Honda1980–1983Technical specifications

Prelude 1.6: Technical specifications

Workshop data for the 1.6-litre petrol (engine code EL). Covers engine, fluids, service and torques: the figures to check before a job or a parts order.

Common faults & fixes

Summary

Match the engine code (EL) to the vehicle before ordering parts or applying these figures.

Vehicle specifications

Overview

Make
Honda
Model
Prelude
Years
1980–1983
Fuel
Petrol
Engine code
EL

Performance & efficiency

Power
59 kW (80 hp)
Engine size
1,602 cc
Cylinders
4 · OHC
Compression ratio
8.4:1
Fuel system
Keihin

Fluids & capacities

Engine oil (with the filter)
3.8 litres
All 94 specifications below

Engine & identification

Vehicle identification

No. of cylinders Type4/OHC
Capacity (Fiscal) cc1602 (1590)
Compression ratio :18,4
Suitable for unleaded petrolYes
Minimum octane rating RON91
Ignition system TypeSZ 81-=TSZ-i
Ignition system DescriptionCB/Trans-i
Fuel system MakeKeihin
Fuel system Type20-26
Fuel system DescriptionCarb-2V

Ignition system

Ignition coil MakeHitachi
Primary resistance Ohm1,78-2,08
Distributor (ECM) MakeHitachi
Distributor (ECM) No.D413-98
Contact breaker gap/trigger air gap mm0,5
Dwell angle °(%)49-55 (54-61)

Firing order

The firing order for the Honda Prelude 1.6 (1980–1983) is 1-3-4-2.

Firing order1-3-4-2

Valve clearances

Valve clearances for the Honda Prelude 1.6 (1980–1983) are 0,10-0,17 mm inlet and 0,25-0,30 mm exhaust, measured cold.

Valve clearance - INLET mm0,10-0,17 cold
Valve clearance - EXHAUST mm0,25-0,30 cold

Engine oil & fluids

Engine oil

The Honda Prelude 1.6 (1980–1983) takes 3.8 litres of engine oil with the filter.

See the reference table for the complete engine oil entries and their conditions.

Manual gearbox

The manual gearbox has a listed capacity of 2.5 litres. The specified oil is SAE 15W-40.

Coolant

The listed total cooling-system capacity is 5.6 litres.

Grades, filling conditions and capacities

Lubricants and capacities — complete reference
Engine oil options
Ambient temperature range ➞0°C
Engine oil grade SAE 5W-30
Engine oil classification API/ACEA SG/A2
Ambient temperature range -20°C➞
Engine oil grade SAE 10W-30
Engine oil classification API/ACEA SG/A2
Ambient temperature range -20°C➞
Engine oil grade SAE 10W-40
Engine oil classification API/ACEA SG/A2
Ambient temperature range -15°C➞
Engine oil grade SAE 15W-40, 15W-50
Engine oil classification API/ACEA SG/A2
Ambient temperature range -10°C➞
Engine oil grade SAE 20W-40, 20W-50
Engine oil classification API/ACEA SG/A2
Engine with filter(s) litres 3.8
Other lubricants and capacities
Manual transmission oil grade SAE 15W-40
Manual transmission litres 2.5
Automatic transmission fluid Type Dexron II
Automatic transmission (drain & refill) litres 4.2
Cooling system - total capacity litres 5.6

Service & electrical

Ignition timing

Basic ignition timing for the Honda Prelude 1.6 (1980–1983) is 5°±1° BTDC at 750 rpm.

Ignition timingWith vacuum
Ignition timing - basic BTDC °Engine/rpm5±1/750

Battery

The Honda Prelude 1.6 (1980–1983) uses a 12 V, 40 Ah battery (reserve capacity 65 minutes).

Battery V/RC(Ah)12/65 (40)

Spark plugs

The Honda Prelude 1.6 (1980–1983) uses NGK BPR5ES spark plugs with a 0,8 mm electrode gap.

Spark plugs Original equipmentNGK
Spark plug TypeBPR5ES
Electrode gap mm0,8
Spark plugs MakeAutolite
Spark plug Type64
Electrode gap mm0,8
Spark plugs MakeBosch
Spark plug TypeWR8DC
Electrode gap mm0,8
Spark plugs MakeChampion
Spark plug TypeRN9YCC
Electrode gap mm0,8
Spark plugs MakeNGK
Spark plug TypeBPR5ES
Electrode gap mm0,8

Tuning and emissions

Ignition advanceWithout vacuum and basic timing
Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm12-16/3000
Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm21-27/4000
Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm32-36/5000
Vacuum checkIgnition timing advances
Vacuum range °Engine22-26
Vacuum starts mbar147
Vacuum ends mbar367
Idle speed rpm750±50
Fast idle speed - MT/AT rpm2500-2800
Oil temperature °C60
CO level at idle speed - tailpipe Vol. % CO2,0 Max
HC level at idle speed ppm300
HC level at idle - alternative ppm-1980=500
CO2 level at idle speed Vol. % CO213-16
O2 level at idle speed Vol. % O20,5-2,0

Starting and charging

Starter motor MakeDenso
Minimum starting voltage V8,0
Maximum cranking amps A122-149
Alternator output A/V/rpm50/14/3500
Regulated voltage V13,5-14,5

Service checks and adjustments

Compression pressure bar11,5-12,5
Oil pressure bar/rpm3,8-4,2
Radiator cap bar1,00
Thermostat opens °C80-84
Drive belt size - alternator mm9,5x975
Drive belt tension - alternator/PAS/AC mm12-17

Fuel system

Fuel pump delivery pressure bar0,15-0,20

Tightening torques

Cylinder head bolt torque

The cylinder head bolt torque for the Honda Prelude 1.6 (1980–1983) is 55-65 Nm.

Cylinder head
Tighten55-65 Nm
Cylinder head instructions—
Other engine tightening torques
Main bearings Stage 121-24 Nm
Main bearings Stage 242-48 Nm
Big end bearings Stage 112-14 Nm
Big end bearings Stage 225-29 Nm
Flywheel/driveplate47-53 Nm
Spark plugs15-25 Nm
Chassis tightening torques
Road wheels70-90 Nm

Frequently asked questions

What is the firing order of the Honda Prelude 1.6?

The firing order for the Honda Prelude 1.6 (1980–1983) is 1-3-4-2.

What spark plugs does the Honda Prelude 1.6 use?

The Honda Prelude 1.6 (1980–1983) uses NGK BPR5ES spark plugs with a 0,8 mm electrode gap.

How much oil does the Honda Prelude 1.6 take?

The Honda Prelude 1.6 (1980–1983) takes 3.8 litres of engine oil with the filter. See the reference table for the complete engine oil entries and their conditions.

What are the valve clearances for the Honda Prelude 1.6?

Valve clearances for the Honda Prelude 1.6 (1980–1983) are 0,10-0,17 mm inlet and 0,25-0,30 mm exhaust, measured cold.

What is the cylinder head torque for the Honda Prelude 1.6?

The cylinder head bolt torque for the Honda Prelude 1.6 (1980–1983) is 55-65 Nm.

What is the ignition timing for the Honda Prelude 1.6?

Basic ignition timing for the Honda Prelude 1.6 (1980–1983) is 5°±1° BTDC at 750 rpm.

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