HondaTechMan121

So i have been doing alot of looking around for info about swaps for my 96 prelude and i have come up with a few
JDM F20B $400 Plus id have to buy a ECU(Vtec) for that engine
F20B Accord SiR-T OBD2 Engine ONLY (Automatic Version) JDM Engine F20B

JDM F23A $300 (Im not sure if this one fits) Also would have to buy a ECU to run Vtec on
F23A Accord / '98 Odyssey / Acura 2.3CL OBD2 Engine JDM F23A

JDM H23A $650 I have to swap the oil pump in order to make it Obd2
H23A H23A3 Prelude Si OBD1 Engine JDM H23A

USDM H22a4 (i got no idea how much this would cost) but i would need the engine ECU and wire harness


I would like to know if anyone has done these swaps into a 96 lude and if u had any problems and overall what one would be the cheapest and easiest to swap and if there are any other engines i don't have on here that will swap in plz note i don't want to swap the stock trany it has. Thanks

HondaTechMan121

80+ views and no ones got anything to say?

PTVDesign

look on j35
it's true power

Nakajima

Out of all the engines you mentioned, the H22 is the best by far. Definitely worth the extra money.

If you can't get hold of an H22 ECU, you can run a piggyback computer such as a Dastek Unichip ( with the optional Vtec driver and rev limiter module ) in combination with your current ECU.

Of course other engines can also be made to work, but out of those you mentioned, I'd definitely go for the H22.

backinblue92

iTrader: (1)

I have a 96, originally an si that I swapped an obd1 jdm h22 into. Due to ca smog law, it had to be obd2, so I swapped the oil pump for sure and injectors I'm pretty sure. This was 6 years ago but the swap was easy. The harder/ expensive part is finding an obd2 h22 ecu without the 97+ immobilizer. It is a p13 a12 if memory serves.

I'm looking into a new swap soon but undecided. The obd2 h23a I believe requires no mods since it already is an obd2 engine. Don't quote me but do some research.

HondaTechMan121

ya mine has an h23a1 in it atm and its hard to fine another one with good miles for less then 1k

snobordboy

Keep in mind the extra costs of a different engine such as needing the right exhaust manifold for the head, so the F20B or H22 will need a different one than you have now. You can go cheap with an Ebay header if needed, or try to use a stock upper if it comes with the engine.

Always a bit more fun to deal with the 96 cars, especially in a state that has strict inspection requirements.

HondaTechMan121

i think im going to just get a h22a4 for my 96 lude the parts will be easier to get compared any jdm counterpart. now i have heard of this immobilizer for the 5th gen lude do i need to worry about anything?

HondaTechMan121

also does the h23a4 bolt up the stock trany? (auto)

also i was wondering would the f23A Bolt up also?

HondaTechMan121

anyone know?

snobordboy

H and F (aside from the S2000 motor) bolt up the same.

HondaTechMan121

Stupid Question If i put a vtec engine in a none vtec car Does Vtec HAve to be hooked up for the car to run with out damg?

snobordboy

technically no, but it is a bit of a waste having that potential and not using it.

Also, it is important to ensure that the fuel injectors and ecu are working in sync, so by using vtec injectors and ecu, it is just a matter of a couple of wires, which your car should already have there. Even my 1993 Si had the vtec wiring pre-wired. The hardest part may be finding a 1996 OBD2 vtec ecu.

In NY for inspection do they plug into the car if it is OBD2, so a car with conversion harness and OBD1 computer wont pass?

HondaTechMan121

OBD2 cars have to be plugged up to a inspection computer so if it has a cel or if the monitors are not ready it will fail idk if that will not work as long as u can plug a scan tool into and all the monitors are working technically it should work but if anyone has the answer to this let us know.

HondaTechMan121

So Guys i want to get my p14 Obd2 A/t ECU Chipped so i can run a JDM F23A vtec where do i get this done or where do i buy one?

Nakajima

Why would you go through all the trouble and expense to do an engine swap, only to fit a weak engine such as the F23A? Unless the F23A is completely free, I wouldn't bother.
If you don't have enough money for an H22, I would at the very least fit an F20B.

P-Motorsports

Hello! i just joined honda-tech forums
I have many years experience in JDM Swaps
I am currently building a 93 Prelude
I swaped a JDM F20B engine into mine
is obd1 running with 550cc injectors from EVO9
and p28 chiped ecu with road tune
Has USDM H22A Intake manifold with butterfly delete
Runs VERY strong i like it alot
i am currently preparing all parts for turbo

But to respond to your question i would go with a
H23A OR F20B JDM Bluetop engine and
use jumper for back to OBD1 so you can play with the tune
Just get a jumper for ob2a to obd1
you will be VERY happy with chipped ecu
MOAR VTEC!

HondaTechMan121

the car has to pass NY Inspection Can i use a obd1 ecu with a jumper and still work with a OBD2 scanner?

P-Motorsports

FOR PASSING INSPECTION GO WITH A
JDM H23A DOHC VTEC ENGINE
AS LONG AS IS SAME BLOCK NUMBER
IT SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM PASSING
MAYBE USE ALSO USDM H22A INTAKE IF REALLY CONCERNED
RUN IT ON STOCK OBD2 ECU
AND PUT CRANK SENSOR WIRE BYPASS
OR INSTALL NEW OEM HONDA H22A OIL PUMP
FOR THE CRANK SENSOR

OR YOU CAN GO WITH A JDM F23A VTEC ENGINE
THEY ONE OF FEW JDM HONDA ENGINE THAT
ARE OBD2 AND COME WITH CRANK SENSORS

HondaTechMan121

f23a what USDM ECU should i use with that?

P-Motorsports

assuming is h23a NON V:
You should use your original harness and ecu for to pass inspection
also best USDM h23a intake manifold complete assembly
The JDM f23a has a different lower manifold that uses
some smaller holes for the injectors (very weird)
i truly belive in Japan they get like 40 miles to the gallon
for some honda engines and the gas and size injectors
play a big role like early 90s d-series with careful driving
ive heard stories of 40-50 mpg (no ballz but economical)
WELL SHORT STORY LONG,
These are my opinions based on here in
CA SMOG TECHNICALITIES (pain in the ****!)

i digress, BUT a jdm f23a engine will run and bolt up
in your car but.... IN MY OPINION...
not worth it in the LONG RUN!

BEST BET IS JUST PAY THE EXTRA COUPLE BENJAMINS
AND BUT A DOHC VTEC JDM H23A SiR MOTOR.
WILL PASS INSPECTION AS IS SAME BLOCK NUMBER.
AND BUY A NEW OIL PUMP (GOOD INSURANCE)
WITH THE PROPER CASTING AND THREADS FOR CRANK SENSOR
WILL BE WORTH THE EXTRA CASH UP FRONT
SO ITS DONE RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.

USE YOUR ORIGINAL H23A1 INTAKE MANIFOLD
AND WIRING HARNESS ASSEMBLY...

OR IMO...........................................

I HIGHLY SUGGEST A USDM H22A INTAKE MANIFOLD
WILL PASS SMOG AND HAS ALOT OF POTENTIAL TO ADD POWER
BY DELETING BUTTERFLY ASSEMBLY AND PORTING MANIFOLD
THEN GET JUMPER FOR ECU TO OBD1 AND
GET A CHIPPED OBD1 (P13 P28 P72) ECU AND DO SOME TUNING
THE CAR WILL BE SUCH A PLEASURE TO DRIVE

TO EVERYONE THAT READS THIS..
ANY INPUT OR CORRECTION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!

HondaTechMan121

Does the h23aVtec already had the crank sensor obd2 requires?

Mykizism

No, it will not read the ECU

P-Motorsports

NO YOU NEED TO INSTALL A NEW OEM
USDM H22A GENUINE HONDA OIL PUMP
OR YOU CAN RE-WIRE HARNESS TO MAKE RUN
BUT MAY HAVE A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT

BUT IS SAME BLOCK NUMBER SO IM
99% SURE IT SHOULD PASS INSPECTION

HondaTechMan121

i have chosen to go with a f20b from what ik im going to swap my h23a1 intake on to it change the knock sensor over and replace the oil pump from a usdm h22a4 and install the crank sensor. i been looking around at what ecu im going to need to use can someone tell me if there is a good USDM OBD2 Ecu i can use with this engine to pass inspection and run stock or em i asking to much? and is there anything else im missing? Should i get the JDM f20b ECU when i buy the engine? will that ECU work for inspection?