Alright here it is...I currently own a 1998 Honda Prelude. I am going to begin modding it...but lightly, nothing to drastic...I do not want a turbo/surpercharger or to spray Nos, just a few things smaller. I am going to go ahead and upgrade my clutch and flywheel, then I am debating whether it is worth it to get a VAFC II or a HONDATA, now keep in mind, no major bolt ons are going to be added. What would you all recommend? Also in the near future I may upgrade my CAMS. And when...if I buy a VAFC II, I will purchase a chip with it. So...what do you all think? Thanks.

Lex

 

I would suggest exhaust, intake, and headers before touching cams, ecu, and such. The Honda Prelude actually gets some great gains from an exhaust system unlike other N/A engines. Save the computer modifications for last, so you can tune it and leave it be for the most part. Otherwise if you mod the computer first, every time you add a part you're gonna have to go back and re-tune the computer in order to maximize the gain out of the car from the added part.

 

I've always believed cams and ecu to be a finishing touch.

The wrong cam choice can destroy an engines potential power. Wait to do cams after you've modified the engine as far as exhaust, intake, and whatever other little things you want done. Then get dyno'd find out where the power of the engine lays and make a selection based on that info, then fine tune the computer to the cams and you'll be set.

I'm more of a muscle car man where the cams can make or break the whole engine's powerband and I'm not too familiar with honda's and VTEC but all engines generally mod the same way with the same general results.

 

the above two posts were dead on. generally with mild cams on a vtec motor, pretty good gains can be seen throughout most of the entire RPM range. its when you start getting into the wild cams do you see more substatial losses in certain ranges.

 

Thanks guys, I do appreciate the advice...I think what I am going to do is headers, clutch, flywheel, cams and then maybe either the Hondata or VAFC II and then get it tuned to get my maximum output. Hoping to shave off a second...thinking on the upside...or two!

 

i don't drive a prelude, but I've heard that the stock header is actually designed pretty well, and there's no point in buying an aftermarket header. anyone else heard this?

 

i took the exact opposite route with my car. The first thing I did was get the UTEC engine management, that way when i did add a new mod i could get the most out of it.