Hotaru

ok so I am guessing the Biggest difference in these 2 engines are the Vtech one may be better or not
I originally was thinking of putting a H23 engine into my car then I changed my mind and thought about the H22 now I am back to
what one to put in it.

How hard is it to work on the Vtech engine?
in either one of these I know I need the ECU and wiring harness for the engine compartment but should I and well could I replace the Dash gauges? I know I would have to Fabricate a new Instrument cluster for it but would it work and further more would the say Digital dash cluster work out of the 4th gen? I am thinking of modifying my dash anyways.
Will other things need to be changed out like I think the CV axles need to be changed am I right?

I honestly had one person say you would only need to really change out like 3 different things, how sure he was about that I don't know but my car being a Carbed currently I think I might need more than that.

well anyhow That are some things I would like to know and Please I am open to Different Ideas and welcome them, Im going to make this car as custom looking as possible, I have even thought about modifying and fabricating the body some, Bring it up to date a little more, its going to be my major experimental car, this is my third one of these Preludes so far and Im wanting to change it around make it unique.

tclmember

First off, it's spelled VTEC, not VTECH. VTECH is a phone company
Second, what chassis do you have?
Third, its up to you which motor you want, you either want a vtec motor, ie h22, or a non-vtec motor, H23.

What are your plans for the motor? Boost? NA?
If you're going from lets say an h23a1 to a h22, it's not much you need to change. I haven't done the swap personally, but I've read it's pretty much just bolt in, minus a few little things.

EDIT: Didn't read sorry you have a 3rd gen, erm you're going to need custom motor mounts I believe. Idk too much about compatibility with 3rd gens.

asianpoet

or you could get the h23 vtec motor.

Hawkze_2.3

How about no...

Why don't you start reading through the FAQs at the top of the page.

horsepowerless

no vtec is not hard to work on. and if you're going to do all that wiring and all that custom engine fitting you might as well go with the H22 which has an extra 30hp over the H23 Si motor.

Fliptard

H23 have more torque, but less RPM's, go with an H22

horsepowerless

nope.

H23=156tq, 160hp

H22=163tq, 190hp usdm, 200hp jdm

6dmnbg

Totally pwoned!!!!!111!1 sorry I just had to get my trolling in lol

Hawkze_2.3

But, the H23 makes the torque sooner in the rpm band which is better for daily driving.

asianpoet

H23A DOHC VTEC

In 1998, Honda of Japan produced a rare DOHC VTEC version of the H23A engine for use in Japan only. It has been factory modified with an internal oil passage in the H23A block to operate the VTEC solenoid in the H22A head. Having the same horsepower rating as the H22A engine but it has a lower redline because it has a longer stroke than H22A. H23A DOHC VTEC has 87mm x 95mm (bore and stroke)and the H22A DOHC VTEC has 87mm x 90.7mm (bore and stroke). The H23A DOHC VTEC Engine is largest displacement in the H Series engines with a compression ratio of 10.6:1.

Found in the Japanese 1998-2002 Accord Wagon SiR (CH9). It produces 200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp) & 163 lb·ft (221 N·m) and comes with a "blue top".
Found in the Japanese 1998-2002 Accord Wagon AWD (CL2). It produces 200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp) & 163 lb·ft (221 N·m) and comes with a "blue top".


final answer

horsepowerless

yes, but rarity and expense come into play. you can pick up the type s H22a that has 220hp for probably about the same cost.

horsepowerless

true on the powerband part, but idk about better for daily driving. my F22A1 had 142tq that came in pretty low rpm, but it wasn't really close to how my h22 feels at low rpm.

the point i'm trying to make is that with the H22 you've got more overall torque, so even though you're not at your peak, you are still within 1000rpm of it or so, which means you are either at or near the peak of the lesser motor.

1funryd

I pointed you to the correct place to get all that information. Or you can look into my thread on here: https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-prelude-4/1funryds-88-91-prelude-auto-5-speed-swap-b20a-h23-non-vtec-swap-2707969/

That should start you on your way.

6dmnbg

Not true, I did quite a bit of research on this and the blue top is much less expensive than the type s motor. cheapest place I found it was in Sacramento CA. same price as a f20b motor.

Hawkze_2.3

We are talking about H23 vs H22 though, and your F22 still only displaced 2.2 liters. The extra displacement is what gives the H23 that little extra down low.

horsepowerless

they redline about the same though. and the F22 has more torque relative to its hp than the H23. i don't think there's a lot of difference except on top end.

Hotaru

Ok to answer a couple questions I have a 1989 S model Honda prelude and after reading all this I may just go for the H22 I have heard as well that the H23 has had a few more problems as well and besides there is still alot of them out there to get parts from if needed Im just wanting to find someone that would like a B20a3 that has only 103k Oringinal miles on it, From what I have heard there are some that really like and can mod the hell out of the Carbed B20 moters.
the other thing I am going to be working on is Transfering it into a Manual instead of an automatic

TayLude

Go search Prelude Online for the H22a4 head on the H23 block.

Tight-R

How is this a rare motor? They're everywhere for ~$900. Great option for people that want to replace an H22.

horsepowerless

well I've seen a lot more type S h22's around. either way, the type S motor still has that extra 20hp

Tight-R

And twice the price tag, cool story bro.

CALUCHA69

i have an h23a vtec, ran a 9 flat with slicks
1/8