RDX drivetrain swap
05-05-2017, 02:43 PM
#1
10th Gear
Thread Starter
RDX drivetrain swap
I have been looking at unique swap ideas and have convinced the wife on the following. 07-12 RDX sh-awd complete drivetrain swap into a 1st gen Honda Insight. (just bought #2, 2001 red) Flashpro is a given although Kpro automatics are a thing now so will be researching that as a possibility. I am contemplating weather or not I want to buy a salvage complete car to tear down or just buy the stuff I need. Contemplating the RDX suspension or using older CRV style (custom subframes either way). I just ordered a 2010 service manual CD rom to get started which leads me to my first question. What are the differences within the years 07-12? will the lated Service manual cover every year? other than age and milage, is there any reason I should look into staying within specific years?
05-09-2017, 10:20 AM
#2
the tech packages changed through the years that's pretty much it.. in 09 they offered powered seats for the tech and in 10 the powered seats where standard.. wiring for the dash and ect where pretty much the same colors. they may have done a few tweaks engine wise that I don't recall but all in all they are pretty they same
05-09-2017, 10:28 AM
#3
the tech packages changed through the years that's pretty much it.. in 09 they offered powered seats for the tech and in 10 the powered seats where standard.. wiring for the dash and ect where pretty much the same colors. they may have done a few tweaks engine wise that I don't recall but all in all they are pretty they same
05-09-2017, 10:30 AM
#4
instead of building, i'd just buy one. 
LHT K-Sight
less than 1800lbs with 200-600HP with a custom all wheel drive unit.
s2k speedo cluster and kpro
LHT K-Sight
less than 1800lbs with 200-600HP with a custom all wheel drive unit.
s2k speedo cluster and kpro
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justnspace (05-09-2017)
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05-10-2017, 02:16 PM
#9
10th Gear
Thread Starter
1G Insight has a very custom friendly frame design, Drag guys are all doing similar, Im taking my cues from the VTEC Mini cooper club. I will actually gut the original RDX or older CRV style to fit and try to use all the factory parts I can. Looking at the service manual for a couple days now, Lots of wiring.....
What would happen if you removed 1200 pounds from the RDX as far as the SH AWD is concerned. I would do such a complete swap that this is the only thing the ECU/control system might be aware of. My alternative to this is using CRV from top to bottom but the idea of a yaw rate sensor and steering sensor sound very interesting.
Hondata would allow for tire size changes and would love to also do an EP3 swap with RDX guts but a Civic sized 25" tire but the Off Road Insight is happening so I will be studying all things RDX and hopefully pick the brains of this forum.
What would happen if you removed 1200 pounds from the RDX as far as the SH AWD is concerned. I would do such a complete swap that this is the only thing the ECU/control system might be aware of. My alternative to this is using CRV from top to bottom but the idea of a yaw rate sensor and steering sensor sound very interesting.
Hondata would allow for tire size changes and would love to also do an EP3 swap with RDX guts but a Civic sized 25" tire but the Off Road Insight is happening so I will be studying all things RDX and hopefully pick the brains of this forum.
05-10-2017, 02:21 PM
#10
subscribed sir!
i've been wanting to do some kind of project and your OFFROAD INSIGHT sounds so rad!!!!
the people that have done any significant weight loss describe that everything gets better! I would think SHAWD would react better to a lighter chassis.
i've been wanting to do some kind of project and your OFFROAD INSIGHT sounds so rad!!!!
the people that have done any significant weight loss describe that everything gets better! I would think SHAWD would react better to a lighter chassis.
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bongobennie (05-11-2017)
06-27-2017, 10:59 PM
#12
10th Gear
Thread Starter
So I have been doing some studying and I have found that I can probably buy a wrecked car in the $2500-$4K range and I have also found that the Engine/trans/rear end/ wiring are all relatively cheap compared to other K series bits. Do you think I will find all the thing necessary to making this work on eBay or is a salvage the way to go? Keep in mind I will not be using the RDX suspension..
07-10-2017, 10:56 PM
#14
10th Gear
Thread Starter
I have been looking at auction sites for RDX's and Ive been weighing buying a complete car. There are some that are hail damage which would allow me to use all of the suspension verses my original idea of using Element suspension (Idea was K20 before RDX). For the element idea I want to use stock struts with the available Ground Control coilovers. With RDX there nothing available so I wonder if Element might be better than RDX or is there maybe a work around. So to sum up, in stock form how does the RDX compare to element in off road capabilities. If I were to go Element route I then question whether or not it would be cheaper to buy the parts I need off ebay or if I do buy a complete car, there are many with suspension damage that are cheaper than the holy grail of hail damage....... I realized Ive been talking about this but im stuck on suspension.