Hi all,
I thought it was about time I put up my Delsol project as some of you may be interested in the engine side of things.
I will not go into all the detail of the build, I have a 26page long build thread on DSUK if you are really interested in what bearing clearances I went with etc. and certainly a lot more discussion relating to the H2B side of things as well that I won’t bore you all with!
This has been quite a long project for me, the first year I basically just researched. A lot! Oh and also bought my H22A engine off Ammo – cheers dude! A while ago now huh?!! The main reason for going H2B is because it’s a cost effective way of obtaining a lot of stock power, uses (in my opinion) a better gearbox, and because no-one else has done it in a Sol in the UK before (I’m bored of B18’s and B20 conversions!). I was getting tired of the B16 in its original form so wanted a bit of extra poke. It is not a track-only car, it is my daily driver (mainly for the summer and a bit in Winter) but with the ability to perform well on track days so it needs to tick a lot of boxes.
Having decided originally just to rebuild the engine to OEM spec, the project got a bit carried away and I ended up rebuilding the bottom end myself with Mahle 11.5 pistons and the like. Rich @ PAW rebuilt the head for me with all Skunk2 Pro2 parts and here’s the full spec list as it currently stands:
H22A Honda Prelude DOHC VTEC 2.2L engine conversion
QSD H2B adapter kit
B-series Y21 4.4 FD gearbox
Quaife ATB 1.5Way LSD
Hondata S300 in P28 ECU
Mahle Gold Series forged pistons (11.5:1 CR)
Eagle H-Beam forged connecting rods
Skunk2 Pro2 camshafts
Skunk2 Pro Series valvetrain inc. springs & retainers
Skunk2 Pro Series adjustable cam gears
OEM Honda mains & rod bearings (to obtain specific clearances)
ClutchMasters FX400 6-puck sprung clutch
ClutchMasters H2B 10.5lb aluminium flywheel
Innovative billet engine motor mounts, 60A insert rating
Custom 4-2-1 exhaust manifold + downpipe handmade by Solid-Fabrications
Custom 2.5” mandrel bent exhaust system to single 3” outward rolled tailpipe by SF
Walbro 255lph fuel pump
Golden Eagle Pro-Series fuel rail
Magnecor KV85 plug leads
NGK double platinum spark plugs
DSM 450cc injectors
Golden Eagle billet cam seal
Crank pulley shaved to remove PS pulley
Auto to H23A manual timing belt tensioner conversion
Kaisenspeed balance shaft removal kit
IAB’s, EGR system, PAS, aircon removed
Hondata intake, throttle body, upper/lower plenum thermal gaskets
Rotating assy fully balanced
ARP headstuds
ARP rod bolts
New Honda sump, modified with baffles & modified oil pick-up & dipstick
Relocated alternator (down and to side to fit within frame)
Evo slimline PCV extension
3” custom CAI with K&N large cone filter – pipework made by Solid-Fabrications
Red valve cover with camgear half-moon cut-outs
Custom shaved oil cap
Engine and gearbox sprayed with VHT aluminium paint
Custom lower timing belt cover
Modified flywheel cover
Rich has recently done finished tuning it, and she has made a healthy 260bhp and 180lb ft torque. So I’m quite chuffed with the result considering it's still got the stock H22 inlet manifold and small throttle body!
Future modifications waiting to be fitted include:
13 Row Oil cooler dependant on temps on track
Mishimoto dual core rad
K series RBC Manifold & fuelrail modified to work with H22 (+ QSD adapter plate)
Skunk2 ‘Alpha’ series cast throttle body – 70mm
EK9 throttle cable
In terms of the chassis, I have fitted the following:
Endless Horizon Traction Bar
Meister-R Zeta S Coilovers
Function 7 LCAs
MG ZS180 282mm front brake upgrade
And have the following still to fit:
ASR Rear subframe Brace
ITR 98spec 23mm Rear ARB
ITR 1” master cylinder & booster
Energy Suspension Polybushes all round
HEL Braided brakelines
ATR Twin Pot 300mm front brakes (still to source)
Chassis mods are a total unknown to me, so I thought the above would be a good base to start with. I’ll find out which aspect needs tweaking having been on track, but to be honest I’m not sure how much of the chassis movement I’ll be taking in as I’ll be concentrating on not hitting the barriers and constantly checking my gauges!!! :embaressed:
Here’s how she currently looks (exterior mods on the way soon – I need some decent track wheels - 16” or 15’s if they fit over the ATR brakes);
I'll be at Mimms on Sunday, then Japshow at Santapod next Sunday, then Japfest 2 for my first track experience with Hondas On Track at Donnington - can't wait!
Thanks for reading, and I’ll keep you updated with the highlights of my future mods going forward (assuming I don’t total it at Donny!)
Cheers,
Chris
