So I have been told by several people since I have joined this site that the auto tranny on preludes are time bombs... I recently purchased my 2000 prelude for $3000 and dont plan on getting rid of it, so how much does it usually cost to do the switch to manual..?
depends on the prices you find for parts, and if you can do the install yourself or how much a shop charges. probably ball park 3-4k having a shop do it and source all the parts.
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If you don't know what you want, you end up with a lot you don't.
Last edited by lilredlude; 06-11-2011 at 10:39 PM.
If you can get the auto to work as it was originally designed to work ,I think the car can be a ball to drive because the sport shift is not a bad idea and because the Prelude is a drivers car and some people just don't realize that having a 5 speed won't cure someone who is lacking in driving skills . You should read this very informative article in this link below about 2 companies that rebuild these auto transmissions and even warranty them for 50k miles.
So I have been told by several people since I have joined this site that the auto tranny on preludes are time bombs... I recently purchased my 2000 prelude for $3000 and dont plan on getting rid of it, so how much does it usually cost to do the switch to manual..?
About what you paid for the car. It's not a good idea. It's always more economical to sell the car and just buy one that already has a manual transmission.
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1988 Prelude S - victim of an 80mph backflip
1991 Prelude Si - sold
1989 Accord DX - impounded
1998 Prelude SH - totaled on 3/29/12
2006 CRF150F - sold
2006 YZ250F - sold
All this stuff about labor, if you're gonna modify a car you should learn to do it yourself or don't touch anything on it ever and just drive it.
It can be done for cheap if you know how to source good parts and do all the work yourself, then sell everything you took out on ebay to make some money back.
It will probably drive just fine if it is right now, the trans has more than likely been replaced already by Honda. If all the casing bolts are painted blue on the heads that's a dead give away of a Honda rebuilt transmission.
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New Formula Red 93 BB2: JDM OBD1 H22a/T2W4 Accord Euro R transmission
I'm in the hole about $1100 and doing the labor myself. Lots of parts bought on the forums also upgrade synchros to carbon lined, other wise i would only be at $800 for my swap.
I can't sell it because its in great condition and I know what has been done to it because I've been the one doing it.
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'99 Honda Prelude - Auto > 5spd *Completed*
XTD 9LB Flywheel
Exedy Clutch & Pressure Plate
Synchrotech Carbon Synchros
AEM CAI
TSUDO Cat Back Exhaust
First of all, the auto is ALOT slower than the 5 speed. Even taking away the horrible auto problems, they still suck. Unless you can't use your left foot, there is no reason to have a auto Prelude. Side note, it's usually a good idea to ignore SH Driver.
that's the biggest crock of crap I have ever heard lol.
Preludes have some of the best auto trannys ever. Thousands of Preludes over 200k in miles with original auto trans, I don't know the recipe I'm just sayin'.
A lot of people give high prices for this, if you are any decent with a car and can read the write ups for the swap it can be done for pretty cheap. In April I bought the following...
5speed from 2000 accord(Gears aren't as close but better gas mileage) with slave and shift linkage:75 dollars
Clutch and Flywheel: 250 dollars
Manual pedal assembly w/ master cylinder and reservoir: 80 dollars
5th gen shifter: 55 dollars
clutch line: 40 dollars
MT motor mounts: 80 dollars
MT starter: 65 dollars
intermediate half shaft(axle): 20 dollars from junk yard.
The ECM/ECU can be converter for free if you own a solder gun and a steady hand.
I believed I covered everything(correct me if I'm missing anything)
Total:665 dollars
That is just what I paid I'm sure you might be able to find stuff cheaper. Other things that aren't needed but are nice is a MT gauge cluster.
Yeah I eventually will need to swap mine too. I'm with you also, my prelude is in great shape too and i really don't want to sell it for a "crappier" 5speed. They rarely come available in my area and are never in that great of shape.
I actually made money on my swap. I parted out a car that had most of the parts I needed. The parts I had to buy were financed by selling the parts I didn't need. I did all the work myself so there was no labor bill. I also sold the SS (only 42,000 on it from new, not a rebuilt) for $1000.
That only works if you have the time, place, tools, and ability to do it. It also helps if you enjoy getting out in the garage with some music, a couple beers and twisting wrenchs.
i think its funny, that people who buy a prelude which is a semi obscure 10 year old honda at LEAST, would ever have a thought cross their mind on how to have an auto transmission. switch that crap out no matter what the eff it cost you, and do the next guy looking to buy a prelude a favor
i got lucky and the found a fresh lude at a junk yard. i got (bare with me) clutch pedal assem., master cylinder, resevoir, clutch lines with clutch dampner, brake pedal assem., shifter bracket, shifter boot, tranny bracket, half shaft, and gauge cluster (with already painted silver gauge bezels) for $225. all i need now is shifter cables, tranny and starter. wire harness if i feel like going all out, too. there are plenty of write ups if you look for em. good luck man.
@skramer92 I'll throw in my 2 cents worth. Backgound story: bought the last new 2001 Prelude on the lot in 2002 - yep it had an auto trans in it. I never knew there were any problems with the auto trans until I came across this website after I had put about 90k+ on it. So now I am worried. I came to the conclusion I would continue to run the auto until it crapped out and swap it. I had always used the Tiptronic prior to my new knowledge so I continued to use it when I wanted to take more control.
Well, it did start giving me an issue with 2nd gear at 168k. I calculated the swap - calculated a rebuild and went the cheaper rebuilt for now since it was just 1700.00. That was 10k ago and so far so good.
Will I swap it next time - maybe maybe not. Bottom line is make the decision yourself. You may not even own the car when the trans has problems if it does. Like I said, I didn't baby the transmission. I've raced plenty other cars - even sticks - won some and lost some.
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2001 Pearl White Prelude (base)
SS Auto (rebuilt @ 166k)
Currently 188k+ miles
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