Its here, my new car! *56k warning*

[Keef]

I'm confused it takes Premium?

Aside from that it looks like an awesome car i've always loved Preludes. 👍

Yes, it takes premium fuel. The engine in that Prelude is made for performance, not economy. Hence the DOHC VTEC system. His car's 2.2L 4 cylinder makes 200hp and nearly 160 lb-ft of torque, naturally aspirated.

My 1.6L Del Sol takes premium. But it makes 100hp/L with 10.4:1 compression. I once put regular gas in my car and the engine turned stupid, with a noticable loss in power, a rougher idle, and farty exhaust sound.

 

[Blackbird.]

Just checking.

 

[Boz Mon]

The engine management will compensate for the lower octane if you choose to run it, but there will be a noticeable loss in performance and mileage.

 

[JCE]

Well, the only things that come to mind right now are to check the oil at least once a week until you know how much oil it uses between changes, which is usually around 1qt per 3000 miles but it varies. Also, I hope you looked into if the timing belt was changed at 90k miles, if not, it needs to be done along with the auto tensioner. If I think of any other info, I will let you know.

I'm going to get an oil change a week from Tuesday, then I'll start checking it every week. Thanks for the tip. Oh, and the timing was done before 90k miles he said.

The engine management will compensate for the lower octane if you choose to run it, but there will be a noticeable loss in performance and mileage.

I've heard this as well, but I'm not going to worry about getting cheap gas. I'll use whats recommended.

no, it was something like "American cars run bad longer than Japanese cars run at all."

Hah, this is probably half true when you take into account my Camaro's 240k original miles. Its been running the same since 140k.

Nice car man, I like that shape Perlude. Good choice on the manual, i didnt think they existed there Was your Camaro a manual?
A lot of stone chips, probably done a lot of those miles on the motorway I think?

Yea, mostly highway mileage. My Camaro was an automatic. It had the fabulously reliable 700R4 (predacessor to the 4L60E).

I dug into the throttle today to see what she's made of--and unless there's a problem the car is completely dead until 6k RPMS (normal for a Honda?). Its almost like a second throttle kicks in--and when it does the car FLIES. Kind of feels like an S2000--but faster. <ricer>"So that is the VTEC kickin' in?"</ricer> I'm serious, my Prelude feels faster than an S2000--I know it isn't actually faster but it feels like it. Oh, and it makes a pretty decent noise from the engine compartment. I plan on putting in a throttle body spacer and CAI to give it a better throatier noise. I'm not touching the exhaust--except maybe replace it with a stock OEM one.

 

[Boz Mon]

Good deal about the timing belt. Most enthusiasts that I talk to do it around 80k, thats when I did mine too. And another thing, you will not get any noticeable gains from basic bolt ons like intake, headers, or exhaust systems. Another common problem that I just remembered with the 5th gen is 2nd gear grind. I dont know if you have it but it happens mainly at high rpm up shifts like redline shifts.

Also, I would recommend not using synthetic oil, because I tried it, and the engine used a bunch more oil than usual. I just use valvoline 5w-30

 

[YSSMAN]

I think that YSSMAN posted the latter, but you posted what I reposted.

Its actually:

GM cars will run badly longer than most cars will run at all.

 

[JCE]

Good deal about the timing belt. Most enthusiasts that I talk to do it around 80k, thats when I did mine too. And another thing, you will not get any noticeable gains from basic bolt ons like intake, headers, or exhaust systems. Another common problem that I just remembered with the 5th gen is 2nd gear grind. I dont know if you have it but it happens mainly at high rpm up shifts like redline shifts.

I've gone from 2nd to 5th a couple of times. I've read about the sychros going out of wack on them under hard driving.

Also, I would recommend not using synthetic oil, because I tried it, and the engine used a bunch more oil than usual. I just use valvoline 5w-30

I can't afford sythetic oil anyway.

And on the performance side, what would a TB spacer + CAI + ECU chip get me at the crank you think? 12~18bhp? And any STS (short throw shifters) worth it?

 

[Perfect Balance]

Its actually:

GM cars will run badly longer than most cars will run at all.

Oh, cause he forgot the GM part..

 

[Perfect Balance]

I've gone from 2nd to 5th a couple of times. I've read about the sychros going out of wack on them under hard driving.



I can't afford sythetic oil anyway.

And on the performance side, what would a TB spacer + CAI + ECU chip get me at the crank you think? 12~18bhp? And any STS (short throw shifters) worth it?

TB spacer does nothing but whistle in a cool way.

 

[Boz Mon]

And on the performance side, what would a TB spacer + CAI + ECU chip get me at the crank you think? 12~18bhp? And any STS (short throw shifters) worth it?

I doubt that you will see 12-18 hp at the crank with those mods. If you are going to be modding this car, I would read this first: http://www.chicagolandpreludeclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2173
Thats the owner of my local Prelude Club, he knows a lot about these engines. As far as a shifter, I have no idea about that one.

 

[JCE]

TB spacer does nothing but whistle in a cool way.

I find TB spacers in conjuction with a COLD air intake to be much more efficiant. And, as a bonus it makes a nasty sucking noise that scares people into thinking that you have a turbo. You should of heard my co-worker's 5.0 Mustang GT with his spacer...sounded incredibly mean.

I doubt that you will see 12-18 hp at the crank with those mods. If you are going to be modding this car, I would read this first: http://www.chicagolandpreludeclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2173
Thats the owner of my local Prelude Club, he knows a lot about these engines. As far as a shifter, I have no idea about that one.

So I take it this engine is pretty well tuned as-is?

 

[Boz Mon]

So I take it this engine is pretty well tuned as-is?

Yes, thats pretty much what I am trying to say. I guess getting 200hp out of 2.2 liters isnt very easy without forced induction.

 

[JCE]

Well, when the Camaro is finished I might do something different with the Prelude.

 

[Blackbird.]

Cosmetically or mechanically or both?

 

[Keef]

Yes, thats pretty much what I am trying to say. I guess getting 200hp out of 2.2 liters isnt very easy without forced induction.

It's not. The engine can do better, but much modding past I/H/E could get pricey. Stuff like porting and polishing, increased compression, stiffer valvetrain and a higher rev limit, etc.

Of all the "old" Honda engines I'd say the B-series engines are the most highly tuned. The only one I can think of that didn't make 100hp/L or very near is the B18b from the Integra LS, which, incidentally, is also the only B that didn't have DOHC VTEC. The B16 makes 160hp and the DOHC VTEC B18's made up to around 200hp in the Integra Type R. You can't really gain much more than 40-50 crank hp on these engines without expensive and delicate tuning.

 

[Slicks]

I'm tempted to comment on the typical 'VTEC, YO' sort of comment, but I've found that even the non-VTEC Hondas at the local motorsports club are fairly comptetitive due to their low weight - And that's a key thing among earlier Hondas. Having a thousand pound weight difference over the competition (In my case, a lard-ass TSI AWD Talon) combined with summer or competition tires can make a large difference in both driving dynamics and overall times on an autocross type event.
High power isn't alway neccessary, you know.

 

[JCE]

Cosmetically or mechanically or both?

95% Mechanical (bolt ons mostly) 5% costmetic (Japanese OEM foglights and a repaint)

I don't want to turbo it, but I might depending on whether or not I can stuff the J30A or J32A V6 in it.

It's not. The engine can do better, but much modding past I/H/E could get pricey. Stuff like porting and polishing, increased compression, stiffer valvetrain and a higher rev limit, etc.

Of all the "old" Honda engines I'd say the B-series engines are the most highly tuned. The only one I can think of that didn't make 100hp/L or very near is the B18b from the Integra LS, which, incidentally, is also the only B that didn't have DOHC VTEC. The B16 makes 160hp and the DOHC VTEC B18's made up to around 200hp in the Integra Type R. You can't really gain much more than 40-50 crank hp on these engines without expensive and delicate tuning.

That's just depressing. I can get 50bhp by changing the air intake and exhaust on my Camaro...without spending more than $250.

 

[YSSMAN]

That's just depressing. I can get 50bhp by changing the air intake and exhaust on my Camaro...without spending more than $250.

...And thats the glorious thing about every American V8. Let it breathe just a bit better and the power comes pouring in. Very easy modifications to add a fair bit of power for less than $1000 total...

 

[GT_KING]

Nice car congrats:tup:

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

95% Mechanical (bolt ons mostly) 5% costmetic (Japanese OEM foglights and a repaint)

I don't want to turbo it, but I might depending on whether or not I can stuff the J30A or J32A V6 in it.


That's just depressing. I can get 50bhp by changing the air intake and exhaust on my Camaro...without spending more than $250.

I don't think you would want much more from a front wheel drive car, right?

 

[Keef]

That's just depressing. I can get 50bhp by changing the air intake and exhaust on my Camaro...without spending more than $250.

There's no replacement for displacement, no matter what the ricer down the street tells you. Big engines suck big air, and the intake pipe on some of those V8s is as big as the one on my 1.6. That's not even enough air for the 1.6!

And yes, non-VTEC engines are more desirable for tight autocross racing. There's an EG Hatch around here who frequents SCCA events and is equipped with a stroked B18 (to 2 liters) and is comletely stripped inside. That car is always running with the be-slicked S2000s and Miatas, because 2100 pounds goes great with 180 lb-ft of torque at a low rpm.

 

[Perfect Balance]

...And thats the glorious thing about every American V8. Let it breathe just a bit better and the power comes pouring in. Very easy modifications to add a fair bit of power for less than $1000 total...

I'd suggest changing the "bit better" to "a lot better"

The stock parts on most American V8 engines are very poorly designed and very restrictive. The only reason they respond so well to upgrades is because the engines were breathing through straws before.

 

[YSSMAN]

Interestingly enough, Volkswagens also suffer the same issues...

 

[Boz Mon]

Just wanted to let you know that there was a recall for some ludes and if yours is qualified, Honda will give you a free tuneup. I took mine in and got free cap, rotor, wires, and plugs. I think its only 97 ludes with less than 150k miles on them. You might want to check that out.

Ninja edit: HAHA, its all 97 Ludes between 75k and 150k. You should call the dealer to see if the previous owner had it done.

 

[JCE]

Thanks for the heads up! 👍

 

[Rafa]

Gotta say, I'm fairly pleased. I'm looking forward to oldschool Honda reliability + gas mileage. It needs some cosmetic things but other than some basic maintenence the car runs pretty good. So on to the pics. I'm going to miss driving my Camaro around.

My sister will have a Fiat 500

 

[Rafa]

Gotta say, I'm fairly pleased. I'm looking forward to oldschool Honda reliability + gas mileage. It needs some cosmetic things but other than some basic maintenence the car runs pretty good. So on to the pics. I'm going to miss driving my Camaro around.

My sister will have a Fiat 500