I'm trying to help a friend of mine who has a 88 Prelude with the 2.0 liter POS motor in it. About 2 years ago he broke a timing belt and fried some valves. So he got a head rebuild and guess what it blew smoke right off the bat when the rings started to go. What would be his options on ordering a motor for his car? Is there a JDM motor to swap in that will bolt in so he can have a lower mileage engine without having to look around junkyards here for another 2.0L. This doesn't have to be performance motor, in fact he doesnt car he just needs a long block or short block whichever. My knowledge on civic/integra well outweighs my prelude info so help me out if you can. thanks

 

the 2.0si is widely accepted to be the best motor they put in the 3rd gen preludes ~87-91 if you wanna go for a little more power then go witht he 2.1 but they are supposedly less reliable.

 

Correct..

I suggest that you tell you buddy to look for a JDM B20 (not the crv b20). You can get those motors for basically a dime a dozen.