Speaking of the WRC debate and AWD- is it possible to make AWD on a Lude???? - Honda Prelude Forum

Spocko · 02-08-2002, 06:08 PM

I had no idea that the WRX coming to the US when I was shopping for my Lude- although when I was shopping for a car, I wasn't interested in turbo at all, and therefore traction wasn't a big concern of mine so I went with a good FF drive car- a '00 Lude

Also at the time I didn't think I would spend a lot on my car since the lude is pretty decent stock to begin with(one of the reasons why I passed on the Si and the GS-R), but turbo fever and $40K later in mods to the Lude have made me wish I hadn't bought the damn car for 1 reason....no AWD.

My eyes lit up when I read that someone made a civic AWD...is is possible for a Lude to become AWD or nope- pipe dream? If so how much are we talking about here...

When I get my car back and ready to go in spring, I estimate running between 400-450 hp to the wheels, which is going to be impossible to get traction with only FWD- and after being as deep into my car now as I am, it would actually be worth it to spend another 6-10K on it to turn it into AWD.

Think of that machine- a 450(525 crank) streetable, turbo AWD Prelude= AWESOME AND FUN AS HELL.

Anyone know if it's possible??? SERIOUSLY!!! LET ME KNOW!

MyFirstPrelude · 02-08-2002, 06:59 PM

Dunno if it is possible but that would be one hell of an idea.

I'm sure someone has thought of this or has researched this idea sometime or another.

Ng Luder · 02-08-2002, 07:10 PM

i think it will cost less for you to sell you bolt on mods and then sell you lude and just buy a new WRX and mod from there than to actually convert a lude to a usable and reliable awd.... but thats just my opinion

gen5 · 02-08-2002, 07:10 PM

it's possible, but not financially feasible

dangerzone · 02-08-2002, 10:42 PM

i know "Top Secret" or "Top Fuel" has done awd del sol. Basically, they took the rear driver parts off a awd Civic and convert it. I would image if you can find the rear drive parts(axle, diff, ect...) off an awd accord, it should work. But how much are you welling to spend.

jpprelude · 02-08-2002, 11:33 PM

Wouldn't there need to be a "tunnel" for the driveshaft to go back to the rear wheels?

Mr Ludecrs · 02-08-2002, 11:38 PM

$40,000

I hope that includes the original cost of the car itself!! (approx. $15K in mods + $25K for the car)...

The thing about heavily modding out a car is that you'll never ever, ever get your money back on it.

It comes down to this: To make an all wheel drive turbo Lude you better (1) have cash coming out of your azz and (2) REALLY LOVE your Prelude

If, on the other hand, all you want is any awd turbo car, take your loss, sell the Lude, the parts and get a WRX or something comparable.

It sounds to me like you want a WRX etc. deep down. Don't waste HUGE money trying to make the Lude something it's not.

It's your call, but if you do it, I give you props!

Ruchmate · 02-08-2002, 11:42 PM

Damn whats up with the AWD fever? I personally hate AWD but thats just me.......

I hope someone makes a RWD Lude just for the hell of it one day.

Mr Ludecrs · 02-08-2002, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ruchmate
Damn whats up with the AWD fever? I personally hate AWD but thats just me.......

I hope someone makes a RWD Lude just for the hell of it one day.

What's there to hate? You'd love it in a Wisconsin winter!

Ruchmate · 02-09-2002, 12:08 AM

I live in CA........

I don't like it because of the lack of tactility. AWD just seems to make a car like the bully charging through where he needs to go, all grip no handling if you will.

I learned driving on RWD and performance driving on RWD so I'm used to it as my primary kind of layout. But I'm enjoying this stint in the FWD Type-SH Lude, I've driven AWD Audi's and a few Subbies and just never liked it......

Mr Ludecrs · 02-09-2002, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ruchmate

I don't like it because of the lack of tactility. AWD just seems to make a car like the bully charging through where he needs to go, all grip no handling if you will.

Very good point. Grip is an important component of handling, but it isn't everything. The main attraction of AWD, for me, is all-weather traction.

Spocko · 02-09-2002, 12:32 AM

Sorry man- I wish it was $40K WITH the car, but I was speaking purely mods. Remember, I was once on the NA track, then decided to go FI, then redid the whole FI thing, and now am doing the whole engine, so I will top out just over the 40 mark including labor and parts. So after being this deep into the Lude- I CAN'T sell it without slitting my wrists at the same time

jpprelude · 02-09-2002, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Spocko
Sorry man- I wish it was $40K WITH the car, but I was speaking purely mods.

OMG

You better keep this thing forever then.

Were you the same guy that was getting helped by King Motorsports? If so, that explains some of the 40k

Didn't you also get ripped off when you got your turbo?

Mr Ludecrs · 02-09-2002, 10:25 AM

I don't think you should keep the car just because you've put so much time and money into it. That doesn't make sense at all. It's like two people in a long term relationship who now hate each other saying that they should stay together (in misery) b/c they've been together a long time.

Back to your original question though... I wouldn't go AWD on the Lude. BIG can of worms and a BIGGER wad of cash. Sure, you will not have supreme grip, but imagine the downshifts on the freeway

Spocko · 02-09-2002, 12:08 PM

Yeah- that is the same me and King MS. Oh well- not much I can do now..

And I guess I should wait and see what it actually drives like with the new power before changing to a different drive system. Gotta get it running first, then get it tuned to run correctly, then I can worry about traction...

Mr Ludecrs · 02-10-2002, 09:10 AM

There ya go! Get it going first. Either that, or run slicks in the front all the time

Dr. James · 02-10-2002, 07:57 PM

You can easily that power to the ground with only FWD. I did it in my Previous Turbo lude, and I am doing it with my current turbo lude. So, yes it is possible. Just get yourself a Quafie LSD, and a good Suspension tuning and you'll be set. Try to get your car as close as possible to 50/50 weight distribution, and the car will lay the power down, and handle like a champ. I have my car currently at 55/45. It handles amazingly well, and lays all the power to the ground. My buddies VW GTI is putting out about 520whp, with no probs either. Don't just assume that FWD can't handle the power. make sure you upgrade the axles and possibly the hubs as well. I got mine from www.driveshaftshop.com.

Spocko · 02-10-2002, 08:22 PM

Dr. James-

I was looking at that page, but was unsure which axles you would recommend for 400 wheel hp

Also, about that 50/50 weight distribution- how do I do that? Does 4 corner balancing have anything to do with it- and if so, how do you do that anyway? I really would like to get my car balanced suspension wise for ultimate handling as well as getting power to the ground. Any help on the axles and weight distribution would be greatly appreciated!

bgod · 02-11-2002, 08:04 AM

awd isn't all that it's cracked up to be. however, launching a fwd turbo honda on street tires is no joy either.

all i had was wheel spin with my h22a accord turbo.

my new gvr4 is just amazing with the take-offs.