Note: this short version article cuts right into the nitty gritty. Click here for the long version article.
When it comes to K-swapping a legacy chassis/golden era Honda, there are many axle companies on the market with tons of axle stage choices (DSS, Insane Shafts, Hasport, Yonaka, Chyna specials, etc.) some good, some bad, some in between. It can get quite convoluted and frustrating. For those searching for a factory OEM axle solution – read on! I went factory OEM axle setup back in ’08-09 after doing some research on K20A.org and with help from Brian at Karcepts and haven’t looked back.
For EF/EG/EK/DA/DC2 K-swaps, your wheel hub choice typically dictates what factory OEM axles can be used. Click on your golden era Honda model in the drop down menu below to see what factory axle combo will work for you.
PS: “32mm and 36mm axles” refers to the outer joint axle nut size. It’s just an easier way to refer to swap axles instead of the actual outboard joint spline millimeter size.
88-91 EF Civic/CRX
ARE YOU STAYING 32MM 4-LUG?
Option 1a) Run BOTH 06-11 Civic DX/EX (FA1) 5MT axles. Either genuine OEM or aftermarket parts store will work. No inner joint swapping necessary. If you’re wondering, 06-11 FA1 AT axles will not work at all; axle length is wrong as is inner joint spline count.
For UK folks, look into using both FN1 Civic MK8 5MT axles. I’ve found these are equivalent to our USDM 06-11 FA1 Civic DX/EX 5MT axles. A smarter-not-work-harder solution than using FN2 CTR axles w/B-series outer joints.
Option 1b) Run an 06-11 Civic DX/EX (FA1) 5MT passenger side axle and a Base RSX DRIVER side axle. Either genuine OEM or aftermarket parts store will work. No inner joint swapping necessary.
Note: AT and MT base model RSX axles are the same spec!
Option 2) Run both 02-06 Base model RSX axles. Swap the inner joints for peace of mind.
Note: AT and MT base model RSX axles are the same spec!
ARE YOU USING 36mm 4-LUG SWAP HUBS?
Option 1) Run 06-11 Civic Si PASSENGER side axle and a RSX Type-S DRIVER side axle. Either genuine OEM or aftermarket axles, choice is yours, obviously OEM is best for reliability and longevity. No inner joint swapping necessary!
Option 2) Run both 02-06 RSX Type-S axles but requires inner joint swapping. Genuine OEM axles only.
ARE YOU 5-LUG CONVERTED?
32mm 5-lug converted >>> see 32mm 4-lug axle suggestions.
36mm 5-lug converted – Option 1) Run 06-11 Civic Si PASSENGER side axle and a RSX Type-S DRIVER side axle. Either genuine OEM or aftermarket axles, choice is yours, obviously OEM is best for reliability and longevity. No inner joint swapping necessary!
36mm 5-lug converted – Option 2) Run BOTH 02-06 RSX Type-S axles but will require inner joint swapping. Genuine OEM axles only.
92-95 EG Civic / 92-97 Delsol
ARE YOU STAYING 32MM 4-LUG?
Option 1a) Run BOTH 06-11 Civic DX/EX (FA1) 5MT axles. Either genuine OEM or aftermarket parts store will work. No inner joint swapping necessary. If you’re wondering, 06-11 FA1 AT axles will not work at all; axle length is wrong as is inner joint spline count.
For UK folks, look into using both FN1 Civic MK8 5MT axles. I’ve found these are equivalent to our USDM 06-11 FA1 Civic DX/EX 5MT axles. A potentially cheaper solution than using FN2 CTR axles w/B-series outer joints.
Option 1b) Run an 06-11 Civic DX/EX (FA1) 5MT passenger side axle and a Base RSX DRIVER side axle. Either genuine OEM or aftermarket parts store will work. No inner joint swapping necessary.
Note: AT and MT base model RSX axles are the same spec!
Option 2) Run both 02-06 Base model RSX axles. Swap the inner joints for peace of mind.
Note: AT and MT base model RSX axles are the same spec!
ARE YOU USING 36mm 4-LUG SWAP HUBS?
Option 1) Run 06-11 Civic Si PASSENGER side axle and a RSX Type-S DRIVER side axle. Either genuine OEM or aftermarket axles, choice is yours, obviously OEM is best for reliability and longevity. No inner joint swapping necessary!
Option 2) Run both 02-06 RSX Type-S axles but requires inner joint swapping. Genuine OEM axles only.
ARE YOU 5-LUG CONVERTED?
32mm 5-lug converted >>> see 32mm 4-lug axle suggestions above
36mm 5-lug converted – Option 1) Run 06-11 Civic Si PASSENGER side axle and a RSX Type-S DRIVER side axle. Either genuine OEM or aftermarket axles, choice is yours, obviously OEM is best for reliability and longevity. No inner joint swapping necessary!
36mm 5-lug converted – Option 2) Run BOTH 02-06 RSX Type-S axles but will require inner joint swapping. Genuine OEM axles only.
96-00 EK Civic
ARE YOU STAYING 32MM 4-LUG?
Option 1a) Run BOTH 06-11 Civic DX/EX (FA1) 5MT axles. Either genuine OEM or aftermarket parts store will work. No inner joint swapping necessary. If you’re wondering, 06-11 FA1 AT axles will not work at all; axle length is wrong as is inner joint spline count.
For UK folks, look into using both FN1 Civic MK8 5MT axles. I’ve found these are equivalent to our USDM 06-11 FA1 Civic DX/EX 5MT axles. A smarter-not-work harder solution than using FN2 CTR axles w/B-series outer joints.
Option 1b) Run an 06-11 Civic DX/EX (FA1) 5MT passenger side axle and a Base RSX DRIVER side axle. Either genuine OEM or aftermarket parts store will work. No inner joint swapping necessary.
Note: AT and MT base model RSX axles are the same spec!
Option 2) Run both 02-06 Base model RSX axles. Swap the inner joints for peace of mind.
Note: AT and MT base model RSX axles are the same spec!
ARE YOU USING 36mm 4-LUG SWAP HUBS?
Option 1) Run 06-11 Civic Si PASSENGER side axle and a RSX Type-S DRIVER side axle. Either genuine OEM or aftermarket axles, choice is yours, obviously OEM is best for reliability and longevity. No inner joint swapping necessary!
Option 2) Run both 02-06 RSX Type-S axles but requires inner joint swapping. Genuine OEM axles only.
ARE YOU 5-LUG CONVERTED?
32mm 5-lug converted >>> see 32mm 4-lug axle suggestions above
36mm 5-lug converted – Option 1) Run 06-11 Civic Si PASSENGER side axle and a RSX Type-S DRIVER side axle. Either genuine OEM or aftermarket axles, choice is yours, obviously OEM is best for reliability and longevity. No inner joint swapping necessary!
36mm 5-lug converted – Option 2) Run BOTH 02-06 RSX Type-S axles but will require inner joint swapping. Genuine OEM axles only.
90-93 DA Integra
ARE YOU STAYING 32MM 4-LUG?
Option 1a) Run BOTH 06-11 Civic DX/EX (FA1) 5MT axles. Either genuine OEM or aftermarket parts store will work. No inner joint swapping necessary. If you’re wondering, 06-11 FA1 AT axles will not work at all; axle length is wrong as is inner joint spline count.
For UK folks, look into using both FN1 Civic MK8 5MT axles. I’ve found these are equivalent to our USDM 06-11 FA1 Civic DX/EX 5MT axles. A smarter-not-work harder solution than using FN2 CTR axles w/B-series outer joints.
Option 1b) Run an 06-11 Civic DX/EX (FA1) 5MT passenger side axle and a Base RSX DRIVER side axle. Either genuine OEM or aftermarket parts store will work. No inner joint swapping necessary.
Note: AT and MT base model RSX axles are the same spec!
Option 2) Run both 02-06 Base model RSX axles. Swap the inner joints for peace of mind.
Note: AT and MT base model RSX axles are the same spec!
ARE YOU USING 36mm 4-LUG SWAP HUBS?
Option 1) Run 06-11 Civic Si PASSENGER side axle and a RSX Type-S DRIVER side axle. Either genuine OEM or aftermarket axles, choice is yours, obviously OEM is best for reliability and longevity. No inner joint swapping necessary!
Option 2) Run both 02-06 RSX Type-S axles but requires inner joint swapping. Genuine OEM axles only.
ARE YOU 5-LUG CONVERTED?
32mm 5-lug converted >>> see 32mm 4-lug axle suggestions.
36mm 5-lug converted – Option 1) Run 06-11 Civic Si PASSENGER side axle and a RSX Type-S DRIVER side axle. Either genuine OEM or aftermarket axles, choice is yours, obviously OEM is best for reliability and longevity. No inner joint swapping necessary!
36mm 5-lug converted – Option 2) Run BOTH 02-06 RSX Type-S axles but will require inner joint swapping. Genuine OEM axles only.
94-01 DC2/4 Integra
ARE YOU STAYING 32MM 4-LUG?
Option 1a) Run BOTH 06-11 Civic DX/EX (FA1) 5MT axles. Either genuine OEM or aftermarket parts store will work. No inner joint swapping necessary. If you’re wondering, 06-11 FA1 AT axles will not work at all; axle length is wrong as is inner joint spline count.
For UK folks, look into using both FN1 Civic MK8 5MT axles. I’ve found these are equivalent to our USDM 06-11 FA1 Civic DX/EX 5MT axles. A potentially cheaper solution than going FN2 CTR axles w/B-series outer joints.
Option 1b) Run an 06-11 Civic DX/EX (FA1) 5MT passenger side axle and a Base RSX DRIVER side axle. Either genuine OEM or aftermarket parts store will work. No inner joint swapping necessary.
Note: AT and MT base model RSX axles are the same spec!
Option 2) Run both 02-06 Base model RSX axles. Swap the inner joints for peace of mind.
Note: AT and MT base model RSX axles are the same spec!
ARE YOU USING 36mm 4-LUG SWAP HUBS?
Option 1) Run 06-11 Civic Si PASSENGER side axle and a RSX Type-S DRIVER side axle. Either genuine OEM or aftermarket axles, choice is yours, obviously OEM is best for reliability and longevity. No inner joint swapping necessary!
Option 2) Run both 02-06 RSX Type-S axles but requires inner joint swapping. Genuine OEM axles only.
ARE YOU 5-LUG CONVERTED?
32mm 5-lug converted >>> see 32mm 4-lug axle suggestions above
(this applies to K-swapped USDM 97-01 ITR’s and JDM 96-00 EK9 CTR’s)
36mm 5-lug converted – Option 1) Run 06-11 Civic Si PASSENGER side axle and a RSX Type-S DRIVER side axle. Either genuine OEM or aftermarket axles, choice is yours, obviously OEM is best for reliability and longevity. No inner joint swapping necessary!
36mm 5-lug converted – Option 2) Run BOTH 02-06 RSX Type-S axles but will require inner joint swapping. Genuine OEM axles only.
Inner Joint Swapping Explained
WTF do they mean by swapping the inner joints ??? What’s the point of doing this??
This is the act of physically trading the inboard joint from the passenger side axle over to the driver side axle and vice versa. This effectively transforms either axle to be used on the opposite sides of the vehicle. You do this to gain axle length for the passenger side or to help lessen driver side axle length to mitigate axle binding, but most of the time its for gaining passenger side axle length.
The process requires the disassembly of both inner joints by unstrapping their boots (a potential grease mess and you will need a new boot straps), carefully removing the inner CV joint and leaving the bearings AS-IS (do not swap the tripod bearings as they are married to the axle shaft!), proceed to swap the inner joints to the opposite axle sliding onto the tripod bearings.
>> HOW-TO VIDEO
