Engine Swap Advice?

4357 Views 8 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Faulcun, 2 mo ago

Lethoca

Discussion Starter · Jun 17, 2021

This is just gonna be an open ended thread about general engine swaps. I want to do one in my fifth gen but I'm not sure what I should do in it. If I choose to not go Honda, I have one idea for an insane swap that I really like the sound of, not because it's cost-effective or something super high power but just because I think it would be the ultimate way to make the prelude an even cooler car. However as for Hondas the only three engines I would even want to go for would be a k24a2, a j35a8 or a j37a4. For the K swap, I've heard tale of someone getting a k20 in but from what I've heard it was ridiculously expensive and not worth all the effort (and if I'm gonna go not worth the obscene cost I'm gonna do my crazy idea). I know hasport makes 4th gen mounts but I'm not aware whether they fit on a fifth gen prelude at all. As for the J-series I know they make those mounts, but I also know hood clearance and generally just space in the engine bay becomes a problem. Wondering what needs to be done with the hood to make it fit. Furthermore does a j-swap leave room for other things like a turbo or does it basically just take up the whole engine bay looking pretty?

Love to hear yall's input. Know I'm being vague about the insane engine swap but some people might choose to focus on why I shouldn't do it, when really I just want to know more about k/j-swaps.

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Faulcun

· #2 · Jun 17, 2021

Let me just say that im an advocate of doing weird swaps in cars. However in this case, there has to be a better engine worth putting in.

Realistically, the H22 is capable of 1000hp if fully built with MID sleeves and proper internals, and most importantly a competent builder. Point is, you can have a fully built block for around $4k, or less with just rods and pistons. Most hp numbers are easily attainable within reason with a light build.

Moral of the story is, what kind of HP are you looking to make, what are you trying to use the car for, and can you attain that hp easier and cheaper with another engine swap?

And then, how much does that engine swap cost, and does that engine then need to be built to meet your needs, etc etc.

If you are looking to do the swap as a novelty, thats one thing. Otherwise I think its more efficient to build what you have.

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Lethoca

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 18, 2021

Faulcun said:
Realistically, the H22 is capable of 1000hp if fully built with MID sleeves and proper internals, and most importantly a competent builder. Point is, you can have a fully built block for around $4k, or less with just rods and pistons. Most hp numbers are easily attainable within reason with a light build.

I wasn't really aware that the h22 was considered a genuinely good engine for high hp. I mean I knew it could make the ~600 that I was going to shoot for with any swap but at the same time, from what I heard at least, it is tough with an h22. I have a jdm h22a in the car personally and figuring out whether its an open or close deck is hard enough on its own (mostly because that is something I don't yet entirely understand). I do like the h22, think its a fun engine, could have more low end but I do know there are more ways to add low end (and that it really is geared towards the high end).
Other than that, I want to do an awd build on the car, and while I know b-series awd isn't bad by any means, I know k-series awd is more reliable, and j-series sh-awd is pretty good all things considered, plus both have 6 speeds which is a bonus.

Faulcun said:
If you are looking to do the swap as a novelty, thats one thing. Otherwise I think its more efficient to build what you have.

And that's what the vague swap would be, is more of a novelty. It'd still meet what I was wanting in terms of power, as well as having awd and a six speed, but I also know it would cost a lot of money to do, and that, despite being newer than the h-series engines, the engine I was thinking had a shorter run time, and less of a following. Not to mention making it fit in the hood of a prelude is a yikes.

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Faulcun

· #4 · Jun 18, 2021

Lethoca said:
I wasn't really aware that the h22 was considered a genuinely good engine for high hp. I mean I knew it could make the ~600 that I was going to shoot for with any swap but at the same time, from what I heard at least, it is tough with an h22. I have a jdm h22a in the car personally and figuring out whether its an open or close deck is hard enough on its own (mostly because that is something I don't yet entirely understand). I do like the h22, think its a fun engine, could have more low end but I do know there are more ways to add low end (and that it really is geared towards the high end).
Other than that, I want to do an awd build on the car, and while I know b-series awd isn't bad by any means, I know k-series awd is more reliable, and j-series sh-awd is pretty good all things considered, plus both have 6 speeds which is a bonus.

And that's what the vague swap would be, is more of a novelty. It'd still meet what I was wanting in terms of power, as well as having awd and a six speed, but I also know it would cost a lot of money to do, and that, despite being newer than the h-series engines, the engine I was thinking had a shorter run time, and less of a following. Not to mention making it fit in the hood of a prelude is a yikes.

well, you gotta figure the K series came out almost 20 years ago now. Technology has come so far since then, that 600 can be reasonably attainable on any motor you choose with supporting build.

Also, FewH22Crew has released a billet bell housing for the H22 transmission that allows for a K awd transfer case. So you have the option of H22 awd... if you so desired.

FewH22Crew Billet AWD H22 Belhousing

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Lethoca

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jun 18, 2021

Faulcun said:
Also, FewH22Crew has released a billet bell housing for the H22 transmission that allows for a K awd transfer case. So you have the option of H22 awd... if you so desired.
FewH22Crew Billet AWD H22 Belhousing

That's right I forgot about that. I do think doing a j-series tl sh-awd swap would be fun as well honestly. Like I said I'm just trying to see if doing a swap in general would allow me to keep some of the other things I want. Like for instance with the Js theres whether or not I have to cut/raise the hood because that would just be strange all things considered. Ks don't even really fit and well, the wild idea would of course require me to go and tube frame the whole front end just to relocate the motor mounts altogether.

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Vicmon

· #6 · Jul 2, 2021

H22a and h22a1 are both closed deck. All h22 have frm sleeves that kinda suck so you should really sleeve the block. After you sleeve it you can pretty much throw whatever you want at the car. Eagle rods, Manley pistons, supertech valve train, arp bolts, and and you'll have yourself a strong engine capable of pushing 600+ you'll definitely be limited on the transmission. They are weak and its said to only hold around 400-500 hp. If you stick with h22 you should definitely check out boostedbois on YouTube. They have a 1000+ hp prelude with a h22 and a 600+ hp civic hatch 👍

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Lethoca

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 4, 2021

Vicmon said:
you'll have yourself a strong engine capable of pushing 600+ you'll definitely be limited on the transmission. They are weak and its said to only hold around 400-500 hp.

Theoretically, if I stuck with H22 what trans should I run. I know very little on B-series trans, and quite frankly finding all-time awd parts from the civic wagon is a nightmare, and while I know I could just suck it up and use CRV parts, having at least some power to the rear wheels at all times just sounds better in my opinion. Like I'd be willing to do a j37/tl type-sh swap if I could, still wondering about the hood for that though, dont you have to raise it or something? and oh lord how would you remedy the rest of the front end to look right.