okay everybody, i want your opinions on my dilema. My radiator just took a **** on me and I blew my headgasket on my h23 and am not sure where to go from here. I can spend roughly $900 fixing my all motor h23 which I'm leaning towards because I just upgraded the valvetrain 6 months ago, OR I can spend about $1500 slapping a h22 head on my block and making a h23 vtec, OR I can spend $2200 dropping in a jdm h22.

I know most of you are thinking, wtf, JDM H22 all the way, buy I've already spent almost $1500 on upgrades in my H23 and would like to finish the project. Other factors include that my H23 has 120k on it already and I'm not sure how much longer it'll last considering the overheating and blown headgasket it has just experienced, especially with a H22 head on it. Also consider that the H23 is uncommon and I'd like to see mine with some kind of ems and tuned stomping on some h22's with bolt-ons. FYI I am a in school right now and am tight on funds and fixing my motor as it is will cost me 1/2 of dropping a JDM H22. Reliability is an issue and the jdm h22 will probably last me longer than my h23, but dont forget about $$ and my broken dreams. So let me know what you think and I be glad to hear any advice you have.

 

Get the JDM H22 and part out your H23. I don't understand why some spend all that money to build an H23.

Anyway, get the JDM H22 and part out your H23 swap. I was able to part my H23 out for over $1000 (engine, tranny, ECU, axles).

 

I see your point but money upfront for the swap is still an isssue, smoging a swap in california is a pita, and import car parts dont sell for as much in california as they do in your neck of the woods. also, like I said, my h23 is already modded and my port and polished head and cams make it feel like a h22, to 6700k redline at least . maybe I just don't want to let go of the h23 and I should learn from all the other million people out there that swapped out their h23 for a h22 and have nothing but good to say about it.

 

i rather make it a H23 V-tec. .1 more leters

 

Eh....as much as I like the H23, I'd say a school budget and all motor H23 don't mix too well. If you want to go all-out all-motor, then get the H22, but if you like your H23, I say start aquiring turbo parts. H23-VTEC is too unreliable unless you really know what you're doing....and maybe you do.

 

i agree with most of what everyone has to say and am leaning towards the jdm h22, but my h23 all motor was in good shape before my radiator died on me. it felt like a h22 to me and was well on its way to the 200 whp goal every h23'er has, but I am leaning towards andy d's arguement where the extra money to pay for the h22 will come from parting out my h23. i just wish i had a chance to dyno it before it went to hell.

 

theres no replacement for displacement?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Spider9058 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">theres no replacement for displacement?</TD></TR></TABLE>

No, revving higher will never make more power, nor will a turbo, or headwork....a 402 is the only way to go.

 

Unless you can get the 'real' H23 VTEC (the jdm motor with 55mm bearings etc) at a good price with a good luck, get a guenine H22A and work on it.

 

just to let ya know, passing the ref with the jdm h22 is pretty easy, especially since you already have all of the required h22 smog stuff on the h23...if you want any info on the ref here in cali PM me and ill give ya details, but its not the pita everyone makes it out to be...

 

Even better:

Pull the H23 that you currently have in the car out, rebuild it with Type S pistons, H22A4 rods (rebush the ruds and offset the pin bore on the rods as much as you can towards the BE of the rod), new bearings, gaskets, seals and water/oil pump ...

Get a H22 head, a good valve job and resurfacing and put it all together...

That would be your best option and should cost you less than buying a used (god knows how many miles it has on it or what was done to it) JDM motor...

Starting fresh

 

Yeah, sorry. I voted for the H23 nonVTEC. It is cheaper and you have the potential to make as much power as the H22 swap with a little attention to detail. Let alone the fact that *nobody* ever goes that route. The H23 with some mild cams (Talk to http://www.deltacam.com) and higher compression is better for daily driving than the H22 along the lines of low-end torque. I made 169 ft/lbs at 4400 rpm on stock cams.

If you build the bottom end for the H23 nonVTEC and later decide that you want more power (or M/_\d \/Tak y0) then it is not that hard to throw on a worked-over H22 head on it and you'll be good to go.

Also brand spanking new Crower H23 cams are pretty damn cheap from Justin at http://www.importcarpartsplus.com.

If you still think that your car is slow then consider a VTEC transmission swap while you have the engine out. I think that the H23 is really underestimated and my last engine was a 200+ whp 160+ wtq H22 VTEC build. [/soapbox]

Pirate

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PirateMcFred &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yeah, sorry. I voted for the H23 nonVTEC. It is cheaper and you have the potential to make as much power as the H22 swap with a little attention to detail. Let alone the fact that *nobody* ever goes that route. The H23 with some mild cams (Talk to http://www.deltacam.com) and higher compression is better for daily driving than the H22 along the lines of low-end torque. I made 169 ft/lbs at 4400 rpm on stock cams.

If you build the bottom end for the H23 nonVTEC and later decide that you want more power (or M/_\d \/Tak y0) then it is not that hard to throw on a worked-over H22 head on it and you'll be good to go.

Also brand spanking new Crower H23 cams are pretty damn cheap from Justin at http://www.importcarpartsplus.com.

If you still think that your car is slow then consider a VTEC transmission swap while you have the engine out. I think that the H23 is really underestimated and my last engine was a 200+ whp 160+ wtq H22 VTEC build. [/soapbox]

Pirate</TD></TR></TABLE>

Excellent idea....however, I think this option is on a case by case basis. Not everyone can pull motors, swap parts, reinstall themselves.

I know I couldn't when I did my H22 swap. I had to make a final decision. I needed to make the best decision that I wouldn't regret later on. I knew building my H23 wasn't an option because I knew I would've always wished I got the H22.

I needed my choice to be reliable too. That's why I chose the H22 and changed ALL the maintanence parts while the motor was out.

I really think it all depends on his situation.

 

Never been much of a fan of building up a mediocre motor to be just as fast or make as much power as a stock higher end motor...

I mean, you gotta do all that just to have about the same if not less power than a stock h22 with a lot less potential...

Seems like a lot for a little to me ::shrugs::

 

h23 all the way!!!!!! no need to buy a whole new swap when you have an h23 already, while your motor is ripped up open,just upgrade everything.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Innovation &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Never been much of a fan of building up a mediocre motor to be just as fast or make as much power as a stock higher end motor...

I mean, you gotta do all that just to have about the same if not less power than a stock h22 with a lot less potential...

Seems like a lot for a little to me ::shrugs::</TD></TR></TABLE>

I TOTALLY agree. I am all about going fast for the least amount of $$.

I don't understand why someone would build an H23. My H22 dynoed at 179whp. I wonder how much it would cost to make an H23 that powerful.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AndyD &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I wonder how much it would cost to make an H23 that powerful.</TD></TR></TABLE>

less money then you would pay for a h22 swap...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by all mOtor h23 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

less money then you would pay for a h22 swap... </TD></TR></TABLE>

Total up what it would cost you to put down 170WHP with a H23 and tell me if thats really worth it...

Realize, you have to build the H23 up just to make as much power as a stock H22... Sure it may cost you a couple to few hundred more to get the H22 in the first place but once you have it in and running you have something the H23 doesnt have nearly as much of in NA form... POTENTIAL

Add an intake, maybe a header to the H22 and the semi built up H23 is now again, slower and making less pwoer than a H22 in fairly stock form...

 

I am not here to argue especially with you rick, as it will never stop. We all know your preference and you will not take any other option regarless of what the person already has or can afford. PreLuDeSiR even posted the expense of his options. The all motor H23 is the cheapest and almost all the parts are there to just finish his rebuild.

In the same position I would get:
$300 USDM H22A1 Pistons/rings (less if he knows where to look)
$160 new bearings
$100 cam gears (optional)
$100-$350 cams
$50 head gasket

$700-$900 is CHEAP for 170whp and 160+wtq. And IMO low end torque in a heavy pig of a Prelude is a priority.

Peak numbers are crap too. 180whp in a H22 happens at 7200 rpm and peak torque at 5200 after VTEC. meanwhile it is weak at anything less. With the H23 peak power and torque would be at least a thousand rpm sooner. Another bonus for the street.

It's a poll not a debate. That's it I'm out.
Pirate

 

Simple question, stock H22 vs stock H23 in the same prelude... Which will be faster?

According to road and track, the H22 powered prelude is over a half second faster than the 2.3 non VTEC prelude (both 4th gens)... Hmmm

Even with the shorter gearing of the H22 tranny, the H23 will still get walked at and after the 1/8 mile...

As I stated above, rebuild the H23 bottom end and get yourself a H22 head and a good valve job... Sticking with a complete H23 longblock isnt going to get you very far if your goals are to have a quck and powerful car...

Its inexpensive to do what i listed above, not much more than a all h23 rebuild...

And theres always the potential factor for after the motor goes in, future plans and mods... H22 or H23 VTEC has a hell of a lot more potential, especially if your going to stay NA

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by all mOtor h23 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

less money then you would pay for a h22 swap... </TD></TR></TABLE>

If you actually knew how much my H22 swap cost me after I sold off the JDM parts I couldn't use, as well as my H23 parts....I bet you would shyt yourself.

I still have all my receipts.

 

okay I like everybody's arguements and everybody has a good point but let me give you some more detial on my current predicament and please no bickering b/c I want everyone's input.
I currently have a 96 prelude si with 125k on the motor
my mods are:
i/h/e
msd 6al
port and polished head
ported intake manifold with plugged plenums and removed butterfly plates
custom ground cams
fuel rail and pressure regualtor
and some other misc. parts

I have some adj. cam gears to put on and was planning on getting h22 injectors and hondata and have my car tuned.

unfornately, my radiator failed on me and after overheating, my headgasket blew.
my head was milled a little too much the first time so I have a custom headgasket that cost $100. To fix my motor, I would need a new radiator, new custom headgasket, may need to mill the head .003 if the head warped, and get some arp heads studs. this would cost around $900 like I stated. I would definately do this if not for fear that my bottom end might go out. It has 125k on the motor and the blown headgasket may have let water and/or coolant toleak into one of the cylinders which maybe cause my piston rings to prematurely wear out or something else to happen. I do not want to pay the $900 to fix my motor and have the bottom end go out on me 1 year from now costing me another $1000 to fix. That is why I am leading toward a h22. I would be nice to build the bottom end since this happened but then we are talking upwards of $2000 that I could just spend buying a JDM H22 with less than 1/2 the mileage I have on my car. So, what do you guys think? and thanks for everyone's input so far

 

seems like you have your mind made up already, your not going to fix your motor and get it running again... Either a H22 or complete rebuild... If your going to rebuild take my advise on the post above... Either eay, H23 VTEC or H22 youll be happy...

I just think a fresh block H23 block with all new everything and a good H22 head with a fresh cut valve job is going to be the best of both wrolds for you and ECU...

+ a P13 or P72 ECU of course

Wont cost you too much, not much more than fixing your H23 and should be less than going with a H22...

Just my $.02

 

You may also want to have the block and head checked for warpage due to the overheating from a blown HG. That may make the decision for you right there.

Id say take what everyone has said with a grain of salt, come to your own conclusion because in the end its your motor, your money, your car. I think you should sit down and lay out all your options on paper and really research total cost and what you think would be the best decision for you. Is this car daily driven ? is it your only means of transportation ? is downtime an issue ?

Ive come across quite a few BANGIN deals on H22 parts, so just look around and make sure you got a little room to breathe as with cars and motor building, its almost never a smooth process. Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong just be ready for it.

 

I don't know if Pirate was talking to me when he last posted, but like I said, it all depends on your situation. If your engine overheated, who knows whatelse is wrong with it. Also, who's to say that after everything is assembled, something else doesn't fail due to the overheating.

I would love to try the G23 VTEC engine hybrid....but I don't have the space or means to attempt it.

Based on my personal experience, if it is your daily driver and you can't do most of the work yourself, I would go for the H22 and call it a day. Besides, the H22 wasn't as much as I thought it would be after I parted out the H23 and spare JDM H22 parts. It did take some time to sell all of them though.

Hope I helped.