88 'Lude S - Honda Prelude Forum

sir.snozz · 12-19-2010, 05:15 PM

hey all i just got my hands on an 88 prelude S SOHC carbed.. i was wondering what engine i could drop in there that would give a noticable increase in power. and what all engines are compatable with the car?

thanks!

Colfax · 12-20-2010, 11:37 AM

Please be more specific. Given enough money, time, and expertise you could drop an LS1 in there and make it rear wheel drive. But I'm pretty sure you are wanting to keep to a reasonable budget. Unfortunately you have no easy options. The only engines that are bolt in swaps are other 3rd gen engines (b20a5, b21a1, or JDM versions of these...b20a and b21a). And they require many changes to the car, which are mentioned below in option 2. Although these are Honda 'b' series engines, they are the bastard 'b' series, and are not compatible with other Honda 'b' series engines. In other words, no, you can't easily swap in a b16 or b18, or even a b20b or an Accord b20a.

Option 1 would be to try to figure out how to make your engine faster. Some 2nd gen guys have modified their intakes to be able to use Weber carbs, which are much more tunable. The problem with doing this on a 3rd gen is the engine slant. Because of this, you'd need to have a custom intake manifold to use webers. There was also a reground cam available from Colt cams, but I don't know if you can still find one.

Option 2 would be to swap to fuel injection and drop in a b20a5 or b21a1 (less desirable because of oil burning issues). It would add 30ish hp and you could bolt it up. The biggest thing about this swap would be the fact that you need to replace the entire wiring harness, front to rear. You also need an Si gas tank, and you'll need to run a fuel return line from the engine bay to the tank. But you'll need to do all this for pretty much any engine swap.

Option 3 would be to swap in an H22. This would require that you do the work that I mentioned in Option 2, along with the proper engine mounts, axles, and other miscellaneous bits. You will also need to upgrade to OBD1, which you will do if you use a wiring harness from a 90 or 91 Si (b21a1).

Of course forced induction is always possible with options 2 and 3. I have not heard of anyone successfully adding a turbo to an S (if it still has dual carbs).

Anything else will require a lot more work and custom parts. Good luck with your lude!

sir.snozz · 12-20-2010, 10:10 PM

thanks bro very helpful!
the slant engine is a BASTARD...had to change valve stem seals today and getting the springs off of the intake valves was very tricky due to the slant took approx 6 hours to change them wich is rediculous!

Colfax · 12-21-2010, 02:08 PM

Glad I could help out. The engine leans so much because Honda wanted the 3rd gen to have the lowest hood line of any fwd car of that time. But it's also why we can't share the other b series goodies.