I am looking around for a new car... Have a 3G 'Lude now.

I doubt I'm going to be able to come up with the money for a 94-98 Supra so I figure I am going to stick to the Preludes (or *maybe* an Integra RS)

No matter which car I get, I'm going to need new motor mounts, suspension, wheels+rims, tires, exhaust, intake. I'm figuring on spending around 3K-3.5K here. ("basic race ready mods" in next two idea)

Two options arise for how to get where I want to be at with this car.
I'm really unsure which way to go. I can:

1. Spend 10-13K on a 94 or 95 that already has a Vtec in it, do race readyness mods and be done for 13-16K

2. Spend 4-7K on a 93-96 prelude that has maybe a lot of miles or a blown engine that has a body in really good shape. Drop a Vtec in it for around 2.5 or 3K, drop a FMAX turbo kit and associated electronics, fuel management, A/F guage, etc. 4-5K, Race ready mods 3.5K and be done for 14-17K (and probably wish I had spent another 2-3K on the engine)

I have access to a full garage, and enough CivicSi and Prelude nutcases that are willing to help that I'm not worried about the expertise in #2. This car will not be driven street a lot - I'm keeping my 3G lude as a banger to drive around. About the same about of money for both, a HELL of a lot more work for #2, a HELL of a lot more power for #2, a HELL of a lot more things that could go wrong for #2,

which way to go?


[Modified by blundar, 8:50 PM 8/14/2001]

 

You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear my friend. If the engine is blown then the body has probably suffered also - twisted metal. Buy old but good, low miles and full service history is better than newest and thrashed with no history. Build your dream machine from there. Another possiblity is a already moded machine from Japan - the Japanese add mad sh%$ to their motors but don't seem to thrash them!

Brian
Honda-R Club Member

 

thanks for the advice. I was thinking of finding a 93 or 94 lude with a lot of miles on it. I was told by someone else already to stay away from cars with blown engines. I figure the 5 or 6 grand I will save can be used to replace the radiator, and turbo it out... Do you have any advice on places to call to look for engines from japan? Thanks for the reply.
-D

 

http://www.hasport.com/engine_sources.htm

 

If you're not going to drive it on the street a lot and are willing to put in the effort (and resources), you can always squeeze a H22A into a 5G Civic CX body and mod it. It'll be fast if you want to go in a straight line, but corners will be a pain in the butt cuz of all the weight that'll be in the front.

If you're sticking with the Prelude body, I'd go for the VTEC. You get the motor right off the bat along with bigger front brakes.

 

I wish I could add another choice:

Buy my turbo prelude and save a lot of money!!!