88 Prelude Newbie Questions

Alright, I just got an 88 Prelude 2.0 Si! Now for questions....

I'm wondering what the gas mileage usually is, and also what the capacity of the gas tank is (I imagined it would be 12 Gal, but I'm not sure).

What does the S3 / S4 mean? I heard that S3 was without Overdrive and S4 with... but is it better to use either of these vs. Drive? I heard that Overdrive saves gas or something, I don't know... which would be best used for what situation?

I also heard that if I accelerate a little hard it not too long after I just started the engine, I will do damage to piston rings and gaskets and stuff...

Also, I'm not very car-savvy, so I don't know if there's anything special about the engine or anything like that (like a VTEC or whatever it is). What does the Si mean, stuff like that. What is "engine knocking"?

Any info? Thanks, much appreciated...

Cool, I have the same car.

Gas mileage: City - 23 Hwy, 27

S3, S4: Those numbers refer to the gears in an automatic transmission prelude. Selecting S3 will let you "shift" to 3rd gear, and selecting S4 will allow you to "shift" to 4th gear. I would suggest leaving it in S4, because it does save gas by staying in a higher gear and keeping the RPM's lower.

Accelerating after starting the engine: I think thats true for all cars. Accelerating an engine when the engine is "cold" is bad for the engine. If the engine is cold, the gas might not burn up completely after each cycle(power, intake, exhaust, compression) and could cause engine problems along down the road. I sometimes do it though, and my engines ok(at 174,000 miles).

Anything special about the engine?: Not really, 2.0 Liter, Dual Overhead Cams, Multiport fuel injection. I think one of the 3rd Generation Prelude's(1988 - 1991) strong points is its weight. Its a light car the pushes out 135 HP @ 5800 RPM. Plus the car is low to the ground, giving it added aerodynamics. I can still beat my friends 1994 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS (manual transmission) with my 1988 Honda Prelude 2.0SI(manual transmission)...

Hey, that's awesome! Too bad it doesn't always go to S4 when I put it down.. I have to hit that button. I guess that's the "overdrive" feature, huh? But it should change my mileage comparatively, right? Last time I calculated, it was going only 20 city, though I do drive on the freeway a bit sometimes. The best it was going was 26, which boggled me, but that was just consuming 1 gallon so I dunno. I kept it on D the whole time.

Wish mine was a manual. I was thinking auto=>manual swap but everyone here says its a very hard job, and being a pretty newb-ish newb, I wouldn't attempt to disable my only daily driver for a week or two, plus I don't really have funds. I love how it handles, though... it IS very light! Wish it was 4WS tho.

I had a funny moment today. Some guy in a pretty new-looking Corvette came up next to me and was wanting to race. I was like, uh... your car is 1 year old and probably less than 10K on it and mine's a 15 year-old automatic with almost 200K. But anyway, the bastard smoked me pretty easily.

I just refurnished my engine. Now I need to put it together. However, since I took the Time Belt off, I need to re-timing the belt. So I just wonder does the Prelude have Hydrolics Extension? If any one know how to do it please reply to me ASAP. Really appriciate your help.

I also heard that if I accelerate a little hard it not too long after I just started the engine, I will do damage to piston rings and gaskets and stuff...



gawdamu2.0 - Your explanation was incorrect.

You should let the car warm up for a minute or two before you even start driving it to let the oil circulate though the engine. You should then drive the car lightly for a few more minutes before driving it really hard this is to let it warm up further which lets all the parts heat up, expand, and seal correctly.

One of the worst things you can do to a car is start it up and nail the throtle.

I have a 1988 Prelude Si and I have a 3A racing intake, a 3A racing muffler, an Exedy stage 1 clutch, and a hedman chikara header. It's been dyn tested and it came out to 162 HP @6150 rpm and 142 ft-lb @4600 rpm. It came stock at 135 hp @6200 and 127 ft-lb @4600. the stock specs i got from an official honda dealer in modesto CA. My engine also stills runs really well even with 175000 miles and I have ran the crap out of it since i've had it. It's a pretty reliable car and quick. Mine also gets 24mpg/29mpg last time i calculated.

I have a 1988 Prelude Si and I have a 3A racing intake, a 3A racing muffler, an Exedy stage 1 clutch, and a hedman chikara header. It's been dyn tested and it came out to 162 HP @6150 rpm and 142 ft-lb @4600 rpm. It came stock at 135 hp @6200 and 127 ft-lb @4600. the stock specs i got from an official honda dealer in modesto CA. My engine also stills runs really well even with 175000 miles and I have ran the crap out of it since i've had it. It's a pretty reliable car and quick. Mine also gets 24mpg/29mpg last time i calculated.


B.S. dude, B.S.

This guy claims I/H/muffler gave him 27 horse. No fucking way

i agree.

not happening.

chris, from hondaprelude.com (site's not there any more) got close to that with an ignition, intake, header, and full exhaust.

it's obvious you're lying, b/c the HP peak in a 3rd gen is at 6400. there was a list of dyno charts on hp.com as well, and EVERY 3rd gen dyno sheet, no matter the build, had the peak at or around 6400.

why don't you go to the 3rd gen forum at www.preludepower.com and post that bs hp number for your stock motor... ;)

this is causing alot of controversy on another board of lude owners...

so, is your 160hp at 6150 at the wheels, or the crank?
drop us a bone here, we need to figure out why you got numbers that are totally implausible with the 3 mods you've got.