My friend just bought a '99 Lude and my other friend has a '94 lude. Both cars have equal mods (CAI) and the '94 pulls 2+ car lengths every time but when we hit 5th gear in the '99 we stop him and start to make up a little ground. I know the previous generation is a little lighter but not enough to make that big of a difference. Could someone please explain the differences.

BTW, the '94 does have VTEC, it is not an si.

 

4th gens RULE!!! and they are faster, OBD 1 . could be the driver??? his car is newer he probably doesnt know it as well. but the 4thcan and will take the 5th by 2 or 3 cars.


[Modified by Ludester, 5:24 AM 10/1/2002]

 

Gearing

 

Yup it's mostly gearing. At the track I rape fifth gens off the line...ones wth waaaay more mods...then they gain ground in 3rd cause I have no mods

 

why didn't honda make the gearing "fast" like the 4th gen for the 5th gen ?

 

So in theory, if you were to swap in a 4th gens H22a1 and tranny (or just the tranny if it fits right up) into a 5th gen (not that anyone would waste money trying), the 5th gens would hang a lot closer, given the 4th gens hardly noticeable weight difference?

 

That's right. They bolt right up to a base lude. People should really consider it. That's why rarely do 5th gen times acceleration compare.

It was likely changed because it was too peppy for people, the 5th gen was sort of a move away from raw sport to more refinement (bigger, wider seats etc) so the gearing was probaly reflecting that. Just my opinion

 

The 5th gen gearing in the US is the same gearing as the 217HP TypeS model in Japan. Presumably, it was geared slightly taller due to the 10% increase in power on that TypeS model. AFAIK, all 5th gen 5spd VTECs use this TypeS gearing.

Andrew

 

I'll buy that. Makes more sense than what I said

 

i have a 95 vtec with a cai and i race my friends '98 5th gen prelude with a cai & pullies but he has trip.....i beat him off the line but i don't beat him with ease..i need some tips for going off the line and 3rd

 

I recently raced a 98 vtec with my 93 Si and I was able to keep my bumper ahead of him. I have minor bolt on's IHE.

 

5th gens have a higher top end, then 4th gens I believe. I raced a 4th gen on the freway from 80 and pulled on him easily. but around town most 4th gens seem to beat me consistently. seen 5th gens do 150 totally stock, did 140 in mine, got a bit scary w/out W or Z rated rubber though...

 

it's all in the gears..... when i had I/H/E i couldn't get a 4th gen off the line, but once i hit third gear, it was tail lights to them. first is good, 2nd and third actaully kinda suck, but those higher gears are the ****. i can't wait fo my motor to go back in with the turbo, with those gears, that thing is just begging for boost. i can't wait