Honda introduced the Prelude in 1979 as a sporty-handling car with slightly more power than other vehicles in its fleet. Before the car's final production year in 2001, the Prelude was the first in Honda's fleet to receive the company's variable valve timing engine technology (VTEC). Ever since, Honda enthusiasts have swapped Prelude parts into similar but less powerful vehicles, like the Accord, to make them more capable and fun.
Obtain a Honda Accord chassis. Suitable model years for this swap include Accords produced from 1990 to 1997.
Obtain a Honda Prelude candidate to donate the engine for the swap. Search for VTEC-equipped Preludes from 1994 to 1997.
Bring both vehicles to a clean garage or other area where you have access to your tools and can keep track of a large number of parts.
Unhook everything from both engines. This helps ensure you don't break any parts, many of which you will reuse.
Remove the radiators from both engines. This makes the engine compartments less crowded and easier to work in, and prevents you from accidentally breaking the plastic end tanks that attach the radiators to the motor.
Remove the Accord's engine and transmission using an engine lift, and carefully place them out of the way.
Remove the Prelude engine and all components in it that you will be swapping to the Accord. This includes the transmission, all engine mounts and the wiring harness, ECU, P/S pump, alternator, catalytic converter, down pipe and header, radiator and heater hoses, fuel rail (if 1997 Prelude) and throttle cables (if applicable).
Draw two columns on a sheet of paper -- one for each vehicle -- and write each component as a separate row. Then, place check marks under the appropriate column depending on which car you will be using for each part. This will help you mentally sort out the reinstallation and avoid frustration.
Replace the Accord engine mounts with the aftermarket H22 mounts designed for the swap.
Prepare the Accord wiring harness by soldering its wires to the H22A's electronic control unit. Read factory service manuals for both cars and take care that you are soldering the right parts together.
Lower the H22 into the Accord's engine bay and secure it to the engine mounts.
Connect all other components, including the drivetrain, exhaust, intake and fuel system.
