My 94 H22 prelude has 200K miles on it and I was planning on a rebuild because it definitely feels like its lagging some power that it once had. One of my most trusted mechanics told me that if you want to save money, all you have to do is to replaced all the necessary maintenance items (water pump, belts, tensioner, etc.) and just leave the bottom end as is. However, he recommended that I get my top end (head and valvetrain) cleaned at a machine shop. He told me that the honda block is suppose to last forever. He said usual sluggishness is caused by vacuum leak. My question is that don't the bearings get worn out after driving it for so long? Would I have to change out the piston rings and other items after a good 200K mi? Thanks for all the answers and suggestions.

 

Your machanic soulds like a dumb-dumb. Get a set of nice new type-s pistons, bore/hone, new bearings, seals, headgasket, waterpump, oil pump, and have the head resurfaced, new belts, and you should have a nice engine. If you are gonna rebuild, just spend the extra and do it right the first time.

 

I think what he was trying to say is that essentially, the block can run forever as long as you do the required maintenance items but redo the head for more power. Does rehoning the bore and changing all the bearings really make that big of a difference? Thanks guys