Engine · Honda

Honda K: what the engine asks of an ECU

Page data last updated 2 October 2026

The K20 and K24 are i-VTEC engines, which means a cam phaser and a lift-change solenoid on top of the usual trigger inputs. For output counts, that matters as much as the trigger pattern.

Both variants here are smart-coil engines.

Where this comes from

Some items on this page are cited from Wikipedia and from ECU manufacturers such as Haltech, not from the engine's maker. Each row names its source, and a † marks a row that is crowdsourced. Always check your specific sensors and manuals where you have them.

A figure like 58x is pulses per crank revolution from one sensor. It is a rate, not a sensor count, and it does not say whether the sensor is VR or Hall. The planner reads sensor type, cam sensor count and variable cams from the cited text. Where the text does not settle one, the row says so: check your sensor.

Variants

K20 (i-VTEC 2.0 NA)

Engine
4 cylinders, inline layout1
Aspiration
Naturally aspirated2
Fuel injection
Port injection, sequential2
Ignition
COP, smart coils (igniter built in)1, 3
Crank trigger
12+1 crank3
Cam trigger
TDC/exh 4+1; intake VTC 42
Cams and variable timing
2 camshafts; variable timing: 1 (intake VTC phaser + VTEC lift (both cams))1, 2, 3
Firing order
1-3-4-23
Factory ECU
Honda PGM-FI1
Notes
i-VTEC is VTC (continuous intake cam phasing) plus VTEC (two-stage lift). Smart COP, three-pin. Crank and cam are all Hall.3

How the planner reads the trigger text

Crank sensor type
Hall assumed, check your sensor
Cam position sensors
2
Variable cams
1

Wire-in ECUs that cover it: 19 as they come, 27 more with add-on modules. The count is the planner's, worked out from the pin tables.

Fits as it is 19
Fits with add-ons 27

Plan a build around the K20 (i-VTEC 2.0 NA)

K24 (i-VTEC 2.4 NA)

Engine
4 cylinders, inline layout1
Aspiration
Naturally aspirated1
Fuel injection
Port injection, sequential1
Ignition
COP, smart coils (igniter built in)1, 3
Crank trigger
12+1 crank3
Cam trigger
TDC/exh 4+1; intake VTC 43
Cams and variable timing
2 camshafts; variable timing: 1 (intake VTC phaser; VTEC lift both-cam(K24A2)/intake-only(other K24))1
Firing order
1-3-4-23
Factory ECU
Honda PGM-FI1
Notes
K24 i-VTEC. Smart COP, three-pin. Crank and cam are all Hall.3

How the planner reads the trigger text

Crank sensor type
Hall assumed, check your sensor
Cam position sensors
2
Variable cams
1

Wire-in ECUs that cover it: 19 as they come, 27 more with add-on modules. The count is the planner's, worked out from the pin tables.

Fits as it is 19
Fits with add-ons 27

Plan a build around the K24 (i-VTEC 2.4 NA)

Pairing the engine with a gearbox? BoxSelector has the ratios for the boxes that bolt up to it, and works out road speed and tyre size before the money goes: gearbox ratios.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia: Honda K engine Wikipedia · infobox, lead
  2. MaxxECU: Trigger system honda K20A2 MaxxECU (ECU maker) · Honda K20A2
  3. Haltech: Thomas te Haltech (ECU maker) · Ignition, Crank Sensor, Variable Cam Control, General Information, Trigger System, Cam Sensor

Always verify against the manufacturer's manual and your tuner before wiring.