Power Pages: 1997 Honda Prelude

Owner: Ryan Mamerto
Dynamometer model: DynoJet 248E

DYNO 1: Baseline
Air temp @ 65.4 Degrees Fahrenheit

Peak HP: 178.2
Peak TQ: 150.5

Baseline Horsepower: 178.2
Baseline Torque: 150.5 lb-ft

Dyno notes: It must have either been the oil change or just differences between dynos, because the Prelude pulled out more horsepower than during our last session. This time we were able to pump out 178.2 horsepower and 150.5 lb-ft of torque.

Part includes: N/A

Pros: The car was overdue for an oil change, so we changed the oil before beginning our next set of tests.

Cons: This time around we used the same type of dyno but in a different location. This time it was the DynoJet dyno at Dynamic Autosports.

Tools required for installation: N/A

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DYNO 2: Hyper Ground System
Temp @ 65 Degrees Fahrenheit
Temperature difference from previous run: -0.4 Degrees Fahrenheit

Peak HP: 179.1
Peak TQ: 150.3

2000 to 3500 HP Range: 0-0.5
2000 to 3500 TQ Range: 0-1
3500 to 5500 HP Range: 0-0.5
3500 to 5500 TQ Range: 0-1
5500 to Redline HP Range: 0-1
5500 to Redline TQ Range: 0-1

Peak Horsepower: 179.1
Peak Torque: 150.3 lb-ft

Dyno notes: We played with many different grounding points and still weren't able to make any power. Most of the power differences you see on the graph are so minimal we aren't even sure if the wires made a difference. One thing we did find out was not to ground the wires by the coil. We actually lost power there, so we moved them to the intake manifold and bumped power back up to our baseline figure.

Part includes: Five different-length ground wires and battery terminal.

Pros: This has become a favorite product for Power Page testing since it can make a lot of power and is pretty affordable compared to other aftermarket products.

Cons: This was the first time we were unable to produce a lot of power with the wires. Our conclusion was the car had very good grounding points to begin with. We probably would have seen more power if we had a few more parts on the car.

Tools required for installation: 10mm and 12mm sockets, 12mm wrench

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DYNO 3: 63421 Crower Cams and sprockets
Air temp @ 66.4 Degrees Fahrenheit
Temperature difference from previous run: +1.4 Degrees Fahrenheit

Peak HP: 187.0
Peak TQ: 153.6

Dyno notes: If we had the ability to play with the VTEC, we know we could have made more power, but instead we stuck with the Holley fuel pressure regulator for fuel compensation. The sprockets worked best with the intake 1.5 advanced, the exhaust at 2 retarded and ignition timing at 19 degrees. It was also obvious that if we had removed the rev limiter we could have made even more power.

2000 to 3500 HP Range: 0-1
2000 to 3500 TQ Range: 0-2
3500 to 5500 HP Range: 0-2
3500 to 5500 TQ Range: -2-4
5500 to Redline HP Range: 2-6
5500 to Redline TQ Range: 1-5

Peak Horsepower: 187.0
Peak Torque: 146.7 lb-ft

Part includes: Two camshafts, sprockets, valve springs, titanium retainers, cam card and sticker

Pros: The package we installed came with valve springs and titanium retainers, ensuring we would not be hindered by coil bind. Also included in this package were two adjustable cam sprockets. Cams can be bought separately, but we recommend the package be purchased all together to make the maximum amount of horsepower. The 63421 cams are designed for street applications and will work for turbocharged vehicles.

Cons: Installing cams on an H22 is extremely time consuming. That's not really a con on the cams' part--I'm just angry because I had to install them. If you purchase the 68187 valve springs, expect more work because you have to grind the rocker arms. This is both good and bad. Good because you get to run a taller, high-rpm spring, but bad because you have to pull the head to grind the rocker arms the right way.

Tools required for installation: 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 17mm and 19mm deep sockets, 0.006 and 0.008 feeler gauges, Honda tensioner tool, valve spring compressor and slotted screwdriver

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DYNO 4: Holley Fuel Pressure Regulator
Air temp @ 62 Degrees Fahrenheit
Temperature difference from previous run: -4.4 Degrees Fahrenheit

Peak HP: 185.0
Peak TQ: 153.6

Dyno notes: Our factory fuel pressure was set at 39 psi, and with the addition of the Holley unit we dialed our fuel pressure in at 46 psi and gained an additional 6 horsepower.

2000 to 3500 HP Range: 2-3
2000 to 3500 TQ Range: 2-4
3500 to 5500 HP Range: 1-2
3500 to 5500 TQ Range: 2-3
5500 to redline HP Range: -1-2
5500 to Redline TQ Range: 2-4

Peak Horsepower: 185.0
Peak Torque: 153.6 lb-ft

Part includes: Adjustable fuel pressure regulator, 4AN return line fitting and instructions.

Pros: The regulator looks nice in billet finish. Cons: The fitting that goes on the end of the regulator is a 4AN male and Holley doesn't provide a female hose end with the regulator. You have to go out and either buy a barbed fitting or a 4AN female hose fitting and a 12-in. piece of -4 hose. The regulator is also hard to squeeze between the fuel rail and vacuum actuator for the secondaries, and the 10mm bolts are hard to tighten once in place.

Tools required for installation: 10mm socket, 9/16 wrench, 3mm hex wrench and 9/16 wrench

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Parts:

1- Hyper Ground System $ 100.00
2- Crower Cam, spring & sprockets Package $ 1224.71
3- Holley Fuel Pressure Regulator $ 159.99
MSRP total: $ 1484.70

Conclusion: A VTEC controller would have really helped out the cams, but since we opted to get additional fuel by using the Holley regulator we were not able to adjust VTEC. Adding an AFC or AFR would have really gain more mid range power.

Hotbox

Crower Cams and Equipment
(619) 422-1191
www.crower.com

DC Sports
(909) 734-2030
www.dcsports.com

GReddy Performance
(949) 588-8300
www.greddy.com

Holley
(270) 745-9531
www.holley.com

Sun Overseas Trading Inc.
(Hyper Ground Distributor)
(714) 708-7733
www.sunautomobile.com