I got a nice original '82 Prelude for a song off C'list, it had a cracked block, I stored it for a couple years then had the engine rebuilt. Now it is on the road, it's a nice driver.
My only problem with the car is that it's just too slow to keep up with traffic. Merging on a 55 mph road people are zipping around my left while I'm merging left pedal to the metal. Driving up a steep grade the car is doing about five grand in second gear going 15-20 mph.
The vacuum advance was stopped up so I replaced it. The muffler had a small hole I repaired so now it idles smoother but the car is still just slow!!

If anyone can recommend something to make the most of the 75 hp. If dual exhaust may help. I want to put on a fat throttle body but it has no MAF sensor. Thanks.

 

Obviously swapping the engine isnt an option at this point with you running/having paid for a fresh engine. so considering its carb'd....why couldnt you just treat it like you woudl while modifying a carb'd bike/old carb'd muscle car? IE changing jet sizes to add more fuel IF youre pulling in/pushing out more air? I have an old superbike ive tinkered with for years...a 1980 yahama XS1100. After adding individual filters, going with a 4-1 exhaust, AND adding bigger jets, i could feel a nice difference. probably 5-10hp or so (which is a lot on a bike).

Post up more pictures...the engine bay in particular. What is the air intake/exhaust like? can improvements be made? Is it one big carb or 4 small ones similar to a motorcycle? Id start there. also find out what model carb you have so we can see who would make jets for it and find out what the step sizes/increments are.

The only way to accomplish what you want here is to eventually add more fuel to it while pushing/pulling more air. carb work will be guaranteed...which isnt nearly as difficult as you probably imagine.

 

Sounds like a larger problem, i.e. you are not firing on all 4 cylinders, or you have very low compression, thus not making any power.

First things would be to swap to fresh plugs, and do a compression test while you are at it. Then start looking at distributor and plug wires, and carb tuning.