New Kid on the Block - Need advice - Honda Prelude Forum

jewbacca · 03-27-2002, 08:24 PM

Hey guys, brand spankin new to this community, looking to learn a lot from you guys. I have been browsing for the last hour or so, you guys seem pretty knowledgable.
Here's the deal, I've got a 92 H23 with 170,000kms (105,000 miles for all you yankees, which is probably the majority, so I'll just keep my mouth shut)

Anyways...
I've fought with myself over the last month or so, trying to figure out what to do with my car. I don't care about show, the prelude is a beutiful car. I am only concerned with go. I figure if I rebuild my engine, replacing rings, rods, pistons, crank, valvetrain, you get the picture - I will have a better engine than a new/newer stock H22/H23 (by better I mean able to withstand the ass kicking i'm going to give it). I could go buy a JDM or something, but they way I see it, this way will be alot cheaper. I eventually am going to get FI, havent decided what kind yet, but thats down the road anyhoo. I need to know if you guys have any sources for these wear and tear parts I need, I just want to get my feet wet with market prices, whos better than who for engine components, and the like.
Facts and Opinions are appreciated!
Tell me what you think

Looking to learn a lot from 'the veterans' before I go out and buy anything.

Cheers Bros!

Your newest of newbies,
Jewbacca

red92si · 03-27-2002, 08:33 PM

Since you have an H23 the valvetrain is kind of limited. You can buy some "Web Cams" camshafts, and upgrade the valves to stainless counterparts. You can also add titanium valvespring retainers. For pistons, from what I have heard go with "JE Pistons" or "Arias". You can get rods from the same companies. As for the crankshaft, the stock crank is strong enough to withstand ALOT of abuse. Good Luck...

brendon2k · 03-27-2002, 08:41 PM

If you want to go all motor get a h22. If not i'd just built the h23 for turbo get some boost.

jewbacca · 03-27-2002, 08:47 PM

Any recommendations on rings?

red92si · 03-27-2002, 09:54 PM

I would just buy the rings that the piston company sells. That way you know they are meant to work with the pistons that they make, and you shouldnt have any problems.

jewbacca · 03-29-2002, 12:20 PM

awesome, thanks a ton

JDM Lude · 03-29-2002, 01:37 PM

does the H23 have oil squirters under the pistons like the H22?

fourthgeneration · 03-29-2002, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JDM Lude
does the H23 have oil squirters under the pistons like the H22?

Nope...

dflipmode · 03-29-2002, 05:21 PM

well before you buy all this pistons, rods, etc...you need to know on how soon are you gonna get the turbo...if you buy it now...and you go turbo later...either that means that you are buying low compression pistons now and if its gonna take you at least 8-9 months before you get the turbo, then its not gonna be worth it...because you're car will be kinda slow...my advice, if you are planning on gettin all this stuff, just buy it for now and dont install it yet unless its really necessary...and when you install the turbo...do your rebuild the same time and so that you do everything in one shot...

UWNTSUM · 03-29-2002, 06:43 PM

There's a few thing you need to think about, if you want to go all motor, i would think about doing the h22/h23 hybrid. And work from there... If you want to boost, then i would stick with the h23 and get lower compression pistons so you can boost more. No point in boosting if u can't boost all the way rite? So, if you want to go turbo or nos, i would suggest getting everything in one shot like dflipmode had mentioned. Cuz if you go low compression pistions, ur car will be dirt slow.. i mean DIRT slow... which would mean that's y u need turbo. In my opinion, I would go with the h22 and build that up. Nothing like turbo and vtec.

jewbacca · 04-01-2002, 09:25 PM

Yea, I sure did seize my engine up. Last before I went for a spin, I checked my oil, everything was OK. Went for a casual ride downtown, nothing above 4 grand, car was working perfectly, nothing out of the ordinary. Parked the car for the night. Woke up the next morning to go to work, 4 blocks down the road - bzzzzzzzzklunkpshhhhhhheeeeeeekkkkk. The whole engine is fuxed. Walked back home and there was a 4 quart oil spill where my car was, engine is toasted. So.....
Took it in to my mechanic, he's going to try to get another H23 for me, I said I want something with as low kms as possible. My tranny and ECU are all good...at least I hope so, he hasent checked yet
Needless to say, I'm a little pissed, but hey, thats life I guess......
What should I pay (range) for a used H23?

P.S. - anyone have an idea how many pounds I can safely run on a stock H23 (before I beef it up)

Mark94 · 04-02-2002, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jewbacca
Parked the car for the night. Woke up the next morning to go to work, 4 blocks down the road - bzzzzzzzzklunkpshhhhhhheeeeeeekkkkk. The whole engine is fuxed. Walked back home and there was a 4 quart oil spill where my car was, engine is toasted.

Sounds like you fell victim to the balancer shaft oil seal. There was a recall for this problem and it still may be in effect. You may be able to get a new H23 at the expense of Honda because of this. This seal has been known to back out and release ALL the engine oil at once causing fatal engine damage. The fix for this was to install a retainer to hold the seal in place. It took about 3 hours to do and was free due to the recall.

I'd get in touch with your local Honda dealer to find out if your car was one effected by the recall and see if the damage can be covered. Simply give them your VIN # and they will be able to tell if your car has the recall. If you get no satisfaction there then I would take it up with your countries Honda headquarters.

Good luck.

Mark