So I posted a thread I'm kind of embarrassed of when I first joined this forum back in June. For those who didn't see it I basically asked how to turbo charge a type sh automatic prelude for around 450hp. (I know, I cringe reading this now.) Since then I have done quite a bit of research, and have more knowledge on this car and Honda modifications in general.

So I'm closing a deal to get a 1999 prelude base 5 speed for $2400. 120k miles. So here is what I'm thinking for possible modifications in the future.

I am debating whether to do a jswap or a kswap into the car. A lot of the downsides to the j swap don't really apply to the 5g prelude, since the engine bay is much larger than eg hatches, hood cutting isnt required, and the torque shouldn't be a problem since the prelude is on the heavier side. I wanted to build a j36 engine: j35a3 block, pistons, and heads, j33a2 cams, j37a1 crank, rods, and bearings. Would expect around 300 hp and high 200s for torque. With buying parts from Acura oem parts.com and ebay, possibly make the build for around 5 - 6k. Rpm systems harness custom made and innotave motor mounts would be needed too.

My other option I am considering would be to just buy a 4piston crate engine, specifically the k24 k360 for street use on pump gas. I would call up hasport to make some custom motor mounts and have a ecu harness fabricated by someone qualified on the internet lol. This option would be more expensive, but the quality of the work done by 4piston would be phenomenal. 360hp on a n/a 4cylinder high reving engine would be cool. Not to mention that finding transmissions would be ALOT easier. Plus with the smaller block, there would be "so much more room for activities!" Plus it would look really clean and simple.

So what do u guys think? Should I go for a torque monster or stick to the tried and true k swap. Again, this is mainly going to be a street car daily driver, but I want it to be fast for when I want to have some fun.

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360 na is not that easy to get out even from k24
But around 320hp/300nm is more doable (not super expensive)

But this is kinda wrong section for you since prelude guys dont know much about K swaps/engines since its not "our" engine to deal with..

 

I was simply saying 360 hp because that is what is advertised on the crate engine I was looking at.

K24-K360 2.5L Complete Engine - STREET PERFORMANCE | 4 Piston Racing

I'll try posting this in another section. thanks.

 

It would be a lot cheaper to aim 300hp k24 (since you can do it with oem parts) - bigger tb, custom exhaust, rrc im, newer tsx intake cam + ktuner or such

Imo 10k for a engine is way too much

 

agreed. I could make double that power for half that price with the right knowledge and taking time to gather up proper individual parts lol

 

go turbo and thank yourself later. The 4 banger NA route in a 3,000lb car is a dark and lonely road.

 

Seems crazy to me to pull a perfectly good H-series and put in a K for a street car. Why not keep it simple and do the Supporting mods to the H and see if you like it? The H-Series is a lot of fun right out of the box. I am not trying to be rude in any way but honestly your experience level seems a little low to be aiming for a big goal. Start simple and learn as you go. It can be a struggle just to keep a stock engine running. All it takes is one mis shift and your rebuilding a motor. The higher the HP the closer to the edge you will be, it doesn't take much to lose a ring land or spin a bearing. The guys you see putting out high horsepower engines are also usually the guys that have blown up multiple engines already and have learned from experience.

 

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This thread should have been closed a couple weeks ago. I scrapped this idea and have decided to do a g22 build. Cheaper than getting the stock engine resleeved. Thanks for the advice though. And you're right, I have no idea what I would be doing underneath a hood. This is just future planning, probably wont do it for the next couple years. I need to learn the car first.