I just got my car, a 1996 honda accord ex. It has an f22b1, i wanted to come on here and ask what are your guys recommendation’s for power mods starting out? I was thinking new intake, fuel rail, and injectors to start but not sure if this is the best way to go. I also was thinking of switching out the intake manifold to a f23 because i heard the airflow is better. Im open to many suggestions, i know i need a ecu and im currently looking at a hondata s300 since this is an f series. Not sure what other modifications can get me good power, i am planning on going turbo in the future but for now i want to make a decent amount of power with just basic things. I am new to cars, this is my first car therfore im still learning so please give me a break. My dad is very mechanically inclined and can help me with all sorts of things so difficulty of installing isnt a problem. Not sure if cams would be worth it since im still n/a but i know theyll help with the turbo. Any recommendations for what i should do first? Looking to gain a decent amount of power without having to do work to the block, mostly the head. I’ve heard a f22a head is better then the f22b but not sure by how much. Please inform me, my expectations aren’t too high so i know i won’t get hit with a reality check when im barely pushing more then 20 hp over stock smh. Give me options please, i want to be able to go different routes. For now would an intake, fuel rail, and injectors be good? And if anyone has a rough estimate of how much power i can gain from that let me know!! I have a pretty decent budget as im 17 and all my paychecks will be going straight to the car. I work at autozone btw so if u guys know parts i can get with a discount let me know. Thanks!

 

You didnt mention anything about transmission. You have a manual transmission right? Cause that automatic won't hold up to turbo power

Re basic mods, you won't need to mess with injectors or fuel rail unless turboing/doing major mods. The fuelling system and ignition system is more than adequate.

The basic mods for these engines are intake, header, exhaust, then you can look into intake manifold and tuning (S300 or cheaper alternative) etc.

A cam upgrade would be next from there, but it is best to decide if going turbo or not before selecting your cam or even your intake manifold, exhaust manifold/header options etc

But yes, manual tranmission .... Something you would want

 

Didn’t realize that i didn’t say anything about the transmission, but yeah i have a 5 speed, not the auto, ik the autos cant hold up that power, so luckily i have the 5 speed. And im still not 100% sure about turbo, this is going to be my daily driver and if i were to turbo it, it would be probably about 6-12 months from now just because i want to have the supporting mods and things like that. I know it’s gonna be tough to really increase my horsepower without a turbo but i was hoping there was something i can do to atleast make around 180 without turbo.

 

All of the above can get you up to maybe close to 180 but will cost you. Good mods unfortunately aint cheap.

 

Yeah price isn’t too much of an issue to me, i make around 500 a paycheck currently and all my money will be going right back into the car. If you know of anything no matter the price that will get me to a good hp number just lmk. Labor isnt a problem either as i want to learn more about my car and have buddys who will help me.

 

If you want my advice, which you may or may not want.

It aint worth putting all your paycheck into a 28 year old vehicle.
Don't get me wrong, i LOVE my Accord, but I've been in your position before and regretted how much i spent all at once.

If you really want to get good horsepower no matter the cost but you dont want to go turbo, honest advice, just save up for a h22 engine. It will do more for your horsepower than any of the mods we mentioned will do. You can even reuse your 5 speed gearbox if you need to save some money there.

If you want to go turbo, you can use your F series but save up to do all the mods at once, i find it works out more cost effective than doing it a little piece at a time.

 

what about just a head swap from f20b or h22 maybe?

 

You can do it, but you will need an ECU upgrade or some way of tuning it. It will give a power boost over the SOHC head, that is for sure.

 

What I did to my 96 LX when I had it was, F23a block, F22B2 head (Cause it was an LX and not EX) so use your F22B1 head.

I never did the F23A intake, but would be a good upgrade over the F22B1 intake IIRC.

Port match intake and bore the throttle body.

Should give a decent bump in HP and torque for still being NA.

Follow up with headers and a good exhaust and it shoud run damn well with the 5 speed.

I know my 96 was a blast with just the F23A block added. Stock cast exhaust manifold and stock exhaust. Also didn't tune it. No check engine light ever triggered in the year and a half until someone totalled it on me.

-RC