Need help with model designation

Hi gang... Had a quick question... What are the diffrences in the model designations (Si, S type, etc.) I am most interested in the "s type" because I am looking at a '94 s type right now to buy. Also, a rough guess on the price of a:

1994 prelude s type
4 cyl
5 speed
cold ac
ps
pb
am/fm/cass/cd
148k miles
sunroof
new struts
new timing belt
new water pump
(note:looks like there were diffrent wheels that were taken off of it)

also with the new struts, timing belt and water pump... what damage should I look out for?

I really need the help on this one... looking at it seriously and am recently "converted" from a Nissan 300z guy...lol

Thanks alot!

well congrats on the conversion =) whoooo ::claps::, but anyway make sure the price is right.....and the difference is partially in HP, S = 135, Si = 160, Vtec = 190(at 6200 rpm, not like the 5000 rpm with the S, and Si), anothter advantage over hte S the Si and Vtec have is 4ws which is 4 wheel steering which helps in handling(obviously), the Si and Vtec also have different engines Si has a DOHC dual overhead cam, and also the issue of OBD I and OBDII, which is closed and open engine caskets or something manifolds? but one you can mount a Vtec head and one you cant but the one you cant is stronger and better for turboing or super charging.....but not sure about this one however i do believe the main issue will be what you can afford and what is available but regardless all three are very nice =) i have an S myself

135HP... sounds a little weak for me... I was hoping it was a little better than that to start off with. I take it that the S-type is an entry level prelude? They are asking $4500, but I think I can get it for about $4000. Wondering if it would be worth it to get it and drop in a VTEC powerplant. I am going to tune this thing quite a bit (but still keep it as a daily driver) It does not need to be efficiant... just reliable. Do you think I can get there with a S-type?

no i woudlnt go for it.....where do you live? i think you should look harder, and just get the Si or Vtec its worth the money....engine swaps are like 4000 bucks just for the h22, and then even more for the labor....i woudnt recommend it...save yourself the trouble...and just spend like 1-2 extra grand and get the higher models......and low miles should be a high priority if you plan to sink in lots of money into it find one with ilke <80k i would say but im not really sure about that stuff yet since i havent had mine for that long but thats just my opinion. Keep looking dont rush into things since you might regret it later on =)

Yea... thanks alot... thats about what I thought.... although you did bring up an interesting point about that motor with a turbo... I will eventualy be looking at installing a Overboost Stage 4 Gen IV 200+ HP Turbo (not ded set on it... just one I am looking closely at) Do you think it would handle it... or still go with the VTEC?

i talked to my friend who also has a prelude and from what ive read personally ordinary vtecs seem to work fine with turbos but with the one you want im not sure. Im still kind of fuzzy about what happens when the vtec kicks in and the turbo is still pushing extra air into the engine what happens but i heard that its not bad for your engine or anyting and you shouldnt worry. The main concern most people have i think are whether your engine block is obd I or obd II since its stronger, i think the other ppl in this forum can help you there more than i can. sorry

no nroblem... thanks for all your help. The help witht the model differences was good enough for me..lol.... thanks

An S for 4000 isn't worth it. You can swap a h22a (2.2 VTEC) motor in for around 2500 if you do it yourself.

Paying someone to do it is rediculous. You learn far too much when doing it yourself, and it really isn't that hard if you know your way around the shop and have the right tools.

An h22a is a fine motor for boost. Make sure you get a closed deck engine though, as they are stronger. I think that anything pre-1995 is closed deck anyway.

Most drag ludes that go the route of super high boost get rid of the VTEC cams for turbo cams. That makes buying the h22a pointless. (i'd rather boost the h23 Si motor in that situation).

Now, I have to ask, why are you converting to owning a honda over a Z? The VG30DE is WAY more responsive to tuning than the h22. FWD sucks, period. I love my lude, but I'd take a Z over it anyday.

Gotta get me an S2k...

thanks for the info... The reason I am getting away from the Z is the fact that I have 2 that (in my oppinion) are not worth putting the money into to fix them. One I got just for a parts car and the other was my driver but I think I killed a ring in it AFTER I had already re-done the valves and heads. I am working on selling them right now... you want a Z? how about 2??? lol They are older model ones... If they were the newer style ones I would fix them up, but they are 85 and 86... judging from what I see them selling for (usualy around $2000 or so) with all the time and money they would take... just not worth it to me... might be for someone else that had more time than I do.

thanks for the info... The reason I am getting away from the Z is the fact that I have 2 that (in my oppinion) are not worth putting the money into to fix them. One I got just for a parts car and the other was my driver but I think I killed a ring in it AFTER I had already re-done the valves and heads. I am working on selling them right now... you want a Z? how about 2??? lol They are older model ones... If they were the newer style ones I would fix them up, but they are 85 and 86... judging from what I see them selling for (usualy around $2000 or so) with all the time and money they would take... just not worth it to me... might be for someone else that had more time than I do.

No thanks, nothing before the 90 model year. Too old. Maybe a 240 though..