Got some decisions... si-> vtec? turbo?

[Flava888]

Well.. im currently in a 92 prelude si h23a, and im looking to do a decent size upgrade. Im looking at buying a new ported/polished head with new valves/springs etc. and i know that will give me a little more power. But my dilemma is that I've been having second thoughts about the head, and want to know is it really worth it to buy a JDM h22 and build off that. but in the process spend an extra 1500-2000 on that engine, rather than using that money to build up my h23. im eventually going to turbo, but thats a little down the road. Will vtec really make that much of a difference for me after i do all the future upgrades, or is it just the name "vtec" that makes everything so much better (even tho i know it is better, is it worth it though)? Any suggestions at all will be great. thanks guys.

[AcesHigh]

Think of it this way. Your h23a is not a young engine anymore. Not only do you get a higher base horsepower engine, but you also get a lower mileage one.

Tuned on the same setup, the h22a will make more power than an h23a. It is more difficult to tune due to VTEC engagement, but you will have a much better powerband than an h23a.

People say that the h23a is better for a turbo because of its lower compression and greater displacement. I only find this true to the point that the h23a is many times easier to tune than the h22a.

Go with the VTEC, and get that 30k or whatever mile engine. You won't regret you picked a more stable platform to work on.

[Flava888]

yeah thats what ive been hearing, and that extra 40 hp now, will end up helping out in the long run anyway... ah, decisions decisions... i got another question, where is a good place to get a wiring harness for the p13 ecu that im gonna need to get?

[AcesHigh]

Check out the writeup I did on the swap in the FAQ. You do not need a new wiring harness.