I can see this is where a PRELUDE owner should come in and say something for one of his own...
First of I dunno what you mean for a chip in a prelude. Since there is no such thing as a chip. In order to get something done to ECU....you have to replace the whole entire thing.
On the case of 5spd vs SS (SportShift) is pretty much clear. 5spd will always be faster then any auto ...(unless its the BMW SMG tranny ...then you will win) but getting back to the topic, I have 2001 SS lude (long story on that) I'm in a all prelude club, we have a few autos and a bunch of 5 spds. Yes the auto is much slower then a 5spd. I mean i can loose a race right of the line by about 3 car lengths. The reason for that is the weak tranny that we have and the fact that we have no torque.
To your question about V6 vs Auto Prelude.... well tell you the truth i never been in a race against one. But i do know that we have more then you guys on top end. As far as 1/4 time stock vs stock on both cars its pretty much the same. Dont forget preludes are very heavy cars they are not really designed for brute power only handling. If you friend knows how to stay in vtec in all 4 gears then I would say you might be very close and he might win by a foot...meaning you'll be side to side but he will be slightly ahead. If he had slightly more mods then he would take you no problem.

But as is ... i say he will be waving this flag to you wned:

But we are all Hondas so :thumbup: to all.