im trying to find out more about my prelude. i have the vin number and it reads that the car was manufactured in japan. and is a true vtec model. however that is not the expent of what i want to know. i am the third owner of the car and know very little of the first owner's changes. from what i have been told the car was pruchased in original condition with no changes made. the car engine had never been replaces and no modifications were made. the 2nd owner put a body kit and rims on it. but said she did not do anything to the motor. This leaves me with a few questions. i have a leather package in my car. the back seats and door are all leather and the interior is slightly different from MOST that i have seen. im trying to find out what model that would make mine. in addition the car, if what i have been told is true, came with a red top motor. i do believe that the motor stamp says H22a1. i have not been able to find any reliable data on the car as to if it truly has the red top performance motor. I wanted to know as much as a could about my car. until now i have not really cared that much. i thought about selling the car and figured i would need to know the info. I only thought of selling to pay for my schooling as i am about to graduate and a bit short on funds. any info people have on the matter would be greatly appriciated. thanks

Justin

 

H22A1 is the stock VTEC engine for the 4th gen VTEC Preludes. If the valve cover is red there is one of three reasons-

1.) Someone stripped and painted it (most likely)
2.) Someone put a SiR S-Spec/Type-S valvecover (fairly common)
3.) Someone put a SiR S-Spec/Type-S *head* on (extremely unlikely, but possible)

Also, VTEC Preludes have more plush interiors then base models. They also have a superior stereo and other goodies. You can check the car trim by looking at the VIN.

It will say "JHM***......"
The asterisks will be the body code.

BA8 - S Trim
BB2 - Si Trim
BB1 - VTEC Trim

Hope that helps

 

are there marking on the head or valve cover that would help me identify the actual case?

 

Your car defiitely has nice interior woodj87, I could be wrong (which is often the case) but I'm sure the Type S was a 5th Gen Prelude and not a 4th.
(least all the Type S preludes around here are anyways)
Could you possibly post the letters of your VIN as Korman has explained JHM*** with the "*" being the next letters.

 

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-prelude-4/decoding-vin-all-models-1983-a-2616666/

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-prelude-4/4g-models-worldwide-2578104/

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-prelude-4/help-me-fill-gaps-5g-models-worldwide-2572152/

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-accord-crosstour-2003-2012-118/h-series-engines-2620638/

Most everything you want to know about the core of the vehicle can be found in these threads. A photo of the interior would also help.

You are correct. Check out the 2nd and 3rd threads.

No need. He should just read the first thread.

 

mine is indeed BB1. i just have not seen that many others with it, i wanted to know if it did have anything special. Anyway of checking that valve cover or head for actual case i have? again this is just for when i get the chance to check it i know.