In the last installment of this project (months ago, we know), we'd finished assembling the H22 VTEC Prelude engine and were ready to drop it in our EG Civic Si. So without further ado, let's get to it. Fitting the H22 in our Civic engine bay poses a challenge since it's larger than the B- or D-series engines. Installing the H is like getting a size-12 foot into a size-10 shoe. It'll fit, but it's cramped and you'll lose some functionality.
The first things you'll sacrifice to do this swap are your power steering and A/C. The Civic engine bay isn't wide enough for the necessary accessory belts. You can make it work with a lot of cutting, so if your fab skills are up to scratch, have at it. Our recommendation: If you want power steering and A/C, build up a B series instead.
The passenger-side engine mount needs slight trimming to clear the new mount when attached to the car. Also, a new and larger assembly is attached to the rear of the engine for the rear engine mount, again for clearance reasons. One of the studs on the transmission must be cut to clear the engine mount. There are also several minor mods you need to make, such as re-routing hoses.
That said, installing the engine isn't terribly difficult if you have the right tools. But there's more to the install than the engine itself. It shares the same general configuration as the B- or D-series engine, but the transmission is another matter. It requires its own amount of cutting and even welding.
The problem is the linkage. The B-series trannies use a rod linkage, while the H series uses cables. The two systems mount to their respective vehicles in totally different ways. The B-series linkage is directly under the shifter, while the H-series cables snake under the console to a hole in the firewall on the Prelude.
The only way to make it work is to weld the entire shifter mechanism onto the Civic center hump, in place of the old shifter. The firewall hole is enlarged with a Sawzall and four nuts are welded in place where the shifter's mounting bolts will go.
Finally, you need to cut a hole in the Civic floor to route the two shifter cables. This is a tricky proposition. Route them too far back and the cables will kink, making it difficult or impossible to shift; too far forward and you risk cutting through one of the main conduits of the Civic brain. Luckily, Holeshot Racing's Aaron Bonk knows where to cut and got it right, although even with his expertise, it was a tight cut.
From this point, it's a straightforward matter of re-attaching the various accessories, hoses, cables and wires. It's more time consuming than difficult, although if you didn't keep track of what goes where, you're screwed. Take notes! For the most part, the various coolant lines and accessories snap into place. The only belt that needs installation is for the alternator.
In the next installment, we'll add an intake and exhaust system from HyTech and then hit the dyno for a tuning session with Hondata's Doug MacMillan. For now, we just slapped on the stock Prelude intake pipe with K&N filter and 'Lude exhaust manifold. Not too glamorous, but it works and gets us on the road.
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[1-2] With the engine out, we performed a couple of last-minute installs, including this c
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[2]
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[3] We ditched the stock throttle body (left) in favor of a larger bore from RC Engineerin
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[4] The D-series engine first needs to be disconnected from the car in every way.
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[5] And through the magic of photography, it takes seconds. In reality, this is a time-con
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[6] With the engine disconnected, unbolt it from its mounts and raise the car on a hydro l
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[7] These are the stock engine mounts for the D engine...
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[8] ...and these are the Holeshot Racing replacements. Note there's no front mount. We did
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[9] The engine bay needs some prep before the engine goes in. For starters, this heater ho
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[10] Here the rear mount is installed. Note the new heater hose mounted above it (with the
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[11-12] The passenger-side engine mount needs some trimming to accommodate the bigger engi
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[12]
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[13] The driver-side mount bolts into place without modification.
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[14] With the tranny bolted to the block, the engine is almost ready to go in.
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[15] First, we need to cut this mounting stud to fit the passenger-side mount.
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[16] We installed all of the engine mounts once the H22 was settled in the bay except for
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[17-20] Getting the H into the engine bay is as easy as removing it. Place the engine unde
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[20]
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[21] Ratchet down the two bolts for the driver-side mount.
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[22] Here's why we bolted on the passenger side mount before installation - no clearance.
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[23] The beefy rear mount eliminates the need for a front mount.
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[24] With the engine secure in the bay, we reinstall the center shaft in preparation for t
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[25] The Prelude axles are too long, so we'll need new ones.
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[26] Drive axles installed, it's time to reattach the hub.
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[27] We use a steel-braided line for the clutch. It's not a weak point or anything, but we
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[28] Next we install the starter motor.
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[29] The alternator and its bracket are reinstalled on the engine block. We'll attach the
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[29] The alternator and its bracket are reinstalled on the engine block. We'll attach the
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[31] The stock fan won't clear the engine, so we go with a smaller, narrower-profile, push
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[32] The new fan mounts in front of the radiator, blowing air across it and saving room. N
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[33] The engine is only half of it. Connecting the transmission linkage is no picnic, eith
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[34] The H series uses a cable shifter. The shifter (top) tugs on two cables that change t
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[35] This is the stock hump in the Civic. It requires some serious modification before the
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[36] Using a Sawzall, we cut away excess material around the shifter and create a large sq
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[37] Aaron welds mounting bolts to the Civic floor, giving the new shifter a secure place
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[38] The mods result in a less-than-factory look, but it's no thing. The center console pl
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[39] Finding the right place to cut the hole for the shift cables requires knowledge about
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[40] Even with his experience, Bonk comes close to cutting through the Civic's brain stem.
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[41] Cut at just the right angle, the hole allows the cables to pass through to the engine
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[42] Neither the stock Civic nor Prelude fuel line will fit, so we add a new stainless-ste
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[43] Getting close to the end. The coolant hoses are re-installed. Since these are stock P
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[44] Installed, assembled and ready to go.