Prelude Newbie - Questions - Honda Prelude Forum

Dylan · 12-05-2002, 03:32 AM

Hi,

Im from Newcastle, Australia and im 16 years old. Pretty soon I will be getting my Provisional drivers licence (April 18th hopefully) and im going to get a 3rd gen Honda Prelude cause i think theyre awesome. I like the look of the newer Preludes as well (4th and 5th gen) but i think theyre a little out of my price range. Over here 88 and 89 Preludes go for about 5-8 grand. I have about 7 grand to spend (remember this is in Australia, therefore currency is different).

I just wanted to ask a few questions before I go ahead with my plans.

1) Are there any problems i should look out with 88-89 preludes while im looking at the second hand car market?

2) Later on down the track I want to mod my prelude. Drop it, put some chromes on it and mabey tint the windows if they arent already. I dont want to have a rice car tho, so are there and engine mods you can reccomend that give you a bit of difference (eg replacing the stock B20A5 motor).

3) is there anyone here from Australia, or more specifically Newcastle, Australia?

Thanks for your help, you can expect me to be posting regularly now

marcucci · 12-05-2002, 06:29 AM

Problems:
Mostly what you would see with any car of that age/mileage (kilometerage?). Rod knock and oil burning is common, as well as sunroof/window/seal leakage. Look for signs of water damage (or moisture) in the rear seat, rear floor pan, and trunk area. Lift up the cover and look in the spare tire well for water. Feel the seat and carpet.

Any major knocking noises from the motor should be avoided!

Engine mods:
There's not a lot available, at least off-the-shelf. I/H/E will give you some power, as well as cam gears. Best bet is to do all the PM you can on the car when you get it, though, instead of modding it right away. Change all fluids, check all belts, hoses, do a valve adjustment, give it a tuneup (plugs/cap/rotor/wires/timing)...

There are a few people on the board from Australia, though they don't post much...

pioneerprelude · 12-05-2002, 12:03 PM

Marcucci covered it all... i just wanted to say good choice. im 17 and the 3rd gen is my first car also. I am very happy with it given the amount of money i have spent. Well, good luck and hope you find "your" car!!

James

Preyluder · 12-05-2002, 01:50 PM

My 4th gen. was only 6500, and it only has 100k miles.

I suggest you get I/H/E and Cam Gears. That's the setup I had on my '89, and I loved that car. It was SO FUN to drive!

Dylan · 12-05-2002, 03:27 PM

wow thanks. Thats exactly what i wanted to know

thanks heaps.

LUDE'Z · 12-05-2002, 03:30 PM

Sup NOS. Is that your lude in your sig? If so, you got any more pics of it.

Preyluder · 12-05-2002, 08:53 PM

Come on LUDE'Z. The dude's asking us to give him some pointers before he buys his FIRST 3rd gen., and you're asking him if that's his car in his sig?

Dylan · 12-05-2002, 10:46 PM

you can get some more pics at the 3rd gen low ludes website http://lowludes.itgo.com/ . Click on the gallery section. Thers some nice cars ther.

LUDE'Z · 12-06-2002, 03:36 AM

$hit sorry NOS, would help to read the post with my glasses on and not skimming through it, thanks luder.

UMD4ws · 12-12-2002, 11:21 AM

I got my 90 4ws a few months ago. Just make sure you get it inspected. I didn't have mine inspected before i bought it and it ended up needing a new steering rack 2 weeks later. A new rack cost me about $1200 with install. I don't know what the conversion is but the car cost me $2000 bucks american. Go figure! Parts from honda from these cars can be a little stiff.

marcucci · 12-12-2002, 11:29 AM

Good Lord, $1200 for a steering rack?! I assume you bought it new? The rack could have been rebuilt for much less.

An inspection might not turn up some impending items like a sun (or about to spin) bearing, steering system failures, etc. It's a good idea to catch any big items that area already bad, especially if you have a shop you can trust.

merlindavis · 12-12-2002, 06:18 PM

we're not supposed to say other sites on here, but this site has an australia regional board...

as for engine mods, you can put a jdm b20a in for quite cheap... it's a drop in replacement, so if you're comfortable with pulling your engine, you can put it in yourself... jdm b20a's go for about $650 US shipped... i paid $1800 US for my engine and installation, but i replaced quite a few parts that you might not need to... paid about $800 for labor and tax, the rest was for the engine and parts...

hilikus · 12-12-2002, 07:09 PM

The AUSDM B20A6 is rated at 142hp same as the JDM B20A so theres no gains to be had in changing it, australia doesnt get the B20A5 or the B21 we only have the A6 from 88 to 91

labour in aus seems to be a fair bit cheaper so rebuilding the A6 might be a better idea ..this way you atleast have the option of upgrading some internal parts.