Add products by adding codes
Honda K20 / K24: RWD Engine Swap with a BMW Gearbox
Most people associate the K engine with the Civic and front-wheel drive, but it is ending up in rear-wheel-drive cars more and more often. In that layout it sits longitudinally, with a BMW ZF or Getrag gearbox bolted up behind it. The videos cover two such projects, one of them a turbo K24.
PMC Motorsport adapter plate: Honda K20/K24 to BMW ZF/Getrag gearbox, final install. Aligning the clutch without a dedicated alignment tool, fitting the gearbox single-handed and modifying a Honda S2000 exhaust manifold.
How it works
In a Honda the K engine sits transversely and is bolted to a front-wheel-drive gearbox. For rear-wheel drive you turn it longitudinally, and you need an RWD gearbox. BMW gearboxes are tough, easy to find and everyone in drifting knows them. Our adapter plate mates the K block to the BMW bellhousing, and the flywheel takes the clutch.
What might catch you out
The author of the video had no clutch alignment tool, so he shows how he managed without one. The stock exhaust manifold from a FWD car usually fouls the body, so here a Honda S2000 header was modified instead. You can fit the BMW gearbox on your own, but prepare properly for it, because it is heavy. If you want the engine to sit upright, we also make the adapter plate in a “0° vertical” version.
More K-swap videos
Turbocharged Honda K24 with a BMW ZF 5-speed gearbox: PMC adapter plate
A short video: a turbo K24 mated to a 5-speed BMW ZF gearbox with the PMC adapter plate, an engine from a FWD car in a longitudinal RWD layout.
K-swapped Nissan 350Z track test: Hoonigan
Hert from the Hoonigan channel tests a 350Z with a Honda K-series engine: drifting, plenty of jokes and finding out how much abuse the car can take.
Parts from the videos
Adapter plates and a flywheel for mating the Honda K20/K24 to BMW gearboxes:
- Adapter kit Honda K20 K24 - BMW M50 S50 M52 S52 M54 ZF-5 5-speed - 240mm / 9.45" RWD
- Flywheel Honda K20 K24 - BMW M50 S50 M52 S52 M54 S54 ZF5 5-speed Getrag 420G - 240mm / 9.45"
- Adapter Kit Honda K20 K24 - manual 5-speed BMW M57 ZF GS5-39DZ - 240mm / 9.45"
- Gearbox adapter Honda K20 K24 - Manual BMW ZF5 GS5-39DZ GS6-53DZ GS6-53BZ / 8HP / DCT
FAQ
Can a K20 or K24 be mated to a BMW gearbox?
Yes. Our adapter plate and flywheel mate the K20/K24 to BMW ZF and Getrag manual gearboxes. That is how you build a K-powered, rear-wheel-drive car.
Will this K-swap handle a turbo?
In one of the videos a turbo K24 runs a 5-speed BMW ZF gearbox on our adapter plate. Choose the clutch and gearbox for your target power, and if in doubt, get in touch with us.
Which exhaust manifold should I use?
Stock manifolds from FWD cars usually do not fit in a longitudinal install. In the video, an S2000 header is being modified.
Did you know… K-series engines have a chain-driven timing system. Honda's older B-series engines used a timing belt that had to be replaced regularly.
You will find more install videos of our parts on the PMC Motorsport videos page.
Recommended
Adapter Honda K20 K24 - 6-speed manual BMW M57n GS6-53DZ HGD JGA HGA - 240mm / 9.45"
