG6]

No vtec on intake is that because turbo just forces the air in, even without it?

[@danieldafoe4988]

Great engine! What about an R20A3? ...What do you think?

[@speedkar99]

I don't have experience with one

[@danhard8440]

has he done a vid on the GM 2.4 with VVT? i actually have one in my Saturn it was just as GMC was taking over Saturn in '07-'08

[@speedkar99]

I have a 2.2 ecotec teardown

[@iallreadyknowsunshine57]

Yes the k series engines are the best 4 cylinder engines ever made period. There’s not many factory 4 cylinder engines that can handle big horsepower increases on stock factory internals.

[@speedkar99]

Agreed! If it wasn't for emissions we would still have these versions in production

[@dragancrnogorac3851]

I'm gonna buy car with that, like acord or civic... Nothing unnecessary overcomplicated. That plastic thermostat can be changed in a minute and it probably cost 10 €. Lucky I'm in Europe so all of them are manual anyway. Are all 2,0 L honda this engine? Which year is best? There is 145 HP and 200 HP version. which one is the best for long drive at 140-170 kmh(it's legal here to drive that fast). There are 2,4 L version maybe that one more durable for 150 kmh long distance driving? How they tolerate LPG butane and methane gas as a fuel? I wanna save some money. Any good advice is appreciated

[@speedkar99]

The bigger engine is best for higher speeds.

[@powerjian8193]

K20 got no shitty wet belts, no BMW chains, so kept its value.👍

[@AndrewBrowner]

cant we get this man a gen 2 mid torque and an m12 stubby!

[@NoorquackerInd]

13:11 _we don't talk about the 2AZ-FE_

[@Nudel-nc1cp]

v-tec kick in yoo 😄

[@uhtred7860]

Very Tall Engine Coolant. 😆

[@landshass2849]

You should have left this clean engine in the junkyard somebody may need it.

[@speedkar99]

Too many base RSX engines out there !

[@vladkruglov7719]

What about sr20vet or 3Sgte?

[@sarcotexas]

Thank you

[@BRADLEY_RYAN]

K24 vs k20? Which is more reliable? Or depending on service and how you drive it ?

[@speedkar99]

I think they're equally reliable, it's the bolted on parts like intakes, EGR, thermostat, VTEC, etc that could fail.

[@bonganihalimani9572]

Hey what about the 3rd gen Prius video?

[@cernejr]

Is this engine from Acura RSX the base model, or from Type-S ?

[@speedkar99]

Base RSX

[@ariellubonja7856]

Why is the original honda coolant good? What’s the difference

[@martin-vv9lf]

there was a brand of coolant that went acidic, ate holes through many blocks.

[@speedkar99]

Each has their own spec. Alot of people put generic green stuff in there which can damage aluminum engines or cause corrosion

[@catsspat]

4:05 "Now one thing with most K-series engines, except the newer K20C, is that they're port injected..." Actually, K20C2 (HR-V, 2024 and earlier Civic LX/Sport) is still port injected. K20C1 (Accord 2.0T, Civic Type-R, etc.) is direct injected. K20C9 isn't even K-series, as far as I'm concerned. It's a variation of LFA-H4 engine.

[@RandomlnternetGuy]

This guy knoowwwss

[@ixfxi]

................ oh what do we have here? a fuckin NERD.

[@jimmytimmy3680]

K20 vs k24?

[@SAUGABALL07]

4:15 "If I take my wife's toothbrush,, you can see how gummed up it is" 😂

[@wasabitoburrion4409]

Honda K series engine are known for crossing the 1million mile or 1,6 million kilometers

[@jonnycando]

The use of plastics in this environment smacks of "designed to fail"

[@1uch1n11]

after watching I had to search for vtec kicks in yo videos on youtube

[@tomkoolman]

This is the same engine as my CRV

[@walpoleandworcester]

I rock a K20C2 in my 2023 Civic Sport and have enjoyed it so much.

[@speedkar99]

Nice. Isn't it slow in that heavy car?

[@BogdanDuceac]

especially when the engine goes from vrrm to VRRRRMMMM :)))

[@Aleks_Mechanics]

Hello there!👋🏻

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

Whose old toothbrush is that?

[@uhtred7860]

He said his wife’s. SMH.😆😆

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

​@@uhtred7860 Ah, yes, i missed that.

[@CedroCron]

Ah those were the days before Honda was neutered by "Earth Dreams" engines...

[@Iowa599]

I bet you couldn't find a K20 that was completely stock & broken, which is why you got one that worked from a wrecked car, right?

[@speedkar99]

Exactly! Broken ones cost more

[@ClarityCarl]

I have been driving my RSX 5 speed for 8 years. it got 220k miles. if anyone of you got K20/24 problems hola at me.

[@CerealKiller.]

Throw a rock at me. But Japan does a Killer job at making Bulletproof Gas Engines. Honda 1.6L. 2.0L. 2.4L. Subaru 1.6L. 2.0L. I Cannot say the same about Diesels from Japan. They aren't great in any means. fellow European here.

[@uhtred7860]

We only use Toyota diesel’s at the commercial vehicle rental company I work for, they last and handle the treatment from customers way better than the Mercedes and Renault vans we’ve tried. The absolute worst ones were the Chinese DAF copies, they lasted one whole month before we got rid of them.

[@speedkar99]

Subaru?

[@papapetad]

Toyota has made some killer diesel stuff and the older Isuzu dmax trucks rocked solid gear-driven diesel motors, design taken straight from their commercial lines of motors. Dollar for dollar, maintenance and longevity wise, I doubt they're worse than their equivalent euro stuff, especially the newer motors.

[@CerealKiller.]

@@papapetad I agree. Toyota has a failure point at oil rings getting clogged due to lack of maintenance

[@Mladjasmilic]

Why some Honda and Mitsubishi have engine on the left, and some on the right.

[@AndrewBrowner]

that must be the stay at home impact set, surely he has some better riggs in the daily box.... i dont know 10% what he does im spreading my knowledge over 20 trades yet i have top end milwuakee impacts

[@123rusty4]

Dud you sure can talk really good ,, not one slip ,,,, Joe can not get five words out befor a brane fart ,,,

[@joebaucom4537]

THANK YOU JESUS!

[@Just_In_credible6]

Hopefully you are able to clean your wifes toothbrush up pretty well before she needs to use it again.

[@lordineadjriou561]

👍

[@2strokeFORever]

A3s are more or less just VTEC-E with VCT. Still fun engines but no where near the A2

[@ryanbrown7627]

"best engine ever" lmao. Ok bud 👌🏻

[@1uch1n11]

for a low mileage engine that thing looks like it was dragged on the ground for a winter in nothern michigan

[@leblancexplores]

Oh my god plastic intake, never going to last.

[@MacCready_]

Pretty reliable? Bro...

[@NATURALGAMING]

Get a j35

[@michaelbezoski3096]

Vurrrrrr, VURRRRR, 🤣 Cool...

[@Adam-kb2mn]

vtec yo