NoVALude

Hello all...am a newbie trying to figure out some ideas for a swap or frankenstein creation. I have a 1992 Prelude Si and am trying to put an H22 head on the H23 block. Now I searched and am wondering if I will need a new ECU for the H22 head, or if there is a way to add a VTEC controller without having to buy an ECU? Kind of new at this, so any help is VERY much appreciated. I read the threads about the h22 swap and all the parts needed, just trying to see if a VTEC controller can be added to the H22 VTEC head, or what the best options would be. Am I better off just getting a new ECU for the H22 head? Thanks for any (usable) advice.

Here is what I was looking at on Ebay: (not necessarily locked in on anything yet, just an example): http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...&rd=1

NoVALude

Ok, I took some more time to research and found this, but still need a bit of clarification...


ludesleep wrote way bak in 5/2003: " *VTEC controller - not required but could be used if you dont buy a new ECU/ECM and have a way to bypass your redline. "

If this approach is taken, how does one bypass redline..?

Thanks everyone...

VTECVillain

Using a VTEC controller to activate the VTEC solenoid is a quick solution but not a good solution. That's not the purpose of a VTEC controller although a lot of people do it. The problem with doing that is once VTEC is engaged there are not VTEC timing and fuel maps to go along with it since you are still using a nonVTEC ECU - not good Get a P13, P72 or chipped P28 ECU if you want it to run safely, efficiently and optimally.

NXLude

you can also run a window switch to actuate the vtec.....if i remember Ive seen that done....

VTECVillain

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NXLude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you can also run a window switch to actuate the vtec.....if i remember Ive seen that done....</TD></TR></TABLE>

You can also run a toggle switch, anything that will supply a 12V+ will activate the VTEC solenoid. The point I'm trying to make is that this is not a good way to do it. Using a nonVTEC ECU and then a RPM switch or whatever ghetto kind of switch you use, you are not going to have proper fuel and timing maps while the VTEC is engaged. So now you are revving high and running lean without proper timing. Sure you'll have VTEC, but soon you're not going to have a motor. I wouldn't even want to do this on a mini-me let alone an H23 frank

NoVALude

Thanks VTECVillain...kind of thought it was only a way to 'rig' the head, but now it seems that the best bet is to actually get the ECU that was meant to properly engage the VTEC consistently and efficiently. As long as the head is from an H22A1 (year matter?) and the ECU is OBD1 (and for my car a MT 5 spd) the year does not matter for the ECU right? i.e. since my 'Lude is a '92, the ECU I am looking at is from a 1994 VTEC Prelude (5 spd. obd1, P13). thanks..

VTECVillain

The year/OBD of the head really doesn't matter. If you are searching for an ECU, the proper one to get (H22A spec that is) would be a 92-95 Prelude P13 ECU. That is the OBD1 version for the H22. You can also run a chipped P28 or P72 ECU as well. If you don't have any luck finding the P13, the other 2 are more common.

NoVALude

think I may have found one on Ebay...watching carefully. thanks!