I used to own a 1.8t MKIV Jetta. I actually loved the car but it did blow up on me so I just decided not to go with VW’s anymore. I did everything i could to keep that engine from blowing but the way it was made I would have been better off getting a VR6.
Anyone who knows me knows that I love German cars (well mainly BMW lol). Nothing against VW, but I felt they were a bit pricey to have sooo many issues. I know if I were to go that route I’d just use it towards a Bimmer.
yeah, I just heard way to many stories about “dat German” car brand. And I have heard that they are hard to service yourself, so I’d rather not hassle with any of that. Only German cars for me are a select few Mercedes, or Porsche. All out of my price range for the next few years.
The car was made for drifting… If it’s a straight line build I could definitely see a problem. Stock and charged I can’t see it having any issues.
I saw a 2jz swap from a supra in that and the car was on coilovers. The coilovers are probably doing it putting added stress
How does the 5th gen Z06 compared to the 6th gen standard Corvette? How do they differ in terms of performance?
Reagarding 5th gen Prelude (H22A4) VS RSX Base (K20A1) for boost.
Since your WPH limit is 240, Prelude easily.
Prelude comes with 200 HP stock, RSX comes with 160.
The Prelude’s H22A engine is a true DOHC VTEC engine, the RSX base K20A1 has VTEC on one (intake only) side ala SOHC VTEC. It doesn’t breathe stock for stock nearly as well.
Those 2 factors alone means you will need less boost, and less work to get to 240 WHP on the Prelude. To reach 240 WHP with a turbo is nothing on either engine, and will not really stress the engine. People make 220+ on bone stock D series SOHC engines, and 260+ on non VTEC B18A/B18B engine, have been for years with bare minimum cobbled together home done turbos. The cheapest ebay kit, and a good tune would probably net more than 240 WHP on low boost bone stock long block. K20A1’s going to take more work, support mods, such as a better intake manifold from a true VTEC K20 head, and if similar sized turbo, more PSI.
Overall, I’d give the nod to the Prelude, because 240 WHP is far easily done on it, and the possible price of entry is lower, and you have a car thats better in many ways than a base RSX.
Any of the “OMG K20 awesome power making” factor is out in a base RSX/02-05 Civic Si (EP3) motor. So how easy power is to make on a K20…without that K20A2/K20A Type R/K20Z1 head, you dont get that.
Also taking a base RSX and later swapping it to Type S, you’d need the transmission, and not to mention the trims themselves have quite a few differences, where you’d wish to have had started with the Type S. Like brakes, gauge clusters, ect. Then there’s the necessity of K-Pro. You’d end up spending quite a bit in the end.
Thanks man, that makes it easier now, especially since the prelude looks better.
I didn’t know that the K20a3 was that inferior to the k20a2. I had assumed it was just cams. Doesn’t the 05 and up base RSX come with a 6 spd? or is that an inferior transmission as well.
But thanks, that makes it easier for me to make that decision, K pro alone is very expensive
EDIT: what do you think of Type S RSX vs Prelude
H22 in the Prelude RSX-S is the K20
K20A (2001-2006 Honda Integra Type-R DC5)
Displacement: 1998 cc
Compression: 11.5:1
Power: 217 hp (220 PS, 162 kW) @ 8000 rpm
Torque: 152 ft-lb (206 N*m) @ 7000 rpm
Redline: 8500 rpm
Bore: 86.0 mm
Stroke: 86.0 mm
Valvetrain: 16-Valve DOHC i-VTEC
Intake manifold: PRC
Honestly the RSX-S is a better car then the prelude in pretty much every way especially for boost. K20’s are made to be boosted with stock internals. Plus finding a decent prelude (as the last year they were made is 2002) is rather difficult. You can find cheap nice RSX-S all day. And upgrading preludes because of the H22 engine is a lot more difficult then finding parts to one of the most heavily moded cars/motors in the Honda scene.
no it’s not, the H series is a derivative of Honda’s F series engines. Similar displacement =/ same engine.
And as far as I know, the prelude is a better turning car despite it’s weight due to better suspension geometry and type.
Based on what? I dont get what you’re trying to say.
The k20 has power, Its a 6 speed with better gear ratios. And handles a turbo better on stock internals. I dont get how you can disagree with me on any of that lol.
For the record I’ve owned both a h22 prelude and currently own a K20 07 civic si.
H22 in the Prelude RSX-S is the K20
The H series engine found in the prelude isn’t even the same series or family of engines found in Si Civics or RSX’s. The H series shares more with the F series engines, and is closer to the F series than it is to the K series.
I would say RSX-S is better NA and boost. The true K20A is probably the best 4 cylinder ever made.
As far as what miracle arrow says not all true. RSX type S have the ricer tax so they are not priced that well. Base RSX $3 and 4k all day.
What’s the better car is debatable. The K20A2 is the better engine, by far.
Also you’re listing the specs of a K20A Type R engine which has quite a few different parts than the K20A2, and 20 more BHP stock than the K20A2.
And back to car VS car. I would say that when you search around, RSX Type S are not fairly priced. If you find a Type S under 9K, it’s early model beat to fuck and has 180K miles. So again, if you want a 240WHP Prelude or RSX, the most simple step is to get a Prelude with a good body, and lightly boost it on stock long block. Searching non-rust belt states for 2000+ Preludes will get you a clean example and since Preludes were never favored, there is no ricer tax. A 2000 Civic EX usually goes for the same as Prelude.
In the end If I were spending RSX Type S cash to go out and buy a Honda today, I’d just go to the S2000. There’s as many 9K S2K’s as there are overpriced RSX-S. I mean a cash 9K S2000 with 170K sure beats the hell out of a 9K RSX-S with 170K. RSX would probably beat an S2000 in a straight line with a simple reflash… but still.
Yoooo @FaceMeAndBeBroken - you know I moved to the Chi right? Yeah the car scene here is soooo on point. A guy I work with has been introducing me to a lot of car guys here. So I am learning a lot about the scene and really opening my mind.
LOL sorry I think you’re misunderstanding, its my fault.
The engine found in the Prelude is the H22
The RSX is the K20.
(There are MANY iterations of both)
Thats all i wrote there. I think you’re thinking I’m saying they’re the same engine? They’re not even remotely the same both based on time and technology between the 2 engines LOL.
I definitely agree with your write up but Im not sure where the hell you live. In the GTA forums I see nice Type-s’s with high mileage that are clean going for 5k Easy.
Damn son! Didnt know that. Good luck!
And what are GTA forums? Obviously if I google it a bunch of Grand Theft Auto game forums will probably pop up.
Ahahaha sorry. GTA is the Greater Toronto Area LOL. But if you look on JDMRides forums sometimes things pop up. Otherwise there is a Greater Toronto Area Facebook page you can join. You see pretty clean rides on there sometimes at low prices.
Also thats super interesting because our S2K’s are generally more expensive. Like for a nice one that isnt ancient/has a million KM’s on it they usually go for around the 12-15s for a nice one.
Ah I see.
S2K’s are generally all over the place, but seem as easy to pick up for 9K, extremely beat ones have gone at 8 and under, an average is 12-13K. There could be a guy trying to sell a 00 for 17K, or an 03 for 9500 obo. You just never know. RSX’s are always on the high side here, unless it’s a base model; those you can get for 3K. Average RSX-S seem a grand or so less than S2K.
Anyway went to IA Summer 14, not wasting the time to do it again. Got a shitty parking area, and zero coverage. It seems like no matter how basic your car was, if you were in the main area there’s tons of pics online of those cars. Even the beat up rust rods with painted steelies. When I saw the area we were led to, I knew it was going to be ass. I could’ve gone in my daily driver and it would have been no different.
@FaceMeAndBeBroken,
So the Prelude’s in my area are generally around anywhere from 3-7.5K depending on title and or milage. (I don’t care for salvage title, but the ones I’m looking at are generally 4.5-5.5K with around 150-190K miles.)
Now, Honda engine’s or not, that’s a lot of miles, and what scares me in general is that idiots drive them to shit because they are Honda engines. (I’m assuming you’ve owned a Prelude before or know about it more than I do)
At that mileage what should I replace or be looking at to replace to ensure that there is no catastrophic failure? Generally, I know that at that mileage
02 sensors may be way over due
Suspension needs to be taken care off
Car is going to get a tune UP regardless
Possible radiotor leak or water pump issues
Seals, gasket’s, etc
what specifically needs to be looked at or replaced? Lastly, worst case scenario, is rebuilding this engine cheap, or am I better off replacing the engine as a whole?
Again, how can you not love the FR-S
So first things first. Are you looking for a tuneable dd, or is this strictly a project car? The biggest thing you will have to worry about is if the previous owner riced it all to hell and if it has Honda cancer. I say this because you will find a lot of folks who are selling their Preludes that are maybe half way done or just half assed throughout. I say when you find someone look to see if it is a clean title (salvage titles can sometimes make it hard to insure) and see if they have all the documents of what has been done with the car. When I got rid of my 99’ civic I have invoices for every single part that I purchased along with documentation on when I changed the oil, etc. So if you can find a seller who has all those things (or most of them) then you will have a good idea as to what was done and when.