need more power? decisions - Honda Prelude Forum

LudedudeSi · 05-23-2002, 09:13 PM

Im SOOOO confused right now. I have an h23 with about 123,000 miles on it. I have an AEM cold air intake, apexi ws exhaust, and some free mods. im starting to think that modding this engine is a waste of time. it prolly wont even break 14's. i want to save up for the h22a but at the same time i think rebuild my motor and go turbo. I figured the rebuild would be pretty expensive and so would the turbo setup. Im thinkin i might just get the h22a but i dunno if i could install it myself. I will have to sell my exhaust and intake and order new parts too. wouldnt i have to have the aftermarket exhaust before i drop in the h22a. does it come with a cat? i have WAY TO MANY questions and i need answers. please give me your opinions on the situation guys.

thanks

cantdrive55 · 05-23-2002, 09:15 PM

You can still use the Intake and exhaust. The exhaust flange holes will need to be enlarged a bit, but it will fit just fine. If you buy a header though, it will not transfer over. I plan on eventually re-building my H23...it's gonna be a monster.

LudedudeSi · 05-23-2002, 09:28 PM

do you think i could rebuild my motor and get a good turbo setup for around 4500? i think the rebuild is whats going to kill me. i see people running 6-7 psi on stock internals with high mileage h23 but im terrified of the consicuences.

cantdrive55 · 05-23-2002, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LudedudeSi
do you think i could rebuild my motor and get a good turbo setup for around 4500? i think the rebuild is whats going to kill me. i see people running 6-7 psi on stock internals with high mileage h23 but im terrified of the consicuences.

For 4500? Probably not. I'm not an expert on Turbo applications, you may want to ask in the F/I forum.

LudedudeSi · 05-23-2002, 09:45 PM

hmm i dunno maybe i will just get headers and a test pipe, and maybe a few more goodies rebuild a lil bit and run 100 shot. prolly hot some low 13's. what ya think?

Cookout · 05-23-2002, 11:24 PM

I'm kinda in the same boat as you. I don't know if I want to continue modding with my 109k miles, or save for a rebuild, or mod and run the car till the end and get a new car...

marshdoggg · 05-24-2002, 01:45 AM

same here, not really sure which direction to go...i think ill just get the h22....
marsh

symba · 05-24-2002, 09:05 AM

I'm in the same boat w/my h23....I'm going the path of rebuild and turbo. But BEWARE.......The costs are outrageous. $4500 would be good enough only for a kit like F-MAX w/install and tuning. You're looking at another 2-3 thousand more dollars for the rebuild. I'm talking pistons, rods, sleeving, and minor head work plus all the labor to pull everything out and put it back. What I'm doing, is looking for a h23 block and just rebuild that..I can't afford to have my car in a shop undriveable for months at a time. So w/ the block I'll just build that up until it's time to add the turbo and then get everything put in at once.

Greg

Bigshibs · 05-24-2002, 07:00 PM

Im having the same problem. But I just got my lude and 20,000 miles ago its engine was factory rebuilt by honda. Would it be ok to run around 10 psi of boost and still be dependable or should I just forget about it and play it safe.

Machine Head · 05-24-2002, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bigshibs
Im having the same problem. But I just got my lude and 20,000 miles ago its engine was factory rebuilt by honda. Would it be ok to run around 10 psi of boost and still be dependable or should I just forget about it and play it safe.

ummm 10 psi on a stock block thats a no no..at least not dependable

To answer some of your questions..

The h22 swap at around $2400 plus install, new headers, ect ect and misc parts will cost you closer to $3200 if you do it yourself. Even more if you intend on swapping in new flywheel, clutch, ect (might as well since the engine is out).

The H22 and H23 are very similar in HP once turbo'd, what the h23 lacks in vtec it gains in lower compresion and larger displacment. The h23 is a better starting point for turbo soooo

Here was my plan, over time I have been buying/building all the parts needed for a reliable turbo setup running 9psi this includes rail/injectors/ boost gauges, SAFC, intake and exhaust, ignition, C&R radiator, ect. I intend on buying an fmax kit for around $2600 and installing myself on my current engine. I'll run the turbo on only 6 psi until the curent motor blows on me. During that time I'll have saved up enough cash to fuly rebuild my motor so that it is safe enough to run 12 psi. and maybe even have a custom 3 inch down pipe and Kiwi manifold installed.

My point is that if you want serious HP go turbo not H22. I know many of us h23 Si have beaten 5th gen vtecs on the street