Hey guys I'm new here.......so new that's its my first Honda I just bought a 96 prelude and it had a Blue top already swapped but my problem is in NJ they love to get on tuners...the person that had it did the swap and jacked up the whole swap with oem computer for the non vtec H22A and a whole bunch of vacuum problems and other **** .....its really killing me lol my motor is missin all the valves on the intake manifold including the black box for the vtec!!!! its all crazy man....I need some advice on what parts I can use and swap to make it work and run like a champ the car is OBD2 but the motor is OBD 1 I think...I have a serious issue I have pics and everything somebody hook me up with knowledge.....

 

Pics speak louder then words, and cause some of that sounded confusing lol.

What is the model number on the ecu/computer? Those valves i believe are the IAB butterflies and vacuum box. That isnt for vtec. Once you tell us what the model number is we can tell you if it is obd1 or obd2 right away.

 

ok its 37820-p14-a13 893-100037 that's the comp. and it won't let me upload pics yet I guess im on trial or something

 

That is a non-vtec h23a usdm computer, that may be why your vtec isnt engaging. How do you know it was a blue-top H23aV that was swapped in it?

Even if you did that ecu should work for that engine,but not very well.

Hurry up and get your count up and post pics, you need o use liek photobucket and paste the IMG code.

 

Well on the block it says H23A and on the head it says Vtec and its blue and I know in usdm its black and the euro is red I been doing research on it when I pass these restrictions I will send some pics of the motor what ecu can I use because the one for that engine is for automatic and I got a 5 speed would a H22A ecu work

 

Under the H23a is there a serial number?

Which head does it have PDE or P13?

If you had the P13 obd1 5spd Ecu, or a jdm P13 and jumper it would for driving. But you should invest in a civic or integra 5spd obd1 ecu. Then you can chip and have tuned.

 

What's the VIN# of the car ? It might be that it originally had an H23a1 (dohc non-vtec) and needs both the ECU and the wires for vtec run to the engine.

If it's running like ****, its because the ecu is running 2.3 mapping on an h22 engine. pretty sure h23a vtec (blue top) is odb2 as well

 

From the sounds of it, might be worthwhile to find a local who is familiar with Preludes and swaps, and have them look it over. If the swap is an H23A Vtec, it should use either a P13 ecu, or a "chipped" P06, P28, P72 etc with a correct tune. It would be good to ensure that it has the correct fuel injectors on there as well, before tuning.

Once it is running right it should be a fun car, so don't let it get you down!

 

all I know is its a SI so at 1 time it had a vtec in but not sure if it was a vtec or a non vtec version I work weird hours so I cant respond fast my bad for that .......I'm trying to get past this trial thing...........so I can post these dam pics so you guys can see my problems if any body in the Ocean County New Jersey hit me up......But on another note the car was originally an OBD2 so that narrows it down on the engine stats......I'm just thinkin of buying a nother engine some US version.....I don't want a B or K series so any suggestions

 

Oh yes the fun of the 1996 models. Might be worthwhile to find a 1996 obd2 P13 ecu for it.

The Si would be the 2.3 H23A1 originally, while the Si VTEC would be the H22A1 with VTEC. the Serial number will tell which one it was if the door jamb sticker is gone. JHMBB1 is Si VTEC, JHMBB2 is Si.

 

ok I got some photos in my garage now

 

ok I got a p13 head on it and its a jdm H23A I have pics in my garage it got the BB2 in the vin and the ecu that was in it is a p14.....what should I do because I wanna keep it obd 2

 

I think your only option at that point will be a 1996 OBD2 P13 ecu. I know there are some around, but they are less common than the other P13 ecus. Once you get to 1997 I think they changed the ecu code and added the immobilizer, so they may not work without more effort.

 

It sounds like you do not know what to do, and there is a lot of work to fix someone elses issues.

I recommend you take it to a local tuner preferrably a shop that has a lot of experience with Preludes, not just Honda's in general and then go from there.