Slow Prelude..Whats Wrong?? Help a Fellow Luder Please!! - Honda Prelude Forum

assdfgh2000 · 03-25-2002, 11:02 PM

Ok to begine, I have a 1992 Prelude Si its AUTO and I know thats one of the reasons why my car is slow, but when I first got it, it had about 130k miles on it and it still fairly quick.

After a few months of driving, I tried to start it one day and it wouldn't start. Turns out my distributor was messed up and I took it to the shop and got it fixed, but it seems since then, my Lude has been sloooooow. I heard they "adjusted" my timing, but were they even supposed to mess with it? I dont understand it! It sux! I get beat by Civic Si's all the time and even some old trucks (happened today...)... My friend has an 1998 Accord LX sedan STOCK, with 150HP auto and it smokes me all the time, I mean it beats me pretty bad....

Whats wrong with my setup?

I know auto makes it slower but it shouldn't be that slow....should it?

Here's the Lude's Diagnostics:

AUTOMATIC
2.3L H23 non-vtec supposedly 160hp but maybe not in my case....
Has the infamous knocking/ticking sound.
Intake, not CAI
Catback with a dual tip exhaust (is that bad?)
Oil has been changed around every 3000 miles
17" Rims wieghs about 26 pounds each
138k
Always use Premium Gas

Thats all I can think of now, If I missed anything that might affects its performance, please point it out for me.

Suggestions on what to check out on the engine would help.

Lucke · 03-25-2002, 11:31 PM

first off, did your mechanic advance or retard your timing?

check your spark plugs, i changed my plugs last week and i feel so much more pep now.

the exhaust with the duel tip isn't gonna make a difference, although if its the stock muffler it might. but not that much.

those rims weigh way too much, are they chrome? that might have a lot to do with it (26lbs X 4 wheels = 104 lbs extra)

are you running synthetic oil? i've heard that doesn't work too well with our H23's, but i'm not sure if the guy was BSing me.

well thats all i can think of right now, hope that helps

aneurysm · 03-25-2002, 11:37 PM

the knocking you mentioned may be as simple as getting a valve adjustment.

How long have you owned the car? What is the tune-up history?
If you don't know when your last tune up was, get it done.

If you're valves are all screwed up, that could definetly decrease performance...

brad

Fast&furiuslude · 03-25-2002, 11:55 PM

Thats sad to hear cause my friend has a 2000 lx 150hp accord with i/e/catback and i pull on him hard!(i know you have an auto but still) If they retarded your timing then that could make you real slow on the low end but better on high end but not good for autos. Try advancing your timing to get back that midrange pull you had earlier. Also it could be time for a 50 dollar tune-up, those always help

Satan_SRV · 03-26-2002, 12:00 AM

Plugs, Valve adjustment for sure...

Also does the Si require premium fuel? If not the higher octane would be harder to burn...and could cause power loss..in my 96 VTEC I was running 94 octane and was noticing less power..and got it all back when I switched back to 92.

assdfgh2000 · 03-26-2002, 12:56 AM

Thanks alot guys, I appreciate the input. I thought it was the valves that made the knocking, and yes my lude takes 93 gas, it says in the manual I can put 89 and it will compensate for it by lowering performance, but I try to treat her good

and Im running regular oil, not synthetic. And im not sure if the mechanic retarded or advanced my timing, but my car has a pretty sluggish start then gets quick does that indicate anything? The rims aren't chrome, just silver finish. The exhaust is an aftermarket brand, not stock, any increase in HP there with the catback? Im taking it to ANOTHER mechanic tomorrow and gonna get a checkup and tuneup, definetely not going to the same place again. Going to a Honda/Acura specialist so hopefully they can help me out

but keep the posts coming, the more info the better.

And I posted in two threads so if u see this twice, its ok

ExodusFX · 03-26-2002, 01:14 AM

definetly do a valve adjustment. if your vavles are out of wack, you'll be able to feel the loss in performance. also take a quick look at your plugs to see if they need changing.

Satan_SRV · 03-26-2002, 08:18 AM

What is the diameter of your aftermarket exhaust piping? If it's larger than stock you would likely lose bottom end and gain on top end...

When do you feel the power loss most? When you accelerate hard?

Also wrt to gas....89 is the recommended octane level, and what I mean by that is; 93 octane is not guaranteed higher performance. I'm no expert...but your car's air/fuel ratio is tuned to ignite 89 octane, and anything higher than is more difficult to burn...the car will compensate...but only to a certain extent.

Like my example in my 96 VTEC, 94 octane was KILLING my performance...and my car was stock except for CAI. My plugs and everything else were fine....it was so funny when I dropped down to 92, my car finally got it's balls out it's purse! Honestly it's worth a shot if no one can figure it out...IMO 93 octane in an Si is too much...

PreludeNYC · 03-26-2002, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by assdfgh2000
Ok to begine, I have a 1992 Prelude Si its AUTO and I know thats one of the reasons why my car is slow

...nope thats pretty much the reason

The combo of your 17" and hot air intake is going to make you lose power also...

-Jose