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B20A2 Tuning?
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 10:56 pm
by jjmartin349571
Hi guys and gals,
I'm just wondering if anyone with a 3g lude could point me in the direction of where I can get aftermarket parts for the early B series engine? So far I've managed to find one supplier of more aggressive cams, and advice on what pistons to use to get higher comp. Other than that not much information is around... Anyone know of anything interesting? It's the B20A2 lump that I'm looking to improve, I hear the JDM B20A put out 160hp compared to the A2's 143hp, so I'm interested in how that gap can be closed
Cheers,
Josh
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 11:01 pm
by Donald
Could it not be assumed that some of difference is attributed to whatever map it's on?
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 11:03 pm
by indigolemon
The B21A was the 160bhp unit as far as I know. The highest output B20 was the B20A7 @ 150bhp - and this was available right here in the UK.
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 11:06 pm
by RattyMcClelland
I looked into this and Turbo seemed to be the best option. The B20 carbed engine can be tunned better to around 200 but propper webber downdrafts and alot of skimming.
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 11:12 pm
by jjmartin349571
I had a look on wikipedia and a couple of owner's sites, they seemed to all say the JDM B20A with gold or black top put out 160, nobody could decide why though... most likely candidates were cams, compression and maps
The B20A2 isn't a carby engine, it's PGM-FI

I was just interested to see if there was much choice in aftermarket parts to squeeze more power out of it. 143hp from a 1987 car wouldn't be bad, but 160+ would be better

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 11:38 pm
by RattyMcClelland
Yer i know. All injections benefitted from Turbos. Th B20a3 can be tunned well with better carbs and its the dark horse IMO. I love my carb engine.
Re: B20A2 Tuning?
Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 8:09 pm
by FrontBackSide2Side
The 160hp JDM B20A is a completely different engine. As far as Preludes go it was only found in the 2g and will not fit into the 3g.
Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 8:19 pm
by jjmartin349571
My bad on the 160 rated lump, there was a B20A in the 3G's as well though apparently, but it put out roughly the same power as the B20A2 in the Accord GSi.
At any rate, I've found a company who make cams that suit the B20A2, and I've also got a thread saved on my laptop which gives some options regarding higher compression pistons that can be used from other Honda engines, so that gives me something to think about.
Just need to get the car now, unfortunately the situation is a little tenuous but hopefully it should turn out alright

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 8:30 pm
by RattyMcClelland
Yer the 3rd Gen Prelude required a revamped B20 with a cast box to it could be tilted back to fit under the low hood.
As far as i know the most powerful 3rd Gen was 147bhp B20a in japan and the a7 here.
No 160bhp blocks.
Either way its a great engine. Just the B21s let it down.
Re: B20A2 Tuning?
Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 8:53 pm
by FrontBackSide2Side
you are best off finding out which engines are in the usdm cars and finding out about parts compatibility as there are more tuning parts available if you are willing to ship parts over.
From memory eagle make a Crankshaft for one of the B20A prelude engines, you may be able to modify some f22 cam gears to fit.
Catcams i think do camshafts which you can choose the profiles and someone in the states do valves but I'll have to come back to you on who does them.
I think a lot of it will be custom work or modifying bits to work aswell as all the old school tuning like head work etc.