Hi. I have an H23a "Bluetop" motor in my 1997 Prelude SH and I was wondering if the H22a bolt ons from the 5th gen SH will fit on the H23 motor? Like if I get H22 headers will the ports line up to the H23? I've read that the H23a Bluetop is an H23 block with an H22 head but I just want to make sure before I buy anything.

 

No, the SH bottom-end has completely different bolt on patterns then the base model H's. You can swap head parts all day. But you have to buy H series base model parts for the H23a bottom-end.

 

Look and see if your H23a has a P13 or PDE head. If it has the P13, look at your old engine, if it is 00'-01' should have one. The PDE is a better head, some H23a blut-tops came with PDE's.

 

How would I tell between P13 and PDE?

 

It should be stamped on the side of the head itself. Not a sticker, but its in the actual aluminum casting. You should be able to see the casting code "p13 or pde" and the year of production.

 

I'm guessing it's a P13. I was that on my distributor.

 

It should be stamped above the middle right exhaust port on your head. Directly above your header, on cyl 4 i believe "1-3-4-2". There should be other stamps and circle markings. The head stamp is on the right half of the head if you looking at it as if it was still in the car. I dont know any other way of describing it to you lol.... Same location on all H series heads.

 

Yeah I figured it would be there. I'll have to check that tomorrow cause I have a plate over my header and I'm not planning on taking it off tonight.

 

Is it the original heat shield your talking about? Because if that is what your talking about, you should still be able to see it. My whole point was if you had the better head why not use it.

 

Yeah It's the original one. I'll have to check tomorrow cause it's way too dark and cold. Hopefully I have the better head.