by Apple Slicer »
October 18th, 2015
I've definitely looked into doing this type of thing, and the conclusion is that all Honda J engine heads seem to be able to fit on different blocks including ours.
However.
I am hesitant to change the heads because the cam design is different, and II don't think they have all of the features of the new j engines. Also the exhaust ports are pretty small because they are for a smaller engine.
You also have to take into consideration that if you source new heads, they will cost a lot, and even if they have all the parts, you may need new valves, springs, cleaning, ect. In the end, its an expensive endeavour.
Which brings me to my current plan. I read a long while ago that a machine shop could grind off the integrated exhaust port, and weld in some traditional header ports. Then it's just a matter of getting the car to a competent exhaust fabricator and having shorty headers made (obviously long tube headers don't fit on a transverse engine particularly* if you want them to be equal length. Which you do. They need to be actually or you won't exact the maximum power and efficiency of the custom headers)
The negatives of doing any* thing to the heads is that emissions will prove to be a bitch since the primary cats are gone. I guess you could get a couple new ones and relocate them, but this just adds to the expense. Not to mention that having custom work done means your accord will be out of order until the job is all buttoned up, which I estimate to take a couple weeks at least.