So as some of you may know, I'm still not a happy prelude driver. The simple answer to why is because I'm not driving a prelude yet. I know there was a similiar thread not long ago, on the subject(s) I'm about to bring out, but they just didn't answer my questions. So here goes..
What would you choose?
The S is out of the question. Not enough goodies and too weak. 130ish hp just doesn't cut it.
So it stands between the H22 and the H23. The H23 models are usually a LOT cheaper around here (Around $8-9.000 USD difference), but I just found a H22 for a price I might be able to live with if I can get my own car sold.
Most posts says that the H23 has better low-end torque, but the way I see it the 2.2l should, in theory, yield better gas mileage when not driven hard compared to the H23. Lower displacement and less power on the lower rpms should probably make sure of that. What do you think?
For those of you out there who have driven both versions (I've yet to drive a prelude myself ), how do the different cars feel?
How's the "back pressed into seat" feeling on the different engines when downshifting from 5th into third or 4th into 2nd?
How about from a standstill ?
I imagine the H22 is way more brutal then the H23 in the downshifting parts, but how about from a standstill?
How does VTEC feel? How powerfull is it?
Now for the other section of my questions, what do I look for when looking at a used prelude for sale? Wear and tear inside the car, worn seats, dirt etc is one thing, I'm more worried about rust, common problems, tranny issues (like the grinding a lot of you have issues with) and stuff like that.
This is especially important for the cheap H22 one I found tonight as, the way I see it, there has to be something wrong somewhere since it's priced so low? Maybe the dealership got a mad good deal and don't know how to make a decent profit?
How do I find out of the tranny grinds?
How do I find out if the tranny has syncro issues?
Anything special I need to look out for? Special sounds from anywhere? I assume all the normal stuff like vibrating steering wheel, BAD noises, vibrating brake pedal etc applies on preludes as well, but please correct me if I'm wrong.
Oh and as a las thing, this is the lude I'm talking about:
I'd apreciate any sort of info
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No 4th gen lude yet, so until then;
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If your going to get a lude, try to get a vtec model. There isn't a lot out for the H23, like its been said before.
VTEC is great, but if your looking for torque, the prelude in general will not do it for you, it has torque, but if you want "push your back against the seat" torque its not coming from the lude. vtec is only in that 5k rpm range, and you just feel a slight push, followed by a loud roar. I mean yea...its quick...but...not as you would think.
I've been looking at more or less all the shops I've been able to find online for prelude stuff and you're very right, the selection of H23 stuff is fairly limited compared to the H22. But then again, it's about 2893 million times better then a lot of other cars. Like my car ('96 mazda 626 2.0i). Speaking of my car, it's running a nice and cozy 115hp. So WHATEVER 'lude I get, it'll be faster then the mazda ;-). I recently had a ride in a turbocharged 2.0l car with 240-250hp and it had an amazing "back vs seat" feel to it. I know a lude wont be (anything) like that, but it'll still be quite so good.
I know it's not a displacement monster, nor a new high-tech diesel monster (those things have a completly stupid amount of torque), but it's not that bad either, especially not in norway where horsepower is taxed badly. Which is why most cars have 70-150hp, which again makes for a lot of easy kills in a 'lude .
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No 4th gen lude yet, so until then;
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Not so fast. My car will give you wiplash. I have a Boosted H23 and love it. I have driven both engines and like the vtec but it feels so weak compaired to H23 down low. Even when in vtec it feels fast and all but the H23 feels really good. This is just my opinion and the lude w/ the 22 was a 96 stock so that might make a diff. Either way you will love it. But if you don't plan on boostin then do what everyone else will tell you and buy a H22 lude. but I say buy a SI!!
Originally posted by EL-LoCo So it stands between the H22 and the H23. The H23 models are usually a LOT cheaper around here (Around $8-9.000 USD difference), but I just found a H22 for a price I might be able to live with if I can get my own car sold.
What are the laws regarding engine swaps over there, you could easily swap an H22 into an Si prelude and it would still be cheaper than buying a vtec, if there is that big of a difference in the price.
Quote:
Originally posted by prelude2005 If your going to get a lude, try to get a vtec model. There isn't a lot out for the H23, like its been said before.
There are plenty of mods out there for the h23, I had no trouble finding an intake, exaust, header, feul pressure riser, ignition, plug wires, and cams(regrinds). Even if it isn't listed for the H23, most of the products that you see for the H22 will also work for the h23.
Originally posted by jgprelude There are plenty of mods out there for the h23, I had no trouble finding an intake, exaust, header, feul pressure riser, ignition, plug wires, and cams(regrinds). Even if it isn't listed for the H23, most of the products that you see for the H22 will also work for the h23.
yea of coarse the basic bolt on's are there...I was thinking more of the lower end of the block. This is only if you were to rebulid, with aftermarket.
Again, I have a 2.2, so I wouldn't know, but that is what I read from some of the 2.3 drivers here.
What are the laws regarding engine swaps over there, you could easily swap an H22 into an Si prelude and it would still be cheaper than buying a vtec, if there is that big of a difference in the price.
It's legal, but you'd need to get the car approved. Then you'd need to pay some insane amount for all your new HP. Basically, you should do that as well when tuning the engine but who the hell does ? .
I'm still very much unsure. Best would of course be to testdrive both versions, Si and vtec and just see for myself. I'm just happy about other peoples input .
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No 4th gen lude yet, so until then;
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i had a h23 and i loved it...i just got the JDM H22 and i love it even more...i miss the low end torque from the H23 but other than that the H22 is better IMO....160 hp vs 200 hp....enough said
I have driven both the H22 and H23. I like them both for different reasons.
The H22 can rev a bit higher on stock valve train. Nice when your really trying to win that race.
The H22 will get more looks, "Wow you have VTEC" and so on.
There are more parts for the motor.
The H23. You get about the same amount of torque as the H22 but it's a lot more usable and broad.
You get to beat other VTEC cars with your Non-VTEC motor.
The gas mileage is probably not much better then the H22.
I'm still very happy with my H23 purchase and I think I would do it again. You just get a little more for your money IMO. It's not by any means a slow or weak motor. If your driving a 2.0L 115 hp 626 you'll be very impressed with either motor. The H23 is a potent and competent motor. Plus you'll be just that much cooler since your not on the VTEC bandwagon.
Originally posted by Si4WS The H23 is a potent and competent motor. Plus you'll be just that much cooler since your not on the VTEC bandwagon.
I hate it when I see the huge @ss windshield VTEC stickers on some Hondas (esp Civics). I mean so what. My H23 would still own ur 1.6. Ludes are cool though. I have yet to see a H22 Lude with VTEC windshield banners.
Thanks for all the info guys. There's a 2.2l 4th gen lude parked near where I live and it's very very smooth. Only issue is, the guy felt a "Type-R" badge was required .
Anyway, I'm not sure what front lip is on that 'lude, I think it looks pretty good .
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No 4th gen lude yet, so until then;
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ive owned and driven both motors for over a year on each one...and my h22 is better in every facet than my h23..i get better gas milage, the tourque is unoticable..i still dont need to downshift to pass people, but when i do need to pass someone quickly, theres nothing that 7-8k rpms wont fix in a hurry, and my trips to the dragstrip are much better....ive gone from mid 15s..to almost hitting 13s, with no internals work and bolt ons...so really its a qeustion of what you want out of your car...peace
i have an SI, ive never driven a VTEC but from my expierence, i think you should go for the VTEC. I guess different things come into play here, when i found my SI there was only 52k miles on it, whereas if i woulda have founa VTEC they may have been more mileage on it making the SI stronger. Im happy with my decision to get the SI, but you may not feel the same way. Everyone talks about VTEC and around here when i tell people I have a prelude the first question is "Is it a VTEC?" and after I say no everyone says oh well, its still fast
Originally posted by sik96prelude vtec, vtec thats all everyone talks about. who cares. Drive them both ithink you will see differences for both motors and chose the one you want.
That's, most likely, the best advice of all the good ones I've gotten in this thread :-).
We'll see what comes of all of this, first I need to get rid of the Mazda (which, amazingly enough, is about as valuable as a Si prelude). I'll try to test drive a few of each flavor to try them out and all that, we'll just see though. Either way I want a prelude .
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No 4th gen lude yet, so until then;
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), how do the different cars feel?
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but who the hell does ? 
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