2.3 -> JDM H22 swap questions - Honda Prelude Forum

GoneLudey · 06-27-2002, 12:09 PM

i've been shoppin for a new engine since I threw a rod on my old 2.3, and some questions are arising:

-Do you have to swap out the intake and exhaust manifold to run it?
-Can I use the USDM H22 OBDI ecu on a JDM engine? Or do I have to get the JDM ecu for it to run right?(I'm havin a hard time findin a JDM ecu)

I'm gettin jerked around by a few shops w/ the motors. What's annoying is when they tell me it doesn't come w/ an intake or exhaust manifold, etc., but then I ask about it and they're like "well, they come w/ the jap ones, but you gotta replace them when you install it w/ us ones." What's w/ that? Do i have to, or can I use them?

CrazyKid · 06-27-2002, 01:26 PM

Do you have to swap out the intake and exhaust manifold to run it?

the jdm exhaust header youll only get the top peice.. i used it with teh USDM down pipe.. had to redrill the hoels to get it to match up... a bit of work... you could always jsut buy a DC 4-2-1 header... intake manifold and throttle body all come on e the motor... and if your tlkaing about a intake pipe?? your will work

Can I use the USDM H22 OBDI ecu on a JDM engine? Or do I have to get the JDM ecu for it to run right?(I'm havin a hard time findin a JDM ecu)

you could use the USDM ECU.. im sure it ownt hurt it.. the JDM P13 ECU has some diffrent spark and fuel maps... so your gonna miss out on some performance... try ebay.. there is usally some on there... you want a P13 ECU

Im confused that the shop you are buying all this from isnt gonna give you the JDM ECU... how much are you paying for the swap?

HOpe that helped.

Crate · 06-27-2002, 02:18 PM

i recommend Steve at hondamotorsonline.com i just got a complete swap (including downpipe and all) for 2600 shipped (im paying 25 extra for shipping to my house..)

My friend also just got his from there and it was shipped in 4 days.

Nice guy.. talks really fast, but a nice guy =] hehe

And the motors come in excellent condition. Very clean..

GoneLudey · 06-27-2002, 02:29 PM

I've been trying to do it through some engine shops in my area so I could get it as cheap as possible(pick up=no shipping) and as quick; I'm tryin to get it all swapped in before my vacation to fla. in 2 weeks! I'm usin my tranny, so all I want is the motor and an ecu; but w/ all the civics and accords scooping up the H22's, I can only get a slightly stripped down longblock or the full freakin swap kit! I need to call around, though, to check all of my options.
Also, do they come w/ an oilpan? One guy i spoke to said they didn't?!

GoneLudey · 07-01-2002, 12:50 PM

OK, now I'm lookin @ an engine in town, and it's got a good price. The only thing is that it's missing the distributor, intake manifold, and exhaust manifold. I know that most people switch the dist. off of their 2.3 anywayz, but can you switch out the intake and exhaust manifold?

Brady92/4WS · 07-01-2002, 04:09 PM

intake manifold, or intake? I know the h23 exhaust manifold will not lineup with the h22, so you will need to buy an aftermarket header or something.

NOSprelude · 07-01-2002, 04:44 PM

I have a similar question. I have a 96 jdm h22a full swap and it was obdII...so I bought a usdm 1993 vtec ecu. The car works fine and hits vtec and everything, but I was just wondering if I am losing a lot of potential and power from the engine since it was mentioned that the jdm ecu is mapped differently? If so, would it be better to buy a chip for my current ecu or get an obdI jdm ecu? and to answer your ? you do'nt need the jdm ecu to run your swap and it should come with everything except the downpipe...I got my jdm downpipe for $100

, but everything else was good.

hondaplex · 07-01-2002, 11:24 PM

wow im surprised the car works fine considering it is a 96 and the ecu/ecm is a 93... well is the jdm motor a 96 or 93?! anyways, cause i did the h23A vtec head swap and my car is a 96 and i know that 96s are a very 'iffy' year considering its the year of the obd2 with all the extra sensors and crap... i had to be careful with what i bought and put in it, constantly thinking about making sure everything i put in it is '96' cause its the one year not compatible with any other.

NOSprelude · 07-02-2002, 12:03 AM

I have a 1992 honda prelude with a 1996 jdm swap in with the usdm 93 ecu...i dont know if that helps

XES · 07-09-2002, 01:32 AM

A non-vtec (si) intake manifold will not fit on the VTEC head. They are not the same.

The same holds true for the exhaust manifold (as was stated before).

Forbidden · 07-09-2002, 07:31 AM

The year or model of the ECU doesn't matter as long as it's wired correctly I have a 2001 USDM H22 in a 92 Si (H23) with a 93 VTEC ECU and it works fine

93SRVMAN · 07-09-2002, 09:29 AM

Another question sort of relating to this swap..

Would a H23a engine mate up ok with an H22a1 tranny?

Forbidden · 07-09-2002, 11:42 AM

Aren't all H23 and H22 block and tranny identical except the ones with ATTS? Why you ask you wannt do a H23/H22 hybrid?

93SRVMAN · 07-09-2002, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Forbidden
Aren't all H23 and H22 block and tranny identical except the ones with ATTS? Why you ask you wannt do a H23/H22 hybrid?

Nope not at all

I wrecked my car last weekend and I want my engine back.. A friend has an H23a we may throw in. I just got my engine back from being rebuilt and it's still not even broken in.. Running 12:1 with ALL the goodies inside (all N/A) and I want to swap out to get my engine back before insurance takes.

Forbidden · 07-09-2002, 12:46 PM

you wrecked your car?? what have you done!!! I loved your car!!! I hope you're getting another Prelude...

slp mode · 07-09-2002, 11:13 PM

to reply to xes quote on the h23 intake not fitting the h22 head that's funny I wonder how the tuner shop swapped my intake man. over to my new h22 head.

soopaswoze! · 07-09-2002, 11:33 PM

the h23 tranny has much shorter gearing than the h22.. meaning unless your rev like a mofo while racing the gearing isnt high enough to keep you in VTEC after you shift..

id definately reccomend h22 tranny.

PreludeRacer023 · 07-10-2002, 01:41 AM

Actually the Vtec has shorter gears, shorter gears keep you higher in the rev range...
Id suggest getting a complete swap, or if your gonna get only a long block look for another H23, it all depends on what you want..peace

Forbidden · 07-10-2002, 05:53 AM

uh... he wrecked his car he just want to give a complete car to the insurance co. I don't think it matters to him if it has shorter or longer gears....

slp mode: you have a H23 intake manifold on a H22 head? check if there's some new holes or something or metal cut out, maybe it fits with some modification like the ITR on a GSR head or the Accord Euro-R manifold on a H22....

slp mode · 07-10-2002, 07:54 AM

Yeah I will check that forbidden it would make sense the tuner shop tried to hack everything else on my poor lude. I hate it when shops\mechanics work on your car and do not treat it like if it was there own car. I am a autobody tech and I never do anything to a car that I wouldn't want done to my own car ya know?? And if I f@#$ up than I own up to it and fix it nobodys perfect,but just to hide it is a big stinkin pile of bulls#$%. Sorry I got off the subject. LATER