The Honda H engine was Honda’s Larger high-performance engine family from the 1990s and early 2000s. It is largely derived from the Honda F engine with which it shares many design features. The principal difference between the two engines is that while the F engine was a SOHC design, the H engine was an DOHC design. In addition higher performance cylinder heads were developed for both the H22A and H23A variants which featured VTEC.
The Honda H engine was Honda’s Larger high-performance engine family from the 1990s and early 2000s.
The H22A, H23A, H23A1, H24A and H26A were a series of Honda’s larger-displacement high-performance engines introduced in 1990. The family’s first generation included the 2.2L (134 cu in) base model that was later replaced by a 2.3L (150 cu in) version with higher compression ratio (11:1).
Honda’s VTEC system was first introduced on the JDM Honda Integra RSi S with a 2.0 L engine called “H23A”, but it is not related to this family at all; it utilized hydraulic valve lifters instead of mechanical ones, which makes them different from their American cousins.
It is largely derived from the Honda F engine with which it shares many design features.
The H22 is largely derived from the F20A. It shares the same bore and stroke dimensions, rod length, crankshaft design, camshaft profile and firing order. The H22 also has a longer connecting rod bearing journal length than the F20A; this allows it to use a higher compression ratio of 11:1 (versus 9.8:1 for the F20A). Like all DOHC VTEC engines in production at that time, both Honda/Acura’s 2-liter 4 cylinder motors featured variable valve timing on their intake camshafts only (the exhaust camshaft does not have variable valve timing).
In keeping with other VTEC 4 cylinders of its era, such as those found in Acura Integra GS-R models or Honda Civic Si models sold outside North America (including Australia), these engines also featured improved cooling effects due to enlarged radiators.
The principal difference between the two engines is that while the F engine was a SOHC design, the H engine was an DOHC design.
The principal difference between the two engines is that while the F engine was a SOHC design, the H engine was an DOHC design. The F-series engines were produced from 1985 through 1988 and were only available as a 2.0 L naturally aspirated overhead camshaft engine with a non-interference crankshaft (the “F” in its name).
The H-series engines were produced from 1989 through 2000 and shared many parts with its F counterparts. These included cylinder heads and pistons, although they had different crankcases, oil pans and water pumps among other things; these parts were modified to accommodate the timing chain driven by gears at both ends instead of using V belts or camshafts to drive them like earlier F models did.
In addition higher performance cylinder heads were developed for both the H22A and H23A variants which featured VTEC.
In addition to the H22A, Honda also developed and released two other versions of the engine; a naturally aspirated and turbocharged variant. The H22A featured a single camshaft while the H23A had two camshafts.
The turbocharged variant was known as the H23A and it produced 240 horsepower at 6500 rpm, making it one of their best engines for high performance applications. It also included VTEC technology which allowed for more power when needed during acceleration but could switch back to economy mode when needed.
The H engine is a very reliable power plant and is not difficult to rebuild. The main problems are usually related to oil leaks, ignition systems and valve clearances.