![Gran Turismo 5 demo coming to PSN on Dec 17, GT Academy returns [w/VIDEO]](http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/370z-gt-academy_143x85.jpg)
RR of the Day: 2000 Honda Prelude
When Honda introduced the Prelude in 1978, it was a strong indicator that the Japanese automaker wanted to move beyond its mundane, econo-box image. Over the next 23 years, the Prelude would go through five iterations and serve as a rolling test bed for Honda's R&D. The third generation Prelude received VTEC technology right after it was introduced in the NSX and it still has the distinction of being the only vehicle offered with an entirely mechanical four-wheel steering system. In 1987, Road & Track wrapped up testing the 1988 2.0Si 4WS version and realized that it's slalom figures eclipsed every vehicle they tested that year, including the Corvette, the new 911, and a couple Italian marques by the name of Lamborghini and Ferrari. It was a coup, but alas, all good things must come to an end.
Like all of Honda's products over the years, the Prelude got fat and with the popularity of the Acura Integra, Honda decided to axe the Prelude in 2001. However, a dedicated group on enthusiasts still hold the Honda in high standing and when it comes to the portly fifth-generation model, the best way to shed the pounds is to add some boost.
That's the tactic Flickr member smlude took when preparing his 2000 Prelude for cone-duty and judging by the list of mods after the jump, no freakin' expense was spared.
A few highlights from the mod list include a Jackson Racing supercharger, a Mugen header, coupled to Mugen cat-back exhaust, AEM cold air intake, cam gears and power pulleys, a lightweight flywheel and a JDM SIR-S Spec LSD-equipped tranny. That's maybe ten-percent of what's under the hood. On the suspension side of the equation, a Mugen Type S coilover kit drops the 'Lude about one-inch for street duty and is swapped out for a Ground Control setup when the owner hits the track. Brembo rotors and PBR ceramic pads handle the stoppage duties, and a Spoon rear strut bar firms things out in back.
The list goes on and on and on, and we didn't even get to the exterior and interior additions. Although one thing we particularly liked was the fact that the OEM stereo remains. Way to keep it real smlude.
The exhaustive list of modifications is posted after the jump, along with a few more pics of the Prelude getting its weekly parking lot workout.
NEXT WEEK'S THEME: Cars of the '80s!
Break out the leg warmers and your old Atari 2600, because we're going back to the '80s for our next RR of the Day theme. All next week we want to feature glorious cars from the decade that brought us the rise of Kevin Bacon as an actor and synthesized music as an art form. If you have a vehicle that originates from the 1980s, submit it to our Autoblog Flickr Pool to be considered for a RR of the Day feature. Man, it's gonna be a rad week.
EXTERIOR
•Mugen Aluminum emblem (large)
•OEM front under spoiler (front lip)
•OEM Type SH side skirts
•Body colored rear under spoiler
•JDM fog light kit
•Koito H3C Whitebeams
•Sylvania H1 Silverstars
•Clear front corner lamps with amber bulbs
•Clear front turn signals with amber bulbs
•Virginia legal window tint
•18"x7.5" Tenzo R Poke 10's (gunmetal), street
•15"x8" Keizer 5 lug Customs (polished, 10lbs), racing
•215/40/R18 Yokahama Parada Spec 2's, street
•225/50/R15 Kumho Ecsta V710s, racing
•ARP Extended Lugs
•Gorilla Open Ended lugs (front), Gorilla Tuner Lugs (back, black)
•JDM Prelude Type S emblem (front)
INTERIOR
•Mugen Sport pedal set
•Mugen aluminum emblem (small - painted black)
•Mugen shift knob (black)
•OEM carbon fiber dash kit
•OEM trunk mat
•JDM Type S carbon fiber gauge bezel
•JDM cup holder
•DC Sports Short Shifter Adapter
•NTPOG designed camera mount
•Custom stitched OEM shift boot
ENGINE
•Jackson Racing Supercharger
•Mugen cat-back exhaust system
•Mugen header, Jet-Hot coated
•Mugen brake reservoir cover
•Mugen power steering reservoir cover
•Mugen oil filler cap
•Mugen Thermostat
•Mugen Fan Switch
•MSD Boost/Timing Master
•AEM Cold Air Induction System (polished)
•AEM by-pass valve
•AEM Tru-Time Adjustable Cam Gears, tuned
•AEM Tru-Time Power Pulleys
•JDM SIR-S Spec Valve Cover w/ moon cut
•JDM SIR-S Spec LSD transmission
•Clutch Specialties custom clutch
•Spec lightweight flywheel (8 lbs)
•NGK Plug Wires (Blues)
•NGK Iridium Plugs
•Apexi VAFC-II Controller
•Marcucci Motorsports custom VAFC-II OBDII wiring harness
•ODDII workaround
•DC Sports polished wire cover
•DC Sports polished battery tie down
•Various dress up items (incl. Blue hoses, vinyl under hood, & white brackets)
SUSPENSION & HANDLING
•Mugen Type S Suspension Kit (1" drop), street
•Ground Control Coilovers w/ custom spring rates, racing
•Koni Sport Adjustables (Yellows), racing
•Spoon rear strut bar
•Brembo Rotors
•PBR ceramic pads
AUDIO
•OEM in-dash six disk changer
How to submit to RR of the Day:
Create a Flickr account if you don't already have one. Search for and join the group called 'Autoblog RR of the Day'. Upload up to three photos of your ride to your own account at a size no larger than 450 pixels wide if possible and include as much information about it and yourself as possible. Even if your ride is sweet, it will not be chosen if there's not a lot of info accompanying it. Click on each photo and just above the picture it will say "Send to group". Click that and select the Autoblog group. You're done, that's it!
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Son of Dat 11:17AM (11/14/2006)
I like preludes - it was a shame Honda killed them off
Nice styling, great handling, reliabilty, nice interior and quick too!
If I had to drive a Honda - this would be it
Nice car
Reply
SMlude 11:23AM (11/14/2006)
^ Thanks.
Autoblog, thanks for the selection, it means a lot. I've got a lot of time and energy in the car and its nice to see it be appreciated.
Reply
Mike 11:28AM (11/14/2006)
Got fat like all Hondas?
Excuse me?
Did you not notice that ALL cars get fat over the years? What's a BINI weigh compared to a real MINI? What does the last Supra weigh compared to the first?
Yes the Prelude got fat, but please wake up to reality and come to grips with the fact that the increased weight is in no way unique to Honda and is shared by the entire industry.
Reply
zoops 11:28AM (11/14/2006)
Looks great! The real question is how well does it do in Street Mod ;)
Reply
tron 11:40AM (11/14/2006)
the ford fusion pretty blatantly copied the prelude's front end, with the exception of the chrome 3-bar grille...
Reply
SMlude 11:55AM (11/14/2006)
I agree with the weight issue, everythings been getting heavier.
Zoops, she holds her own. I run with 2 clubs locally and have won SM for the season with both, placed first nearly every event. Competition includes M3s, EVOs, and a stripped H22 hatch or two.
Don't know how it'd do nationally.
Reply
Rob @ School 11:56AM (11/14/2006)
Meh. That thing still weighs a lot, and all that heft has to be turned and moved via only the front wheels. A decently setup 1st gen Neon ACR would rape it pretty easily.
Reply
curtis 1:07PM (11/14/2006)
I think the only thing it remotely copied was the headlights, stop playing that game, it's silly. I love the prelude, honestly this and the new civic coupe si are my fav hondas, and the new element found a warm spot in my heart. This has got to be one of the most exciting RR cars yet, at least in my tastes. Cars that popularized in the 90's but died shortly after, that happened a lot, it's a shame. If Honda brought back the Prelude, I think it would be great. Love your car! I've got a friend who's been moding his Prelude over the years, he's got one up on you, a breathalyser equipped with he ignition haha.
Reply
curtis 12:00PM (11/14/2006)
#7
Well, performance isn't always everything, not in my book at least. I'd rather drive a nice looking car than an ugly one.
Reply
Mike 12:56PM (11/14/2006)
#7 - Great. Post your decently setup 1st gen ACR Neon to flickr, submit it, and let's see who cares.
I'm guessing not many, but that's just a hunch. Oh, and a decently setup 240Z would rape it pretty easily.
Reply
Saracen 1:05PM (11/14/2006)
5th gen Preludes weigh in at around 2900 lbs, only 150 more than the Neon ACR...and figuring in the mods this Prelude is pumping out at least twice the horsepower as the Neon.
A Neon ACR would not stand a chance with this car.
Reply
psily 1:46PM (11/14/2006)
i have a 97 prelude (5th gen) ... i feel bad, cuz i need a tune up.
Reply
Fazzster 1:25PM (11/14/2006)
I learned to drive and lost my virginity in an 82 Prelude. My family put over 200k miles on her before she rusted out. As for the girl in the passenger seat, she had many miles put on her too.....
Reply
risingsun 1:27PM (11/14/2006)
I've said since they killed off this Prelude that had Honda made it a convertible it would still be around to this day. I can't believe Honda never made a Prelude convertible!!! The S2000 is a little too dedicated of a sports car for the likes of those seeking out the FWD Sebring convertible or even Mustang V6 convertible. A FWD Honda convertible that is larger than the S2000 would rob sales from the Sebring and the 'Stang.
Clarkson in his top 100 video claimed this to be the best looking Japanese car ever, and it's at least in my top five.
Honda does the wedge shape so right.. just look at the S2000 and this car.
Nice car!
Reply
Rob @ School 1:29PM (11/14/2006)
AhahAH. 1st gen ACRs weigh about 2400lbs, sport 150 or so hp, and have something that almost every honda lacks: TORQUE. A smaller lighter car with a close ratio transmission, the ACR stormed the autocross lots with a vengence. It's only real competitor was the miata. That generation prelude was NEVER real competitive in the autocross world. Here's a link you should check out, as a STOCK 1st generation Neon ACR smokes twin turbo 300ZXs, RX7s, Supras, Midgets, GTis, Mustangs, Integras, Civics, etc.
http://www.cnyroadrace.com/scca/results/98solo8.htm
Read it and weep.
Reply
Dave 4:37PM (11/14/2006)
Prelude didn't get VTEC treatment until the 4th generation.
Reply
SMlude 1:57PM (11/14/2006)
Not to fuel the fire but, the last time I ran against a ACR Neon was at a divisional in DSP trim (much slower than I am now). I beat the 2400 lb., Mopar sponsored, good driver driven Neon by .75 secs each day.
But, one event doesn't mean much to me.
I really appreciate all the kind words everybody.
Reply
spdracerut 1:56PM (11/14/2006)
ROB, if you're going to bash a car, at least get the facts straight. I think you fail to realize that the Prelude came with a 2.2L motor; hence, it actually does have some torque. About 155 ft-lb at that with 200hp.
Also, anyone can make any car fast. I outran a twin turbo supra with BPU upgrade on hoosiers with my 140whp Nissan on crap tires at Texas World Speedway. Hey, the guy was just a crappy driver. As for the Neon, it's just a crappy car period.
Reply
Andy 2:32PM (11/14/2006)
Sigh. No exotic or classic cars?
Reply
W L Simpson 2:41PM (11/14/2006)
this recalls when these were new,an avant garde had lowered his & tagged it 1LOLUDE
Reply