First post - hope it is not to "noobish"

I have owned my car for about 10 years. It has over 165k miles on it. At this point I want to rebuild and customize my car.

I would guess with the mileage I have that I should completely rebuild the engine?

I intend to drive this car for fun... and race on the weekends.

What is the potential HP I can expect with a solidly rebuilt H23? Or should I scrap it and go for an H22?

I would also guess... that since I want to race as well as drive that a Turbo would be the way to go. That said - even as much as I love my 4th Gen Prelude - would I be better served building something else?

I have friends who all want me to get an Imprezza ... I am 6-6 I don't fit in a damn Imprezza.... I know the lude is not all wheel drive - but I figured I could have a lot of fun building it well.

Opinions?

 

your 6'6'' and you fit in a lude?? what kind of build are you looking for bud if you would be more specific someone could help you out. also the FAQ here has a wealth of knowledge

 

I have H23, and if I had to do it all over again - I would have put a turbo on it. H23 is a good car to boost. I thought I'd be all smart and do an H23vtec. Hasn't given me any problems, but definitely a major pain in my ***.

 

A 4th Gen prelude has a lot of leg room. so it works well. Anyhow -

After reading quite a few (not all) but quite a few of the buildup posts and guides - I was thinking of building the H23 into a turbo beast.

However, that said - would it give me more life / punch to not do the full build up and put in some better cams instead?

personally, I am of a mind to rebuild the entire engine - basically build it to withstand / handle a very strong turbo. (Honestly, I am just learning about turbos.... so not sure what is considered strong or to strong - although JG Luder's post did shed some light on boost and what to expect /shoot for depending on building an all race engine v a daily driver/race engine)

So far one primary point -

H22 = about 1500.00
H23 = about 700.00

So that tells me a bit.. I could essentially build up my H23 and put the extra cash into making it stronger.

I also read in multiple threads that a supercharger is not available for the H23... if this is true... then I guess my course is set.

If I build an H23 - I will build it to be a very strong NA engine. This will make it viable for Turbo? True or False?

Or, should I build the engine as a Turbo engine and not build it NA first? ( I guess that could depend on fundage... )

*note

This will all be my project once I return from Iraq.

 

H23s have a lot of potential. Expect to gain 10+ whp with just I/H/E. But if your motor isn't running well, you should scrap it and get an h22 swap

 

Given the way most car these days are, going the turbo route is the best idea. However, if I were you, I would get an F22/F23 (Accord engine) and turbo it. A lot of people feel that they need to start with the top-of-the-line engine. You don't in this case. The H22 and H23 are designed for NA applications. If you go the turbo route, you need to basically re-do it all.

Of all the engines Honda makes for the Prelude, the F22 or F23 is better suited for a turbo. It has an iron block, which is great for a turbo. The other bonus of using the F22 is the fact that if you blow one; you can buy a replacement for next to nothing, not lose much money, and have one fo the lowest downtimes getting the car back on the road. Another nice thing is it won't cost as much to prep for the turbo. Also, you will have 2 additional options if you go the F22/F23, you can either keep your H23 as a spare just in case you decide to put the car back to stock, or you can part it out and use that money to pay for your turbo and F22/F23.

Seriously, consider the F22/F23 option. I see too many people not think about other, cheaper options. Too many people think the H22 and H23 are the end-all engines for any application.

I already have my choices for the following applications:

For tracking, I would go with a built H22

For daily driving and some street racing, I would go with the G23 nonVTEC

For FI, I would go with the F22 since it is so abundant, and least desired (which means it is cheaper). However, if I could get my hands on an equally inexpensive F23, I would.

Anyway, I hope I helped and I wish you luck with your decision. Also, please be safe in Iraq. I support you guys 100%!!!!!!

 

Thanks to all of you for the support. God knows we get enough folks who don't support!

Anyhow - I am torn.

I have been reading multiple threads for about... 6 hours now.

I am thinking it would be awesome to build an all motor H23. I know lots of folks crow about going Turbo... ****, I like the idea of going turbo - but an all motor beast would really be awesome. PLUS most likely it would be drivable on a daily basis.

I have never looked into the F22/F23 engines ... I have always thought it important to keep a car you love all numbers matching. Not sure how true that will be with a Honda... but it is a 1992--- and I think it would be great to keep it all ###s matching... but rebuild it to put some SERIOUS ***** to the wheels.

A friend of mine is an STI fanatic... seriously.. 18k into the engine ( trial and error on some things... and further rebuilds on others )

I want to build my Prelude up... to make it track/show worthy. and make him and his little STI buddies pipe down.

Currently - the engine has an AEM CAI, DC Sports Header, and Exhaust (although the exhaust needs to be replaced.... since it is about 5 years old)

... it always takes time for me to decide on a course of action.

thus why I always appreciate good input. It helps me decide. At least it might be fun for folks here to watch me build my prelude back to full glory.

 

Seriously, man. I have been in the modding scene for a while now. I have a pretty good idea of what works, and what doesn't, and what's expensive to do and what isn't. I also know what builds are satisfying, and which aren't. If your friend has an STi, you will wish you had a turbo, especially after all the money you spend on the H23 to build it NA. There is a a guy on here who really built up his H23. He built it up pretty well. I believe he even said it was an experience but it is better to go with another platform for NA purposes. Look him up. I believe his name is Bokchoy.

I have seen people in your position before. I have seen MANY people regret their builds because they didn't look at all of their options. Also, modding cars is not cheap. Why make it more expensive than it has to be? My suggestion; go out with your turbo'ed friends and see how much fun they are. Also, imagine spending lot of money going the NA route onto to have your doors blown off. If you still decide you want to stay NA, consider the G23 hybrid.

If you must go NA and you want to keep your H23, I suggest at least doing what Pirate McFred did and build a G23 nonVTEC using your H23 head. He built a 200whp ~185wtq engine for a very low price. It has proven to be pretty damn reliable too. It's the H23 with even more stroke. I think this has the most potential without VTEC.

I was kind of in your situation. I wanted to keep my Prelude NA, and I knew the best option at the time was the H22. I look back with NO regrets AT ALL!!! However, I had a few times where I went out with friends and people there had FI cars. It blew my mind. In fact, I bought my SMSP header off Behan (used to have a 93 Prelude VTEC) this past Oct. He now has an Evo. That car is SICK!!! After that experience, I knew FI was for me. I knew I wanted a turbo, but I strongly believe the Prelude should stay NA. With that, I decided to buy a 240SX to satisfy my FI craving. However, if keeping my Prelude was the only option, I would've, without a doubt, went the F22/F23 FI route. Most people never thought about this, but by me going with the turbo'ed 240, it is cheaper in the longrun, and I now have 2 cars, yet still satisfying both wants.

Again, it's up to you. I just feel compelled to share what I have experienced and what has proven in the past to be the better decision. It's up to you to make the decision. I just want to give you all the info to help assist you in your decision. My goals might not be your goals.

Be safe, man. Tell your team we are praying for all of your safe return. This country is what it is because of you guys!!


Modified by AndyD at 12:53 AM 6/13/2006

 

Are F22/F23 engines easy to put into a 4th Gen?

 

h22!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dractul &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Are F22/F23 engines easy to put into a 4th Gen?</TD></TR></TABLE>

you don't want to swap a f-series onto a 4th gen unless you plan on building a hydrib motor( f22/23 have iron sleeved blocks). the base model S comes with a f22 but swapping one into a prelude si would be a big downgrade from the h23.

I would recommend that since you already have a running h23 w/ boltons, rebuild it if it is not running well and invest in some cams and a good tune. You would be making some considerable power with these upgrades. An H22 swap is also a good idea if your engine is not running well.

 

Try to pick up a copy of the book 'Maximum Boost" by Corky Bell if you decide to go turbo.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sparkx888 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">h22!</TD></TR></TABLE>

umm no that woudl be dumb.......anyway back to the topic.....your in the Army which means 2 things...a&gt; you have a little cash and B. you have a little down time..now if you want to do a full build on your H23 which is a fine moto btw...pull the motor send it to a shop to get sleeved, machchine the head, port match the had, some minor port and polishing, OBX LSD blah blah blah Get forged pistons, you get the point? I just woke up and don't feel like typing it all.....find a decent NEW turbo not some used lottery **** I reccomend the SC61 pick your own triwm size depending how fast you want the turbo to spool...with a "Built" block you can go to 20 Psi and not be too scared of popping your motor (man I'm tired) anyway..stick with the stock cams, the H23 tranny is great for boost almost ahs the same gearing as a F series tranny get a good EMS and voila you now have a ripper..GL on your project and Iraq(cousins out there too ) If I rmeber Ill add more to this post..But DO NOT GO H22!!!!!!! not worth it IMO and **** for the non belivers..I have an H22 not a boost friendly car unless you do what I typed above^ k Im done

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hawkze_2.3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Try to pick up a copy of the book 'Maximum Boost" by Corky Bell if you decide to go turbo. </TD></TR></TABLE>

good book

 

So, I went and read a considerable part of the Maximum Boost book today. (Will purchase if I can ever save enough money) -

I have decided FI is the way I will go.

I have read differing opinions on using the H23 engine as my basis...

Could someone point me to a source - or tell me the pros/cons of the H23 over H22 for FI?

I would appreciate it. I know my current engine is in fair shape (i.e. nothing cracked or FUBAR) So I am sure I could use it to build a FI engine.