A&Q about 350Z
Q:
The honda engine in my car is f'd from a theft, and I was wondering what is the advantage of a Jap h22a1 vs the US or Canadian h22a1. I live in canada and I have currently a hold on a h22a1 srv engine and tranny with 70,000K on it. I am wondering if there is a difference in displacement or power, or vtec. I have heard rumors of the Type S prelude h22a1 having 20 more horsepower, is this true? What are the differences between the two? The engine is coming out of Calgary and has been shipped, from Japan. Would I be better off to have the original engine rebuilt?
And
Just wondering as well, does a centerforce clutch (Stage[1,2,3] Racing clutch) actually make a difference? How so and what does it do? What is a very good honda centerforce clutch brand?
A:
The Japanese spec engines in most models are tuned for a little more hp.
The Japanese have VERY strict regulations regarding pertrol quality, and also have access to slightly higher octane fuels.
As a result they are able to tune thier domestic market engines to run on slight higher compresion, and with more timing advance.
For the B18c and B16a engines they run slightly differnt cams and ECU, I imagine the same is true for the H22a.
The result is an extra 15-20hp, depends if your reading the numbers in PS or HP.
In a car the size and weight of the prelude, I doubt you will notice much of a differnce, but it will be there.
And don't worry about needing to run Jap spec fuel, just use the highest octane fuel you can get (which you should have been on the old engine anyway). The engine is fitted with a knock sensor which will retard the timeing, and you will be useing your orginal ECU I assume anyway, which will run less timing on the advance.
Many thousands of Japanese imports have been sold here in NZ, none have ever had any problems with our petrol, which is not the worlds best quality.
There are two reason you would want to fit an aftermarket clutch.
You need more clamping pressure.
You want a faster action.
Generaly they are heavier, with more spring pressure, so they can handle much more hp with out slipping.
Not something you need to worry about as your useing a stock engien.
A faster shift might or might not be possible.
Some claim a shorter pedal movement, but unless your getting into serious racing and its the last thing on your list then i wouldn't worry about it.
However, if you are going to replace the clutch (you might as well when the engines out) then look at prices.
Sometimes the aftermarket clutchs are a lot cheaper, for example the centerforce stage 1 clutch kit might offer similar pedal pressure to the Honda orginal, but might be cheaper.