Hey excuse me for my lack of knowledge when it comes to these kinda of things but is Standard really much better then automatic transmissions?  I have my heart set on getting a Honda Prelude for my first car (im a senior) and I am having trouble finding a 92 or newer Honda prelude standard.  Is stick better for racing?  Ideally i want my prelude to be a lean mean racing machine after a few years of learning to mod and putting extras on....  Currently i have little to nil knowledge but i love going fast and i want a car with some kick... Luckily theres a drag racing strip and i would love to race as a hobby

Any help?

THanks

Ryan-r2trixter  

If you are looking for a hobby car that will be a drag car, either car can be built to race.  YOu just need to decide which route you want to go.  IF you like the feel of a stick and complete control of the shifting then go with a stick, if you want continueous shifting without any misshifting or lage, then go auto.  You just need to do your research into what can be done.

You can also drag an auto, you just have to rebuild the auto tranny to handle the launches and install a high stall torque converter.  Here are places that specialize in auto tranny's for sportcompacts, and:

1. www.jmousa.com
2. www.importperformancetrans.com
3. www.levelten.com

Sean  

The only reason I like standard better is you can choose at what rpm you want the car to run. But either one is ok for dragging. It would just come down to the how fast you can shift gears compared to the auto.  

I drive a auto/manual 5th gen prelude. Mine has the sports shifter/triptronic or whatever some like to call it. May not be exactly like a straight stick but it works just as good for me. But I also have a knee replacement in my left knee as well as cerebral palsy in the legs so I can't drive a regular stick anyway, but give me an auto and I do pretty good.  

If you want a prelude get an S2000 if not to awnser your question get a STICK/CLUTCH. Wake up, manual transmission cars are faster than auto cars. Notice all the real fast cars don't even come in automatic becides vettes,ha. I owned a 1999 prelude.  

h22buit:
If you want a prelude get an S2000 if not to awnser your question get a STICK/CLUTCH. Wake up, manual transmission cars are faster than auto cars. Notice all the real fast cars don't even come in automatic becides vettes,ha. I owned a 1999 prelude.

If you want a prelude get an S2000 if not to awnser your question get a STICK/CLUTCH. Wake up, manual transmission cars are faster than auto cars. Notice all the real fast cars don't even come in automatic becides vettes,ha. I owned a 1999 prelude.  

Hey Ryan

its good to have a new member to the honda family. As for your question, a stick is best for drag racing. Better launch off the line. To me a auto is better for road racing. U have more leverge in the turns. Take ur time on your car. If u want a good Tranny for your H22 at a good price a 1998-2000 Accord Tranny is good the F22A single cam motor is good for the power ranges the H22 Tranny has more tourqe, but theirs alot of F-series Tranny out there for a good price. Good Luck on your build. *** Dont Freak Out the tranny bolts right up to the motor  

Sorry, bro but that statement is the kind of uneducated blanket statements that confuse many new comers and enthusiasts.

An auto is just as fast as a 5 speed, if you really want to get down to it, just remember when you launch a manual, the driver depending on his/her skill is going to have to shift and drop their rpms to get to the next gear, an auto will keep shifting all the way to the end and never stop.

Its easy for drivers, even professional drivers to mis-shift.  An auto does not miss a single beat.  The fastest cars our there are autos.

Like I stated above, you will need to rebuild the auto tranny to handle the extra torque and heat coming thru it once you build the motor.  Heat and a weak torque converter coupled with weak gears will destroy any auto or manual tranny.

Even the manual tranny's need to be rebuilt to handle extra horsepower, why do you think they make the stronger clutches and clutch packs and lightened flywheels to upgrade the manual tranny's.

Both are just as good, its all preference to the end user.

The question is, do you use your car for track or daily driving?  Do you enjoy controlling the shift points or just want to hit the gas and go?

Nothing wrong with wanting to beef up an auto.  We all have our preferences.  I own an auto 88 Prelude Si, and I had to replace the engine due to snapped timiing belt when I bought it used, I am not as fast off the line as many 5 speeds but that is due to the tranny not being upgraded and my engine is only 143bhp.  I enjoy the power I get after I get past the initial lag.  I have not made the upgrade to my tranny, yet.

I like 5-6 speeds as well, but for my life an auto is the best option for me.  So you need to think what it the best option for you..  

I wish I had found this post and several others before I started driving my 01 5th Gen with the SS A/T. I think I've blown my trans, don't know yet but I'm stuck in Limp mode and D4 light is flashing. Could be several things I know, but the way I drive it can't be good.

With my bad knees I've had to drive auto's for a long time. But I love to shift and have as much control as possible, I like using my engine to drive with instead of my brakes. I keep my R's relatively tight, and I down shift a bit when stopping and certainly when cornering. This ride can't handle me. Now my  79' Berlinetta and my 90' 24Z will take my punishment. But guess what, there now all down... yea I'm using my granddaughter's scooter to get around now I guess

BTW... there NO WAY anyone can shift a manual trans as fast as an auto, SS shift or otherwise.  

DUDE JUST GET A STICK AND DRIVE IN HIGH GEARS WHEN CRUISIN AND WHEN U WANT SOME THRILL JUST DROP IT A GEAR. I ALWAYS DRIVE ON 4TH BUT WHEN SOME DUMB SLOW DRIVING *** GET IN MY WAY I DROP IT TO 3RD AND DRIVE RIGHT PASSED THEM, I BLOW THEM AWAY. BUT I DRIVE A STOCK CIVIC 94 PRELUDE WOULD SMASH GROUND.