Prelude vti - red top and black top engine?

[somnv]

Is there much of a difference between the red top and black top mk5 Honda Prelude vti engine?

When did they start making the red top engines?

Cheers

[Twilight]

Black top 185bhp

Red Top 197bhp

But with the redtop comes slightly adjusted gear ratios, meaning its much much easier to keep it "on-cam" when changing gear especially between 1st and 2nd.

I've had both, and the difference is certainly noticeable.

Red Tops are 1999 onwards.

[Holst]

Twilight said:

Black top 185bhp

Red Top 197bhp

But with the redtop comes slightly adjusted gear ratios, meaning its much much easier to keep it "on-cam" when changing gear especially between 1st and 2nd.

I've had both, and the difference is certainly noticeable.

Red Tops are 1999 onwards.

I think it may be slightly more complex than that.

What you have posted is correct for UK cars.. you want the H22A8 with the red top.

However the Jap cars with H22A on the block are black and also 197bhp (using 100ron fuel) im not sure if these engines ever had red covers or not.

Also most preludes will have the paint peeling from there rocker covers due to there age and many owners have repainted them red.. so the engine colour may not be the best way to work out what engine you are buying. I painted mine red and I think you would struggle to tell from the cover that its not original.

This link may help (or confuse)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_H_engine

If your after a UK 5th gen get a H22A8 with a red top.

[somnv]

Thanks for the replies guy.

A stupid question but how do I find the actualy engine cos so that I know if it is a real red top and not just someone pulling a fast one with some paint?

The thing is that I would be looking for a manual, and manual red tops are hard to find.

Would I end up kicking myself if I settle for a black top manual?

[havoc]

The engine will have a number stamped on it - plus usually somewhere in the engine bay (check the slam-panel first) there'll be a metal plaque. It will start with the engine code (e.g. B18C6... for the DC2 ITR, K20A3... for the DC5 ITR and the EP3 CTR, H22A8... for the 'red top' Prelude motor, etc...).

IIRC it should also be stated on the V5...

[Holst]

If you look to the left of the exhaust manifold the block is stamped next to the timing inspection hole.
Its pretty obvious when your looking at the car.

[somnv]

That's great, thanks guys.

[Twilight]

somnv said:

Would I end up kicking myself if I settle for a black top manual?

Not overly. Redtops keep on cam easily between 1st and 2nd, that'll be the only real noticable difference.

[Holst]

Twilight said:

somnv said:

Would I end up kicking myself if I settle for a black top manual?

Not overly. Redtops keep on cam easily between 1st and 2nd, that'll be the only real noticable difference.

The UK cars have a different ratio box which makes the ratios closer 1st to 4th with a larger jump to 5th.
I think there are also differences between 4th and 5th gen ludes.

I have no problem keeping in VTEC from 1st to 2nd anyway (although preventing wheelspin is often a problem )

This gives you the numbers
http://hondaswap.com/reference-materials/honda-tra...