This can be quite a difficult trade if you attempt it without instructions or guidance. However, these step-by-step instructions can make it very easy. An H22 engine in an 88-91 Civic or CRX chassis exaggerates the old theory of power-to-weight ratio to achieve incredible acceleration.

Let’s start by assuming you’ve already removed the original motor. We will begin this engine change by preparing the engine bay. The first step is to remove the passenger side transmission mounting bracket that is welded to the frame. It will require the use of a drill with a large bit or a spot weld bit to drill out the factory welds to remove this bracket from the rail. After removing it, use a grinder or similar tool to smooth the stringer of any debris or sharp points left over from the drill.

Next, bolt the passenger side transmission mount included in the Hasport mounting kit to the passenger side frame rail using the 12mm battery tray bolts and factory tapped holes. You will need to use a felt tip pen or other marker to trace the outline of this bracket onto the frame. Remove the support and grind or sand the paint off the area you traced to prepare it for welding.

Screw the bracket back into place and weld the bracket onto the frame rail. Take care to fully penetrate the weld, but not to burn through the factory frame rail. After the area has cooled, spray primer on the exposed welds and apply the paint of your choice of color over the primed area to prevent corrosion.

Then comes the hard part. Factory F/H series transmissions are very large and will require some modification to the bottom of the rail under the newly installed mount. It’s easier if you lift the motor partially into place to see what area needs to be cut. After cutting enough clearance, you will need to fabricate a brace from sheet metal or similar material to properly reinforce the frame rail. This can be skipped, but be careful!

Now, some fun stuff. By now you will have gotten over the fear of mowing your car, so it will be a piece of cake. Use a medium size mallet and make a big dent in the top of the firewall to make room for the huge H22 intake manifold. It may help to partially lift the motor into place to get an idea of ​​where to “put” this tooth.

Bolt the Hasport rear mount to the bottom cross member using the supplied hardware included with the Hasport mounting kit. On the timing belt side of your new H22 engine, remove the timing belt covers and unbolt the factory engine mount bracket. Bolt the new Hasport engine mount bracket into place and reinstall the factory timing covers. Decks may need a slight trimming to clear the billet mounting bracket.

Remove the H22 transmission vehicle speed sensor and replace with your factory 88-91 civic/crx wire actuated speed sensor. This should snap right into place. Bolt Hasport’s cable-to-hydro conversion lever assembly onto your H22 transmission. Due to the large size of the H22 engine, you will either have to shave the outer power steering pulley or install a lower drive style crankshaft pulley that does not have a power steering groove.

Bolt the included Hasport alternator bracket onto your h22 engine using the hardware supplied with the Hasport H22 mounting kit. Then bolt the factory D-series alternator bracket to the Hasport alternator bracket. You may need to bend the dipstick tube slightly to allow clearance. Using your remaining factory hardware, bolt your original D-series alternator “backwards” onto your H22 engine. To make installation in the engine bay easier, you can wait until the engine is installed to bolt on the alternator.

Now comes the fun part. The easiest way to install an H22 engine with a Hasport mounting kit is from below. You will need to lift the car on a hoist and “lower” it onto the engine. When the engine is almost in place, bolt the rear engine “L” mount into place using only the top two bolts. Leave the two bottom rear bracket bolts out until the other brackets are bolted on. You can now bolt the timing belt side mount into place, followed by the drive mount. Just hand tighten them for now. Go back to the rear mount that bolts the engine to the rear mount and install the two bottom bolts. Now tighten all of the engine mounting bolts to factory specifications.

For wiring, you will need to modify the original engine harness to fit the Prelude engine. For simplicity, a new custom wiring harness can also be purchased. The shafts you will need to use are custom built by Hasport and must be installed using the H22 intermediate shaft.