Ok guys, I am in a predicament. I have saved up enough to get an H22 swap. I am still having my doubts about doing it. I am wondering if it is worth the approximate $3500 swap??

Right now I have an H23 with 161K miles on it but it runs GREAT!!! I am coming up on that time to change the timing belt and water pump. I have already changed my clutch, tranny fluid, and axles.

The engine mods I have done to the car so far is Carsound cat and Thermal exhaust. I have a brand new DC header that I have yet to put on. If I did get an H22 swap...I would not do ANY engine mods to it. I will keep it as it is.

The reason why i want to change my engine is because I use my Prelude mostly for the track. I mainly use my car for autoXing but I do plan to do two track events a year. My question is....will it really be worth my while to spend the $3500 to get the H22?? Will the gain in performance be worth this price tag?? How much better does the H22 perform compared to your old H23 (unbiased replies ONLY please). People who have proof of the difference in performance are encouraged to reply.

Thanks for your help.

Andy

 

As a guy who has done this swap...I'd have to say that it IS worth it. The H23 lacks the top end that the H22 very happily loves to rev to. Both exhibit about the same amount of torque characteristics...but after 5500 rpms, the H22 just rips. Even with just a new clutch, 8lb flywheel, intake, exhaust...this motor pulls very hard.

And also, there is a bigger aftermarket support for the H22. (But if you're autoxing, I don't know how far you can go with modifications)

Is it "worth" the $2500 price tag? (where did you get $3500 from? HMO can get a whole swap for ~$2500) Well, that's all subject to personal preference...

BTW, I was doing 15.7's with the H23 (I/H/E+test pipe), PS belt removed, and 555R's. With the H22, on street tires and same mods...I pull consistent 15.2-15.1's. But since you're an autoX guy, that doesn't help huh? Well, let me put it in terms for which you can understand, autoX performance-wise....even with the lightened flywheel, coming out of a fast corner is more fun when you have an extra 1.5k rpms to play with. Shifting @ redline keeps the motor above 6k...but even if you do go below VTEC at some low speed corners, just smashing the throttle and hearing VTEC open up is a thrill all in it's own. (But it's also not enough to upset the balance of your car when you're deep in a turn) Turbo cars, on the otherhand...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 98CTRCoupe &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">As a guy who has done this swap...I'd have to say that it IS worth it. The H23 lacks the top end that the H22 very happily loves to rev to. Both exhibit about the same amount of torque characteristics...but after 5500 rpms, the H22 just rips. Even with just a new clutch, 8lb flywheel, intake, exhaust...this motor pulls very hard.

And also, there is a bigger aftermarket support for the H22. (But if you're autoxing, I don't know how far you can go with modifications)

Is it "worth" the $2500 price tag? (where did you get $3500 from? HMO can get a whole swap for ~$2500) Well, that's all subject to personal preference...

BTW, I was doing 15.7's with the H23 (I/H/E+test pipe), PS belt removed, and 555R's. With the H22, on street tires and same mods...I pull consistent 15.2-15.1's. But since you're an autoX guy, that doesn't help huh? Well, let me put it in terms for which you can understand, autoX performance-wise....even with the lightened flywheel, coming out of a fast corner is more fun when you have an extra 1.5k rpms to play with. Shifting @ redline keeps the motor above 6k...but even if you do go below VTEC at some low speed corners, just smashing the throttle and hearing VTEC open up is a thrill all in it's own. (But it's also not enough to upset the balance of your car when you're deep in a turn) Turbo cars, on the otherhand...
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This is EXACTLY what I am looking for. THANK YOU!!!

I got my $3500 cost (~$2400 for swap shipped to me + $1100 for the install).

Any other people..please reply.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AndyD &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
This is EXACTLY what I am looking for. THANK YOU!!!

I got my $3500 cost (~$2400 for swap shipped to me + $1100 for the install).

Any other people..please reply. </TD></TR></TABLE>

well, i did my swap all myself, so i didn't pay anyone $1100 for an install. I would say it was definitely worth it. it seemed like a whole new car. Also if you changed the clutch your self then i actually think that is harder then swapping out the engine. I dont have any track numbers for you but it was enough to make me fall in love with the prelude all over again

 

3500 is too much you've allready invested all those mods on the h23, why throw all them and that perfect motor out, just turbo that motor and you will make more power for much less.

 

Just had my swap done! Love the H22a, however I do not love the fact that it smokes! I have gone through an QT (1) of oil and there is less than 5 hundred US miles on it. The Business where I bough the motor from continues to tell me " Well the Leak down provess that the motor is good! " Ya . Well its still burns oil like a MOO FOO! WTF!!! I THINK its my valve seals!

Guess I may have paid a few G's for a smoken motor.
Well&gt; I am trying to get @: Yes it's worth it! I just have hit a few bumps along the way.
I need a just thinking about it!

 

Why not put the H22 head on it? The ave. whp is 185 I believe with the hybrid motor. Toss some H22 pistons in and you are looking at 190.

 

Actually, I should mention that I am not like most so called, "Car Enthusiasts". I am not really into modifying my car. I am more into driving my car. I don't want to mess with my engine so that it becomes unreliable. I want to drive it..not work on it.

My dilemna is I want to go the route where I have the most reliabilty, yet go the route that is cost effective. I am only adding my header, high flow cat, and Thermal exhaust. If I got the H22..I would only put on a header.

I know the H22 would be better for racing but I am not sure if the $3500 price tag is worth it if the performance gains are not that great. I figure now might be the time to do the swap since I need to do some routine maintanence on the car.

I have never driven in a 4th gen VTEC Lude so that is why I am looking for personal experiences.

I am still unsure.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 98CTRCoupe &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">With the H22, on street tires and same mods...I pull consistent 15.2-15.1's.
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You should be running faster then that. Most people run that bone stock - I ran a 15.1 @ 93 bone stock down to the paper filter and 85,000 mile clutch (and stock tires)

just a CAI gave me a 14.7 @ 96 mph.

its DEFINATELY worth it. The car is MUCH more fun to drive

 

why 2400? can't ya just get a long block, ecu, then use the h23 tranny?