VTEC Swap or Headwork/Cams/Camgears - Honda Prelude Forum

Swami · 03-26-2004, 03:04 PM

I was all set to do a H22 Swap into my 92 Si. Before I did so however, I wanted to test drive an H22 to see if I thought the added acceleration was worth the $3200 I was about to spend.

Best I could do today was to find a 2001 5th Gen, automatic like my 92 si, 25000mi. The test drive was disappointing for sure. I am fairly certain that my 92 Si H23 was faster. It definitely feels faster.

I couldn't be sure there wasn't something wrong with the car.

Would the H22a only pull harder above 5500rpm when compared to my H23? Thats kind of what it seemed like. It was almost as fast as my car, until it would hit VTEC, and then it would get a small boost.

I need to go drive another one to be sure I didn't just find a bad car, but it got me to wondering if it would be more sensible to do portwork, springs/retainers, cams, camgears on my H23, for about $2000

Thoughts?

Swami

Scalifludesi · 03-26-2004, 03:26 PM

H23 auto vs H22 auto...from a stop, the h23 will have an advantage because of useable torque. I believe it's also faster in the 1/4 mile. Try asking sandiegan and MidNKight-lude. They raced several times.

edit: is your car 5 speed or auto? If it's 5 speed then its surely way faster than a 5th gen auto.

Swami · 03-26-2004, 03:42 PM

My 92 w/H23 is automatic too.

Well, you're kind of backing up my thoughts here, which was that the H23 was going to be faster from a stop.

The only reason I want to do an upgrade is for faster launchs and quick "passing gear" type hops through traffic.

Maybe an H22 swap isn't the best idea for this?

Scalifludesi · 03-26-2004, 03:50 PM

I used to have an H23 5 speed but now I have a 4th gen obd1 H22 and I swear from a stop my old H23 felt a lot stronger, but at speeds over 40MPH...H22 hands down. Freeway speeds, the H22 will eat the H23 alive (this is surely based on my personal experience after owning both versions). Stock vs stock of course.

MidNKight-lude · 03-26-2004, 04:17 PM

hehe yes the SS 5th gen are slower then 4th gen SI auto. many of time i have spank Mike from a stop. but i lost to raman aka sonic lude on the freeway. after we hit our 4th gen the 5th gen still keeps going till around 108 while we run out of space on 3rd at 95~98 mph. but me and raman kept up neck and neck most of the time. my suggestion is swap to a h22 with a 5speed swap. or just work on your engine. a auto h22 will onyl be slighty faster.

SLICK96 · 03-26-2004, 06:55 PM

I don't know about H22's eating H23's alive on freeways. I've raced a gang of 4th & 5th gen H22s--some I won, and some handed my @$$ to me. Of course, there's always the driver...

J

brendon2k · 03-26-2004, 11:08 PM

Why don't you just make your car a 5spd or sell your car and get a 5spd? A stock h23 5spd will beat a h22 auto or your car with a h22 head. Also it is not worth spending 3k to put on a h22 head. For the same price you should be able to just drop in a jdm motor.

prelude2sin · 03-27-2004, 12:52 AM

i suggest going manual tranny... auto sucks

Swami · 03-27-2004, 06:44 AM

well, I agree that for all out control, and delivery of power, the manual wins hands down. However, after trying some manuals out, I've decided that for me, this car should be an auto. 100% of my driving is in thick traffic, with brief opportunities to break out. There would be more negatives than positives switching to manual.

So, assuming that I am staying with automatic, it appears to me so far, that an H22 swap doesn't really offer much (any) noticeable powergains for my driving situation.

I want more powerful launches and passings, using AT. Not sure how much it would cost out the door for a low boost turbo, but I think it was around $2500 to get sleeved, and fully built with new pistons. It would be way more expensive in the end than an H22 swap, but the gains would be pretty impressive (I think)

If you've got any other ideas on how to increase power (where I want it) while staying AT, Im all ears.

Thanks,
Swami

Scalifludesi · 03-27-2004, 10:34 AM

How about nitrous? Rachel (eu4ik), is running low 14s in the 1/4 mile on her H23 auto

AlexLude · 03-27-2004, 12:38 PM

I drove both H22 and H23 and I just love the Torque the H23 has over the h22 especially after i installed my hondata stage 2 and switched to OBD1 p28 ECU. I feel the car even faster than before.. i remember h22 driving on 1st 'n 2nd doesnt feel too satisfying. and with my crower stage 2 cams.... watch out you VTECs i'll be keeping up on the freeway.. ;-)

- A

Grant · 03-27-2004, 01:06 PM

I've agot a few good stories about my H23 experiences too, but I will admit that on a long straight the h22 has a big advantage..

on Short or Technical tracks the h23 is a really impressive engine..

SLICK96 · 03-27-2004, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Scalifludesi
How about nitrous? Rachel (eu4ik), is running low 14s in the 1/4 mile on her H23 auto

Scary...I never knew eu4ik was a female, haha. Regardless, each engine has their perks. For all out, straight line power, the H22 owns, and gets to 140 mph faster. For the twisties and city streets, the H23 will eat most H22s out there, unless they've got headwork/cams/tuning/FI/NOS, etc...

J

Scalifludesi · 03-27-2004, 11:32 PM

yea city driving...I loved my H23

Swami · 03-29-2004, 01:07 PM

I finally got a good comparison. Scott at Collective Racing let me know that the 5th Gen H22 I drove was so slow due to the ODBCII that they run.

Anyway, Scott hooked me up with a customer of his who had an Accord with the H22 motor/tranny swap. Its and automatic like my 92si. He had Intake/Header/Exhaust, while I have just an intake.

His car was faster, but barely. NO WAY would that be worth the $3200 to swap out a perfectly good and low milage H23. So, im getting a turbo installation quote instead.

The portword/cams/camgears would add some power, but not like a turbo will.

Thanks
Swami

MidNKight-lude · 03-29-2004, 07:19 PM

^^ yea not too much power, i would say if your engine is on it's last leg then yea swap. you are askin for half a second.