I have never been happy with the ratios in my standard 94 Accord EX auto, and from what I read the MP1A from a 92-96 Prelude would be more to my liking. From what I see, the MP1A was used in all auto Preludes, 92-96, both with the F22A6 and the H23A1. Same trans, but different final ratios. The F22 used a higher final gear. Is there a way to tell which MP1A you are buying from the transmission ID?

 

There are a few differences not just the FD.
Besides 1st gear ratio, all other gears are different as well. Most important, 4th of F22 is .7 while 4th of H23 is .75. Combined with the different FD cruising speed for the F22 @80 is 3300rpm while its closer to 4K with the H23.
All three transmissions are called 'MP1A' but there is a bit more to it.

USDM
MP1A - ######, F22 gear set. Sporty acceleration, while maintaining 30+MPG.
MP1A - 1#####, H23 gear set. Excellent acceleration, not so excellent MPG. Drive conservatively you can maintain ~28MPG.
A friendly Honda parts department should be able to confirm which model the transmission original came from using the bar code sticker code. Just because it came out of a H23 Lude does not mean it was originally in that car.
AFAIK, all these used conventional 'open' differentials

JDM
MP1A-?#####. Most desirable units. Similar if not same H23 gearset and come with a limited slip differential. Easy tell tale is to look for the differential cross pin, no pin = LSD

 

Thanks! That good info. Now to start looking.