JDM H23A Bluetop Swap Guide
I've seen checklists for swaps like this but I thought I would give my .02 from having done this personally.
For the H23a into a 93-97 accord it's not just about a motor and a car, in a lot of ways there's kind of a theory-crafting that goes into it. For this swap, the plan was always to run it OBD1 off of a P28 ECU.
So consider,
H23a Bluetop motor specs per wikipedia (take it for what you will)
Found in the Japanese 1998-2002 Accord Wagon SiR (CH9). It produces 200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp) @ 6,800 rpm & 163 lb·ft (221 N·m) @ 5,300 rpm and comes with a "blue top".
Found in the Japanese 1998-2002 Accord Wagon AWD (CL2). It produces 190 PS (140 kW; 187 hp) @ 6,800 rpm & 163 lb·ft (221 N·m) @ 5,300 rpm and comes with a "blue top"
To the best of my knowledge there's not a whole lot of difference between the two motors, and I'm not sure which one we got. I did notice however, that the exhaust manifold it came with was very thin and paled in comparison to even a stock H22 header. I've read that according to dyno numbers gains from a header on a H22 are minimal but I'm expecting to get a bit from the Megan header we installed. The manifold and cylinder head were indicative of a 98-99 model, having "PGMFI" stamped on top of the intake manifold, which has a JDM H22A head, with a "stroked" block for the 2.3L displacement and 10.6:1 compression.
So now that we know a little bit about the motor, lets talk about the CD chassis.
The 93-97 Accords are cool little cars. Coupes and sedans are readily available, usually stock, and there's a surprising amount of factory 5 speed cars out there. CD5 is a 4 door sedan model, CD7 is a 2 door coupe.
He wanted a 4 door, and I suggested we hold out for an EX model.
Why an EX?
Rear disc brakes, pre-wired for VTEC (more on that coming later)
Ethan picked up a 1996 Accord EX (the 96-97 models received a facelift and OBD2a [96-97] is similar enough to OBD1 it doesn't complicate much) with 230k miles on it for 600$. Bone stock, 5 speed CD5. Tan exterior with tan leather interior. The electric drivers seat was busted, and both front seats were in bad shape. We drove two hours, got there, and met the Russian family that owned the car. Fortunately the daughter spoke enough English to translate, and that was when we found out it wasn't starting currently. I noticed the fuel pump was NOT priming when the ignition was keyed to "on", and after investigating the fuses and main relay associated with the fuel system I deduced it was the fuel pump. We had just finished explaining to the daughter that we liked the car, and would gladly buy it if it ran. I explained that I'm a mechanic and believe it is the fuel pump but I could not replace it in their backyard but if they fixed it we would gladly come back and buy the car. She relayed it to the old man, who went over, whacked the fuel tank with some sort of metal thing a couple times and then started the car. The car was priced so cheaply because it didn't run, and they honored the agreed $600 price.
The EX model has a F22B1 stock, which is a SOHC VTEC motor that puts out
Max Power: 145 hp (108 kW) @ 5500 rpm
Max Torque: 147 lb·ft (199 N m) @ 4500 rpm
More than a D16 or B18b1 for sure, but still lackluster numbers especially in a chassis that weights 3k+lbs stock. It is a fun little motor for cornering though, which a smooth power curve that accelerates out of corners with authority.
So back to the "Theory Crafting" bit...
Basically at its core Integra and Civics are related to each other in a lot of ways, and the pairing that sometimes goes less noticed is Preludes and Accords being what I would call "first cousins". The H23a is basically a factory stroked H22a. This means it is basically the same motor that came in 92-96 Prelude VTEC models, and in all 97-01 Preludes. F series and H series bits are largely interchangeable which give you a fair amount of options but obviously the Prelude was geared towards performance so you'll want more prelude stuff than accord but a combination is required to make the swap work.
For this swap we used the manual transmission from a 1992 Prelude SI, because it had comparable ratios to the 97-01 h22 tranny and was significantly cheaper and this particular one was very clean and from a car with low miles and from a salvage yard that offers 3 month warrantees on parts. You can use the Accord transmission but the long gears will make the car feel a lot slower. IMHO if you're taking on a project like this you might as well go all the way
So let's talk about parts lists...
H23a VTEC Bluetop motor - 800$ from JDMFlorida
1992 Prelude SI Transmission - 400$ from Junkyard
1996 Accord EX Automatic Engine Harness
P28 ECU chipped by HA Motorsports
OBD2 -> OBD1 stepdown conversion harness
1992-1995 VTEC Prelude Distributor (INTERNAL COIL)
H series Exedy Stage 1 clutch kit
No-name H series Flywheel
97-01 Prelude Water pump/Timing belt kit (includes all the seals for that side of the motor)
2.25" Megan Exhaust for CD5 accord
4-2-1 Megan Header for H22 motor
(we made our own test pipe to mate the two and delete the Cat)
97-01 Prelude Rear main seal
IACV adapter from RoskoRacing.com (great customer service, I sent him a picture of my manifold and he sent me a link to which adapter I needed)
USDM 93-01 H22 IACV (USDM is two prong, jdm comes with a 3 prong which can't be used)
94-01 Tan Cloth Integra Seats
More info coming, this is just the first post. I'm trying to type it all out in a detailed and orderly fashion.
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