Novice here :-)

uberNoobZA · Post by **uberNoobZA** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 3:13 pm

Hi all

I've recently bought a 1995 Prelude 4WS 2.2 VTEC (168k mileage) from a mate, which I'll be setting up for track use. Not racing as such, but just something to take on the track.

I'm a serious novice at working on cars, and have learnt a lot from people on other forums about my '54 Civic Type-S 9which is my daily driver).

Main plans for my Prelude are -
- Replace sun roof mechanism and panel (mine's badly rusted, but working)
- Remove ABS (will have to pay someone to do that)
- Remove 4WS (I was told it's not that difficult to do)
- Fit adjustable springs, so I stop scraping the exhaust on speed bumps (but can still drop it for track use)
- Fit uprated brake lines
- Fit uprated brake discs for track use
- Fit some 17" wheels and tyres
- Flush all fluids and replace all filters.

That should be enough to get her ready for first track day.

I'm thinking of maintaining it as a weekend / show car as well, so not going to get too crazy with weight loss etc, but who knows where I'll go once I've had her out on the track a few times

Post by **Merlin** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 3:26 pm

Welcome to LG!!

The Lude is great track car, cheap and great handling

I would agree with most of you plans, brakes and suspension is a good place to start. Although I would not muck about with ride height once you have installed your new suspension. Once the wheel alignment has been set properly (get 4 wheel alignment done

) any movement in height will move the toe and screw your handling. Once set leave it

I'd leave the ABS, it is not that invasive and saves the initial ball-ache of removing it. Its something you could do further down the line.

To remove the 4WS you need a 2ws subframe and toe arms. Don't buy any OEM toe arms that have split boots or knackered balljoints, you cant buy replacements (well you can but Honda will charge you for a whole new toe arm).

uberNoobZA · Post by **uberNoobZA** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 3:39 pm

Merlin wrote:Welcome to LG!!

The Lude is great track car, cheap and great handling

I would agree with most of you plans, brakes and suspension is a good place to start. Although I would not muck about with ride height once you have installed your new suspension. Once the wheel alignment has been set properly (get 4 wheel alignment done ) any movement in height will move the toe and screw your handling. Once set leave it

I'd leave the ABS, it is not that invasive and saves the initial ball-ache of removing it. Its something you could do further down the line.

To remove the 4WS you need a 2ws subframe and toe arms. Don't buy any OEM toe arms that have split boots or knackered balljoints, you cant buy replacements (well you can but Honda will charge you for a whole new toe arm).

Yeah she is a great car. I love driving her. She already has Eibach springs on her, and the wheels do lean a bit. Also, they're so low I can't find anyone to do alignment, as the they can't get their attachments onto the wheels. I guess with the adjustable springs, I could raise it just a little, so that I don;t scrape (most) speed bumps and also so that I can get alignment done (after 2WS conversion). I could then just leave it as is.

Post by **Merlin** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 3:57 pm

uberNoobZA wrote:I can't find anyone to do alignment, as the they can't get their attachments onto the wheels.

A proper wheel alignment place will use reflectors that grip the outer edge of the wheel rather than the tyre

uberNoobZA · Post by **uberNoobZA** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 4:04 pm

Merlin wrote:
uberNoobZA wrote:I can't find anyone to do alignment, as the they can't get their attachments onto the wheels.
A proper wheel alignment place will use reflectors that grip the outer edge of the wheel rather than the tyre

That's what I thought, but all the 'chain' garages I goto say their equipment won't fit.

Post by **Drax** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 4:32 pm

excellent choice of track car

you need to post some pics up and create yourself a profile for us to watch your progess

i have some uprated brake lines here if your interested btw;
http://www.ludegeneration.co.uk/prelude ... t3205.html

do you have any strut braces fitted yet either?

Post by **Merlin** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 4:34 pm

uberNoobZA wrote:That's what I thought, but all the 'chain' garages I goto say their equipment won't fit.

I wouldn't go to Kwik Fit or the likes. Seek out a performance garage for someone who understands how geometry affects handling ie negative rear toe to reduce understeer etc.... Plus they will have the proper equipment

uberNoobZA · Post by **uberNoobZA** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 4:50 pm

Drax wrote:excellent choice of track car you need to post some pics up and create yourself a profile for us to watch your progess

i have some uprated brake lines here if your interested btw;
http://www.ludegeneration.co.uk/prelude ... t3205.html

do you have any strut braces fitted yet either?

I've already ordered my uprated brake lines, but I'll have a look through what you got on that page and get back to you if I'm interested in anything.

Not got any strut braces yet.

I've got a bunch of pictures of her on the Honda Karma forum (am I allowed to menion other forums here ?

), but they're watermarked with that forums logo, so when I get her to the barn me and a mate are renting for a garage, I'll take some more pictures.

Post by **4thgenphil** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 6:18 pm

Give the 4ws a shot or track, some people love it!

Where in the world are you anyway?

uberNoobZA · Post by **uberNoobZA** » Mon Feb 22, 2016 7:07 pm

4thgenphil wrote:Give the 4ws a shot or track, some people love it!

Where in the world are you anyway?

I've taken my Civic around Brands Hatch and absolutely loved it. Thats why I got a dedicated track car

I'm based in Oxford