hello! this might sound odd but im a first time honda owner im a tunner guy but always been more in to nissian and toyota but i just got a 1991 honda prelude SI B21A1 2.1 DOHC and i dont know anything or where to start to work on it it has 270000miles on it but it seams to still have lots of power cause the first time i drove it i out ran a 92 typ-R Integra so it is fast to me stock and that old so im looking for info on what could be done to it to make it faster and if there was any little tweeks that could be dont that dont cost alot

 

first off, know that the 3rd gen prelude engines (b20a,b20a5,b21a1 etc) all have nothing in common with the other b series engine. nothing i tell yah.

b21a1s have frm linings and are known to eat ring if the motor has been abused of not taken cared for.

there is very little aftermarket support on this chassis and available oem parts are drying up by the day.

with those being said, most 3rd genners either swap to to a b20a5 engine (iron sleeves) or the jdm b20a (also iron sleeves) or just they just go ahead with the h22 swap for a better aftermarket support and a better platform to start with.

there are little things here and there that you can do with a b21/b20a/5. the most common upgrades are:

b20a/5 block bored to fit b21 pistons (all b21 pros with no b21 cons)
b21 crank
h23 rods (same measurment as b21 but beefier)
b21 piston
b21 head (b20a/5 head will net higher cr)
adjustable cam gears
cometic headgasket (about the only thing that is the same as the other b series motors)

this would be the best you can do with this motor without much money and, machining and research. 10lbs of boost, anymore and i would be weary.

ps: no vtec head will not fit without 2k out of pocket and its not proven

 

well thats nice to know i guess so the first time i buy a honda i got a shity one well just my luck and i though cause it was a SI i was going to be able to make it nce and fast

 

Its a great DD..

 

^ Typical reason why people don't modify '88-91 (3rd gen) Preludes. I for one have had mine for almost four years and have owned a 3rd gen for six years. Wouldn't get rid of it for anything else. In the process of gathering parts for an H-Series swap finally. One thing to be said, when done up, and done clean you will be much more unique than the Civic/Integra crowd.

 

A third gen Prelude, nice and clean, is really something to behold. I'd love a third gen, with a moderate drop, as a DD someday.

 

Btw, it couldn't have been a 92 Integra Type R. That model ran for 1997-1998 and 1999-2001 only. Those would be the ones with the four round headlights. In '92 the Integra had a more angled body and long rectangular headlights.
Third gen Preludes definitely aren't shitty Hondas.

Most Hondas take a bit to make them quick anyway. Engine swaps and turbos are pretty common for most popular models.
You can make a unique Civic or Integra as well, but it takes a lot of money. I've got a '98 Civic and an '88 Prelude.

OP, if you don't want that '91, send it my way for cheap. I'll give it a good home.

 

i think im going to clean it up where the first owner keep the motor in good shape didnt keep the inside that way so im just going to clean it up and drive it for now and ill sell it and get something with more of a aftermarket out look

ps thanks for all the info like i had said this is the frist honda i have ever owned and everyone i know with hondas say its cheaper to fix them up cause they make alot of stuff for them

but i did like the fact that the car has power and i like the was its geared and to be stock it would launch off the line really well
so unless some one knows some good stuff to talk me in to keepping it lol

 

I'm sure NOFX can talk you into keeping it.

 

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/389089...d-oxford-ga-us

some photos of the car if anyone whats to look

 

well its not that i would not put alot of money in it
but if it would only cost about 3Gs to but a H22 in it i would not want to put 3Gs in the car and it still not be faster the the H22
i would like to keep the car with out the H22 and build it but from what i hear with out putting a h22 in the car ant much i can do to it

 

so you want to build the bastard b and not put a h22? hell yeah go for it.

owning a 3rd gen lude is different than most and sticking with the bastard b is not for the faint of heart, its commitment like none other bro. you can build its and make over 400hp but i think with the money it takes to do that, a h22 is just as good or even better.

like they say man. fast, cheap and realiable but you can only pick 2

 

Do some work on the car, see if you like it. Maybe you'll fall in love . If it was me, I would keep that B engine in there and make it a clean, respectable car. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

There is nothing wrong with the B motors in the 3rd gen preludes. You can make great power on them you just have to keep in mind they are a little different is all. Buddy of mine ran one completely stock b20 with a nice turbo setup he made 430whp. He actually swapped it into his integra and never had a single issue

You can make some really nice B20 vtec builds.. so dont let the people who know nothing of the motor shoot the idea down. In fact, i would probably take a b20 vtec over h-series any day in my opinion its just a nice setup with less crap to worry about. Not saying h-series are bad motors by any means.. im just saying dont throw the b20 vtec build out the window because they are nice and a little different from the average joe schmo build that everyone has.

Every b20 and b21 setup ive seen has always been nice, fast and reliable. B20's have thicker sleeves than many other engines which help if your doing a stock turbo setup because they are very strong. Also, B20s dont have FRM sleeves , very strong iron sleeves so you can run aftermarket pistons without resleeving and be just fine which saves a ton of money. Just make sure to run the right ones. B21 sleeves are smaller, and made of FRM for its increased bore size so running aftermarket pistons is not a good idea without re-sleeving, since the materials in FRM really dont like aftermarket pistons. (i believe there is a brand or two that make pistons for FRM but never really heard much about them). Overall i think the B20 block is much nicer than the B21. Also, honda used the b20 engine in many of their race cars of different classes back in the day.

 

Oh, to add if you run an H-series motor your looking at more money off the bat, you will only see about 350whp MAX before you start having issues with the pistons, but u cant upgrade the pistons without re-sleeving because of the FRM sleeves. Stick with the B20 you wont regret it.

 

There is nothing wrong with the B motors in the 3rd gen preludes. You can make great power on them you just have to keep in mind they are a little different is all. Buddy of mine ran one completely stock b20 with a nice turbo setup he made 430whp. He actually swapped it into his integra and never had a single issue

You can make some really nice B20 vtec builds.. so dont let the people who know nothing of the motor shoot the idea down. In fact, i would probably take a b20 vtec over h-series any day in my opinion its just a nice setup with less crap to worry about. Not saying h-series are bad motors by any means.. im just saying dont throw the b20 vtec build out the window because they are nice and a little different from the average joe schmo build that everyone has.

Every b20 and b21 setup ive seen has always been nice, fast and reliable. B20's have thicker sleeves than many other engines which help if your doing a stock turbo setup because they are very strong. Also, B20s dont have FRM sleeves , very strong iron sleeves so you can run aftermarket pistons without resleeving and be just fine which saves a ton of money. Just make sure to run the right ones. B21 sleeves are smaller, and made of FRM for its increased bore size so running aftermarket pistons is not a good idea without re-sleeving, since the materials in FRM really dont like aftermarket pistons. (i believe there is a brand or two that make pistons for FRM but never really heard much about them). Overall i think the B20 block is much nicer than the B21. Also, honda used the b20 engine in many of their race cars of different classes back in the day.

 

im not saying there that the 3rd gen prelude stock motors are bad by any menas but im trying to understand what you just advised.

you are right by saying the b20a5 is iron sleeved and the b21a1 is frm lined but these series motors have nothing in common with any other b series motors out (except for the cam gears) noting is interchangable without major machining. hence them being called "bastard b" motors

i only know of a hand full of of b20vtec motors that are in this chassis but major custom fabrication was needed and there is very little to no information is divulged.

to the op , if you have the tools and knowledge to properly swap a b20 vtec motor in then go for it but know this, on a bastard b motor, you will never hit 200hp n/a, that should say something right?

h/f motors are the only swap that is easily attainable at this time. mounts are made by 2 companies, harness is on record with rywire and axles are interchagable with accords or just build the **** out of the bastard and boost it 20lbs like tony baker and make over 400whp.

 

I never said they have a lot in common with other b-series motors. It really doesn't matter anway unless you were looking to exchange parts. Well, some of the b20s do come with the P75 head or the ls head on integras. i think the only difference was the cam. thats the only common thing i know. I think its a great choice because you dont have to shell out the 800-1500 to sleeve the block before you can put good pistons in.

The b20/b21 may be a little harder to find here (everywhere in japan though), mostly in crv and older preludes here. You can always do a common B-series swap such as a b18 or b16. You really cant go wrong with a common b-series motor i think they are the easiest series to work with, have the most parts made for them and are everywhere

If your looking to spend some money, take your time and do something custom that not many have you can do a newer K-series swap. Its pretty new so you may have to figure out a few things to get in a 3rd gen (theres a thread right now for the 4th gen though) K-series has great potential but those swaps arent really to the point being cheap or in comparison to the price of an older swap. Just depends on your taste but everyone would love you for a k-swap in a 3rd gen i would imagine.

There are a ton of different engines you could go with for a swap though and dont forget about the F-series too. The F-series single cams are great builds and you should have no trouble finding an f motor its safe to say they are a dime a dozen. My friends shop has the "single cam recipe" everyone calls it since many with a single cam leaves that shop with a 350-400hp reliable setup for a ridiculous price, which is why they decided to go with the single cam. any more than those hp numbers and single cam may get a little pricey though. the F22B1 is a great motor.

Of course, i guess im assuming that you want to go turbo. If your going all motor there are better choices and quite frankly i would say h22 would be one of the best choices for an n/a setup and ITBs have such an amazing sound to them. My prelude made 206whp with only a few simple things done. but if your going for more power and want turbo there are better choices.

I guess, the best thing you can do is do some research. There are so many choices, you really just have to find which direction you would like to go.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Honda_engines

 

No dude. B20a5 and b21a1 are Different and will not bolt into anything. Only cam gears are interchangeable.

They do not interchange with any other common b series motors. No, can't and wont.

 

4norzn pretty much hit most of it on the head. I have owned 3 1991 preludes in my day and i'm trying to sell the one i have now... which makes me want to cry...

Honestly these cars are a blast to work on. Sure there isn't much aftermarket support but that's where you find places like this that have a bunch of creative people having their own parts made. I was a member of H-T.com 10 years ago i think, then moved to ************.com and now i'm back.

Bounce around a bit, you'll find what you're looking for and fall in love with it.

Danny

 

dmeeusen, no idea what site you went to. Since the new owners took over most websites are censored out. Sucks when all you want to do is link to something to help someone.

 

Bought a 88 SI for $300. It was in awesome shape. Yeah there are not much aftermarket stuff for these 3rd gens, but I make a lot of my parts on my own. I have a machine shop at work so this makes it a little easier for me. What a blast this car is though.

 

Depends what you want to do with it, I would daily drive it for now. Maybe in the future h22 swap or just a fresh b20 and build it.

 

Oh, and Prelude Power has a lot more info and more active members than this site does as far as 3G Preludes go.

 

i'd get a basic paint job and just daily drive the thing. make sure the maintenance items are up to snuff and just drive it. don't beat it. if you think you want to beat on it get something else IMO.