lookin at buying a '97 SH- looks like it had mods, has air intake, strut tower bars. test drove it. took it on the highway and the 1st time I took it to high RPMs a lot of black-gray smoke came out of the exhaust. the car is fast and drives great... should I be too concerned with all the smoke? could smoke be from oversized injectors? or some other fuel system mod? or could it be burning oil?

 

if its oil or coolent pay less you will have to do some work.if its just smoke no liquid you shold be ok.black smoke is runing rich so yes oversized injectors could do this.oil burning is got a hint of blue in it and usely a motor dosnt run good if its burning oil.plase you hand next to ex tip or look for oil driping out the ex.those 97 shs have a cool atts makes both tires grab its a pain to do trans work on them thow you have to pull the atts it got collent lines and uses a/t fluid.i would say if its a m/t go for it if its an a/t hold off but thats just my opionion.o chaniging oil gets dirty to the filter is on the top side of the engine behind the intake it spils oil all over the atts if you change the filter so if you do by it get the oil changed at the dealer is only like 25-30 bucks and thay get to deal with the mes

 

how many miles?

 

black smoke is an indication of running rich. which could be caused by a few things. i would pass on it.

 

its got about 160K... thanks for the advice. buying the car!!!! its a steal anyways!

 

162,000

 

my 89 has about 180,000 (odometer has been broken for 2 yrs) & still does 130 yeehaw

 

All DOHC VTEC engines run rich at high rpms and WOT. Honda programs the ECU's that way to prevent pre-detonation. The black smoke is normal for a 5th Gen Prelude. Blue or white smoke is a bad sign. (oil and coolant)

 

If It Has Modes Then It Has Be Driven Hard. Its Hard To Find One That Hasnt Been Fucked With. Your Best Bet Is To Say No And Then Find One With No Modes. Do A Compression Test. Thats The Most Important. As Long And It Has @ Least 190 Psi In Every Cyl Then You Know The Internals Are Ship Shape. I Looked At 3 Ludes...one Had Burnt Valve Other Had Low Compression On 2 Cyl. And The Third Had 205psi In Every Cyl. Look Hard And Good

 

While that is a good point, that you should stay away from cars that have been "modded", for Preludes it is almost impossible. It's not your average Woman's GSR that was babied for 10 years (women were highest % of buyers of GSR), and they are hard to find, completely stock. Heck it's hard to find any Honda these days completely stock.

Case in point: I got a 97 SH with 124k miles. It had no major mods, but it did have a CAI, toyo proxes with low tread on the front, and carbon fiber trim inside, (didn't even know until I saw it in person) so it's obvious the car was driven harder than average. This is by no means a ricer car mind you, but it is not completely stock. Other than a new rear wheel bearing, the car drives perfect. No tranny grinds, nothing.

So, I would say be very cautious, and if you aren't a mechanic, and you don't know any, then stay away. But just because it was modded in the past doesn't guarantee it will have problems. But use your common sense, if it looks beat, then chances are it is.
Good luck.