H23 Swap?

[Vash744]

So I plan on buying a H23 Trans to replace my grinding F22 Trans, but the dude is also selling the Motor for $300. Thats a steal in my book.

So how hard would it be to swap the H23 in? Are they more difficult that say a h22 swap? Is there any parts I would need to acquire? And is there any parts from my f22a1 lx accord that I could keep? At the price of $300, that could leave room for parts, anyone ever built a H23?

I tried looking around but it doesn't look like many people use the H23. Thanks!

[Tippey764]

it drops right in

You need to wire a knock sensor ( 1 wire ) and you have to swap a prelude power steering pump setup as well. Other than that it fits right in and everything fits right up

The accord actually came with an f20a dohc engine very very similar to the h23 ( minus the knock sensor ) in japan

[Vash744]

it drops right in

You need to wire a knock sensor ( 1 wire ) and you have to swap a prelude power steering pump setup as well. Other than that it fits right in and everything fits right up

The accord actually came with an f20a dohc engine very very similar to the h23 ( minus the knock sensor ) in japan

Believe it or not, I read all through your MRT before posting this thread lol.

So do I need a differnet ECU or anything? Also would you know anything about turbo'ing h23s? I see lots of people do them, I just wonder how reliable they are.

[deevergote]

Boosting ANY old stock Honda motor is going to present potential problems. They simply are not made for it, and you'd need a very healthy motor and a good amount of knowledge to get any reliability out of it at all. On a $300 motor... I'd say boosting would be a bad idea. Look into fully building it if that's what you want to do (or enjoy the 160hp while you build your F22A for boost... as they can perform just as well, if not better.)


The H23 swap is basically an H22 swap minus the VTEC wiring. You'll need a P14 ECU. It will run on your PT3/PT6, but not properly, and extended use will most likely result in damage.

[Vash744]

Boosting ANY old stock Honda motor is going to present potential problems. They simply are not made for it, and you'd need a very healthy motor and a good amount of knowledge to get any reliability out of it at all. On a $300 motor... I'd say boosting would be a bad idea. Look into fully building it if that's what you want to do (or enjoy the 160hp while you build your F22A for boost... as they can perform just as well, if not better.)


The H23 swap is basically an H22 swap minus the VTEC wiring. You'll need a P14 ECU. It will run on your PT3/PT6, but not properly, and extended use will most likely result in damage.

Not a bad idea, the motor and tranny is between 100-150k miles. So its not too terrible. Would i need differnet motor mounts etc.?

[deevergote]

Did you read anything in the Swaps section? All the info you need is there, trust me.

And no, you do not need different motor mounts. You will need to tap a hole in the transmission (here comes the next question... "how do I tap a hole?"...)

[Vash744]

How do I tap a hole?

XD

[Vash744]

Anyways I found the DIY on the hole tapping (haha) and it looks pretty straight forward. I would say I would be pretty happy with a stock H23 upgrade from a tired f22a1. I was looking around though seems that Gude performance does some handy work with the H23 heads. How much HP would you gain from a simple camshaft upgrade?

[Tippey764]

It really depends on what cams you buy

honestly if you're going to build a motor build the F series. You would have 300 more dollars to devote to performance than the swap.

Unless you need a new motor its a waste of money to swap that motor.

[deevergote]

I think a $300 motor, if it's healthy enough to just drop right in, is worth it to have an F22 available to build on the side.

I would stay away from Gude. They have an awful reputation for bad customer service, and their performance isn't all that spectacular. Even though the H23 isn't their specialty, I'd look to Bisimoto.

[Vash744]

Well What I am looking to do is a turbo setup, idc what motor I use at the moment. But I only have one car, and need it as a DD. If I buy a motor I could swap it in and build the other.

Also, how much could $300 buy me honestly? 1 nice part, maybe a few crappy ebay parts? Which could give me 5-15HP?

For $300 and a weekend of my time I get in a DOHC 160hp motor, which would be around a 35hp gain.Then with a simple i/h/e I should get some decent numbers, and keep it DD'able.

[Vash744]

I think a $300 motor, if it's healthy enough to just drop right in, is worth it to have an F22 available to build on the side.

I would stay away from Gude. They have an awful reputation for bad customer service, and their performance isn't all that spectacular. Even though the H23 isn't their specialty, I'd look to Bisimoto.

I've heard of the bad things of gude. But I've heard horror stories of bisi too. Not to mention bisi wants mad monies.

[deevergote]

That's assuming that it's in good condition... and you really SHOULD install a new timing belt, water pump, rear main seal, balance shaft seal, valve cover gasket, spark plug tube seals... It's not cheap to do things right!

But yeah, it's good to build a turbo motor properly, OUT of the car. If you try to boost your DD, cutting corners so you can always have a car you can drive... you'll end up with a broken car. Even built, I'd say getting a beater would be smart. Most turbo CBs have their fair share of issues, even the ones that are built properly. It just happens when you do something like that to a car that was never made for it. Boosting your only car is a risk if you don't have a backup plan.

[deevergote]

I've heard of the bad things of gude. But I've heard horror stories of bisi too. Not to mention bisi wants mad monies.

I haven't heard many horror stories about Bisi (far more about Gude.) Keep in mind that many of the horror stories about a company are told by people that caused their own problems (most of the issues with Bisi that I've heard have involved people that were in over their head, and ordered the wrong parts...) Gude, I've heard at least two accounts of snapped camshafts, installed by experienced people (a camshaft isn't exactly difficult to install properly...), and a TON of terrible customer service issues (ignored calls/emails, rude replies, etc...) Bisi's camshafts are made by Web, who have a fantastic reputation.

As a cheaper option, not quite as good as Bisi, I'd go with Delta. They have a pretty good rep around here.

[Vash744]

Exactly, I was looking to buy a small pickup next year as a backup, plus to haul parts around in

And I wouldn't mind doing all that bit of work, bc all that needs to be done on the f22 anyway. It would be easier to do it with the motor out anyway. I plan on making it proper with all those seals replaced, tune up (rotor, cap, wires, plugs), new coolant lines (mine are reaching that age), and clutch work (clutch kit, master/slave cylinders) Since mine are autozone suck parts.