I have recently been looking for a "diamond in the rough" and may have just found it. Today I looked at an '87 Prelude 2.0 Si with 156,000 on it for $700. I've done a lot of research on it and think this may be the car for me. However, I am aware that there isn't much in the area of aftermarket performance parts. This means I'll be customizing many of my modifications.

I know this car has a great powerplant and puts out wonderful stock horsepower, but will I be happy if I can't just go buy new performance headers or an exhaust package? Help me Honda-tech! Should I ****** up this gem?

 

you will never be happy with any amount of horsepower may get. there will always be the mentality i`ll need more.

buy it, keep it stock and drive it like it is with good maintence

modding it will only shorten the life

 

Actually, I disagree with MyKizism. I have an 88 Accord LXi, basically the same engine from the factory. These engines STOCK have a cast iron block w/ a CLOSED DECK design. Therefore it is perfect to build for turbo. Or if you want to swap an engine in you can look for the JDM B20A, this NOT the CRV engine and NOT the engine from the 3g lude. Or, you can do what I did and swap in a newer B-Series. The Prelude is lighter than the Accord so swapping in a B16A would be pretty beneficial.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 88LXi68 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Actually, I disagree with MyKizism. I have an 88 Accord LXi, basically the same engine from the factory. These engines STOCK have a cast iron block w/ a CLOSED DECK design. Therefore it is perfect to build for turbo. Or if you want to swap an engine in you can look for the JDM B20A, this NOT the CRV engine and NOT the engine from the 3g lude. Or, you can do what I did and swap in a newer B-Series. The Prelude is lighter than the Accord so swapping in a B16A would be pretty beneficial. </TD></TR></TABLE>

true. well i dont think you should do a B16 swap but the engine IS perfect for turbo (in fact it was run several years ago as Honda's Formula 2000 Turbo engine).

you'll probably never find parts for the car, so be prepared to do a lot of custom work, but the fact is the 2nd gen preludes were probably the most performance oriented ones - power isn't great, but the car makes up for that in pure lightness and agility.

i think for 700$ you can't go wrong, i know some people who have 2nd gens and drive the living hell out of them (can you say rally the car, roll it and still keep driving?), and the engine is still ROCK SOLID. in fact, i'd be more worried about the body than the engine.