Well, it took 2hrs 50min to pull the B16A out, then took a few hours to swap all the gear over to the B20.

Only problems here were the oil filter thread being stubborn and the positioning of the VTEC oil line…

Then it took about 4 hours to fit the B20 in and hook it all up…

By this time it was pretty late and there was a major coolant leak from the water pump, so I called it a night.

Replaced the damn water pump the next morning, made a few checks and made sure I hadn’t forgotten anything, and cranked her over to get the oil pumping and started her up first go!

Set the FPR to 55psi (guess!) and let her idle for a while.

No leaks and no problems (The bonnet does touch the rocker cover, but some ball peen hammer action sorted that out ), so I took it for a drive,

Feels great! Not quite as ‘peaky’ as the B16, but much stronger!

Haven’t taken her much past 6k (only been that far 3 times) but it is really strong.

With only a 2in exhaust, stock B16 ex. manifold and stock cams, there is plenty of room to move… let the modifications begin!

Sorry no pics, (looks exactly the same as the B16 but taller…)

thanks to everyone on the other side of the world who helped with this swap! you guys have been a great source of inspiration and assistance

t..

 

b20vtec in a prelude.............speechless

 

Actually.... there's been a B20-VTEC 1989 Prelude around here for a couple of years now.

But this guy is using his existing B20A block and a B16 head, and it's fully built with a turbo on it. I've seen it twice, but never seen the guy driving it or racing it (but he has - he hardly drives it from what I'm told, but it's been done and I've seen it).

 

damn, yeah - Tom from Ludespeed eh?

maybe it could be "the second B20VTEC Prelude in the world" eh?

or even "the oldest B20VTEC in the world"

who knows, either way it is pretty special, and is the only car of its type in the world...

i hope she is able to prove it isn't a slow one either

we'll have to wait and see what happens at the track...

t..

 

Why is a B20 Vtec better than a H22?

 

His car is an older prelude with a B20 motor comes in it stock, which is crap. He swapped over a b16 first, then swapped in a newer B20 block in place. B20VTECs some people think are better because parts and swaps are easier to find....

 

to be perfectly correct, in 1983 the Prelude came out with a 1.8l twin carbie SOHC engine with 120ps.

the first EFI Preludes came out in 86, and the first B20A Preludes came out in 88...

a H22A probly would not fit - hell, the B16A didnt!!!

but yeah, a H22A in a 2200lbs car would be awesome, specially with the excellent chassis of the Preludes...

i think the H22A would only easily fit in the 3rd generation (88-91) Preludes and of course later ones

there are not many H22A swaps in Australia though, (nor are there many B20VTECs either) but the B-series engines are better supported here...

t..

 

keep us posted on dyno, track, etc.

 

congrats
definately keep us up to date

 

Good Job Tinker, I hope everything runs smoothly. Post up any times or dyno graphs when you get a chance. Only a few more weeks till mine goes in!

 

do you recall whether it was a 83-87 or an 88-91 Prelude?

thnaks,

t..

 

sawweet job !

(me-->jealous, because he wishes he had the knowledge)

 

cool

 

The 'original' B20A had a terrible rod/stroke ratio. Basically it was just a short stroke B16 bored out to 2 liters. They had a fondness for shoving their pistons through the cylinder walls which is why that line of 'B' series wasn't continued. Honda fixed that problem with the B20B and 'Z' variants.

I have always wondered why swapping newer B's into the older Prelude chassis isn't more common. It would be as easy as any EG swap and the older Ludes are decent cars. Around here though the only late 80's preludes you ever see are no budget, ghetto rice POS's driven by Salvadoran day laborors

Mike

 

congrats dude..i wanna see pics!!!

 

wow!

i am surprised at how little is actually known about Preludes and their engines!

the B20A was never "bored out" to make a 2 liter, it is a 81mm bore and has a very long stroke of 95mm!!!!

compared to the B16A stroke of 77mm, it is understandable that it has side load issues and a 6000rpm redline...

also Mike, the reason why swapping newer B's into the older Prelude chassis isn't more common is because it IS VERY VERY HARD TO DO!

dont ask me why I did it because the reason I will tell you is because it was BLUE!

pictures are coming... (damn digi cams)

t..

 

CONGRATS man!!!!!
to you!
that's such an awesome swap in such an older honda.
now that's OLD SCHOOL power people!