$1600 burning a hole in my pocket. Suggestions?

[IHIPrelude94]

Alright peeps, I just started a thread here listing what I just bought, but here's the cliffnotes of what will be on my car in ~3 weeks, and I need suggestions on additional parts/options.

1994 Honda Prelude VTEC
DC Sports DAC Intake
DC Sports 4-2-1 Ceramic Coated Header with 2.5" Collector
Cat Delete/Magnaflow 2.5" inlet/outlet 22"body/26"overall length resonator
Custom 2.5" Mandrel Bent Piping
2.5-3" inlet muffler with dual tips that I'm still hunting for (suggestions welcome, want it to look stockish)
Optima Red Top Battery
4Bidden Short Shifter
Energy Suspension Bushings Master Kit
Tein Basic Coilovers

(Misc parts: JDM Black Housing Headlights, 5th Gen Sunroof/Moonroof conversion, Accord Rear Lip, 92-93 Amber front corners)

So, with what I have now, and with $1600 in my pocket, what should I do? Install is going to cost me a case of beer and a pizza since I have a buddy who's a 15 year mechanic so labor is really no issue. I plan on buying a second H22 to build so I don't want anything block wise for now. Clutch was replaced 35K miles ago and I drive my car aggressively. Brakes were just done last year. I'm heading towards a hardcore N/A build in the end game (Header is temporary, because I can't justify dropping $1000+ and waiting months on end for a header to go on a stock internal motor)

So... what would you buy? lol

~Peace

[Darkness]

suggestion you say? just give me the money

[IHIPrelude94]

Originally Posted by Darkness

suggestion you say? just give me the money

No thanks... lol. I'd be up for some constructive ideas though. I'm starting to install these parts in roughly 10 days and if I need anything else I'd like to order it now so it's here in time.

~Peace

[fartbomber]

Originally Posted by IHIPrelude94

...So, with what I have now, and with $1600 in my pocket, what should I do? Install is going to cost me a case of beer and a pizza since I have a buddy who's a 15 year mechanic so labor is really no issue. I plan on buying a second H22 to build so I don't want anything block wise for now. Clutch was replaced 35K miles ago and I drive my car aggressively. Brakes were just done last year. I'm heading towards a hardcore N/A build in the end game (Header is temporary, because I can't justify dropping $1000+ and waiting months on end for a header to go on a stock internal motor)

So... what would you buy? lol

~Peace

I would just put all $1600 into a CD in the bank and wait until you get to your H22 build going and put it into a limited-slip differential, knife-edge the crank, three-angle port the cylinder head, or three-piece rims.

[IHIPrelude94]

Originally Posted by fartbomber

I would just put all $1600 into a CD in the bank and wait until you get to your H22 build going and put it into a limited-slip differential, knife-edge the crank, three-angle port the cylinder head, or three-piece rims.

What makes you think I don't have more in the bank as it is

There's another $3000 sitting in there already for next spring + the $1600 in my current Prelude fund, I just want her on the road for now and promised my wife I wouldn't spend it all so we have a cushion (not to mention CD's can't keep pace with the collapse of the dollar... 7% reduction in value so far this year so I'd probably lose money. My Roth IRA tanked too which blows... anyway). Plus I get a raise next week after my performance review so it will only get better. I would typically give this advice too, but I feel very financially stable at the moment and want to start working on the car. Everything you mentioned in your last post is in the plans... no worries

I know you suggested a Camber Kit in my other thread. What do you think about some suspension goodies like Tanabe strut tower bars, front stabilizer bar, rear strut tower bar/lower tie bar? Tires are still decent so no worries until next spring when I get the MF8s (Christmas/Birthday present from my family, so that's not coming out of the fund either).

Also, does anyone make steering gears for our cars? I'm used to my just sold 07 fit/new 08 Si sedan and the quick lock to lock turning. My steering felt like mud when I drove it last in the Prelude... lol

~Peace


~Peace

[Darkness]

i'm in the same boat as you...mine is going towards cams, new vanos unit install of my m3 bumper and upper grill support and then a paint job

[fartbomber]

Originally Posted by IHIPrelude94

What makes you think I don't have more in the bank as it is

There's another $3000 sitting in there already for next spring + the $1600 in my current Prelude fund, I just want her on the road for now and promised my wife I wouldn't spend it all so we have a cushion (not to mention CD's can't keep pace with the collapse of the dollar... 7% reduction in value so far this year so I'd probably lose money. My Roth IRA tanked too which blows... anyway). Plus I get a raise next week after my performance review so it will only get better. I would typically give this advice too, but I feel very financially stable at the moment and want to start working on the car. Everything you mentioned in your last post is in the plans... no worries

I know you suggested a Camber Kit in my other thread. What do you think about some suspension goodies like Tanabe strut tower bars, front stabilizer bar, rear strut tower bar/lower tie bar? Tires are still decent so no worries until next spring when I get the MF8s (Christmas/Birthday present from my family, so that's not coming out of the fund either).

Also, does anyone make steering gears for our cars? I'm used to my just sold 07 fit/new 08 Si sedan and the quick lock to lock turning. My steering felt like mud when I drove it last in the Prelude... lol

~Peace

Well, I suggested replacing the upper strut mounts, and OEM ones usually have rubber bushings. It would be an upgrade to go with camber kit like in the link below since it will have urethane bushings.
Specialty Products Front Camber Kits from HorsepowerFreaks

I don't like strut tower bars with ends that swivel. That's just me. Have you looked at Neuspeed strut tower bars?
Upper Strut Tie-Bar : Neuspeed

I'm not going to pry into your financial life, it was just a suggestion.

Money to burn ideas:
1. Change out the steering wheel to a non-air bag leather-wrapped one? Momo, Sparco, OMP, Nardi.

2. Koyo racing radiator.

3. Pillar mount gauge pods with gauges to monitor stuff like oil pressure, oil temperature, voltmeter, water temperature so you'll be ready when VTEC kicks in.

4. Bling. Gold necklaces and rings. Just get a lot of them, and wear all of them at the same time while driving the Prelude.

[IHIPrelude94]

Originally Posted by fartbomber

Well, I suggested replacing the upper strut mounts, and OEM ones usually have rubber bushings. It would be an upgrade to go with camber kit like in the link below since it will have urethane bushings.
Specialty Products Front Camber Kits from HorsepowerFreaks

Thanks for the link Man. Suspension knowledge has always been my weakest link, so this is a good place for me to start looking.

Originally Posted by fartbomber

I don't like strut tower bars with ends that swivel. That's just me. Have you looked at Neuspeed strut tower bars?
Upper Strut Tie-Bar : Neuspeed

I'll definitely check that out as well. I agree with the swiveling ends... didn't realize they were like that last time I looked, I'll have to check it out again. Again, thanks for the input man.

Originally Posted by fartbomber

I'm not going to pry into your financial life, it was just a suggestion.

No offense taken at all dude. I've been waiting to mod this car for 11 years and it's all coming together now. The last thing on my mind is putting this money back in the bank... lol.

Originally Posted by fartbomber

Money to burn ideas:
1. Change out the steering wheel to a non-air bag leather-wrapped one? Momo, Sparco, OMP, Nardi.

2. Koyo racing radiator.

3. Pillar mount gauge pods with gauges to monitor stuff like oil pressure, oil temperature, voltmeter, water temperature so you'll be ready when VTEC kicks in.

4. Bling. Gold necklaces and rings. Just get a lot of them, and wear all of them at the same time while driving the Prelude.

LMFAO! 3/4 are awesome. I'm gonna stick with the OEM steering wheel until I get 4/5 pt harnesses. Just seems safer to me, imo... Koyo radiator is an option.

What do you think about the M Factory Final drives? Strongly debating thr 4.64 final drive as of right now... And I'd still have a decent chunk of change left over afterwards.

~Peace

[fartbomber]

Originally Posted by IHIPrelude94

What do you think about the M Factory Final drives? Strongly debating thr 4.64 final drive as of right now... And I'd still have a decent chunk of change left over afterwards.

~Peace

What are your plans for this car?
Track-only car or street-driveable track car or run-of-the-mill Corvette killa?
Are you putting in a turbo?
What kind of HP are you planning on getting after your engine swap?

If you are going to be doing some track racing, a final drive upgrade would be good. That M Factory dog gear set was nice but super expensive. If you are just going to be street thug and ridin' fast and low , a nitrous kit would be better than the final drive.

[AutoShepherd]

$1600 burning a hole in your pocket? Autoshepherd.com haha

[fartbomber]

Originally Posted by AutoShepherd

$1600 burning a hole in your pocket? Autoshepherd.com haha

Shameless plug.

[IHIPrelude94]

Originally Posted by fartbomber

What are your plans for this car?
Track-only car or street-driveable track car or run-of-the-mill Corvette killa?
Are you putting in a turbo?
What kind of HP are you planning on getting after your engine swap?

If you are going to be doing some track racing, a final drive upgrade would be good. That M Factory dog gear set was nice but super expensive. If you are just going to be street thug and ridin' fast and low , a nitrous kit would be better than the final drive.

I want a street-driveable track car. N/A build, I'm shooting for 260WHP running E85. ITBs, Hytech Header, 3 inch exhaust, built valve train and bottom end, tuned on Hondata. I know the build is going to be expensive but the car is worth it. Love this Lude... Project is estimated at 3 years from now til finish. Exterior, I'm just throwing on an Accord Type-R lip, a painted dry carbon hood, and my 15" Mugen MF8s or MF10s and calling it a day. Part of the reason I want to keep my exhaust looking stock.

I basically want something that you could look at when it's turned off in the parking lot and assume it's just a run of the mill, clean prelude. Then you fire it up, hear the ITBs, and loping idle... sleeper in a way.

~Peace

[fartbomber]

Okay.
I guess you should get this. Sparco Pro Cup-X Driving Suit - Speedway Motors, America's Oldest Speed Shop

[IHIPrelude94]

Originally Posted by fartbomber

Okay.
I guess you should get this. Sparco Pro Cup-X Driving Suit - Speedway Motors, America's Oldest Speed Shop

Is that a serious suggestion? I'm not even racing the car right now. I'm looking for ideas on things I need now. Nevermind, figured it out last night over a few pipes and beers with my buds last night. Watch out for a thread detailing installs soon!

~Peace

[fartbomber]

Originally Posted by IHIPrelude94

Is that a serious suggestion? I'm not even racing the car right now. I'm looking for ideas on things I need now. Nevermind, figured it out last night over a few pipes and beers with my buds last night. Watch out for a thread detailing installs soon!

~Peace

No, it was a joke. You know, in case the car blew up in flaming wreck. Dumb joke.