Im about to buy a 4th gen lude, and I'm trying to figure out whether or not to get a VTEC. VTEC's are a lot more expensive than SI's around here and I found a good SI w/ 85000 miles for 5200 (95). I want my car to be as fast as possible, and I like VTEC and all. I know you can upgrade to VTEC later on, with new cams, a controller, etc. but have heard that its better to just buy an H22a1 and swap. It seems more logical in my case (financially) to get an SI and upgrade it later to VTEC. I want to learn about the engine anyway so why not go this route? What are the other differencs between the SI and the VTEC besides bigger brakes, and interior crap that I could care less about? Is it just the VTEC that makes 30 more hp, or are there other things too? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

the VTEC block is stronger, better internals, etc. you will break something with a VTEC H23.

differences include stiffer factory springs, bigger brakes, 7-speaker stereo, leather, ECU, motor, tranny - and, a little-known fact - a large percentage of the bolts on a 4th gen VTEC retorqued by hand after the car was completed.

either buy an VTEC, or buy an S and swap the whole thing.

 

diff. dash more than likely.

To tell if it's VTEC, simply look on the motor. If it has "VTEC" written fairly large along with everything else listed above, then it's safe to assume you have a VTEC motor.

 

hehe, or you could look at the redline. Seeing as how you're going for alot of horsepower you might as well rebuild the engine with forged parts and boost the hell out of it.

 

VTEC really is as bad *** as it's hyped to be...however, the 4th Gen SI motors can produce just slightly better numbers in performance when it comes to building a N/A or FI car. The fastest N/A Preludes are all 4th Gens. It all comes down to what your plans are for your car. And I've also heard that the H22a swap into a 4th Gen is actually a tad faster than the 5th Gen, but I have no proving evidence of that...just word of mouth...

 

The 4th gen VTEC's are generally faster than the 5th. Yes.

The Si has a label that it's better for turbo than VTEC. Stock, maybe.

N/A? The H22A owns the H23, hands down.

 

Im going NA, so i guess ill just have to learn a lot about it. With some decent pistons, headers, CAI, and some other necessary interior engine work I think ill have plenty of power, especially if I follow through with my n20 plans...

 

If you are going NA definately go with an H22A.

 

I agree with laughin, h22a all the way if you are goign to go NA, but like you mentioned earlier, if you don't have the money right away get an si, and go to http://www.prodigyworks.com or something like that, maybe you can find someone else willing to get rid of one, but get the jdm h22 later.

 

Yeah, your best option might be to get an SI. And then later down the line you can do an H22A swap if you feel the need. You will still save money by paying SI insurance rates and have the performance of the VTEC model...so its a pretty good option to look at if you ask me.

 

lol...insurance...good plan. Wheres the best place to look for an H22a?