Hybrid - H22a in a 97+ Civic Hatchback? Pros and Cons?

a earlier post by a member.. very useful

5g-6g Civic H22 Hybrid. All you need to know.
I have out this post together for all who are interested in doing a 5g or 6g Civic H22 hybrid. If you find any mistakes please email what you have found to me, so i can update it.
Thank you, Enjoy.6G-H22 by TRICKENG
Also answers Q’s for 5g civ H22’s

There is no more bolt-in power available from Honda than the potent H22. This is the powertrain I decided to go with. It proved to be a very wise decision. I am very happy with how well it came out and how well it performed. For my foundation I went with a 2000 Civic DX Hatch in Black. Being that I live in Mass which has adopted Cali smog, I had to keep my Hybrid emissions compliant and run it full OBD2. Handling was also a concern, which ended up not being a problem at all. The H22 only added 60-70lbs to the total weight of my car. With the aid of adjustable coil-overs(for a Civic, not a Prelude), adjustable shocks and a GSR front swaybar my EK-H22 handles excellent. From exit ramps to top end stability it handles far better than when it was stock. I have not tried road racing it yet but after driving some B18 Hybrids which do road race I believe it would do very well. Traction on the other hand is poor when accelerating from a stop or very low speeds, but this can be minimized with the aid of a limited slip differential and practice behind the wheel. My EK-H22 is a daily driver which has been taken on 600mile trips without a problem.
When it comes to lowering your H22 Civic I have found that driving to low will decrease axle life drastically. My ride is lowered about 1.75” and has over 100 Drag runs 50+ on full slicks launching at 5500rpm without a broken axle. Two friends, one with an EG-H22 and the other with a EK-H22 like mine, both slammed, broke axles in around 2000miles.

The skinny on what is needed……

MOTOR/TRANNY:
98’ Prelude H22a4 w/12K. Found complete swap through Larry Jr @ IMPORTAUTOSALVAGE.COM.

ECU:
OBD2 96’ Prelude VTEC H22. Why 96’ ECU?? Because it is the only ecu, which will run the H22 OBD2 unless you install the immobilizer system from the Prelude. Then you would be able to use the 97+ECU’s. I believe a 96+ GSR/Type-r ECU will work OBD2 but I don’t know how well it will run the H22.
For OBD1 H22’s you will need 92-95 H22 ecu. You can also use a 94-95 GSR or reprogrammed P28. I don’t know how well they will run a H22.

MOUNT KIT:
I used the Place Racing mount kit for my car. Easy to install and very nice design. This kit requires custom axles, which MUST be used for proper axle life.
Hasport and HCPengineering are other companies who make kits.

AXLES:
I had very bad luck with Place Racing’s custom Axles. They where clicking after 18days of use and they weren’t very cooperative when it came to the warranty, so I disassembled them, measured up the shaft and built my own axles from new parts. The axles actually utilized a GM shaft with an Integra outer cv joint and Prelude inner cv joint
Why do you need these custom axles??? It’s do to the position of the motor. It sits fairly low, approximately 2” below the hood which in turn lowers the inner joint making the axleshaft angle smaller. By doing this your axles should last longer and handling will improve due to the lower center of gravity. The GM axle they used were only 15.75”long vs. the smallest available Honda shaft, which measures 16.25”.

CABLE SHIFT ASSEMBLY:
You will need a 92+accord or 92+prelude cable shift assembly. Make sure you get all the retainer clips with cables. This will replace the bars/linkage which the civics and teg utilize. Installing the shift assembly is fairly simple. 1. Open up the existing shifter hole to accept the cable shift assembly. 2. Cut a hole approx: 8-10inches in front of the shift assembly to run the cables through. 3. Get thin alum auto body sheet metal and make covers for the bottom of the shift assembly and where the cables go through the floor. This keeps water and heat from coming into the cabin. NOTE: there is a lot of heat from the exhaust.

POWER STEERING:
You will need a 97+ Prelude high PSI power steering line which will replace the civic one. This will allow you to use the prelude power steering pump. In most cases you will also need a 3groove belt vs. the oem 4groove belt to clear the frame rail.
If you get a pre-96 H22 p/s pump you may need a 92-95 p/s line. All the p/s pumps I’ve used have been 98’ or newer.

ALTERNATOR BELT:
you will need a shorter belt to keep the alt from hitting the headlight. 25-70940 was the Napa part# I used.

RADIATOR:
I used a 98’ Integra full size radiator, because I happen to have one. This requires relocating the lower radiator mounts and fabricating upper mounts. An easier way which works well is to use a Del-Sol dual core half wide radiator. Drops right in.
You will also need a push fan on the outside of the radiator because the clutch slave cylinder is to close to the radiator to fit a fan on the inside.

A/C:
YES, A/C can be installed. There is definitely enough room. Using the Civic A/C system with a Prelude/Accord H22/F22 A/C compressor. The only thing I am not 100% sure on is if the Civic lines will bolt up to the H22/F22 compressor. I do not run A/C. As long as you have both the Civic and Prelude Compressor lines, if all else fails have your local A/C shop connect the ends which work.

WIRING:
The easiest method we have figured out is to use the stock Civic harness, add needed wires and get a jumper kit made through IMPORTAUTOSALVAGE.COM for the ECU side of the harness. In the engine bay most of the plugs will plug in. some may need to be extended depending on which model Civic you have. Trying to use the H22 harness will require a lot more wiring.

INTAKE:
The Prelude AEM CAI will fit both 5g-6g Civics

THANKS TO:
Performance Racing
Methuen, Ma
(978) 688-1290

Larry Jr @ IMPORTAUTOSALVAGE.COM
Marion, NC
1(800) 962-8922

im wondering how much this will all cost.. please hit me up with prices!!!!