motor swap basics for newbie

[xllSkylinellx]

Hi, new to car stuff, just started reading super street like a month ago, I need some basic fundemental info on a h22 motor swap because I know like nothing about cars. I own a 97 Accord, with auto tranny, I know most h22's are for manual 5 speed trannys is there anyway I can use a motor built for 5 speed on my stock auto tranny, or do I have to convert to manual all together? If so how much money am I looking at? [I know its a lot]. Also do I need to buy new ecu's for the motor if I'm fitting it to a auto tranny and which way is better? Staying automatic or converting to stick? Do they sell automatic h22 motors? cuz I can't seem to find one. I know preludes comes in auto. Any replys would be appreciated, again I know nothing about this, please gimme some help.

[BullShifter]

If you want stick, sell your car & get a stick car. I dont think your auto trans will work with the H22 - you will need engine, trans, ecu & probably some fabrication to make it all work.

JDM H22a

More engines

[Dr.Okka]

I don't see any need to go manual. Man, superstreet pros do it with ATs all the time. You can fix the Auto tranny to shift like a manual when you want to and then drive it like an Auto again. Check out these guys out of NJ: http://www.importperformancetrans.com/index.shtml

I'd recommend finding an H22 Engine from an Auto Prelude and place that in your Accord and build up your powerplant to where you like it. Then go to a local performance Auto Trans shop or the guys I mentioned and setup your Trans to where it compliments your Engine. There's a gentleman here at my office with a Chevy Silverado with a Performance Auto Trans and it pulls like a pack of elephants at your drawers.

It'll definitely save you money and maintenance in the long run.

[xllSkylinellx]

Well I kinda knew going manual isn't going to be worth it, but then again I don't want to keep my stock engine, I have the money to spend. Also the problem is I can't find a prelude engine that comes in auto tranny, all comes with 5 speed manual. Do you think converting into manual will cost me problems later on? Does anyone have any experience in this or have done this before?

[Dr.Okka]

Just hit the yellow pages for the greater New England area for one. It's nothing but a drive around there. Be glad you don't live in Texas.

As for future problems with manuals. Depending really on how you clutch and that's even with a race clutch you could be changing clutches more often than the average maintenance schedule calls for. I'm being conservative here. That's just too often for my wallet. I love driving stick but I'm also a bit pragmatic about $$$$. Less to spend when you don't have to switch from AT to MT and that money you would spend doing that you can spend on upgrading your AT better than any Manual out there. You've got to be smarter than the average hop up artist and pay good attention to your tranny AND your wallet strength.

But, you do it the way you would like to do it. That's what makes it your project.

[xllSkylinellx]

I'm getting the idea that converting is not the way to go.... so I might have to end up buying a h22 motor for manual tranny and
I think I might have to buy a new auto tranny and ecu for that motor think they go for like 200+, and an auto tranny that will fit it.. because I heard people say that my stock auto tranny won't work with the h22. Either way its cheaper than converting to manual I guess. Any opinions?

[BullShifter]

If you have money to spend, why not get something better than an Accord or do something different like the Acura Inline 5 cycliner G25A

Like I said before, If you want manual buy a manual car & start your swap from there.

[Dr.Okka]

I don't believe that that's true SKY. The auto tranny that's in the 92 + Accords (AT) are the same for the 92 + Prees. Honda Trans are just all around good. You can take Jackasssi's advice too but then where's the fun in that. At least for stubborn jackasses like me.

[xllSkylinellx]

If you're right then my problem is kinda solved, only thing I might have to get is a new ecu for the manual h22 motor, because if I can use my stock tranny..... then you know. I didn't know the Accord stock auto was the same as the Pre's, I do hope you're right and I do appreciate the info guys. I gotta read up on this more.

[bckwld03]

a prelude automatic tranny will bolt right up to an accord motor. Almost all the places that sell motors have the motor along with its computer and tranny. i got a h22 auto with the ecu for 2100. goto www.engineline.com and call them up, i live near the place so i got free shipping. i'd say bout 2400 depenging on where u live. have fun

[bckwld03]

a prelude automatic tranny will bolt right up to an accord motor. Almost all the places that sell motors have the motor along with its computer and tranny. i got a h22 auto with the ecu for 2100. goto www.engineline.com and call them up, i live near the place so i got free shipping. i'd say bout 2400 depenging on where u live. have fun

[xllSkylinellx]

Thanks man.... I will call them up... do they have h22 from auto preludes though?

[wagsaccordsir]

Alright, heres the dealeo.... You buy the H22, it usually comes with the tranny (5spd), the wiring harness, the Ecu and the axles. You have a shop convert it.. Your from New York, there should be shops that can do those swaps up there, hell they should be a dime a dozen. Get with "Strodda", he's currently doing the manual conversion and he may have some first hand insight on its difficulty. I think he said he paid $800 to do the swap and convert the AT to a 5spd.

[xllSkylinellx]

How much for manual conversion you think, and who is Strodda

[strodda]

that would be me. and i actually ended up paying an even grand for installation and conversion. no biggie though, the change over is more than worth the cost. im going in tuesday for all the final crap, where im gonna get a detailed list of everything thats going on. but i got lucky, i mostly likely wont need the shop to look for any parts. the engine im getting happens to be from a front clip, so he said ill pretty much have it all... even the gauge cluster.

you could get an a/t swap, but i dont see a point. i was originally going to stay auto, but think of converting to manual as a performance mod. just find a shop that does swaps and they can do everything for you.