Prelude newbie (gen3-S); timing belt popped-suggestions?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Port Dover, Ont, Canada
Prelude newbie (gen3-S); timing belt popped-suggestions?
I just bought a 91 prelude S, 2L engine, cheap. Car is in great shape except that, according to the previous owner, the local Honda dealer had diagnosed the car as having a broken timing belt, along with the usual accompanying damage to valves. I like the car and intend to fix it as a long-term keeper. I'm looking for advice as to the best way to deal with the belt/valves problem. Do you guys recommend a junk yard motor, a complete overhaul, just doing the belt and head (the car had 180 000 highway miles on it)...dealer says he'll fix this for $2000 Canadian, or a swap to a different motor (I'm not opposed to going faster!). I'm also open to options that I haven't thought of, if you have any better ideas. I thank you in advice for any help that you are able to offer. Mudshark_
New User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,521
Likes: 1
From: Extraordinary Machine
Re: Prelude newbie (gen3-S); timing belt popped-suggestions? (mudshark_)
Do what I did. My B21A1 (2.1 Liter DOHC) blew going 110MPH, the piston rings were going anyway. I Bought a used JDM B20A5 (2.0 Liter DOHC) and am having a shop swap it right now. Total labor, parts such as changed gaskets, oil pan, and new OE clutch are little less than $2,000 USD. I would NOT recommend swapping a new used 2.0 S engine. Very bad performance, hence it is a SOHC.
New User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 595
Likes: 0
Re: Prelude newbie (gen3-S); timing belt popped-suggestions? (mudshark_)
unfortunately, since your car is carbureted, you will have a few more things to convert if you do an engine swap. HOWEVER, i would highly recommend the b21a1 motor or the jdm b20a5 motor. both are great motors and you will notice an extreme amount of difference in that car if you do that. i would personally get a junkyard motor and have it torn down, cleaned, plained, higher compression pistons, stronger rod bolts, new cam shafts (reground), adjustable cam gears, and all the bolt-ons to go with a newly rebuilt engine. you will be glad you did.
if you don't want to put the money into the b series prelude motor, you could also do the swap with the h22a motor. that would definately be a fast prelude.
anyway, good luck with whatever you do.
if you don't want to put the money into the b series prelude motor, you could also do the swap with the h22a motor. that would definately be a fast prelude.
anyway, good luck with whatever you do.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
