This is my 94 honda prelude with 168,000 miles on it. I love my car to death but lots of people dont like the "S" series preludes because they are only 135 horsepower but is that the only reason? do they not respond to i/h/e well or something? (would that even be worth doing on a car with this many miles?) I just dont understand. Prelude owners help me out what should I be doing to this car to add maybe 15-20 horsepower? I have about 1000 dollars budgeted for this car (for add ons), and I already have new tires and wheels. What can I do to this car to make it more awesome then it already is, but seeing that most people look down on the "S" model there probobly wont be many suggestions preformance wise.
Originally posted by schrunk A new engine is only 1500 dollars? that dosent sound right...
or is it a new engine or a rebuilt one, im not farmiliar with JDM
No it would be a JDM version with around 30K on the ticker, the labor to put the motor in would be another story. It can be done in your own garage if you have the right tools. (and a Helms, honda service manual) It would be a little harder since your car isn't wired for the motor but not as hard as some might say. If I were to start over that might have been the route I took. Still love the H23 though.
For about $2k, on ebay, from a reputable, good engine import company, you can get a JDM H22A, with ecu, tranny, and everything you need for the swap, a quote from a local shop in my hometown to have it installed was only $1k, so for $3k I coulda had an H22a instead of my H23a. Theres actually a reason I was getting a new motor, and that was the one I had was goin out, but I took it back to the used car dealership I bought it from, and whadda ya know, theyre paying for the new one so I had to get the h23a, well im out, later.
I say do the engine swap. Best bang for the buck.
I am right now in the market for a H22. The H23 is nice. I actually like it a lot but since my car has 155K miles and I am going to use this car for racing figure the H22 is the way to go.
Di it right the first time or don't do it at all. That's my philosphy.
__________________
1992 Prelude Si 4WS VTAK.
Looks pretty stock...but it isn't.
I have an S, and here's my take:
Figure out what your long-term goal is for your car. Are you going to have it for a long time? Are you going to be the final owner? Or are you going to sell it at some point for something else? If you aren't going to keep it forever, don't put any money into it besides a K&N filter (helps gas mileage, all cars should have them) and maybe some beat. Don't even put wheels on it or anything. See, modification lowers the resale value.
However, if you're going to be the final owner and you want this to be your pride and joy, THEN put all the money into it you want. Go for that engine swap, and never look back.
If you trick it out and then at some point decide you don't want it anymore, you will have a very hard time getting any money back from it.
So: do you want your final project car to inhabit the body of a 4th gen lude?
Dan is right,, i'm going all out on my car actually, i'm setting aside for a swap, and further enhancements, its going to be with me to the end though.. too many memories to let it go, but like he says if its yours.. do the work, if its not, leave it alone it'll decrease resale value!
Also you have to a new engine harness for either the H23 or H22 cause the S one doesn't work for either of them. Just did a swap for a friend and it doesn't even work for H23.
I tell you what.
If your car is an Automatic then you have little hope.
But if your prelude is a manual it automatically makes it as fast as a stock SS. I have one major suggestion. The main reason the S model is soo slow is the long transmission. Do a transmission swap and i guarentee a major change. Dont count on driving over 135 tho. After the swap your top speed is much lower. The S is way under rated. Get some rims, hook up the suspension, and keep up your maintanance. Check your plugs. I have to change my plugs almost every 3 months. Look at the Tourque #s and you will see a very small difference. The H series motors definately have a higher rev, which would be nice, and preformance parts are easier to find but if your on a short budget, i would definately do a trans swap. If you do the motor swap, dont get the f22b1, bad idea.
Im planning on going to LaCR maby tommorow(WED) so hopefully ill have some times to show for the transmission swap.
well its getting to that time where i need to start considering this investment pretty seriously. I'm going to endup spending 3000$ on this swap alone, the mileage yes will be very low, and the power will be quite good... but its alot of money to invest in an older car, i've slowly been setting money aside, and i'm almost there, but I dont know if i should go through with it... its a big investment into a 10 year old car... I'm having second thoughts about the investment,,, I mean, its only a prelude, i'm not going to be really fast hehe.. just fast for a slow car.
Well thats up to most people who bought preludes went trying to go fast but wanted to be part of the Honda legend. I have invested at least 10g's maybe less and am still not that fast but the fact is it draws attention and is extremely fun to drive. If I wanted a really fast car I would have bought a camero SS or something like that, but I fell in love with the lines and curves of the Lude and will do anything to keep it alive. Also look at our community and the type of people that drive them we always say what up to other lude drivers without knowing them, How many other car communities do that? I know civics don't they are always fighting.
having a prelude is alot like having a harley. you will always have someone to wave at. i will never give up my lude.not for a girl not for a kid nothing. so i have no problem sinking money that i should be saving for school into it.
tyler
I do see what you're getting at with it, do you all have other cars though or is this your only car? This at the time is my only car, and I'd like to invest money into it,, i'm just kinda thinking about all the things that are wrong w/ my car, i bought a car that was not in good condition, and i'm having to rebuild everything, i guess thats cool, because when i'm finished i'm going to be proud of it.. and happy w/ everything done to it.. Its just one of those things having to let go of 3000... :-/ we'll see how it goes i guess
Originally posted by 93PreludeS I do see what you're getting at with it, do you all have other cars though or is this your only car?
my car is not a daily driver, i drive a 89 mx6 turbo as my "beater" , the lude is my weekend fun car.. u can either invest in 'show or go or a bit of both like me... doesnt matter how old the car is, as long as ur happy with it.
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
Linear Mode
