Okay, for sometime now I've been thinking about getting rid of my POS oil burning B21A in my 91 prelude Si. I know I could get a Lude Speed Turbo kit, or swap to in an H22A, but in my mind neither is really worth the money or effort. If I ran the turbo with a totally stock bottom end and only 6 psi MAYBE I can run close to a 14 flat with out an intercooler. If I built it up right, intercooled it, and bumped up the psi, maybe I could tease 13s, but that's a hell of a lot of work and money for a poorly designed and inefficient motor. I know I could do an H22A swap also, but again, is it worth the time and money? Not only would I pay up to $3,500 for just the motor, I'd have to find somone to do the swap and I'm sure that could cost me $2,000 or more to do that. Besides, kiss my AC and most likely my Powersteering good bye. Not worth it for a daily driver huh? I've also heard an H22A adds 60 POUNDS of weight to the front end, and will mess up the handling.

So, right now I'm just trying to think of other options that I could do swap wise. Anyway, I've recently thought about this:

Could I swap in an H23A or F22A from a 92-96?
Is that worth the time and effort?
Is there better performance and parts availability possible from either?
Do they do turbo kits for either?
CAN it be done?
How much cheaper could it bet done?

I under stand that I could probably do the H23A with the same Place Racing kit as used for the H22A, but I haven't a clue about the F22A. I'm also wondering what the weight of those motors are, and if I would need to do an axle and all swap. And lastly, here's a real stretch, could a B20 CRV "frankenstein" VTEC be swapped in? I know that would definately involve axles, transmission, and ECU. In the end the worst case scenario for me is I just give up, toss some cam gears, a header, and maybe (all though I hate to do it) a 50 shot of NOS on a JDM B20A. It wouldn't be a killer or anything, but it would probably be good enough for me and I would focus on the body and interior more (vinyl) to complete the car. Thanks for looking at this.

Jason
91 Si

 

I don't have all the answers you're after, but I can tell you for certain that the F22A and H23A WILL bolt in with the H22A mount kit, and will install the exact same way except you won't have to wire VTEC. ( ) I'm not sure if the F22A would be worth it , but it would definately be cheap .
I have an F22A swap in the garage left over from my H22A swap that I was going to try to stick in a blown up civic (or a bare chassis), but I haven't found anything to put it in yet..


[Modified by kevie88, 8:14 AM 6/15/2002]

 

the h23 would be the easier choice, since you don't have the vtec to wire in and won't have to spend the money on the vtec controller and stuff. the h23 is a strong motor and would be a very good upgrade for that car. do not put the accord motor into that car. it is slower than what you have in there now. that motor should have stayed in the accord. do the h23 swap.

 

I would go with the h23.... cheaper and easier for future FI options

 

do you think the H23A is any lighter then the H22A is? That's another concern I have. Adding 60 lbs over the stock weight in the front end supposedly F***s up the handling characteristics. I don't want something that is not streetable, and still only running mid 15s for all of the money and trouble until I sink a few more grand in it for a turbo, etc. I know, $=performance, but I'd like to get an idea of whether or not this is worth my time and effort. I already have spent roughly $9,000 (including $7,000 purchasing it!) on an 11 year old car which may be worth $3,000 now........

Jason
91 honda prelude Si

P.S. As cynical as I sound, thanks for giving me your input guys, I'm just trying to decide if all that work is really worth it in the end!

 

In the end, it is NOT worth it. However I do agree w/ everyone, it would be pretty bad ***, but only 15 hp more, and no resale value.

Just slap a bottle in that B21A1...

 

Part of the reason I still waste my time on this car is because I really do love it. I've always had an obsession with cars that DON'T fit the typical mold either. Nothing would put a bigger smile on my face then a crowd standing around my open hood at a show asking me "what the hell is that motor?" or "what the hell kind of car is that?" Soo, I still want to explore what I can do with it.

Jason
91 Si

 

sixty pounds extra in the front is nothing. if you really want to, just take out a few extra's and lighten the front to make up for it. get some better suspension and springs and you won't even notice the extra weight. and as for the hp, the difference is very noticable. you would be going from a 140 hp 2.1 to a 160 hp 2.3. you now have 20 more hp and more displacement. not to mention a much higher compression ratio. you can still easily use it as a daily driver, and you can always find someone who is willing to pay you for more than what the car is worth if you want to sell it. i'd say if you really want to do the swap, then do it.