Look man, i get my lude back Monday (for sure THANK GOD!!). I just had an H22 dropped into it, and ill let you know what the difference is between the H23 and H22 in the lude and tell you if its worth the swap.
Im starting to get a lil skeptical cause i spanked a 5th Gen lude through third gear last night, and i was driving a 93 protege.
I think itll be cool if you just swap the engine, get over your ignition and VTEC problem and youll be good to go.
I think you should keep the lude. I love mine...I dont care if people think it is a glorified civic, its still got its glory and ill take it.
EDIT
Thats also the wrong attitude to have towards someone looking for advice. If you wanted to give advice you could have said:
"Id go for a EG with a GSR rather than have your Prelude fixed. The EG will probably cost you about 3k (if that) bone stock, and then the new engine. If you live in Dallas-FortWorth intercrew will do the entire swap for you."
I agree the prelude is not the fastest car, but with the right kind of love, your baby can come to life.