I`ve been in the import drag racing "scene" for quite some time now, and a friend of mine just got a 88 Prelude Si 4WS. This thing handles VERY well, however isn`t quite fast. What engine swaps are available for this platform? basic b20 engine...other than bolt-ons, I/H/E, what else is there to do to make these cars move faster? I own a 90 CRX Si with ZC swap and boost, but I`m ignorant to know as to what is available for the prelude.

TIA
R

 

A while back SCC had an engine swap guide....for the 88 lude they mentioned that you can swap a f22, h22, and h23 with the use of a kit (such as HASport, HCP, etc, not sure which would have that exact application) and it would bolt right in with the kit. If you were mechanically inclined you could probably do it yourself. If not there is someone on here that is building up an 87 si I believe using the stock motor and boost, so you could try and find him and talk to him.
EDIT: his name on here is 87PreludeSI


[Modified by POSlude97, 3:40 PM 3/8/2003]

 

I got a 90 Si with the b21 and i am in the same situation, car handles awesome but i want more power. Dont bother with the I/H/E i have those mods and if you want serious peformance an H22 swap is highly recommended. I am swapping the H22 in this summer. The h22 will bolt right in to my car, i have the b21 which is slightly larger, so its similar to the h22's engine size. But to put the h22 in that car with the b20 a little cutting and welding has to be done. But dont get discouraged theres a guy (liquid51) who is doing the h22 swap into his 89 lude. So if you can get in touch with him he is almost finished with his swap. Place racing sells a kit for 500 or so and like it was mentioned in the previous post it can be done without profeesional help with some planning and skill.

 

Umm...

Why would there be a problem dropping an H22A into a B20A bay? The B21 & B20A, externally share the same dimensions. The B21A has a longer stroke, FRM lining, and a single stage intake manifold. Whatever problems that exists for the B20A will also exists for the B21A.

Also, FWIW, the H22A is ~350lbs w/ a transmission. A B20A/B21A weighs in at ~270lbs. That's a huge difference as far as handiling goes. Since this is a FWD nose-heavy car, the H22A will have negative effects on the chassis at the limits (note: more understeer).

Don't say I didn't warn you...

David

 

the H22a is heavier, and it makes the front end 'push' a little more in the turns... but it kicks *** in a straight line! I used to think I would build my 88 lude for speed and corners, but the H has just made it for speed.

So now I own an EG 92 civic hatch (with B18C5) for the corners, and The turbo'd H22 prelude for the straights.

a good example is the the two JUN civics (remember, they were yellow and green) that were in all the tire ad's a year or two ago. two identical cars, one was prepared for auto X, and the other was set-up for drag racing. one or the other.

 

You really think that 80 lbs is going to make a significant difference in handling? First of all H22 with an auto tranny weighs 350 lbs and a manual tranny is lighter than an auto tranny. Secondly, 80lbs will not change the handling characteristics all that much. Granted I'll notice a difference but the extra 80 lbs or less is not enough weight to change my mind about doing the swap. Finally, I'm not sure why the B21 sits differently in the engine bay than the B20, but it does. I know the B20 and B21 are very similiar in dimensions, same cylinder bore just different stroke, which is why my B21 burns so much oil, it has a poor Rod/Stroke ratio. I have done research about this swap and have talked to people doing this swap. And with the B20 you need to modify the the brackets to make it fit. I'm not basing my opinion on just a hunch, like many people do.

 

a few things that you are mistaken on there stealthmode. i have an 89 prelude that originally had the 2.0 in it. i swapped in a 2.1, which uses the exact same mounts and is the exact same size as the 2.0. the two motors are mounted exactly the same and as i said, have the exact same mounts. also, there IS a difference in bore. the 2.0 has an 81mm bore and the 2.1 has an 83mm bore. they do, however, have the same stroke. the reason the b21 burns oil is because it was honda's first attempt at the fiber reinforced cylinder walls. the b20 has the cast iron sleeves. i am not sure where you have been doing your research, but i think you have been looking in the wrong places.

i will agree with one thing. the 80 lbs will make a difference in handling, but it can be compensated for with stiffer springs, better shocks and properly ballancing the car.

oh, and to the guy who made a comment about the guy with the 87 prelude building it up for power, that is a differnt generation prelude. the 87 si is a 2.0 sohc motor with about 110 hp. the 88 is the first year of the third gen with the 2.0 dohc motor with 135 hp and very little aftermarket support. just so you know, they aren't the same.

 

The only way i ever see the lude going fast is to turbo it. H22 will fit, with help from place racing mounts, but the price is not worth it. H22 will run around 4-5k just to get the stock motor in place. On the other hand it would be a good platfrom to start from. To stay on the moderately cheap side a turbo is needed. The b20a block is perfect for a turbo, it already has a solid deck with iron sleeves. Check out ludespeed.com for turbo info. He is not doing lude stuff anymore, but he has plenty of info.

mike