92 canadian prelude with JDM swap. HELP!

[halfhorsepower]

My friend has a 1992 prelude. Auto trans. They swapped out the engine for the 197 hp JDM one i think in 1997. Not sure which engine it is exactly or the year etc. I can probably find that out. The issue is a very fluctuating idle at times, sometimes very low all most stalling out if i turn the steering wheel (power steering pump) or if i push the brake pedal when in park. It does need an oil change desperately so i know that will help at least a tiny bit. What do you think the issue is? Not sure if they also swapped trans.

Also, sometimes i'll shift it into reverse and it will not engage. Engaging in reverse always takes a second or 2 as well.

The car wants to go fast, it can really get going quite quickly on the road, but it seems the engine & trans are not talking to each other properly. It does shift properly at speed, and if i floor it it properly revs and locks up properly in 4th gear as well.

HELP!

Thanks!

- Andy

[scott8989]

preludepower.com

[01NightHawk]

Yeah, try preludepower.

I can suggest checkin the icav or adjust the idle set screw.

As for transmission - is he using a 5th gen (97-01) auto trans or that of a 4th gen prelude (92-96)? the 5th gen transmissions are known to go bad quickly. If it's a 4th gen trans then it could be a number of issues: speed sensor, shifter cables, actual trans is messed up etc.

[The Alchemist]

So you decided to put an obd2 engine in an obd1 car. Did you properly switch over to all the correct parts.

Auto trannies are a piece of crap, esp on a 20 year old car here. The fact that its taking long and hard to switch in reverse means that your tranny ecu and your tranny arent working in sync. Best bet is to just go manual or sell the car.

As for your low idle issue, or whatever, could be that your timing is off a tooth or 2 on one gear. And it is slightly choking out at lower rpms. Turning the steering wheel, or pushing on the brake pedal both take power from engine.