Honda Prelude Forum - PreludeDriver.com

Hi guys,

Just wondering, while cruising the net waiting for a camshaft, is there only one type of B20A engine or is there a north american B20A and a JDM B20A? If there are 2, then what are the differences? Reason I ask is, the parts car I bought, is a 1990 SR (in USA Si) with a B20A engine. This can't be rare. It was at a junkyard just down the road.

Thanks

Paul

There are many variants of the B20A, and you can tell them apart by their engine stamps.

The B20As in the USDM and CDM markets all have a number assigned to them as in B20A3, B20A5.
In europe, there is a B20A7 and a B20A9 I believe.

In Japan, there was an engine referred to as a B20A, of which there were two variants. There was a B20A that came in JDM 3rd generation Preludes. I believe it had 160 hp. If you have one of these, you're very luck as they fit into all 3rd gen preludes with very little work, but they are a more powerful engine than the conventional B20A5.

Also in Japan, and I think in Germany as well, an even more rare was a B20A that came in the 2nd generation preludes. This engine also made great power, but is not the same as the B20As in the JDM 3rd gen. It was available on special edition 2nd Gen preludes that can easily be identified because they have a beveled hood to accomodate the larger engine.

Thanks Spiffyguido,

This engine is only stamped B20A, without any designators like 3,5 , 7 etc. Does this mean it is a plain B20A? My daily driver, the one I am trying to fix, has stamped B20A5 on the block. Is there any other place or way to ID it as a B20A7 etc?

Cheers

PAul

You may have lucked out. As far as I know, it will always have a numeric designation if it is not just a plain B20A. Have a close look, because if it is a real B20A you should be able to see subtle differences in the head/block etc. Here's hoping!

Hi guys,

Well, it seems to be happening to me now. I found another '91 Predule SR (Si in the US) at the wreckers in another town about an hour from here and bought it...just couldn't resist. It's a '91 SR, red, with grey int., ALB but not 4WS. Otherwise looks like full load of options. The front clip is off, but I don't need that, the engine is complete and it is another plain B20A (as marked on the block pad) but it is an automatic trans, which the wrecker will keep as I don't need it and it kept the cost of the car down. Picking it up this Friday. Good thing I have 20 acres to hide these on.

Going to swap the whole head now and get my ride going again in the next week or so.

Has anyone had experience with gasket sets from ebay vendors, probably offshore mfr.? I found complete engine sets for $40-50, head sets for $30-40, local guys want $190 for just the head set.

Cheers

Paul

Nice find. Some pictures would be great to see!

I would be wary of aftermarket head gaskets. I always suggest to people that they stick to Honda OEM parts because the quality will be very good. If you need a new gasket, you may need others, and so the best deal can often be to buy a 'gasket kit' from Honda which includes many of the other gaskets. I believe that the Honda Gasket Kit that includes the head gasket also includes a valve cover gasket, cam end seals and spark plug hole gaskets.

I'll agree with Spiffy on the aftermarket gaskets. I bought a set on ebay for around $40, and the head gasket blew the first time the car started (and bent a couple of valves after I just had the head redone). I bought a FelPro head gasket for around $60 and it works fine. Definitely one of those things you're better off spending a little more money on.