Hey guys, Im new to the forum. I bought my 98 Prelude a few weeks ago, 99k miles. I brought it to my mechanic and he gave it a tune up and said shes running real solid. Anyways, I was able to score the car for $1,500 under my budget so I figured Ill invest some of the money back into the car. My car is bone stock. When I started looking around for parts I kinda got carried away haha, ill have to save more money as I doubt I have enough.

How about-

Euro type r intake manifold
Type S intake
Type S Pistons
Type S Cams

And a Tune.

Goal: 220whp

My mechanic can help me install everything and ill take my car to a local tuner shop obviously.This is probably going to be over my budget, but im willing to hold out if its worth it.

Is this possible?

What would you recommend? What else do I need?

 

You're on the right track, with 99k miles on her I don't think I would open up the bottom end for the pistons just yet, but the rest of the list is a good start. It's also good practice to upgrad your springs and retainers with a heavier cam to help with the higher lift and longer duration. Have you given any thought to suspension? Slapping a good spring/shock combo and jstrut tower brace will really make that car handle much better

 

Focus on suspension. It is 14 years old. Poly bushings, ball joints, set of full bodies, and brake work. Make sure it can handle and brake well before you make it any fast. You won't regret it.

 

Don't forget you're going to need to do the timing belt pretty soon which will probably eat $500-$800. For the other $1k or so, personally I'd do springs for the look and handling, an exhaust for the sound and a slight performance boost, and a tuning platform with tune to maximize the stock engine and be able to make changes with future mods. This is all assuming everything else is in good working order like tires & brakes. As already mentioned, don't bother getting into the bottom end until you need to; you can make plenty of power without opening it up. Wait on cams until you can at least get a good valve job and get the matching VT and have some way to tune it.

 

Thanks guys for the quick responses

Im bringing my car over to my mechanic today, were gonna check the timing belt. he said if I help him out hell do the labor for free. Hes a backyard mechanic and an old friend, so hes cool. The tires are solid and dont seem to need replacing.

Im definetly going to look into a new suspension. For the reccord, this car is already fast imo, I just like the idea of personalizing it and squeezing out a little more power. Although now that I think about it, a beautifully handling prelude would be equally as cool. that is if I cant afford both haha


Hopefully I can have 2.5k by January first, its possible.

 

220hp isn't realistic goal with those parts, trust me seen thousands and thousands of dynos and done numerous H builds and tunes...

Type S pistons and Cams be lucky for about 10-15 hp increase even with Type S cams will need matching Type S valve springs and retainers... lift is just a bit more then stock can handle.

This will cost but will get you closer to your 220 whp goal...
Type S OEM Honda pistons not Nippon (wont work) need to know if Std bore type A or B pistons or OS pistons which will require the proper FRM bore and hone process, low rpm and certain stones which not all machine shops can do successfully.
OEM Honda Rings
Euro R intake manifold machined and work done by RoskoRacing.com
68mm Performance Products Throttle Body, cheap and work great will be a ITR Type R Integra Throttle Body
Stock valves can be used if trying to get out cheap
Skunk2 pro 2 cams and pro series cam gears
Skunk2 pro series valve springs and retainers or to save few bucks SuperTech
Logic Motor Sports H22 Header. 2.5" exhaust system will be a must or even a 3"
OBD2-OBD1 with p28 ecu chipped with Neptune or Crome (if you have no smog to worry)

If your just trying to do a rebuild and get 10-15 hp increase over stock usdm and have smog and emissions to worry about then simple type S stuff will get you like 180-190 whp.