Prelude Engine Build

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RarkSlowalker

New Member
I'm just now learning about Hondas and I have been looking at getting a '95 Prelude. So I was wondering if a ls-vtec with a B18 block and a B16 head would work in a Prelude or only in a Civic. And if so how well would the ls-vtec engine go with a gsr tranny?
 
That's not a recommended swap. The Prelude is set up for F/H-series motors. In order to install a B-series engine, you'd have to have custom engine mounts made, and it's not really worth it to do so. The Prelude is a slightly larger car than the Civic/Integra. It needs more torque to get it moving. Even the base model Prelude engines have a 2.2 liter with about 150 lbs. of torque.

If you want to swap the engine, look towards an H22. It's a drop-in, bolt-up swap. Or, just buy the Si version with the H22 already installed...
 
That's not a recommended swap. The Prelude is set up for F/H-series motors. In order to install a B-series engine, you'd have to have custom engine mounts made, and it's not really worth it to do so. The Prelude is a slightly larger car than the Civic/Integra. It needs more torque to get it moving. Even the base model Prelude engines have a 2.2 liter with about 150 lbs. of torque.

If you want to swap the engine, look towards an H22. It's a drop-in, bolt-up swap. Or, just buy the Si version with the H22 already installed...

Didn't the Si come with the H23??? and then there was a Prelude with the H22 installed :).....

I would agree the B series is not for a 4th or 5th gen prelude, now if u go to the 3rd gen then yes it can be done
 
Didn't the Si come with the H23??? and then there was a Prelude with the H22 installed :).....

I would agree the B series is not for a 4th or 5th gen prelude, now if u go to the 3rd gen then yes it can be done

Well, they're both called "Si" actually, it's kind of weird. I think the regular Si has the H23, and then the Si-VTEC has the H22...
 
Well, they're both called "Si" actually, it's kind of weird. I think the regular Si has the H23, and then the Si-VTEC has the H22...

Yea... Fricken preludes ... the red headed step child of Honda.. yet I love them so much!.... anyways getting back to the story I could help u fully build an H22A for boost, did one myself that was about 7k worth of work and parts :D
 
B18 is way to light for that car it would be like throwing a vg35de in a caprice classic. An ls-vtec with a gsr tranny is a good combo just not in a prelude. If you want to build a b18 or 16 get an integra or a civic. The h motors in those cars run plenty strong and if you want to go boost it you will pretty much have to do the same to the h as any other turbo build
 
Oh i thought they were carbonite. But yeah i consider replacing the sleeves a necissary part of any honda turbo build but then again i dont really turbo a lot of hondas at 8 pounds i usually like to run 15 in my dds and 25 in the trackers just because i like to dump cash in vehicles. But yeah cyl walls are a must in an h22 turbo build i dont think the h23 has this problem though im not sure.
 
2 things:

1) this guy hasn't come back to this post in a month.
2) Mahle and Jun make pistons that work with FRM sleeves, and with a GT3071 (which a lot of people think is the best mate for a H22), 8 lbs of boost isnt gonna hurt the FRM sleeves.

If you work with the engine properly, the FRM sleeves are just as good, and the low friction the material offers actually increases the efficiency of the motor. I wouldn't go replacing them all willy nilly just because the internets doesn't like that MOST companies pistons wont work in them.
 
Thats some good info i was told those sleeves couldnt handle any ammount of boost. Guess ill tell my buddy to save a grand and spend it on pistons and rods rather than new sleeves.
 
Yeah really the only deal with those sleeves is they're sensitive to detonation, so tuning can be a bear. When tuning a turbo, that's always something you've got to worry about on stock internals. Bent rods, etc are just as dangerous. Just be smart about tuning. Don't turn the boost up to 20lbs willy nilly, respond to vacuum leaks quickly, etc, and you'll be just fine.
 
I have a prelude for sale you'd like. Not to hijack the thread, but being one of the first people with a H22/H23 Frankenstein motor that's turbo, I hope you see my car that I'm selling.
 
2 things:

1) this guy hasn't come back to this post in a month.
2) Mahle and Jun make pistons that work with FRM sleeves, and with a GT3071 (which a lot of people think is the best mate for a H22), 8 lbs of boost isnt gonna hurt the FRM sleeves.

If you work with the engine properly, the FRM sleeves are just as good, and the low friction the material offers actually increases the efficiency of the motor. I wouldn't go replacing them all willy nilly just because the internets doesn't like that MOST companies pistons wont work in them.


Mahle and Jun make awesome stuff for the H22A... I on the other hand had a Higher millage H22 which the FRM sleeves were showing there age... A good Set of Darton Sleeves did the trick. 8lbs of boost on a proper tune will not hurt the FRM sleeves a kid in a back yard will :)
 
ive been h22a swapped for three years now... been street tuning it with crome pro, ostrich 2.0, datalogger, and lc-1 for 2 years..... and it is running stronger every day.. the motor is absolutely amazing... if anybody is thinking about the swap... do it.. and to add icing to the cake.... i swapped in 4ws. the mechanical 4ws thats on the 3rd gens makes you turn on a dime.... you can basically flip a bitch on a residental street

if you love preludes...... this is the ultimate combination... in my opinion

l.jpg
 
^^^ LOL... I had the 4ws on my DD prelude, then the rear shit the bed and into a snow bank I went... I laughed my ass off cause it was right out side my driveway... guess the ass end wantted to turn 1st....
 
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