Honda USA was on a roll in the ’90s; the B series, what type R, the NSX, as well as to some degree, your fourth-gen Prelude. The Prelude brought about Honda’s big-block using the H series, and this particular Prelude continues to be bringing home podium finishes for more than two decades! Scott Zellner and the crew at King Motorsports are no strangers to Honda building. They’ve been churning out winners since 1984. Fast-toward 1991, and this exact Prelude was among five pre-production VTEC edition test mules to make its way to the U.S.
After its arrival, it saw its way into Honda USA’s press fleet. Scott said, These were the cars that magazines got to test, and a lot got turned into race cars after that. When this ‘Lude was completed getting flogged by automotive journalists, it switched hands through several SCCA drivers and more than one class from the SCCA taking top spots along the way. By 1998, the Prelude’s owner converted it into a SCCA E Production-spec car, which included pulling the original H22 for the non-VTEC H23, and through 1999, it had won every race in its division, including the SCCA Runoffs at Mid Ohio that same year. After switching owners and being put through its paces for a decade, it was picked up by Scott Zellner along with theso when Scott reviewed the rules for your season, he knew he had some very specific boxes to check on. He adds, The SCCA has to create an even playing field, it has very stringent guidelines to what is and what is not acceptable, and it also really creates an even playing field for those cars involved. The Prelude would be run in the SCCA E production class, allowing certain modifications as long as the auto maintains the first structure, drive layout, and in Scott’s case, the original H23. When asked about the apparent engine limitations, Scott says, We’d want to run an H22, but the rules don’t allow it for us. Even though the H23 is kind of old-school, it’s incredibly reliable and has an incredible powerband. Would we love to run a K swap? Of course, it’s hardly allowed within the class spec. The H23’s existing exhaust manifold and cat-back system were substituted with King Motorsports’ one-off pieces, accompanied by a handbuilt intake. The rulebook limitations did allow for some block and headwork, which King satisfied with some Mahle pistons and Crower valvetrain. SCCA guidelines allowed for modifying the stock camshafts mildly, which the King guys did in-house. Throughout the workbench, a Mugen LSD was installed.
While the ‘Lude’s powerplant put out a scant 160 hp when it rolled off the factory floor, Scott knew that traction could be key, so he opted for a set of 15×7 Volk TE37’s wrapped in Hoosier Slicks, a pairing Scott was quite familiar with. The ‘Lude won the Runoff in ’99 wearing Hoosiers’ new rain slicks at the time. They created a huge difference; and they’re so effective, they’re still getting usedAccording to Scott has as many connection points as we were allowed. A custom dash with integrated gauges and matching Sparco controls and racing seats are common that the interior was treated too, the prior owner had already stripped the inner, so the team simply installed an updated rollcage, which.
Suspension modifications were severely limited, only allowing Scott and the King crew to set up a set of (Penske) coilovers and a new rear sway bar. Additional downforce is achieved through a custom front air splitter and air dam, virtually really the only exterior modifications allowed.
Scott and the crew at King are actively racing the rejuvenated Prelude, and as this is penned, the King crew has already locked down a podium place at Mid Ohio and they are making a push for the Runoff 2013 trophy. Even though Scott and his team are limited to what they can do, they’re determined to get this veteran Honda racer back on top of the leader boards where it belongs!