88 Prelude Performance Questions...
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Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6
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From: S. FL
88 Prelude Performance Questions...
Again, doing research for my not-so-net-savvy friends. Well, here it goes, bare with me....lots of questions. :)
My friend has an 3rd Gen '88 Honda Prelude Si. It has the B20A5 engine. He wants to know
1- What options does he have for N/A mods?
2- Is there a good possibility to turbocharge the engine.
3- How much PSI can it hold with stock internals/bottom-end?
4- What critical internal parts should he change to be able to raise the boost past what it can take in stock form?
The B-Series engines are supposed to be very potent, but from what I heard of the B20A's is that they are worthless. So...
5- Would another B-engine be better?
6- How about an H-Series engine?
6.5- Can any of these two series be swapped in and would it be best because of his (possibly high boost) turbo plans?
7. Basically what is the best engine to have in the car if he wants to boost?
I'm thinking the H-Series would be better for hight boost since it is closed deck and less internals to work on. But...
8- Can the Prelude handle the H-series engines (like accords) and not have handling problems and other problems (like civics) with it in the car?
I think he's looking to atleast have 200-250whp, but would like in the future to have something around 300-350whp. So let me know what he would need for either of the 2 setups...and a price range for it would be nice, even though it won't be cheap. :)
9- I'm thinking maybe the B20A5 can atleast handle the first (200-250whp) with some work...or is it really as bad as they say it is?
If anyone has any examples/links to some existing boosted preludes/engines or anything please let me know. Thanks in advance. :)
-Gnr
My friend has an 3rd Gen '88 Honda Prelude Si. It has the B20A5 engine. He wants to know
1- What options does he have for N/A mods?
2- Is there a good possibility to turbocharge the engine.
3- How much PSI can it hold with stock internals/bottom-end?
4- What critical internal parts should he change to be able to raise the boost past what it can take in stock form?
The B-Series engines are supposed to be very potent, but from what I heard of the B20A's is that they are worthless. So...
5- Would another B-engine be better?
6- How about an H-Series engine?
6.5- Can any of these two series be swapped in and would it be best because of his (possibly high boost) turbo plans?
7. Basically what is the best engine to have in the car if he wants to boost?
I'm thinking the H-Series would be better for hight boost since it is closed deck and less internals to work on. But...
8- Can the Prelude handle the H-series engines (like accords) and not have handling problems and other problems (like civics) with it in the car?
I think he's looking to atleast have 200-250whp, but would like in the future to have something around 300-350whp. So let me know what he would need for either of the 2 setups...and a price range for it would be nice, even though it won't be cheap. :)
9- I'm thinking maybe the B20A5 can atleast handle the first (200-250whp) with some work...or is it really as bad as they say it is?
If anyone has any examples/links to some existing boosted preludes/engines or anything please let me know. Thanks in advance. :)
-Gnr
Rotorphile.
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 10,120
Likes: 0
From: Richmond, VA
1) Pistons, header, exhaust, maybe an intake if you can find one. Everything else would be custom, custom Crower rods, reground cams, etc.
2) You can turbocharge any engine. You'd just need custom parts to do it.
3) 6-8 psi should be ok when tuned.
4) Rods. Then sleeves, pistons, head studs, etc. depending on how high he wants to bost.
5) Any B-series would be better, ideally one of 1.8l or more (this means no B16A's, B16B's, or B17A's)
6) An H-series would be beautiful.
6.5) Good luck stuffing one of those in an 88-91. Talk about full custom installs!
7) The best engine would be an H22A because they displace a large volume and have plenty of aftermarket parts availible. It'll be hell to swap into that car, though.
8)With an aftermaket suspension, it should be peachy. Handling problems in Civics with H-series engines tend to be exaggerated.
9) The B20A will make your 200-250 with a custom turbo kit, but for 300-350 you should trash it and go for a custom swap.
In the end, an 88-91 Prelude is a pretty bad choice for mega-power builds because there is so little in the way of an aftermarket for them. Keep in mind that engine has a 1.51 rod/stroke ratio, that's horrible, and why it has issues. Honda should have never made that engine IMHO.
2) You can turbocharge any engine. You'd just need custom parts to do it.
3) 6-8 psi should be ok when tuned.
4) Rods. Then sleeves, pistons, head studs, etc. depending on how high he wants to bost.
5) Any B-series would be better, ideally one of 1.8l or more (this means no B16A's, B16B's, or B17A's)
6) An H-series would be beautiful.
6.5) Good luck stuffing one of those in an 88-91. Talk about full custom installs!
7) The best engine would be an H22A because they displace a large volume and have plenty of aftermarket parts availible. It'll be hell to swap into that car, though.
8)With an aftermaket suspension, it should be peachy. Handling problems in Civics with H-series engines tend to be exaggerated.
9) The B20A will make your 200-250 with a custom turbo kit, but for 300-350 you should trash it and go for a custom swap.
In the end, an 88-91 Prelude is a pretty bad choice for mega-power builds because there is so little in the way of an aftermarket for them. Keep in mind that engine has a 1.51 rod/stroke ratio, that's horrible, and why it has issues. Honda should have never made that engine IMHO.
Rotorphile.
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 10,120
Likes: 0
From: Richmond, VA
Try the good 'ole hmotorsonline.com, they have a pretty good rep around here. Their pricing is about average, too.
Need zzzzz's
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,386
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, CA
3&4) Take a look at http://www.ludespeed.com/
The owner of that site used to make turbo kits for the 3rd gen prelude a couple years ago but stopped due to lack of real demand. Lots of people wanted kits but few people were willing to put up the money. The kit he offered was constantly upgraded and relatively cheap but it appears he no longer offers it.
He made some pretty impressive gains with the turbo and the stock B20a5 BTW. So much, that I'd almost consider going the custom turbo route before dropping an H series in.
5&6) I have never seen a successful B series swap into the car but supposedly the H swap has been done. Hondaprelude.com used to have a few members who claimed to have done it.
Unfortunately, one of the problems is that most 3rd gen prelude owners are on a budget. Many times, that's part of the reason they drive them even if they are great cars IMO. So I would say that it really depends on your friend's goals. If it's anything, my brother's had his 1988 Si 4WS since 1997 and we used to have a 1988 S for a few years before and during that time. Just this year he purchased a 2004 WRX so he barely drives the Lude anymore...but it's still working and driving well.
The owner of that site used to make turbo kits for the 3rd gen prelude a couple years ago but stopped due to lack of real demand. Lots of people wanted kits but few people were willing to put up the money. The kit he offered was constantly upgraded and relatively cheap but it appears he no longer offers it.
He made some pretty impressive gains with the turbo and the stock B20a5 BTW. So much, that I'd almost consider going the custom turbo route before dropping an H series in.
5&6) I have never seen a successful B series swap into the car but supposedly the H swap has been done. Hondaprelude.com used to have a few members who claimed to have done it.
Unfortunately, one of the problems is that most 3rd gen prelude owners are on a budget. Many times, that's part of the reason they drive them even if they are great cars IMO. So I would say that it really depends on your friend's goals. If it's anything, my brother's had his 1988 Si 4WS since 1997 and we used to have a 1988 S for a few years before and during that time. Just this year he purchased a 2004 WRX so he barely drives the Lude anymore...but it's still working and driving well.