Beams vs. Honda K20

[attyjess]

Does anyone know how the Beams engine stacks up against the Honda K20A engine? I've read in some forum that the Honda K20A is capable of reaching 200whp with just bolt ons (intake/exhaust) and a hondata ECU upgrade. Is the BEAMS engine capable of such performance?

[Raoc435]

K20 makes 220 hp with stock componets and just a tune.

[EvilElvis]

Keep in mind there is a much larger aftermarket for the k20 than the beams....with that said they seem to make a heck of alot more power with less mods....

[Raoc435]

www.todaracing.com individual throttlebodies stroker kits you name it Vtec killer cams............. wowzor

[Sang]

The k-series is a much newer engine with new technology. I'd hope that the bar keeps raising each new engine design.

with that said, K20>3sge, but in the end, they're still both NA 4 bangers...if you have either, there's no use swapping for the other, and if you're just swapping for the fun of it, it's easier to stay within the family (k series for honda/acura, beams for toyotas).

[Edophus]

The k20 has some nice technology with the vtec, torque is very smililar between the beams and k20, but the k20 has the advantage of nearly an extra 1000rpm, and it keeps on making power past where the beams redlines. for basic mods the k20 starts off better, but ultimatly threre probably very similar past a certain point, and you could argue that the beams would be the stronger block with its cast iron closed deck design but to who thats an advantage is debatable. What would have been nice if instead of the 2zz that came next we got a beams with vvtl-i that would have w00ped a k20

[Raoc435]

lol Those k20 crx cars are crazy.

[Roman]

I think that the K20A engine is brilliant.

Better than the beams engine IMO.

If there's anything that honda knows how to do, it's build awesome NA engines.

[attyjess]

I asked the question because both engines have a similar rated horsepower in stock form. In fact, I think the blacktop is even rated higher at 210hp than the K20A2 at 200hp in stock form. I was wondering if you bolted on a better intake, like ITBs, and a good header plus some tunning with an after market ECU to the BEAMS engine, would it be able to make 200whp just like the K20 does?

[Raoc435]

k20 with the type s intake mainfold are rated at 220 hp on stock parts just tuned... They come in the Rsx type s with the six speed ls tranny.

[attyjess]

The K20A2 in the RSX Type S is rated at only 200hp. It's the K20A in the Integra Type R (only sold in Japan) that is rated at 220hp. Both ratings I presume are measured from the flywheel. The red-top and black-top Beams are also rated at 200hp and 210hp from the flywheel respectively.

[TKMR2]

it's nice to see that this topic can be debated here without a bunch of ignorant toyota blinder wearing idiots clouding the thread like the thread on that other board. K20> beams for sure, modern technology FTW

[MR2TRD1]

K20 is an awesome engine...but a complete bitch to work on in an RSX. I put a race header on my friend type S.....it was harder than changing the turbo on the MR2. The car didn't seem to gain so much power from bolt-ons like alot of K20 owners claim. He had AEM intake, Comptech race header, and a few other things but it didn't 'seem' nearly as fast as my friends stock Type R (B18C5).

[Raoc435]

With the toda vtec killer cams stroker kit indiv throttle bodies and a few other things it can easily make close to 400 all motor with a little (little) shot.

[TKMR2]

With the toda vtec killer cams stroker kit indiv throttle bodies and a few other things it can easily make close to 400 all motor with a little (little) shot.

that's impressive.

[MichaelBrown]

How hard would it be to install?

My theory would be...


Gut the entire MR2 of all of its engine wiring.
Take off the stock speedometer.
Put in an RSX speedometer.
Bolt up the engine, run all the wire originally from the engine to a K-Pro (Hondata) ECU.
Start engine....

[Jason.MZW20]

The one thing the BEAMS does which is superior to the K20 is its peak torque production. In single VVT-i form, it produces 155lb-ft at 6000rpm, and in dual VVT-i form it does 159lb-ft at 6400rpm. The K20A manages a meager 140lb-ft at 7000rpm (139lb-ft @ 6100rpm in the Si). How Toyota produces 20lb-ft more than the K20A is beyond me (probably related to the ACIS system and valve timing). I believe the dual VVT-i BEAMS produces the same torque at redline as the K20A produces at its peak. The K20A's torque output seems meager, but at least it can hold it till redline and a bit after.

On the other hand, the extra torque is needed on the BEAMS to counter the powertrain's weight. The BEAMS is still a cast iron block with aluminum alloy heads. The K20A is all aluminum.

You'll be hard pressed to gain anything from bolt-on mods with the K20 because Honda engineers are already pushing it to its limit in its stock setup. The same is probably true of the BEAMS.

I'm almost positive the tuning was performed by Yamaha on both BEAMS engines. If it's a standard Toyota tune, then you can probably gain some extra power.

By the way, 200whp is around 228 crank hp. I'm sure the gain is due more to the ECU upgrade than the bolt ons.

Torque becomes increasingly more important with the weight of the vehicle. Putting a K20 in a MKII wouldn't do it much justice, but if you put one in a MKIII, it'd fly.

[Mekkahfire]

With the toda vtec killer cams stroker kit indiv throttle bodies and a few other things it can easily make close to 400 all motor with a little (little) shot.

Now, im not trying to start a fight of any kind here, but id definately have to see the dynograph and some video or something for myself. I know how typical honda kids are.

[Mekkahfire]

The one thing the BEAMS does which is superior to the K20 is its peak torque production. In single VVT-i form, it produces 155lb-ft at 6000rpm, and in dual VVT-i form it does 159lb-ft at 6400rpm. The K20A manages a meager 140lb-ft at 7000rpm (139lb-ft @ 6100rpm in the Si). How Toyota produces 20lb-ft more than the K20A is beyond me (probably related to the ACIS system and valve timing). I believe the dual VVT-i BEAMS produces the same torque at redline as the K20A produces at its peak. The K20A's torque output seems meager, but at least it can hold it till redline and a bit after.

On the other hand, the extra torque is needed on the BEAMS to counter the powertrain's weight. The BEAMS is still a cast iron block with aluminum alloy heads. The K20A is all aluminum.

You'll be hard pressed to gain anything from bolt-on mods with the K20 because Honda engineers are already pushing it to its limit in its stock setup. The same is probably true of the BEAMS.

I'm almost positive the tuning was performed by Yamaha on both BEAMS engines. If it's a standard Toyota tune, then you can probably gain some extra power.

By the way, 200whp is around 228 crank hp. I'm sure the gain is due more to the ECU upgrade than the bolt ons.

Torque becomes increasingly more important with the weight of the vehicle. Putting a K20 in a MKII wouldn't do it much justice, but if you put one in a MKIII, it'd fly.

Kind of like how Orido has the Celica GT-S motor in his MKIII and kills everything he races on the track

[operatiofelatio]

Now, im not trying to start a fight of any kind here, but id definately have to see the dynograph and some video or something for myself. I know how typical honda kids are.

for once i agree with mekkahfire i would really have to see some proof to believe that