This is why I don't believe in major projects like this. You're taking an old car and putting a lot of money into it that you'll never get back. Most people end up getting tired of the project and selling it at a huge loss. At least with a factory car you get a lot of your money back in resale.

That being said, I own a 93 Prelude VTEC which should be very similiar in terms of acceleration. I really like the smooth, torquey power delivery and killer top end. Try 60mph on the highway in third gear, hammer it (instant VTEC) and take off like a slingshot. Not the fastest thing around, especially these days, but a lot of fun to drive around town.

 

Hmm, I plan to swap to get the h22a swap done next year as well as the 5speed swap. Was your car initially an automatic? If so, are you telling me that you couldn't feel much of a difference between the f22a and h22a?

I plan to swap engines, because my mileage is getting high on my car (155,000). It would be alot cheaper to spend three grand for a basically new engine and transmission, then shelling out twenty grand for a new car. And the rust spots can easily be taken care of with a nice paint job that would probably run around one grand.

 

Dunbar - yeah, I believed in this project initially because while I realized that I'd be shelling out as much if not more $$$ here as I would with a new car, the insurance would be lower, as would the initial output of money - I can do this in segments... but I am still paying $6k a year for insurance (CDN funds)... so basically the choice I made was fun vs. reliability. I chose fun. My car is fun around town.. it IS quick as I've said... I should change the title of this thread to "Initially disapointed, but generally pleased"..

EurAznBoi - I absolutely notice a difference between the h22a and the f22a4 that came out. It is now a manual but was an automatic... I have some rust too.... I don't know man.. now that you're standing there where I was several months ago, I'd seriously consider your options - newer car or fix the 'ccord. Realistically plan out your purchaces, factor in labour if you're not going to do the work, factor in borning repairs like wheel bearings and other misc shit... it really is no cheaper to totally fix up an old car than it is to get a newer one, but the result is that the older car's parts may be higher performance.. <shrug> Think about it.. it's not a bad choice to fix up your Accord.. I was initially disapointed, but the car is quickly growing on me.

Good luck

 

I'm afraid I don't have many words of wisdom for you at this point. Having gone down that road before, I empathize with the situation. Maybe, instead of spending a lot more money on parts for the car to try to make it quicker, you should just drive it for a while and appreciate the money you aren't putting into it. I blew way too much money on a car I had for several years, and I regret it, because there were times when I could have said "good enough" but didn't. I was racing the car at the time, and it was an older car, but the theory was "I already have this much in it", don't do that. My 1992 Accord EX has some modifications, primarily suspension, and mainly because the old stuff was worn out, because I'm not going to keep the car forever (at least, I'm not planning on it.) Cars are getting better all the time, drive an 03 Accord with the V6, or the new TSX, and consider the options you have with your money before spending a lot more on your car. The 4th gen Accord is not an incredibly popular to build, so its cool when you see one built properly, as yours sounds like it has been, but consider its real purpose/function in your life before putting most of your money/time into it. It'll free you up. Take a deep breath.

 

Heh, it's mildly on topic, but I raced my friend with an 89 prelude Si after he got his mods last weekend (custom CAI, DC headers, straight pipe exhaust, new tires, etc) and he kept up pretty damn well until i hit vtec in 2nd gear, caught up to him, and then blew by on top end at the end of the 1/4 mi. it was pretty surprising to see him not in my rear view so fast.

anyway, some guy saw us dragging so he asked us if he could join. sure enough, it's an accord like your 91 with an H22a swap in it. i sacrificed my friend and volunteered him for a run for $5 against this guy and he agreed. Needless to say, the 89 prelude si still beat the H22 accord and my buddy earned $5 (won both runs)

so that's it - for some strange reason, putting a prelude engine in a chasis about the same weight of it and a tranny that's not as great or new doesn't make you faster than a stock prelude...or in this case, a modified old one.

 

GreenEX - you're basically paraphrasing what I've been saying in my head for the last six months - "Well, I've already gone this far"... I'm beginning to think that that mentality doesn't get me very far... I've never been in an Accord newer than mine, but I drove a base 2001 Integra and it handled nearly as well as mine does with shocks and springs...

I'm pretty much broke now, but I have to decide whether I'll spend the next chunk of cash I get on this car... it'd be paint, rims and rubber next on the list... or if I should sell it for whatever I get and go for something fresh...

What do you guys think?

 

unfortubealte too many people think that an h22a will amke their car a sports car or something. it does make a big difference, but its not all that the hype says it is.
i havent had a chance to run any sports cars yet but the 2 mustang gt's i ran lost solidly, and i have taken out numerous gsr's, b16a civics, multiple celica gts's as well. hell i even have video of me spanking a 5th gen lude and a 5th gen accord.
anyway i just think the hype of hybrid is making people thnk these engines are more than they really are...

 

btw if you cant spank a focus wagon you either got a crappy engine or you cant drive...those things are dog ass slow

 

I haven't dynoed my engine yet, but the compression is even...

I said that it TRYED to pass me... it had a long, long head start to get up to 140kmph, then I fell to 4th gear and went WOT... it got a car length ahead because I had slow response time, then I passed it, and kept going up to 190kmph, when I slowed down because my car started to vibrate... (wheels haven't been balanced yet, methinks)...

It never got farther than one car length ahead.. I've never taken advanced driving school or anything, but I think I'm a decent driver.

 

heh im not sure about hat the kph toy mph ratio is...but i can hit 140 mph with my wagon.
btw what was compression on your engine? also where are you shifting at?