JDM H22A Swap Questions - Honda Prelude Forum

Zimmlude · 09-22-2002, 01:32 AM

Hey guys,

I am not one to jump head first into things, I tend to research quite a bit. This is why I have some questions. I have searched the site and have had many of my questions answered and have thought of some others.

FYI, My car is a '95 SI with 5-speed and is pre-wired for VTEC

First, Injectors:

Since my car is OBD-I I have the peak-and-hold injectors with a resistor box. My question is if I get an OBD-I H22 will it's injectors work? I would imagine that they are also P-A-H type as well. Will they plug right in to my stock plugs on the H23 harness? Also Should I use the injectors that come with it? Are they known to have probs? Anything I should do to them since I will have them out?

Second, Wire Harness:

I read in a post that I should swap the H23 harness onto the engine before I install it. How is this possible? I was under the impression that I would end up unplugging all the sensor plugs and whatnot while the engine is still in the bay. How could I pull the engine and keep the harness attached? Doesn't it go through the firewall and into the ECU?

Third, Where:

I am thinking about getting the motor from hondamotorsonline. They seem to have good pricing and I would prolly end up driving down to Cali to pick it up and save on shipping. I have heard a couple of horror stories as well though. I read a post where someone recieved their engine and decided to rebiuld it and found that his main journal bearings were heavily scored. Anyone else have these probs? I would also like to know exactly where in Cali they are located so I know how long a drive it would be.

I have also looked at nippon-motors, jdmparts, and jdmclub as well. Any others you could think of? Does anyone know of someone who does this in the Seattle area?

Fourth, Emissions and fuel:

I was wondering if the H22A would pass emissions tests. I live in Washington so I don't have to worry about CARB

but will it pass up here? I realize that the H22A has a higher CR than the H22A1 and A4 and is made to run on higher octane. Would it be a good idea to use some of that octane booster you can get in stores to bring up the octane rating from 92. How much does this stuff raise the rating? Like from 92 to what on a full 15 gal tank?

I am still debating about wether I want to get a longblock and use my SI tranny and get an ECU with a lower VTEC engagment point so I can stay in VTEC after upshifts or if I should get the full swap with an LSD

Sorry for the long post but I don't want to end up with any unexpected problems in this swap. I need my car.

Thanks in advance,

J

tastyratz · 09-22-2002, 08:32 AM

first: get your injectors blueprinted by rc engineering. they are 330cc compared to the 230cc of si. they are much better. i belive they plug right in but i saw no need to so i didnt try. the injectors have problems sitting for awhiles and clog up.im going to be using my same harness from my h23. it unplugs by little plugs midwire and at the actual engine. i didnt deal with hondamotors online but went through ezfindparts.com personally it seemed a bit flukey and im waiting to see if the engine is really good. i dont think id recommend using them. the jdm has a 10.6:1 compression so a higher octane would be ideal. im not sure completely but 92 should be fine. itll definitely suck up the good stuff though. 93 or 94 should run better. octane booster says on the bottle what it raises. some more than others. im going to be using my si tranny (broke as shiit) and getting another ecu when it comes my way but ill run my si for awhile. what you do should be whats in your budget. hope this helped you abit and you could have answered these questions with a few more searches but oh well.

Forbidden · 09-22-2002, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zimmlude
Second, Wire Harness:

I read in a post that I should swap the H23 harness onto the engine before I install it. How is this possible? I was under the impression that I would end up unplugging all the sensor plugs and whatnot while the engine is still in the bay. How could I pull the engine and keep the harness attached? Doesn't it go through the firewall and into the ECU?

There are connectors right beside the fusebox that connects the engine harness to the main harness so you can remove the engine with the harness still on it, though you'll have a few other connectors here and there that you'll have to disconnect to remove the engine

Quote:

I am still debating about wether I want to get a longblock and use my SI tranny and get an ECU with a lower VTEC engagment point so I can stay in VTEC after upshifts or if I should get the full swap with an LSD

You could probably get away with just a long block and ECU (that's what I would do if I were to do it again) and maybe get a tranny with LSD separately if it comes cheaper. I believe on jdmhondaparts.com the longblock is like 1200$ compared to 2500$ for the full swap, an ECU and tranny shouldn't cose you 1300$ but that is only if you get the header and intake manifold with the longblock, if not you better get the full swap

Zimmlude · 09-22-2002, 09:16 PM

Quote:

im going to be using my same harness from my h23. it unplugs by little plugs midwire and at the actual engine.

Cool, One of my questions answered. Thanks Tasty.

How much does it cost to get the injectors blueprinted at RC?

I think I am leaning toward the longblock. I can tune to engagment point with a VAFC also.

Thanks again for the replies.

J

marshdoggg · 09-22-2002, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zimmlude

Cool, One of my questions answered. Thanks Tasty.

How much does it cost to get the injectors blueprinted at RC?

I think I am leaning toward the longblock. I can tune to engagment point with a VAFC also.

Thanks again for the replies.

J

hey man im in the same boat as you, and i live in the area. when you are ready to do the swap, i can give you a hand if you want(i will need to expierience when i finally do mine

) also check out our local prelude club at www.ludeconduct.com we just formed so were really trying to get things rollin. feel free to drop by

marsh

Zimmlude · 09-22-2002, 11:31 PM

Hey Marsh,

I don't think I will end up doing the actual swap until next summer. I need to concentrate during the school year at the UW. I am now a junior and just got into my department, I'm going to be an ME major!

If you still want to help when I do get to doing it you are more than welcome. I will be doing it in my garage and all I'll need to get is an engine hoist and a ball joint puller.

I really wish there was a place to pick these up around here. I used to know a guy who imported front clips but he isn't returning my e-mails. Oh well, will prolly be a cool road trip to Cali to pick it up in my dads F250.

Later,

J

Zimmlude · 09-23-2002, 12:17 AM

Hey I just had an idea. I've been searching the forums and it appears that most people didn't bother to change their gagues after the swap. I think it would be possible to take the stock gauges out do some modification. I would scrape the red paint back to the correct VTEC redline and scrape the black paint back to the VTEC engagment point. You could then fill in the rest with some tranlucent colored paint (testors?) and then you would have some interesting gauges. Just like stock to the VTEC point and then a blue band for VTEC up to the redline. I might just give it a try with my spare gauge cluster.

Also I have found a P13 ECU on ebay that looks interesting. The only problem I see is that instead of it saying 2W it says 4W. Does this mean it is a 4WS ECU? Here is the link:

E-bay ECU

Thanks,
J

Zimmlude · 09-25-2002, 01:38 AM

No one knows this stuff or you just don't fell like repeating it? I would really like to know some of this stuff.

ShadowSonic · 09-25-2002, 11:00 AM

Dont limit this just to the 4thgen forum try 5th they got some good ppl there who did swaps..

Machine Head · 09-25-2002, 11:32 AM

There is a guy on off-topic.net in the for sale forum that has some good deals on full JDM swaps that include engine/tranny/intake/exhaust/rail injectors and ECU for $2300 his Sn is Turbohyundai, and he has a great website with pics and feedback from people he has sold engines to. He's in Canada and shipping is $300 anywhere

brendon2k · 09-25-2002, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 99Interlude
Dont limit this just to the 4thgen forum try 5th they got some good ppl there who did swaps..

it is a forth gen question though. he could have put it in the general board if he wanted. how many people with 5th gens have swapped out there usdm h22 for a jdm h22 and have questions about the obd1 interfering with the swap?

Absolut · 09-25-2002, 12:23 PM

As long as your not gett an OBD2 motor, your good to go.

Just use the Si harness, dist and fuel rail and use the h22's injectors.

Zimmlude · 09-25-2002, 01:26 PM

Well I have gotten all of my inital questions answered. I would still like to know about the ECU on E-bay.

Also, Marsh I may have found a company to get the engine from up in Mt. Vernon. I haven't gotten ahold of them but they are called JDM Engine Dynamics. I know one of the guys there and they import front clips. I still have to see about priceing though.

Thanks for all your help guys. I can't wait to get going on this.

J