I just bought a 1996 Honda Prelude after selling my 92. And I happened to notice after I bought it the back was missing a vtec metal logo. This kind of confused me because the guy said it wasn't vtec which didn't bother me. But he said he never did a motor swap as well. And the vin number along with the manual shows it is an h22a1 american 1996 Prelude. Which had vtec according to everything I've read. I'm just wondering why it wouldn't when everything seems to point towards it should. Sorry if this is a really dumb question. More or less curious about it than anything.

 

is there a vtec solenoid on the head? if yes, than it's a vtec head.

 

What are the first 3 digits of the vin, and what is the code stamped on the engine?

 

No there isn't. I know it isn't vtec. My thing is more why.

 

And JHM and which code where you mean h22a1?

 

Sorry brain fart there, aftet the JHM, there will be BB1, 2 or I believe BA8.

The BB1 would have an H22A1 stock, the BB2 would have the H23A1, and the BA8? would be the F22.

Only the BB1 has VTEC, as they are just 3 trim lines of the same car. Much like the fact that for the same year of say a Mustang, you can get a V6, a V8, or a high output V8.

Once Honda moved to the 5th gen, all Preludes in North America were H22A4 and 5 lug equipped, and the only model difference was the SH, or in Canada the SE, which had the SH looks but not the suspension or ATTS.