Ok I have done a lot of looking around on the website about rebuilding the engine, I am buying a 1997 Prelude SH and right now it has 192,000 miles. I want to rebuild the engine and transmission because I am only buying the car for $5000. I believe I will supercharge the car later so from what I read should I go ahead and sleeve it? I have seen kits online for about $700 for everything, or is there a link to a kit that everyone knows works great? And does sleeving cost about $500 extra? And the labor, I did not see how much ppl paid for labor because I do not have the time to do it myself. So what would probably be the cost to rebuild if I took it to a machine shop? And does anyone know what it may run to rebuild my transmission, as far as I know there is nothing wrong but I want to go ahead and rebuild it to last me a long time. I want this car to last another 5 years at least. Thanks!

 

I'm sure this topic has been covered before, but:

If you're definitely wanting to boost the motor (whether it be a SC or turbo), then yeah, resleeve the motor so you can run forged pistons. However, on the side of saving a chunk of change, Mahle makes a forged piston with a coating on the piston skirts that allows it to run with the Prelude's stock sleeves, so that you don't need to resleeve the block and you can just hone the stock cylinder walls (which is also dirt cheap to have done). As far as machine shop costs go if you do decide to resleeve it, look in the FAQs thread and you might possibly find some shops people have listed there. If so, just start calling around and getting quotes...that's the best way you're gonna get some solid numbers.

 

How much are those pistons? And I guess I should just buy a kit offline that has all the parts and take it to a machine shop?

 

I don't condone eBay parts buying normally, but you can get the Mahle Gold series (coated pistons) for $454 shipped there. So expect to pay in the $500+ range elsewhere for a set.

I don't know what you mean by "kit" unless you mean a piston-rod package. Personally, I would disassemble the motor myself, give the bare block and parts to the shop, and tell them what you want. That's all there is to it.