Ok, my friend and I, we went up against each other because we wanted to see just how faster the 95/96 models are.
Both of us are autos. We got perfect launches, and at 60mph, the 95 has a half car lead. At 80mph, it's got exactly one car on mine.
I wish I had a 95 manual. That would be very fast.

And on a side note, stock 4th gens cannot beat the 97+ preludes. The prelude starts pulling on me around 80mph with his VTEC, and I couldnt catch him, because as we all know, we have almost zero top end.
I dont think even a 5speed maxima can beat it, because the lack of top end is what decides the race, and you're already in 4th gear at 80+ miles.


After I get my ypipe, I'm gonna race my friends 95 again to see how much hp the ypipe makes. I'll let you all know then. This is a very scientific and quantitative test, so I'll know exactly what kind of improvements the mods bring.

 

I've beaten several of my friend's 97 and up preludes. One of my friends has a 5-speed also and we went head to head. It was really close, but the Maxima can on top. We switched cars (I drove the prelude) and the my Maxima won again. I wouldn't say the Maxima has no top end power, rather I'd say it has a consistent powerband. I really don't have many engine mods, just a cone filter and an underdrive pulley.

 

i recall beating 97+ preludes back when i was stock... oh wait, i had clear corners =Þ.

 

You sure? I took a 97+ (newer body type? i guess is 97+) today.. i was doin like 120ish in my auto ? was fun.. then again, i paid for 2 citations today, and have traffic school on sat.. blah..

 

Geez man, we gotta install those Wilwoods together soon... have to do something to slow you down.

 

I'm serious. I was on WOT and the Prelude was on WOT and I couldnt catch him. The prelude's got AEM cold air, but I dont think that can make that much difference.

I'm ahead until about 70-80'ish, but once the Prelude started to pull on me, I couldnt catch him.

 

I would also have to disagree. I walked a 97+ prelude just the other night. Also going about 120. Walked right past him. Twice... And we stopped at a light and we talked. He was very surprised that I walked him. My car isn't stock. But he had intake and exhaust at least. Also, what do you mean at 80mph you're in 4th? 80mph is just topping off 2nd gear in an automatic.

ZuM

 

What car are you driving that you're in 4th gear at 80 mph? 80 should be nearing the top of 3rd... sweet spot.

If so, you're shifting wayyyyyy to early.

 

You must be speaking for the automatic guys. I shift out of 3rd at 6100 rpms or ~91mph. My experience is that the newer Prelude is a bit slower than the old 96 VTEC Prelude. I've never had a problem beating any 97+ Prelude in race, on or off the track. Off the line, they are absolutely toast. From a roll, they get walked slowly. I'm in no way saying that Preludes are slow or junk.

I wouldn't say the 5 speed Maxima has NO topend. I consider a NA V6 sedan hitting 93+mph in 1/4 mile a pretty good display of topend power. I've never seen a modded NA Prelude EVER come remotely close to that kind of trap speed. Last week, I did see a 96 VTEC NOS Prelude hit 13.9-14.0@98mph.


Dave

 

about the prelude ordeal, you have an auto, 5spds are a bit different....

 

Like a few of the other poseters said, you got that all wrong with the top end. The difference between a 5 speed and auto max is not that great from 0 to 60, but after that? 5 speed still rockets forward. It has been said that 3rd gear is best in the 5 speed. I know I really like 3rd on the highway

The top end loss you're feeling is the compromise of only having 4 forward gears for the auto.


A more extreme example would be the Dodge Neon. You can get it in a 5 speed manual, or a freaking 3 SPEED auto. Man, the performance difference must be HUGE.


DW

 

3rd gear for the auto sucks. No pull at all. It's even worst when you race against a VTEC car. They either catch up or pulls away. Anyway, nothing like a little magic juice to help out on the top end.

 

Yep, I call 3rd gear my "walking gear". It pretty much means if you're hanging with me thru 1st and 2nd, chances are you will get walked. I haven't found many cars (not including the musclecar and turbo crowd) that can hang with me after 70mph. Even 4th gear pulls very hard, for a 4th gear. After adding a y-pipe and b-pipe, the topend of the Max is dramatically improved.


Dave

 

Dave.. help me out here.. i know you can't pin point without a dyno sheet but.. for some reason my 4th Gear is stronger than my 3rd.. and i don't know why.. i have a y pipe and CAI