Quick question...

[carrrnuttt]

Hey, I'm new here but am a member of a couple of other boards. I decided to register since a lot of yo seem to know what you're talking about...especially concerning my question.

I am about to purchase a 1989 Prelude Si from a friend of mine for about 1600 U.S. Dollars. It has a freshly done B20A swap that he is fine-tuning before he hands the car over to me. Now, I have read around these forums that the JDM B20A carries about 160HP and about 140ft-lbs of TQ. Does this still hold true even if he is using the USDM B20A5 ECU? Where can I get modified ECU's...or where can I get the one I have now re-programmed? I am pretty knowledgeable when it comes to Honda swaps, but this is the first time I've ever dealt with the older 'Lude/Accord B20's.

Another thing I wanted to ask is for parts availability. When I start looking for parts, should I just go ahead and look for 88-89 Prelude parts? Will they fit? I am also referring to performance parts like headers, plug-wires and such. I am not worried about exhaust, because as soon as I pass the car through emissions, my friend and I will be fabricating a full exhaust in his shop, which is fairly easy. His shop is also capable of fabricating a turbo manifold whenever I am ready for such things...which leads me to the last, but not least question...how much boost will the stock internals take?

My friend and his shop just basically found an old 'Lude with a seized motor cheap, and through his JDM motor supplier, got an engine off a JDM Prelude and installed it. In browsing the internet looking for the specs on the B20A, I found this site and got surprised by the potential of this motor, which is why I decided to buy the car.

I know it's lot of questions, but any help would be appreciated.

P.S.: I swear, LAST question for this thread...what quarter mile times should I expect from this car? It already has an intake and I mentioned above we will be building an exhaust for the car with 2.25 piping.

[carotman]

You're mixing up engines, the engine that you have is in NOT similar to the B20A available in the Accord/2nd gen prelude

The engine that you have says B20A but it's different. It'S the same as a B20A5 but it has 145 hp instead of 160. Just look for regular B20A5 parts

[carrrnuttt]

Originally posted by carotman
You're mixing up engines, the engine that you have is in NOT similar to the B20A available in the Accord/2nd gen prelude

The engine that you have says B20A but it's different. It'S the same as a B20A5 but it has 145 hp instead of 160. Just look for regular B20A5 parts

Are they TOTALLY different? Will not one fit in place of the other? How do you tell them apart? Oh, and do you think the purchase price is reasonable? The car's pretty straight.

[carrrnuttt]

I just read the specs and info you linked to here. I understand everything, but, according to that link, the 'Lude motors will be labeled B20A5/B20A2/B20A7. The motor that is in the Prelude just has "B20A" and nothing else. It has a black valve cover. Sorry, it's just confusing me.

[netfreak]

Prelude engines tilt backwards I believe while the B20A everyone here wants tilts forward like our A20 engines.

[carotman]

yours has a cable transmission, thus it's the 145 hp B20A

[carrrnuttt]

Originally posted by carotman
yours has a cable transmission, thus it's the 145 hp B20A

Gotcha, thanks.

[carrrnuttt]

Originally posted by carotman
yours has a cable transmission, thus it's the 145 hp B20A

Uhm, woulda asked this earlier but was out of town...checked the car again, and the motor HAS a hydraulic tranny. Not trying to be a smart-ass or anything, just still trying to clarify. This seems to be the only place I can find any info on this motor. If anybody else has a link, I'd appreciate it.

[carotman]

yes hydraulic tranny but the shifter is cable actuated

The Accord B20A that has 160 HP has a cable clutch and the shifter moves with rods.

The Accord Transmission numbers are B2K5 and F2K5 if you want to check.

[khemfusion]

http://www.vancouverpreludeclub.com/

When I'm not driving my car I'm reading the Vancouver Prelude Club forum, one of the best places to get information regarding preludes (especially third gens)