NZ New BA5 Pre - what to do?

[Manta]

Hi guys,

right, I am very new to the honda thing. I have an NZ new BA5 Prelude (B20A) that is stock as a rock. What would be the best things to do first for performance gains? Is it worth doing the filter, because it seems to be in a stupid place (right down low next to the engine - nice and hot) and I was thinking that the standard airbox with a K&N filter might be a better option for cooler air. Also, should I enlarge the throttlebody? Any help would be appreciated

[PizzaBoy]

Pod filter with as much cold air as possible. Someone will stock an aluminium intake pipe that puts the filter somewhere behind the drivers side headlight, then make a cold airbox around this and remove all the factory intake resonators from the bumper etc (if they have any) Mind you im not sure what BA ludes look like under the bonnet so that might not work

After that, full exhaust and extractors. That pretty much sums it up for bolt on power, after that you have to start taking bits off and modifying them. Like throttlebody, intake manifold, head porting etc

hth

[cubic]

Sounds like an XX, so not fuel injected and single cam.

Depends on what you're aiming for. As you're new, I'd recommned going for the air filter, exhaust combo. IT's simple, fairly cheap and will get some improvement. Then, if you decide that you're comfortable with modifying it and want to pump money into it, then I believe a B18C swap isn't too hard into BA ludes.

[Manta]

Originally Posted by cubic

Sounds like an XX, so not fuel injected and single cam.

Depends on what you're aiming for. As you're new, I'd recommned going for the air filter, exhaust combo. IT's simple, fairly cheap and will get some improvement. Then, if you decide that you're comfortable with modifying it and want to pump money into it, then I believe a B18C swap isn't too hard into BA ludes.

Nope, mine is the B20A...fuel injected DOHC Manual too. Would a B18 give me much more power? I take it that they are Vtec?

[PH4T SI]

B16c has more power but those B20a engines give good gains as far as modding goes, put a H22a in there insted :twisted:

[Manta]

I've heard that messes with the handling big time. that right?

[PH4T SI]

well it would the H22a is a heavyer engine, or if you have the $$$$ go for a K20a Transplant

[EVLTEK FBI AKL]

Basically with the B20A you are never going to get your moneys worth in modifcation as far as feeling a power difference.
I would suggest either driving this to the ground while saving for something with a v-tec engine, or doing a transplant.

[Cyclone21]

2.25" mandrel bent exhaust from headers back and k&n in stock box.

anything more than that and your throwing money away.. unless you turbo it

[americ_ian]

best mod for a 3rd gen??? sell it for a 4th gen lude :evil:

[Manta]

Originally Posted by Cyclone21

2.25" mandrel bent exhaust from headers back and k&n in stock box.

anything more than that and your throwing money away.. unless you turbo it

Sweet, I was thinking I'd go that way. How much extra bhp would I expect from that?

[dethy]

Unless the factory exhaust has a lot of evil bends, id just remove the cat, and put a sports muffler on. You wont ever get performance worth your money on that car, especially not with an $1000 exhaust system.

Also rip out all the factory airbox and vents, and put in a ducted cold air intake

Anything else is a blatant waste of money.

[cubic]

Cleverly, Honda gave both the carbed engine and the injected engine the B20A name. The carb version has the airbox at the back of the engine with the filter in there, the fuel injected one has the filter in a plastic box behind the headlight I think.

Since it's the good engine you can also get good gains from turboing it. See if lowtegra (sp?) has sold his kit yet.

For a first modded car, I say go with cheap mods first, to get used to it. Then if decide to go hard out either go turbo or transplant. B20As aren't very good NA engines.