Both with the H22A1, and 5 speed. But without any 4ws or any "special edition" stuff. Which is faster 0-60? 1/4 mile? handling? ever since i learned the 4th gen is lighter I've been wondering if it's a superior car overall.

 

Why?

Between the both, an H22 swapped 4WS 3rd gen would be your overall superior car.

 

wouldn't a h2b fit in the 3rd gen??

 

Its not a matter of fitting, its a matter of redoing the H2B kit to fit properly in the 3rd gen.

And the H2B kit is for the newer B series trannys not the B20a5/21a1 trannys.

There is only two known B18 swapps in the 3rd gen, and the mounts are not ready for mass production yet.

The H22/23 swap is well documented and supported, the complete H swap including the H tranny, no other tranny has been used in for the swap kit.

 

Well there's a number of cars that can be faster with an H22. Just look at the civic. I was talking about stock for stock. I really think Honda dropped the ball rather than advanced with the 5th gen. Just look at the interior for starters. lol

 

You asked for the a better all around Prelude and compared the 4th and 5th gens, but you lacked to see the real potential of keeping a Prelude motor in a Prelude chassis.

And because the 3rd gen is a Prelude that was built to handle, but just lacked the power to bring out of straight aways, you failed to see the point in my posting.

I dont care about civics, they are grocery getters in stock trim, but a Prelude was designe to be a compact sport car, so it is a true sport car breed.

Pound for Pound the H22/23 motor swap into an 88-91 Prelude is what you are really looking for.
Not only is it lighter, but it was the Slolam winner for the years it was built, and was well documented when put to the test course and race against the likes of exotic imports like the Lamborginii, Porche etc...
Plus its exotic styling with low wind resistance and lower overall chassis height with a very well balance interior makes it a true contender for what you were asking.

So you asked which of the two were the well balance over all car, and I gave another option, the 88-91 Prelude with an H22/23 swap.


Here is some history from that era:

In 1987, Road & Track published a test summary that shows the 1988 Honda Prelude 2.0Si 4WS outperforming every car of that year on the Slalom, including all Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and Porsches. It went through the slalom at 65.5 mph (105.4 km/h), an amazing result for the time. For reference, the 1988 Corvette took the same course at 64.9 mph (104.4 km/h).

The Prelude was Wheels magazine's Car of the Year for 1987.

 

The 4th gen is definitely faster in a straight line. I would imagine that it would be a better handling car as well. I don't think the 5th gen has vastly improved handling to overcome the weight of the car.

 

I did realize that. I just wanted to know stock-for-stock with no modifications. It really would've been cool if they'd put a powerful motor in the old preludes, and it would've been even cooler if they actually powered up the 5th gen, gotten more sales, and continued making preludes to this day. But unfortunately, none of that happened. Of course styling is very subjective, but I think the 4th gen is the best of the preludes, and the best honda for its time based on these reasons:
-stylish smoothed out body that got away from the boxy look, but doesn't look cheesy today(like the mid-90s mustangs for ex)
-200hp in 1993! and no turbo!
-very original dash cluster that includes digital gauges, but doesn't make them "gimicky", and overall nice interior.

 

stock for stock a 4th gen with it's original h22 vs a 5th gen with it's original h22

the 4th gen is .2 seconds faster at most (really i believe it's 1.something)

Taking into consideration that basically every 100lbs = .1 off your 1/4 - there's where the weight difference helps.


there is your answer....



As for the 4th gen being the best, it's all in the eye of the beholder.