My wisdom says that since 1) it's an S and I'm not planning an engine swap, 2) I'm not gonna be the final owner and 3) this isn't my final car, I should leave it all stock.
However, I autox, and I will have it for at least a few years, and it would be nice to maybe get a CAI and a rear sway bar or something. Fix it up for under $1000. I'd like it to be a little faster and autox a little better.
On the other hand, I don't want to throw money away.
Something to note, I think I'll have to buy a new set of tires every year while I'm racing. So I want to stay with 14's so the tires are cheap.
How do you think I should proceed?
Thanks.
-Dan

P.S. Oh yeah, I'm 5 speed.
P.P.S. Oh yeah, it's a '93.

 

The only money i'd put into it, if any, would be in suspension.

As far as engine performance mods, I'd only do DIY mods, its not worth the money to purchase parts.

 

rear swaybar and cheap suspension parts

 

Nitrou...I mean suspension. Check out PO.com's parts classifieds. You can find some cheap stuff pretty easily.

 

Actually what I might end up doing is getting some 14x5.5" alloys and Yokohama AO32 competition tires just for racing (it will allow me to run in stock class), and keep my steels and commute tires for normal driving. That way I won't tear up tires so quickly and it will still give me a competitive advantage.

Trouble is, it's hard to find 14x5.5. Everything is 14x6. That would bump me out of H-stock.

Thanks for the responses. Keep em coming!

Dan

 

Well if you put on a CAI and swaybar, you will be classed in STS where your car will be hopelessly outclassed by 2.5RS Imprezas, VTEC Preludes, GS-Rs, Turbo VWs, and just about everything else.

Check this out first for info on Solo II classes: http://moutons.org/sccasolo/index.shtml

Without modification, a 1993 Prelude S will be in the H Stock class where you would compete against cars like Hyundai Accents, Civic EX and LX, Protoges, Sentras , Imprezas, Legacys, etc. I would think that an S Prelude would be a pretty competive car for H Stock in the hands of an experienced driver (although I've never seen one run here locally...).

My recommendation would be to start out in the H Stock class and improve your driving skills for one season. You will not be competitive in HS without R compound tires anyway. But your goal for the first season should be to have fun and improve your skills. Once you've done that, you can get a set of R compound tires to try to be competitive in HS.

Andrew

 

Oh, I know. I've been racing H-stock since October. At first I was, well... a chaotic driver. But now my skills are shaping up. I can coax my car around the course faster than a cop was able to do it . Even though my car feels like a tank on a trampoline.
The main reason I haven't done CAI and swaybar is because I want to keep racing with the ol' familiar competition in HS. The wheels thing would keep it legal.

Dan

 

The other thing you might want to look into (if you intend on keeping the car for a while and staying in HS) would be adjustable Koni Sport dampers. These shocks are legal in Solo II Stock classes and they will make a world of difference in handling as well as giving you the ability to tune your suspension. The springs of course must remain stock, however.

Andrew