The Circle Track 'Lude... - Honda Prelude Forum

CircleTrackLude · 08-24-2008, 08:45 AM

Just wanted to say hi and share my story...

I have admired my friends 93 Lude since ive known him... I always loved them but had other projects with no room for another car. After a Demo Derby with another friend I made a comment about checking out "Factory Four" which is a series at the local Roundy Round track. This series used to be solely for domestic, OHV, carbed engines. I guess they changed that because now the rules are simple... FWD, import or domestic 1980 to present, must remain STOCK!! There are a few other rules on tire size and safety but thats the basics. SO I got very interested since I am not stuck with some POS mustang 4 banger. After a short search on CraigsList i found my Prelude.

For $400 (yea 2 zeros) I got a 1992 Prelude Si. Clean inside (would only need shampooing BUT no rug allowed) and underneath. ROUGH rear 1/4s, need some work there. 1/2 taken apart motor/trans. Apparently it had a rod knock so i am going to have to get that straightened out and put back together. 149,500 on the clock.

So i started stripping and preparing. I work at Lincoln Electric, was a welder there for a few years now i work with robotics. I am going to weld in my own cage (any suggestions on tie in points would be appreciated), using one of our automated tube cutting systems from a company we bought should make it much easier... Vernon Tool: Industrial Pipe Cutting

Thanks for the time.. ill get pictures up as soon as i figure out how to work this thing.

Tee-Dot · 08-24-2008, 08:51 AM

I think you're going to be po's first dirt-track Preluder...

[waiting patiently for pics....]

CircleTrackLude · 08-24-2008, 09:13 AM

Working on shrinking em to fit...

Not dirt track, its a paved oval. I would autox but i dont know how to turn RIGHT.. LMFAO!

CircleTrackLude · 08-24-2008, 09:37 AM

Here is how it was when i brought it home and pics of starting to strip the interior...

CircleTrackLude · 08-24-2008, 10:10 AM

Qveon · 08-24-2008, 08:54 PM

What are you doing with some of the stripped out parts? Cause i was looking for some parts if you are just going to junk them.

CircleTrackLude · 08-25-2008, 04:52 AM

I still have most of them... Except for the carpet and a couple pieces i accidentally broke when taking out.

What parts did you need?

BTW.. Your Lude looks friggin' awesome!

proeliator38 · 08-25-2008, 05:44 AM

Kept up the good work becuse i've been thinking about rally x my lude

CircleTrackLude · 08-25-2008, 03:24 PM

Thanks all, I am pricing tubing for the cage now... Getting excited to weld that in. Also going to work on getting the motor out soon too.

h23sdominate · 08-26-2008, 04:09 PM

i have grown up around circle track (stateline speedway) and ive always wondered why no one ever used any car except those crappy old mustangs so a couple weeks ago i drove for my friend in that same class u are entering in his 96 h22 lude (identical to mine except color) and i completely stomped the **** out of them, all of the other drivers let up entering the turns but i preety much just kept on the gas the whole time lol and took first place, rush of my life but the girlfriend doesnt want me to do any racing with other cars so yeah theres my story and have fun kicking the crap out of those mustangs with the lude i know i did ha ha

CircleTrackLude · 08-26-2008, 04:51 PM

Glad to hear it! I cant wait... they actually dont have the stang's anymore because they went FWD only now. So its bunch of Daytonas such and i think there is an Integra too... 1990 or 91

h23sdominate · 08-27-2008, 02:44 AM

when i raced they were both front and rear wheel drive and there was 3 cavaliers a pontiac sunbird three mustangs and a beat up 240

CircleTrackLude · 08-27-2008, 05:14 AM

Sweet thats good I am hoping to take some wins my rookie year that would be awesome. But just racing will be fun.

h23sdominate · 08-27-2008, 02:24 PM

yea man when i went it was amature nite but yeah man i had a blast and by the way that lude is in amazing shape for only 400 nice find bro

CircleTrackLude · 09-01-2008, 08:12 PM

Finally got to work on the Prelude a bit today. Busy holiday weekend, got to go riding in the Allegheny National Forest this weekend... Ah, mountain air... ATVs... and camping!

Put the trans BACK together so i could pull the motor right... Popped the ball joints and pulled the axles. Found a pretty cool way to pop the joints.. Just loosen the castle nut jack up the suspension by the nut then slide a 1/2" ratchet handle in the space between ball joint mount and lower arm then lower jack... Pops the joint right out. Not sure if that's a known tip but i found it out while playing around... Necessity is the mother of invention!

Get off early all week so that means i can pull the motor this week and check out the damage.

CircleTrackLude · 09-03-2008, 06:33 PM

Got the engine out today... Need to get an engine stand. Wondering if its HARD or worth it to switch to a MANUAL trans? Anyone know how much that costs? lol..

Engine is SUPPOSED to have had a rod knock...? Gonna check it out... Getting a replacement from junk yard is ALLOT around here!

Here is some p0rN or the engine removed...