Honda1983–1987Technical specifications

Prelude 1.8: Technical specifications

Workshop data for the 1.8-litre petrol (engine code ET). 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 (ET) to the vehicle before ordering parts or applying these figures.

Vehicle specifications

Overview

Make: Honda
Model: Prelude
Years: 1983–1987
Fuel: Petrol
Engine code: ET

Performance & efficiency

Power: 77 kW (105 hp)
Engine size: 1,829 cc
Cylinders: 4 · OHC
Compression ratio: 9.5:1
Fuel system: Keihin

Fluids & capacities

Engine oil (with the filter): 3.5 litres

All 99 specifications below

Engine & identification

Vehicle identification

No. of cylinders Type	4/OHC
Capacity (Fiscal) cc	1829 (1817)
Compression ratio :1	9,5
Suitable for unleaded petrol	Yes
Minimum octane rating RON	95
Ignition system Type	TSZ-i
Ignition system Description	Trans-i
Fuel system Make	Keihin
Fuel system Type	34
Fuel system Description	Carb-VV

Ignition system

Ignition coil Make	Nippon Denso
Ignition coil supply voltage + with ballast V	11,5
Primary resistance Ohm	1,78-2,08
Secondary resistance Ohm	8800-13200
Distributor (ECM) Make	Denso

Firing order

The firing order for the Honda Prelude 1.8 (1983–1987) is 1-3-4-2.

Firing order	1-3-4-2

Valve clearances

Valve clearances for the Honda Prelude 1.8 (1983–1987) are 0,12-0,17 mm inlet and 0,25-0,30 mm exhaust, measured cold.

Valve clearance - INLET mm	0,12-0,17 cold
Valve clearance - EXHAUST mm	0,25-0,30 cold

Engine oil & fluids

Engine oil

The Honda Prelude 1.8 (1983–1987) takes 3.5 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 2.4 litres.

See the reference table for the complete manual gearbox entries and their conditions.

Coolant

The listed total cooling-system capacity is 6.8 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	3.5
Other lubricants and capacities
Manual transmission oil grade SAE	10W-30, 10W-40
Manual transmission litres	2.4
Automatic transmission fluid Type	Dexron II
Automatic transmission (drain & refill) litres	2.8
Cooling system - total capacity litres	6.8

Service & electrical

Ignition timing

Basic ignition timing for the Honda Prelude 1.8 (1983–1987) is 18°±2° BTDC at 750 rpm.

CO level
Ignition timing	With vacuum
Ignition timing - basic BTDC °Engine/rpm	18±2/750
Ignition timing - alternative °Engine/rpm	(S)(CH)=12±2/750

Battery

The Honda Prelude 1.8 (1983–1987) uses a 12 V, 45 Ah battery (reserve capacity 65 minutes).

Battery V/RC(Ah)	12/65 (45)

Spark plugs

The Honda Prelude 1.8 (1983–1987) uses NGK BPR6EY spark plugs with a 0,8 mm electrode gap.

Spark plugs Original equipment	NGK
Spark plug Type	BPR6EY
Electrode gap mm	0,8
Spark plugs Make	Autolite
Spark plug Type	63
Electrode gap mm	1,1
Spark plugs Make	Bosch
Spark plug Type	WR7DCX
Electrode gap mm	1,1
Spark plugs Make	Champion
Spark plug Type	RN9YCC
Electrode gap mm	0,8
Spark plugs Make	NGK
Spark plug Type	BPR6EY
Electrode gap mm	0,8

Tuning and emissions

CO level
Tuning conditions	—
Ignition advance	Without vacuum and basic timing
Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm	0-1/1000
Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm	15-17/2500
Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm	24-28/5500
Vacuum check	Ignition timing advances
Vacuum range °Engine	9-11
Vacuum starts mbar	73
Vacuum ends mbar	446 AT=372
Idle speed rpm	750±50
Fast idle speed - MT/AT rpm	1800
Oil temperature °C	60
CO level at idle speed - tailpipe Vol. % CO	3,0 Max
CO level at idle speed - tailpipe (Cat) Vol. % CO	1,0 Max
HC level at idle speed ppm	300
HC level at idle - alternative ppm	Cat=100
CO2 level at idle speed Vol. % CO2	13-16
O2 level at idle speed Vol. % O2	0,5-2,0

Starting and charging

Starter motor Make	Denso
Starter motor Type	DR-DF3
Minimum starting voltage V	11,5
Maximum cranking amps A	122-149
Alternator Type	12V 60A
Alternator output A/V/rpm	60/14/3500
Regulated voltage V	13,5-14,5

Service checks and adjustments

Thermostat opening temperature
Compression pressure bar	11,5-18,5
Oil pressure bar/rpm	3,8-4,6/3000
Radiator cap bar	0,75-1,05
Thermostat opens °C	—
Drive belt size - alternator mm	9x950
Drive belt tension - alternator/PAS/AC mm	7-10

Fuel system

Fuel pump delivery pressure bar	0,15-0,20

Tightening torques

Cylinder head bolt torque

The cylinder head bolts on the Honda Prelude 1.8 (1983–1987) are tightened in 2 stages: 30 Nm, then a final 68 Nm.

Cylinder head
Tighten	30 Nm
Tighten	68 Nm

Other engine tightening torques
Cylinder head instructions	—
Main bearings Stage 1	33 Nm
Main bearings Stage 2	66 Nm
Big end bearings Stage 1	16 Nm
Big end bearings Stage 2	32 Nm
Flywheel/driveplate	105 Nm/75 Nm
Crankshaft pulley/damper centre bolt	115 Nm
Spark plugs	18-20 Nm
Chassis tightening torques
Front hub	190 Nm
Road wheels	110 Nm

Frequently asked questions

What is the firing order of the Honda Prelude 1.8?

The firing order for the Honda Prelude 1.8 (1983–1987) is 1-3-4-2.

What spark plugs does the Honda Prelude 1.8 use?

The Honda Prelude 1.8 (1983–1987) uses NGK BPR6EY spark plugs with a 0,8 mm electrode gap.

How much oil does the Honda Prelude 1.8 take?

The Honda Prelude 1.8 (1983–1987) takes 3.5 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 1.8?

Valve clearances for the Honda Prelude 1.8 (1983–1987) are 0,12-0,17 mm inlet and 0,25-0,30 mm exhaust, measured cold.

What is the cylinder head torque for the Honda Prelude 1.8?

The cylinder head bolts on the Honda Prelude 1.8 (1983–1987) are tightened in 2 stages: 30 Nm, then a final 68 Nm.

What is the ignition timing for the Honda Prelude 1.8?

Basic ignition timing for the Honda Prelude 1.8 (1983–1987) is 18°±2° BTDC at 750 rpm.