Honda Engines, H22A love...

"mitology" (mitology) 11/18/2015 at 15:25 • Filed to: honda

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You must be thinking, “here we go again... its 2015 and we are still talking about Honda engines?! Really??!”

- Yep, yes we are.

It always bugged me, it is as if this engine is the second class citizen of Honda performance engine town.

See, if you bring up Honda in a conversation with gearheads they will gladly tell you stories of their tall revving, v-teching, high-pitch screaming B-Series and K-Series engines, all day (assuming you are at a barbecue where you had hopes of quietly enjoying some ribs before committing the mistake of bringing Honda up), or all night (assuming you are at a bar where you had hopes of getting shitfaced before committing the mistake of bringing Honda up).

See, when it comes to getting the most horsepower for the smallest displacement, Honda Engineers are as graceful as the Elves are when archering in the Lord of the Rings universe.

They are good, really good.

So, given Honda’s popularity on the late 80’s to early 90’s those mythical creatures, read Honda Engineers, where given green light to make a no excuse High Performance Engine, this came to be the H-series of engines.

These came with 2 liter plus displacement, plenty of torque however they where not as high revving as the B or K-series.

Talking specifically of the H22A (6th Gen Prelude/JDM EURO-R CL1), this was their master-piece, 2.2 liter displacement, 220 HP and torque figure of 163 ft/lb.

Doesn’t seem like much on paper, however this engine was a beast. The power delivery after hitting vtec point at 5500 rpm was savage and intoxicating, leading inexperienced youngsters to argue that “trust mee dudeee, myy honda is turbooo, see this, it just came onn”.

The engine was so good that it inspired those darn Euro’ s to come up with a awesome Honda racing program and race the equivalent to your dad’s car , read Honda Accord, having success in 96 and 97 and thus birthing the Euro-R models.

All fine and dandy of course until you stop to realize that these engines are only popular nowadays for their bang for buck and swap happy nature.

Ask any decent Honda mechanic for advice for swapping your Civic engine for something more meaty and they will probably refer you to a H22 one. This engine is powerful, durable, easy to mess with. People swap them into everything really, Civic’s, run of the mill Accords, CRX’s, im willing to bet Del Sol’s too. Some people turbo them and have a damn good time with them.

These engines man, these engines...

they deserve a place and a mention on any conversation about the B16B, F20C or K20A.... they do, seriously, however that will never happen.

Know why?

This engine was heavy and got stuck inside a front wheel drive daddy coupe, the Prelude, and then it got stuck in another front wheel 4 door daddy sedan, the European & JDM Euro-R... all while the type-R Civics, type-R integras and S2000 where coming out... yep, so, so memorable.

Nothing against the Prelude or Accord specifically but for a engine like this a different chassis was in order, or at least layout... but that is another story for another time.

Meanwhile, ride eternal, shiny and chrome H22A, your savagery is one to be experienced.

love ,

Mitology

MonkeePuzzle > mitology 11/18/2015 at 15:36

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H2B conversion has been on my mind. At some point my B will die, and H’s are just so much easier to find. H with B series transmission, sounds like a good combo.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > mitology 11/18/2015 at 15:51

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A little fact about Oppo Chris_K_F: What I was in my teens and first getting into cars, I had a weird thing for 5th gen Accords. Honestly, I still kinda do. I think they’re a very basic but good looking car, with some potential for building them up from the aftermarket. My cousin got a pretty rice-tastic ‘96 Accord for a first car; crapy body kit, 18” Tenzo-R wheels, DC Sports fart can exhaust, AEM cold air, Eibach lowering springs, and even red underglow! It was the epitome of ‘90s tuner car style. In my young and naive automotive ignorance, I thought it was badass. haha

I do remember the H22A being the swap all the Accord kids wanted at the time too.

Man, this has me kinda lusting after a project 5th gen Accord. I wonder how one would fair as an autox car... probably pretty terrible. lol

mitology > MonkeePuzzle 11/18/2015 at 15:53

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Yeah, whenever you do dont forget to share the swap with us and the end result review ;) what do you drive btw?

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > mitology 11/18/2015 at 15:54

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F20C (and F22C1)> all other Honda motors

miadaman? yes please > mitology 11/18/2015 at 15:55

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Well, I’ve been driving 5th gen prelude for a few years now. While its intoxicating induction/exhaust notes are nice, a gallon quart of oil for every 3-400 miles is not.

An H engine that doesn’t burn oil is basically an unicorn, and for that kind of price you’re better off getting a K.

mitology > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 11/18/2015 at 15:56

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Hahahaha appreciate your honesty, us gearheads tend to forget the ricey things we all loved at some point.

Well, if you ever auto-x a accord it’s a given you will have a terrible time, might as well be the best terrible time lol

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > mitology 11/18/2015 at 15:58

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Well I’m currently autocrossing an FR-S, going from CS to STX next season. I don’t anticipate myself going to an Accord at any point.

However, as a potential LeMons project...

MonkeePuzzle > mitology 11/18/2015 at 15:59

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‘00 Civic HB

Bytemite > miadaman? yes please 11/18/2015 at 16:00

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A gallon every 300-400 miles?

That isn’t burning. That is just oil going straight out.

miadaman? yes please > Bytemite 11/18/2015 at 16:01

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Sorry, it appears my imperial system is rusting, just like my Honda. I meant to type quart.

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > mitology 11/18/2015 at 16:03

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I wanted one of these to swap into my 4th gen Accord.

mitology > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 11/18/2015 at 16:05

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ouch, that doesn’t sound like fun. Will you ever consider a swap on it? or you will just get rid of the ‘lude?

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > mitology 11/18/2015 at 16:09

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The H22 is my favorite of the bunch. I’ve been thinking of importing a Honda Torneo Euro R (JDM Accord Type R). I’m low on funds at the moment but an adult sized Honda Type R would be kickass.

The only thing that would be any cooler would be an H2B swapped CRX.

Speed > mitology 11/18/2015 at 16:12

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I enjoyed this post. I’ve been a “domestic guy” since I’ve been able to drive and have had a few Mustangs, F-bodies and Jeeps, but I’ve always wanted a Honda to tinker with. Honda’s big block always intrigued me.

I’d almost compare it’s spot in enthusiasts eyes to Chevrolet’s LT1. It’s definitely a viable option with plenty potential to make power, but it’s overshadowed and overlooked.

You got the B series which is akin to the original small block. It’s popular, cheap, plentiful and the knowledge base/aftermarket is limitless. It’s the go to choice.

The K20 is sort of like an LSX. It’s newer and makes all the powers. While superior to it’s older counterparts, it’s also pricier and trickier to swap in.

mitology > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 11/18/2015 at 16:16

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If you find one in good shape go for it bro, in my books its better than any sway you could do :) i might be biased though

mitology > Speed 11/18/2015 at 16:19

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Preached, your analogy is so so spot on... Well said kind sir

Speed > mitology 11/18/2015 at 16:28

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Thanks! Nothing like a sucker punch from the underdog when it comes to engines.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > mitology 11/18/2015 at 16:38

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I wonder how easily one would plug into a 4th gen Accord. I loved my 4th gen coupe even with the standard F22. More power could only (probably, maybe) make it even better.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > mitology 11/18/2015 at 16:39

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?

mitology > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 11/18/2015 at 16:45

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Welp, we just got kinja’d... It was a reply for another fellow.

If the lemon project goes forward make our internal ricers proud and give it a crappy body kit, neon, intake and a fart can, pretty please :)

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > mitology 11/18/2015 at 16:50

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Lol I figured as much.

ZoopZoopLoops > mitology 11/18/2015 at 17:33

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Honda swaps are confusing because they’re all for FWD, so everyone just swapped from Honda to another Honda.

RWD Honda swaps sound great, but then the only one that’s reasonable to do is an F20C, and it is already in a good RWD car.

Ariel finally hit the nail on the head and stuck the K24 into the mid-engine track day car, which makes complete sense. High torque is not needed for such a light car, it fits compact into the mid-engine setup, and allows the great rev-happy K24 to power rear wheels. It’s unfortunate that it costs so much.

I’ve been hoping to see someone make a Factory Five 818 Coupe with a K-series motor. That would be absolutely fantastic.

RazoE > mitology 11/18/2015 at 20:13

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My broseph-in-law had a 1991 Accord Coupe with a JDM H22a swap, AND a freakin’ turbo. That thing was a beast and introduced me to torque steer.

mitology > ZoopZoopLoops 11/19/2015 at 00:09

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Yep, part of me wished the Accord Euro R at least was rear wheel drive, that would make things interesting on so many levels i can't even describe, meanwhile we have to make due with tuner made kit cars  Honda...

mitology > RazoE 11/19/2015 at 00:10

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Yikes, fun a straight line at a time lol

mitology > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire 11/19/2015 at 00:10

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Did you give up?

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > mitology 11/19/2015 at 01:19

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Well, yeah ... at the time I’d just graduated from college, so I didn’t have the funds or connections to do that sort of thing.

Now, I’d know better than to do that. :-)

RazoE > mitology 11/19/2015 at 09:44

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Yeah, the very first corner I took, I pressed the gas, boost came on and I almost jumped on some rail road tracks because the wheel straightened out on me.