Honda1987–1992Technical specifications

Prelude 2.0: Technical specifications

Workshop data for the 2-litre petrol (engine code B20A3). Covers engine, fluids, brakes, service, torques and air conditioning: the figures to check before a job or a parts order.

Common faults & fixes

Summary

Match the engine code (B20A3) to the vehicle before ordering parts or applying these figures.

Vehicle specifications

Overview

Make: Honda
Model: Prelude
Years: 1987–1992
Fuel: Petrol
Engine code: B20A3

Performance & efficiency

Power: 81 kW (110 hp)
Engine size: 1,958 cc
Cylinders: 4 · OHC
Compression ratio: 9.1:1
Fuel system: Keihin

Fluids & capacities

Engine oil (with the filter): 3.9 litres

All 129 specifications below

Engine & identification

Vehicle identification

No. of cylinders Type	4/OHC
Capacity (Fiscal) cc	1958 (1944)
Compression ratio :1	9,1
Suitable for unleaded petrol	Yes
Minimum octane rating RON	91
Ignition system Type	TSZ-i
Ignition system Description	Trans-i
Trigger location	Distributor
Fuel system Make	Keihin
Fuel system Description	Carb-VV
Diagnostic socket	Yes

Ignition system

Ignition coil supply voltage + with ballast V	11,0
Primary resistance Ohm	1,2-1,5
Secondary resistance Ohm	9000-13600

Firing order

The firing order for the Honda Prelude 2.0 (1987–1992) is 1-3-4-2.

Firing order	1-3-4-2

Valve clearances

Valve clearances for the Honda Prelude 2.0 (1987–1992) 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 2.0 (1987–1992) takes 3.9 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 1.9 litres.

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

Coolant

The total cooling-system capacity entries are 6.8 litres without a stated condition; 7.5 litres for AT.

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	3.9
Other lubricants and capacities
Manual transmission oil grade SAE	10W-30, 10W-40
Manual transmission litres	1.9
Automatic transmission fluid Type	Dexron II
Automatic transmission (drain & refill) litres	2.8
Cooling system - total capacity litres	6,8 AT=7,5
Brake fluid Type	DOT 3/4
Power steering fluid Type	Honda PAS
Power steering fluid litres	—

Brakes & wear limits

Brake disc thickness

Brake discs on the Honda Prelude 2.0 (1987–1992) are replaced at a minimum thickness of 17 mm (ventilated) front and 8 mm rear.

Minimum disc thickness for replacement - ventilated Front	17 mm
Minimum disc thickness for replacement Rear	8 mm

Brake disc and drum dimensions

Disc thickness variation Front	0,015 mm
Disc thickness variation Rear	0,015 mm
Disc runout Front	0,10 mm
Disc runout Rear	0,15 mm
Minimum pad thickness Front	3 mm
Minimum pad thickness Rear	2 mm
Parking brake travel No. of notches	7-11

Service & electrical

Ignition timing

Basic ignition timing for the Honda Prelude 2.0 (1987–1992) is 4° BTDC at 800 rpm.

Ignition timing	Without vacuum
Ignition timing - basic BTDC °Engine/rpm	4/800

Battery

The Honda Prelude 2.0 (1987–1992) uses a 12 V, 50 Ah battery (reserve capacity 80 minutes).

Battery V/RC(Ah)	12/80 (50)

Spark plugs

The Honda Prelude 2.0 (1987–1992) uses NGK BCPR6E-11 spark plugs with a 1,1 mm electrode gap.

Spark plugs Original equipment	NGK
Spark plug Type	BCPR6E-11
Electrode gap mm	1,1
Spark plugs Make	Autolite
Spark plug Type	APP3923
Electrode gap mm	1,0
Spark plugs Make	Beru
Spark plug Type	14FR-7DUX
Electrode gap mm	1,1
Spark plugs Make	Bosch
Spark plug Type	FR7DCX
Electrode gap mm	1,1
Spark plugs Make	Champion
Spark plug Type	RC8YC
Electrode gap mm	0,6
Spark plugs Make	NGK
Spark plug Type	BCPR6E-11
Electrode gap mm	1,1

Tuning and emissions

Ignition advance	With vacuum and basic timing
Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm	18-22/800
Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm	AT=13-17/750
Idle speed rpm	800±50
Idle speed - alternative rpm	AT=750±50
Fast idle speed - MT/AT rpm	1000-2000
Oil temperature °C	80
CO level at idle speed - tailpipe (Cat) Vol. % CO	0,1 Max Not adjustable
HC level at idle speed ppm	100
CO2 level at idle speed Vol. % CO2	14,5-16
O2 level at idle speed Vol. % O2	0,1-0,5
Increased idle speed for CO test rpm	2300-2700
CO content at increased idle speed Vol. %	0,3
Lambda at increased idle λ	0,97-1,03

Starting and charging

Starter motor Make	Mitsuba
Starter motor Type	1,4 kW
Minimum starting voltage V	8,0
Maximum cranking amps A	135-165
Alternator Type	70A
Alternator output A/V/rpm	62/13,5/2000
Regulated voltage V	13,9-15,1

Service checks and adjustments

Compression pressure bar	9,5-12,0
Oil pressure bar/rpm	5,3-6,1/3000
Radiator cap bar	0,75-1,05
Thermostat opens °C	82±2
Drive belt tension - alternator/PAS/AC mm	10-12/11-13

Fuel system

Fuel pump delivery pressure bar	0,16-0,23

Tightening torques

Cylinder head bolt torque

The cylinder head bolts on the Honda Prelude 2.0 (1987–1992) are tightened in 2 stages: 30 Nm, then a final 68 Nm.

Cylinder head
Renew bolts	No
Tighten	30 Nm
Tighten	68 Nm

Other engine tightening torques
Cylinder head instructions	—
Main bearings Renew bolts/nuts	No
Main bearings Stage 1	34 Nm
Main bearings Stage 2	68 Nm
Big end bearings Renew bolts/nuts	No
Big end bearings Stage 1	16 Nm
Big end bearings Stage 2	32 Nm
Oil pump to cylinder block	12 Nm
Sump bolts	1)5 Nm 2)10 Nm
Sump drain bolt	45 Nm
Flywheel/driveplate	105 Nm
Clutch pressure plate	26 Nm
Crankshaft pulley/damper centre bolt	—
Crankshaft pulley/damper
Camshaft sprocket/gear	38 Nm
Camshaft carrier/cap	—
Camshaft carrier caps
Camshaft/rocker cover	10 Nm
Inlet manifold to cylinder head	24 Nm
Exhaust manifold to cylinder head	32 Nm
Spark plugs	18 Nm
Lambda sensor (Oxygen)	45 Nm
Chassis tightening torques
Front hub	185 Nm
Rear hub	250 Nm
Steering track rod end	44 Nm
Brake caliper to carrier Front	50 Nm
Brake caliper/carrier to hub Front	78 Nm
Brake caliper to carrier Rear	23 Nm
Brake caliper/carrier to hub Rear	39 Nm
ABS sensor Front	22 Nm
ABS sensor Rear	10 Nm
Road wheels	110 Nm

Air conditioning

Refrigerant quantity
Air conditioning refrigerant Type	R12
Air conditioning refrigerant quantity grams	—
Air conditioning oil quantity cm³	130

Frequently asked questions

What is the firing order of the Honda Prelude 2.0?

The firing order for the Honda Prelude 2.0 (1987–1992) is 1-3-4-2.

What spark plugs does the Honda Prelude 2.0 use?

The Honda Prelude 2.0 (1987–1992) uses NGK BCPR6E-11 spark plugs with a 1,1 mm electrode gap.

How much oil does the Honda Prelude 2.0 take?

The Honda Prelude 2.0 (1987–1992) takes 3.9 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 2.0?

Valve clearances for the Honda Prelude 2.0 (1987–1992) 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 2.0?

The cylinder head bolts on the Honda Prelude 2.0 (1987–1992) are tightened in 2 stages: 30 Nm, then a final 68 Nm.

What is the ignition timing for the Honda Prelude 2.0?

Basic ignition timing for the Honda Prelude 2.0 (1987–1992) is 4° BTDC at 800 rpm.