Originally Posted by
mberndt
I know it's getting pointless, so stop trying to make the base look better than the SH cause it's not... LOL
Your point about the LSD is completely pointless, as they do not come stock. Period.
So the ONLY way you could possibly get a base model to handle at least on par with the SH would be to completely upgrade the suspension and get an LSD. Then your ride goes to hell.
Next, the only way you can get the base to look as nice as the SH is to spend MORE money on a kit that has to be installed. Again, the SH comes from the factory with all of this, so why are you trying to downplay the SH body molding and make the kit look so much better? More money and more work, no thanks!
Name one thing that I re-phrased? I simply said I've never seen the kit on a prelude before. Sorry, but I guess no one has them here in SE PA...
For the weight advantage you tried to tell me that ONE pound on the wheels, and maybe an extra 100lbs IF THAT on the SH would cause the base to beat it EVERY time in a straight line race. Won't happen. The differences in weight are so small that driver error will win or lose the race, period.
Finally to address the ATTS system...
An LSD is a "band-aid" that helps to fix the problem of understeer.
ATTS uses the laws of physics and computer control to calculate the amount of EXTRA acceleration on the outside wheel that is needed to give the car a neutral handling balance, and carry the car through the curve.
Here are some things it has over the LSD...
1. Electronic control
2. Ability to transfer up to 80% of the torque to the OUTSIDE wheel
3. Will notify you of a problem with the wheels (low pressure, donut) before you cause an accident
It comes down to preference, but again you are trying to argue that an LSD equipped base Prelude is a better car than the SH.
There is no Prelude from the factory that has an LSD. So you're argument is pointless.
Again, SH >> Base, period.
Finally, I would just like to say I am so adamant about the SH being better because I have experience with getting "base" models and trying to make them better, and on par with the more expensive top of line models...
It is not the same.
I have a 93 Civic DX with B16/GSR swap, turbo, suspension, interior, wheels, basically everything... I will tell you from the door, I would rather have the EX model civic with the sunroof, and all the little things that make a top line model THAT much better. In this case the EX has everything from a sunroof to bigger, beefy-er sway bars.
I'm not sure what your views are on upgrading the suspension, but cut springs on stock shocks do not constitute an upgrade. I'm not sure why you make shitty ride synonymous with an upgraded suspension. Regardless if I had a Base or SH, suspension is one thing I would not cheap out on. Perhaps you can elaborate?
I believe you might have heard the phrase "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". Again, regardless, if I owned a Base or SH, the OEM kit is something I would be interested in purchasing. Installation?, Its a few clips and bolts, plus remember, both of us do our own work.
I don't know why you're making such a bid deal of the weight difference between the wheels. If you take the time to read my original post, I just mentioned that I like the way they look better compared to SH wheels, and as a fun fact, I included the weight difference.
Again, about the ATTS.
Would you rather have an open diff when driving in a straight line and an LSD in the turns? Or, would you prefer a limited slip (especially on wet or snowy roads) at all times? I think the answer is clear. Like you mentioned, the ATTS is electronically controlled, thats one more (and expensive) system on the car that can malfunction. I'm not 100% sure on the power transfer so I'll just give you that. Do I really want or need the ATTS system to "warn" me of driving on the spare or because of having low tire presure by going haywire? I'll pass thanks.
The comparison of your DX to an EX or even Si is unjustified in this discussion. This is because of the drastic changes between the models (as you mentioned moonroof, PW, PD rear sway ect.), where as the changes between the Base and SH are so inconspicuous a normal person daily driving both vehicles would probably not even notice the difference.