Owner’s story
Kiry has owned this Prelude since 2009. It was his first car, purchased in Košice, Slovakia. Ever since he could drive, he dreamed of owning a Honda. Most of the modifications were done by himself in his own garage.
“I wanted a sporty coupe at a good price for daily driving, and something unique, not seen every day on the roads. It was a clear choice. The car was originally imported from Germany, but I bought it in Slovakia with 160,000 km on the clock, and it was in good condition.
At first, I felt the braking wasn’t strong enough, so I swapped the brakes for a 2.2 VTEC 4th generation setup. It still didn’t feel enough, so I finally upgraded to Honda Accord Type R brakes. The suspension was lowered and stiffened when I bought it, but after several years it needed an upgrade. I went with D2 Racing for adjustable ride height and stiffness, which suits the roads in my country.
After a minor accident, I replaced the lights and hood. I was lucky because a tuning company went bankrupt right at that time, so I got a brand-new carbon hood for the price of a standard steel one. I chose classic silver headlights—they still look modern and elegant today.
Like many young enthusiasts, I wanted more power. I started with an air filter, headers, intake, exhaust, spark plugs, and fuel pressure regulator. The car drove nicely, and city streets or mountain curves were always fun. However, these mods didn’t significantly increase power. I initially planned a turbo, but the F20A4 engine isn’t ideal for forced induction. That’s why I decided on an H22A2 swap.
The swap brought unexpected challenges due to generational differences between the 5G chassis and 4G engine. While the engine and gearbox fit perfectly, wiring required professional installation by MSR One. The engine was installed by Japan Garage. The clutch and flywheel were upgraded to Fidanza (5.2 kg), which is light and a worthwhile investment.
Cam timing from the old engine didn’t fit perfectly, so I’m still looking for a proper set. The engine performs well, but I want more. The next steps will likely be a supercharger or turbo, a roll cage, and larger brakes.”
