i am trying to find a v-tec engine that is compatibale with my 4 cyl sohc engine i was told to look for a 97 prelude engine but i need to know what engine code to look for.

 

H22A from a 92-95 Prelude would be a better fit since yours and that are OBD-1. You might also want to lookinto the F22B from the 94-95 Accords.

If vtec is all you're really after, bolt on a F series vtec head, change out the ecu and add a few more wires for the extra sensors and voila!