I copied this over from my thread on PP.com, but thought I would get as much insight as I could before making a decision.

Well DonF called me yesterday evening, talked to him about FRM honing for a bit, and what I wanted to accomplish on this build. Nice guy, and knows his stuff... not too far away form me either over in Jacksonville. So here is what I am down to

1) My block is out, I'm pretty sure this wear from ring chatter on my #4 cylinder are more than .25mm over size is going to get out. So I can get a hold of another block, either:
a) Another a4 block, type-s pistons, rings, bearings, etc. Balance rotating assembly, balance shaft delete, h23 manual tensioner.
b) An h22a block from a friend, (closed deck, 50mm mains) buy an h23 crank, same pistons and etc from (a).

2) H23a Vtect swap, would probably still balance the rotating assembly, take out balance shafts, new head gasket, etc.

My questions that I am still trying to find a solid answer on:
1) what kind of compression would an H23a Vtec (or H22a block w/h23 crank) w/type-s pistons run? The pistons and rings are cheap enough to toy with this idea. (Thanks bb6vtec)
2) does the H23a vtec come with the manual tensioner? I've read mixed things on this.

I Had my mind made up last night before DonF called me about ordering the H23 from Hmotors, but I am kinda stuck on the building it from scratch thing. Some buddies that work at Honda think I'm thinking too much about this h23 thing with the longer stroke, and that I should just build the h22, but I see the numbers that people are getting, and I like them for the $$. I am getting really close, just need to decide. Thanks guys for your help, I'm pretty friggin stoked to get started either way this turns out.

 

Ok then... H23a VTEC it is. Ordered it from Hmotors today.

 

i did the build....finally gettin back to it. any questtions shoot me a message

 

Sorry I don't come to the boards more often anymore. This is my first post in prob 3-4 years. Anyway, I would have said option b. (Only cause there was no option with boost, lol) I built my own h23 vtec and love the results. Since u went with h23a vtec you should document the **** out of things. Take pics etc as you break it down to be balanced. I want to know once and for all if it has oil squirters in it stock. Oh and you can still pop them type-s pistons in there . What did you pay for it?

 

nice selection, another bluetop swap in the making. As for the swap, not sure what model prelude you have but if it's the SH you'll need a transmission for the h23a to fit. Now to answer the question, i'm positive that this will come with the auto tensioner. of course manual tensioner is an added benefit but not a must to get the car running. Hopefully you'll get the existing wire harness as well for added insurance, if not you're stock harness will do fine. Ok these are the steps i did to swap my bluetop in and keep it obd2 compliant:

- swapped intake manifold with fuel rail and injectors
- swapped over distributor
- swapped over oil pump (new/old) with ckp and tcd sensors
- swapped over vtec solenoid because jdm ones doesn't have the extra oil sensor plugs that usdm's have
- although i have the manual tensioner, i kept the auto for now because with the h22 belt, it was really hard to fit on but i have a f20b that uses a belt with 1 extra tooth (156 vs h22/23 155 teeth). I'll swap to manual tensioner as soon as i get cams and the f20b belt.

I think that pretty much covers the necessities to get the bluetop up and running obd2 style. remember the h23 vtecs came outta automatics only, so in stock form it is designed to rev to 6800 rpm, but some will rev to 7300 rpm because the head is basically a jdm h22 head. there's nothing better than popping your hood and most people asking about the bluetop and "what is that???" good luck

 

no on the oil squirters, people swap them over from h22's.

 

Ya, I haven't drive the car in at least 6 months, and I have been researching the crap out of what I was going to do with the motor while working on some other things.

tmrtwo: thanks man, will do

fastludeh22: ha, ya this was going to be a fun DD build from the beginning, it was hard to keep the FI thoughts out of my head. I will be taking pics and what not through the build, pretty sure it doesn't have oil squirters, but if I can get mine in there from my old motor I will. Oh and it was $1450 shipped from Hmotors w/only 36k on it.

gheezy: I will be doing the manual tensioner for sure, also I have a Euro-R mani from Rosko port matched to 68mm, a 68mm TB, Tri-y rep header, and trying to pick out a 2.5" exhaust that won't drive me insane, and a Mizu radiator and fan shroud to keep everything cool. Anything I can swap from my old motor I will, or I will buy new, it was running fine when I took it out, just ate A LOT of oil.

I got a prelude to be different, so why not get a blue top to be different, ha. If anyone has any recommendations on exhaust, or coilovers (for after the motor is done), let me know. Thanks guys.

 

Are you going to run balance shafts on this? I did the delete on my build, and due to the increase in oil pressure at the bearings, I left the oil squirters out. I am going on the idea that the H23 needs more oil there, to help it with the higher rpm, than the pistons. So far it has run great (5-600 miles so far lol) with 2 nights at the track running it up to 7600 or so.

 

No, I'm going to remove them. Haven't gotten the motor yet, but I have heard you have to bend the oil squirters to get them in there, and then they don't work as well, so might do the same and just keep em out. Thought about balancing the rotating assembly and slapping on a new head gasket, but from what I've read Honda does a pretty decent job at balancing it from factory.

 

hey whas gud room i have a question i got a h23 blue top an wonder if anyone has a fuel hose that go's to the fuel rail to the fuel filter for sale hit me up

 

There has always been the debate on the oil squirters. I personally am for them. I spin my h23vtec like its an h22 so I put them in like an h22. You have to bend them slightly, its not like people make it out to be. 8500 at the track/dyno 8000 on the street, and oh ya 21#'s on a gt35r. I don't drive the car as often as I would like so not sure on the miles, but its a good bit. Been about 4 years on this build.

Have fun, I love the little bit extra that .1 adds. And yes I had a turbo'd h22 before to compare it to.