H22A Head on a H23A Block – Possible? How, How Much & Where?

arif_manji · Post by **arif_manji** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 11:58 am

Hello guys,

So I bought a 1996 4th Gen 2.3i Auto at the weekend. As I have got sciatica, I prefer driving automatics. It’s a fantastic car and has only covered 56,000 miles with FSH and the bonus of having A/C (optional extra on the 2.3i) and its working great! Oh and the 4WS works fantastic, see picture below – alloys look awful I know, changing them to stock:

Its very powerful yet I want that VTEC power and addictive roaring sound!

So this what I want to do, I’d like to put a H22A VTEC head on a H23A block. I want to stay Auto and would like the exhaust system to remain stock too.

My question is it possible is:

Is it possible and has someone on this forum done this before?
What head do I need to look out for, H22A5 etc?
What other things will I need with the head, I’m thinking the ECU, downpipe and manifold?
Head buying and fitting costs, roughly?
Is there a good mechanic on here who could take on the job, who know these Prelude’s well?

Any advise will be appreciated!

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 12:10 pm

Looks like a lovely lude - very good condition and last of the line too (P plate ones are very very rare).

I like those alloys (have them on my bb4) but the colour of them doesn't suit the car.

what size are the ones on yours?

You can have an H23 vtec, yes - Honda even built them (but not sold in the UK) so you can also build one.
Having/doing that modification will cost you a lot more than it would cost just to swap the H23 for an H22 though (retaining the existing auto box).

Post by **Merlin** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 12:12 pm

Isnt there an issue with the H23 not having oil squirters? I don't know just I remembered 4thgenphil going on about it once

arif_manji · Post by **arif_manji** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 12:25 pm

wurlycorner wrote:Looks like a lovely lude - very good condition and last of the line too (P plate ones are very very rare).

I like those alloys (have them on my bb4) but the colour of them doesn't suit the car.
what size are the ones on yours?

You can have an H23 vtec, yes - Honda even built them (but not sold in the UK) so you can also build one.
Having/doing that modification will cost you a lot more than it would cost just to swap the H23 for an H22 though (retaining the existing auto box).

Thanks mate! They are 15" inches, look tiny for this car.

Oh okay, I see some imports with a automatic VTEC engine - I assume that's what you mean from?

arif_manji · Post by **arif_manji** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 12:27 pm

Merlin wrote:Isnt there an issue with the H23 not having oil squirters? I don't know just I remembered 4thgenphil going on about it once

Ah okay, might be best to change the complete engine. I'd want a low mileage engine though, maybe a recon? Are they expensive and where to buy from? Are there any good recommended mechanics about? I don't mind traveling, as long as the mechanic looks after the car and does a good job.

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 12:46 pm

arif_manji wrote: Thanks mate! They are 15" inches, look tiny for this car.

Yep, that size does make the Lenso RS5's look small

The original alloys are 15" also btw

arif_manji wrote:Oh okay, I see some imports with a automatic VTEC engine - I assume that's what you mean from?

The import auto's you'll have seen will also be H22 rather than H23.

You could take an H22 from any car (manual or auto) and get it put in instead of your existing H23.
You'd need the engine (bare or preferably complete to save time/hassle with the swap) and the engine wiring loom and the ECU from the H22 car and that's it.

Don't know any source of reconditioned H22 engines tbh, they're all just available used.

Failing all that, if you really want an H23A and don't mind being ripped off...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-PRELUDE ... 3a87f6d3c4
Fill your boots!
Unfortunately that engine is useless without the matching ECU though

arif_manji · Post by **arif_manji** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 1:14 pm

wurlycorner wrote:
arif_manji wrote: Thanks mate! They are 15" inches, look tiny for this car.
Yep, that size does make the Lenso RS5's look small

The original alloys are 15" also btw

arif_manji wrote:Oh okay, I see some imports with a automatic VTEC engine - I assume that's what you mean from?
The import auto's you'll have seen will also be H22 rather than H23.

You could take an H22 from any car (manual or auto) and get it put in instead of your existing H23.
You'd need the engine (bare or preferably complete to save time/hassle with the swap) and the engine wiring loom and the ECU from the H22 car and that's it.

Don't know any source of reconditioned H22 engines tbh, they're all just available used.

Failing all that, if you really want an H23A and don't mind being ripped off...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-PRELUDE ... 3a87f6d3c4
Fill your boots!
Unfortunately that engine is useless without the matching ECU though

The stock 15" don't look as bad as these, I think because these are like a dish design, makes them look smaller.

Is the wiring loom different too? I think I'd have to buy a complete car and then do the switch, cheaper if I need these parts. What would you guys do?

Post by **indigolemon** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 2:39 pm

Engine should come with the loom on it, all the plugs for the engine loom to car loom are at the passenger side strut top - dead easy. You'll need to run a wire for the VTEC signal from the Engine ECU in the passenger footwell to the strut top, after that the engine loom handles it. If you're keeping it auto, you'll also need the Autobox ECU from the VTEC - this is in the passenger footwell also, otherwise the box will shift up at the 2.3 redline of 6500rpm and steal 1000rpm of VTEC goodness from you.

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 2:50 pm

indigolemon wrote:You'll need to run a wire for the VTEC signal from the Engine ECU in the passenger footwell to the strut top,

I thought that bit was already there, it was just the engine loom that was different? (Don't know myself, just I thought that's I'd read on here)

Good info on the autobox ECU also required - didn't realise they were different between vtec and non-vtec

Post by **indigolemon** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 3:57 pm

wurlycorner wrote:I thought that bit was already there, it was just the engine loom that was different? (Don't know myself, just I thought that's I'd read on here)

Good info on the autobox ECU also required - didn't realise they were different between vtec and non-vtec

Speaking from experience man! I've done two 2.3 to VTEC swaps, an Auto and a manual. In both cases I needed to run the trigger for VTEC - oddly the knock sensor cabling was already there