I've got a 96 Honda Accord with the VTEC engine. I've put a K&S filter in it so far and that's it.

My question....where should I start to boost the performance? I'm wanting to start with the cheapest things 1st. I'm not too concerned with suspension, handling, or appearance right now. Mainly exhaust or Engine mods. Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

OBD-II accords are not worth the trouble, if you think it is, go turbo and exhaust FIRST

 

Ok...I read around a bit...it appears I have the F22 VTEC...and the H22 is the way to go. So my question is. If I bought a new intake and header for the F22...are they compatible with the H22...can I migrate them over if I do an Engine switch?

Are the mounting points and layout for the F22 and H22 similar or is swapping the engines going to be a major modification nightmare? I've pulled engines from 40's and 70's model cars for a long time, but never computerized engines.

Thanks for the reply.


[Modified by dkarnival, 9:32 AM 9/26/2001]

 

first ques: intake depends, header, no
second: you will only need the driverside motor mount,



[Modified by SOHCkordVTEC, 6:35 AM 9/26/2001]

 

Gracias...I've about come to the conclusion to do a little exhaust mod and appearance mods on this one (mainly the wife's car...but she can flat out drive...I've witnessed several stop light victories).....

I may pick up a 94-95 Accord and find a wrecked Prelude for the engine.

Any recommendations on a good year of Accords to modify?..I'm not wanting a newer one...mid-late 90's will be good...gotta save enough dough to mod it. I was thinking pre-ODB-II like 94-95.

I don't want a Prelude for Insurance reasons and I've never cared much for Civics though some have really came out well.

Thanks for the quick responses...I'm at work and bored to death.

Take it EZ

 

This comes up so much I really should have a prepared speech. The first decision is if you want to build up your F22 or go for the H22 swap. If you want to build up your F motor and swap later, the only parts you'll carry over are (like SOHCkordVTEC said) the intake (maybe) and the exhaust. A header designed for the F will not fit on the H, likewise an intake designed for an F probably won't supply enough air for the heavier breathing H. Oh another interesting thing I've found is that every vendor of high performance clutches and flywheels has the same part number for Accord and Prelude parts, so I think if you have a lightweight flywheel and good clutch in your F motor, it'll swap over to your H motor (I definitely want to do this but haven't done it yet). Physically, the motor swap is pretty much a drop-in, but there are so many combinations of Accord chassis and H22 motors that you can't predict what kind of little troubles you're going to run in to (mostly accessory clearance and electronics issues). One major and pricey pain is an OBD II to OBD I conversion. You'll definitely want to go with OBD I because it's less restrictive emissions controls allow you to tune in higher performance without the ECU overriding them for cleaner air. My swap got pricier and pricier because I got a mint engine, but little did I know I'd have to buy a lot of parts to convert it to OBD I.

 

Honestly, if I were you, I'd probably go for a '95 Prelude VTEC... yes, it's a bit more expensive than a 95 Accord, and yes, the insurance is more (about 20% more usually)... but you already own an Accord (or your wife does). Preludes are smaller, lighter, and much much faster stock! The amount of money you'd put into an Accord to swap out the motor would outweigh the additional insurance cost and purchase cost difference.

A few other things to point out: 1) Prelude seats are much better, 2) suspension is much better to start off with stock, 3) chassis is much stiffer, 4) the driving experience is better (smaller interior and steering wheel that touches your thighs et cetera), and 5) i see less hooked-up Preludes than Accords...

Now, I hope all of you on this list don't flame me, b/c I'm not a defector... but if you're looking at which car to purchase, and you intend to modify it... the Prelude is a more economical route to go.

 

94-95 best year accords,...period

 

 

oh, you're just jealous...

 

Despite increased chassis rigidity, EVERY generation of Hondas since the late 80s/early 90s has gotten heavier, softer, and less sporty than the previous generation.

 

that is not true - the prelude has gotten more horsepower, more torque, and better handling every generation. the prelude started at 100 horse and is now up to 210 horse stock. it has better suspension, more aerodinamic body, and a lot more torque. all the preludes pretty much weigh the same, maybe only a hundred pounds different through the generations. the integra has also done the same thing.


[Modified by crxplus, 4:18 AM 9/27/2001]

 

Nah I said late 80s/early 90s meeaning 4th and 5th gen ludes which (a couple years into the 4g) were eventually available with the H22A making 190-200, never 210.

 

I'd agree with the newer = heavier/less sporty for all Hondas... with the exception of the Prelude (which is why I felt compelled to chime in). In the late-80s, I thought of the Prelude as a two-door Accorn. When the Accorn morphed and lost a couple doors, the Prelude swam upstream to be the sporty US flagship. Which leads to my questions for the gurus: 1) Do they sell the Prelude in Europe alongside the more potent Accorns (i.e., Si-R's or R's)? 2) Has anyone heard what the future holds for the Prelude now that there is a better flagship in the S2K?

On the latter question, I would assume something will happen since the Prelude would seem to have a minor role in a line up with the S2K and the pending Si. On the other hand, I guess it fits a niche as the sportiest front driver out there (even though some might consider it bloated and a bit of a "secretary" car... then again, I drive the king of the "secretary" cars!)

 

there are supposed to be bigger changes between the two and four door accords for future cars. Mabee even a manual on the v6. but I will still be sad to see the prelude go.