Prelude :::::::Automatic vs. Manual::::::::::::

[hondadude555]

Hey guys, I was wondering, is there a big difference between a manual prelude or a automatic prelude? What is the difference? is the manual a lot faster than the automatic? If i was going to buy an automatic, and i would get the header, the cai, the exhaust, and all the small things like a fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator, fuel computer, would it be fast? ( as fast as the manual?)??
If an auto and a manual with a good driver of same model/year with same features would race, which would win???THanks

[94preludeSI]

I heard that automatic preludes really don't loose that much power (other cars loose alot like a civic) compared to manual preludes... but this shift is much harsher. Mine is automatic and i think i have good power for 160 hp auto...

[hondadude555]

how much HP do you think you approximately loose with an automatic? and if I get all of that stuff installed for it, you think it would have a lot of difference from a manual?

[94preludeSI]

I think it's somewhere around 8 but it would differ with the car.

[hondadude555]

would an automatic accept all the mods the same as a manual?

[94preludeSI]

Yeah I think so but if you want to go into high power you're going to need a shift kit or something like that

[lazysmurff]

if youve got the option, take the manual. it'll be faster if your even a halfway decent driver (cuz youll have more control over when it shifts, obviously) and its more fun to drive.

besides, its a cool date idea to teach a girl to drive a stick

[del]

most cars on average loose anywhere between 15 and 20 percent of the power from the crank, through the drivetrain, and eventually to the wheels. the more "stuff" that power has to go through, the more power it takes. the automatic transmission, unlike manual, isn't a direct feed from the crank to the axles. you have crap like a torque converter to mess with. automatics also tend to be heavier as well. they don't utilize the power generated from the engine as efficiently as a manual. most automatics also dont' allow you to take your tach to redline as a safety measure. manuals allow you to use the entirety of your powerband and lets you shift. most manuals also give you at least one more gear. take the prelude for example, automatics come in 4 gears, those gears are longer. the manua with 5l gears have shorter gears which gives you better acceleration, plus another gear for a higher top speed overall. the redline on a manual is also higher so you have a larger powerband.

to answer your question, all things being equal, a manual will beat the automatic. even an auto with the mods you listed will have difficulty hangin with the 5 speed prelude.

the prelude automatic, particularly the 97 and up years, is NOTORIOUS for premature failure. not all automatics are plagued like this but if i were you, i would avoid the prelude automatic if you can especially if you plan on modifying it. they're crap. sorry, no offense. but i've personally experienced the crap job honda did on the prelude automatic.

i actually think honda has made some of the worst automatic transmissions out there. even GM has made better automatics than honda. but their more recent models with automatics seem to be an improvement. but honda does make the best manual trannys out there. jus some food for thought. i'm biased towards manuals though so you won't get a peep of a good word about an automatic from me, unless you eat drink and sleep rush hour traffic.

[lazysmurff]

to cap it all off...

4 banger + automatic tranny = slow and boring

4 banger + Manual tranny = fast and fun

[hondadude555]

ok, thanks for the tipsos. an automatic is off the list for me now. thanks.

[JacksColdSweat]

Hey are you guys also including the 97 + sport shift at. thats what I was looking at. I was wondering if it would match up to the manual since the sportshift has been compared to the Tiptronic on a Porsche. I'm wondering because I'm looking at weither or not to buy one. Also what are the mods avail. for this model Prelude and websites for those.

[del]

read my post above. the sport shift only MIMICS that of porche and/or ferrari. the way i put it is it's a 'fake' tiptronic, as are most others like it. you'll find real ones on porches, ferraris and other high end vehicles.

not only that, this is the precise transmission i was referring to when i said, "they're crap". just my opinion. get the 5 speed if you're going 5th gen.

[Veetec]

Originally Posted by del

read my post above. the sport shift only MIMICS that of porche and/or ferrari. the way i put it is it's a 'fake' tiptronic, as are most others like it. you'll find real ones on porches, ferraris and other high end vehicles.

not only that, this is the precise transmission i was referring to when i said, "they're crap". just my opinion. get the 5 speed if you're going 5th gen.

Like del already said Honda´s automatic transmissions are terrible!! Get one with manual transmission and you won´t regret it.

[JacksColdSweat]

Cool , thanks

[94preludeSI]

I have an automatic and mine is not all the bad