[DC2.2GSR]

yeah there are ways to make power with any motor setup, it's just a matter of how far you want to take a project and how much effort you're willing to put into being a bit different.

if i were you, here's what i would do.

forget the H23. while there are options for power, you have to do 'stuff' to it to extract that power. sure it's a good motor for a daily driver being that it makes good torque numbers and it still fuel efficient. for your situation though (little money to work with... just like me), it doesn't seem worth it to pick up the bargain H23 and rebuild it to get N/A power from it.

buy a JDM H22A. believe me.. you'll be amazed at the power it makes right off the bat, the ease of installation and the fact that you won't have to sit and debate which internals you use or what to take to the machine shop. it's a drop in and go situation. (there's your quick swap, not down for more than 2-3 days). as for power, people have made anywhere from 160-190 hp with only I/H/E. it all depends on the health of the motor you get.

think about transmisison choise also. i'm assuming your car is 5 speed. you can swap either the H23 or H22 and stay with your F trans, they're all identical housings. so, there's your convenience. you could buy a longblock and stick with your trans for the time being and buy a better one when you have the cash. from experience (with a friend's Prelude) you won't want to stay that way for long though, an H22 with an F trans is SLOOOOW. lol. noone likes falling out of VTEC with every shift. the benefit of buying an H22A full swap is that for $2K even, you get everything, including the close ratio H22 trans.

IMO i think you should drive your car as-is at least over the winter or whatever and save your money until you have enough to open more doors. when you have enough to sit online or go to an importer/supplier with a list of possibilities, then make your decision. trust me, you'll be glad you did. you may end up deciding on the H23. you may end up deciding to boost the F22 anyway. either way, you will have eliminated the need to make a decision based on the cost. you can make a choice based on your driving preferences. what would you rather drive everyday?