Hello Accord Forum People!
Let me start by saying I'm not new to Hondas, but I am when it comes to playing with Accords and F/H series. I've done normal maint things like timing belts, waterpumps, head gaskets, etc, but never really done anything performance minded with them...
Until now...
Ive been researching this for a couple days now. Please let me know if my plans sound reasonable or if there's anything I'm overlooking.

I'm picking up a 97 Acura CL (5 speed) with a blown engine tomorrow, which is the F22B1 (right?)
After reading about H swaps, the minor modifications to make it work and the cost, I've elected to stay with the F series.
The F's iron sleeves are more suited for boost than the H's FRM sleeves(right?).
So I'm looking at putting in an F23(a1 or a4?) from a newer model accord/CL into the body of the 97 CL.

From what I understand, The engines are pretty much identical except for the larger bore and stroke of the F23. All accessories bolt up, nothing unexpected here. The F23 comes with a vtec pressure switch and knock sensor, but these wont even be looked for if I keep the F22 ECU, right?

So there isn't really any reason I can put in an F23A in where the F22 used to be is there?
I know the ecu wont be perfect, but I was thinking I'd just get a jumper harness, P28, and run Neptune later on down the road...In the meantime, will the F22 ECU be OK on the F23?

I dont think I can run the F23 ECU because of the immobilizer system Honda integrated in the 98-02 accords, right? Id have to get the immobilizer module, then new keys with the pill inside, blah blah blah, NO THANKS...

Once I get the car running with the stock F23, Down the road I want to send the F22 head out to get ported and get a bigger cam with the valvetrain to support it. Nothing crazy, but something larger than stock, and still be turbo friendly (way down the road)...
Or should I swap a H head on it and call it a day?
I guess what I want to know is would I be spending more on the F head to equal a stock H head? Or can the F be just as badass as a worked over H head?

I eventually waaay down the road would like to boost. It seems like the stock F23 bottom ends can support about 300whp with proper tuning. Thats about all I would ever want. I want to keep the bottom end stock...
So far, I found a 98 F23 with 64k miles for $350...I'm picking the car up for around $1200. Is there anything I should know before moving forward? Any surprises?

Thanks for reading the long post. Any input is appreciated!

 

Looks like your on the right track. I'd say a boosted F is a better way to go because to boost an H right would get pretty expensive. But if you gott he money go for it! Looks like you got most of it planned out well. I dont know much about the ecu for f22 vs f23 so I cant help you there but that seems to be the bigest issue. Good luck with the build.

 

the f23 can be dropped right in. the only differance is the iacv (idle air control valve)on the f23. you can buy a blacktrax iacv plate for the f22 iacv. you can't switch heads the bores are different f22 85mm f23 86mm. you can use your stock wire harness. there won't be a connection for your knock and im not sure if the cl has a vtec pressure switch i think it does my 95 accord with that same engine has a pressure switch. but the f22 ecu won't be looking for that unless you already have it. its a nice easy swap. they also put those f23s in the cls in 98 to whenever they stop making them.

 

Thanks for the input guys!
So what is different about the IACV? The connector? Id like to keep the IACV functional since I don't want the CEL to come on.
From what I've read, the 97 F22 doesnt have a vtec pressure switch, but the 98+ F23 does. I plan on keeping the F22 ecu so hopefully this wont be a problem...
Ill do some more research on F head castings... In the B series world, people swap on GSR and B16 heads (81mm bore) onto b20 blocks (84mm bore) quite frequently w/o issues. I guess this causes problems on the F series?
I like what I've been seeing with the F23s. It seems like one of the best replacements for the blown F22...
So can a F22/F23 head be made to flow like a H22 head? Or will the H22 head always outflow the F?
Thanks again for the replies guys!
Any more input is greatly appreciated.

 

Change of plans guys... The CL I was gonna pick up was in worse shape than the seller mentioned. Some body rust on the rear quarter and trunk lid. The fenders had been repainted and there was evidence of bondo on the RF fender. The bumper cover was not attached properly due to the mounting holes being torn/damaged. Not to mention the leather seats were tore up pretty bad in the bolster potion (pretty common on older hondas, but this was worse than normal)

I decided to keep looking for a better donor car.

 

Not true. I have an F23a1 block with an F22a6 head in my 1990 Accord. No issues at all and I'm using high dome K20 pistons. I'm sure the OP will be using stock pistons or aftermarket dished (if he decides to turbo it) so he won't have any problems either.

 

As long as the piston compression height is kept below 30mm and an F23 head gasket is used. There shouldn't be any major issues. Sure you have a bit of a lip, that could be a possible hot spot. Who's looking that close? Oh wait, is this a boosted or high comp engine....... If your nit picking, hot spots can be bad over time!

 

It was gonna be a stock engine until later down the road I could afford to build up the head and eventually turbo it. My plans were a stock F23 bottom end, and a built up F22 head when the time comes. Then eventually a little boost...
But the car I was gonna pick up was in rough shape, so all my plans have changed. Im gonna wait until I find the perfect CL and go from there...

Ive been reading alot of your (Ghost Accord) and Pirate McFred's threads the past week. Thanks for your contribution to HT. You guys are very knowledgable on the F and H series!
I really like the potential of these F engines...So much that I think I want to put one in my civic one of these days...

 

Thanks,

There is a tone of information available online. Just make sure to check more than one spot, becuase there is a lot of misinformation out there as well.

Good luck with whatever it is you end up building. I have been around a couple F series Civic's. They are quite impressive. The low end tq is really noticeable.