Euro handling vs 5th Gen Prelude

[JetLee]

I owned a 97 Prelude VTIR ATTS 5 speed, and now own an 05 Accord Euro K24 6speed. In my opinion the Prelude handled better. Similar power output, similar weight, but the preludes lower stance I felt made it handle better with less body roll. But the Prelude is a 2 door sports coupe, and the Accord is a 4 door sedan.... passenger car!
Comparing the cars technologies, the ATTS system transfers torque, it does not limit it. So it aids you in cornering by transfering up to 80% of the torque to the outside turning wheel. This substantially increases traction through a corner and encourages solid throttle at LEAST half way through a corner, if not sooner. The Accord features an ESP (or electronic stability program) system or traction control system. I have not read up alot on the Honda system, but if it is anything like Holdens systems it restricts throttle, and potentially assists by braking specific corners to balance the vehicle and maintain traction. With ESP/TC switched on, your car is being limited by the technology, BUT for the average driver, will probably enhance your driving, as long as you set a good cornering line, and let the technology do what it does.
In my Prelude I later fitted 18" racing harts with 18 35 225 tyres and also put in a set of king springs. The car handled AWESOME!!! As long as I set the right entry speed and kept constant throttle through corners to keep the ATTS in full function, nothing could compete!
I will be fitting a set of Tein Coilovers with EDFC controller in the next couple of weeks. I will report back on the difference then!

[tony1234]

I owned a 97 Prelude VTIR ATTS 5 speed, and now own an 05 Accord Euro K24 6speed. In my opinion the Prelude handled better. Similar power output, similar weight, but the preludes lower stance I felt made it handle better with less body roll. But the Prelude is a 2 door sports coupe, and the Accord is a 4 door sedan.... passenger car!
Comparing the cars technologies, the ATTS system transfers torque, it does not limit it. So it aids you in cornering by transfering up to 80% of the torque to the outside turning wheel. This substantially increases traction through a corner and encourages solid throttle at LEAST half way through a corner, if not sooner. The Accord features an ESP (or electronic stability program) system or traction control system. I have not read up alot on the Honda system, but if it is anything like Holdens systems it restricts throttle, and potentially assists by braking specific corners to balance the vehicle and maintain traction. With ESP/TC switched on, your car is being limited by the technology, BUT for the average driver, will probably enhance your driving, as long as you set a good cornering line, and let the technology do what it does.
In my Prelude I later fitted 18" racing harts with 18 35 225 tyres and also put in a set of king springs. The car handled AWESOME!!! As long as I set the right entry speed and kept constant throttle through corners to keep the ATTS in full function, nothing could compete!
I will be fitting a set of Tein Coilovers with EDFC controller in the next couple of weeks. I will report back on the difference then!

You'll notice a BIG difference.The stock setup is soft and spongy.03-04 models seem to have better spring/shock combo than 05-08.I believe Honda changed them from 05 onwards as some customers complained that the ride was too firm.I've got Bilsteins with Eibach springs and it's transformed the car.While you're at it change the rear sway bar (approx.$200)to an 18mm one and you'll notice even more improvement.

[Chris_F]

What tyres did he have on his Prelude? Even though the Euro is newer, the suspension is still a double wishbone on the front and multilink in the rear, very similar to the Prelude's double wishbone front and rear. The Euro does get conservative suspension tuning. If you have nice smooth flowing corners, the Euro does handle very good, probably better than the Prelude, but when you get to 90 degree corners, the Euro is in understeer heaven.

according to honda.com.au the accord euro has double wishbone suspension front and rear.

The euro isn't too fond of 90 degree corners stock - Better tyres make a world of difference though! I haven't been able to make my advan sport v103 screech at all on the street and understeer is a thing of the past. It also helps when you upgrade the suspension and add a bit of negative camber up front

[aaronng]

according to honda.com.au the accord euro has double wishbone suspension front and rear.

The euro isn't too fond of 90 degree corners stock - Better tyres make a world of difference though! I haven't been able to make my advan sport v103 screech at all on the street and understeer is a thing of the past. It also helps when you upgrade the suspension and add a bit of negative camber up front

Double wishbone usually has 4 links. The Euro's rear has 5 links, so it's called a multi-link.

The reason why it doesn't like 90 degree corners is because of the soft suspension and the very flimsy sway bars.

What are you running suspension and sway bar-wise?

[Chris_F]

in that case they should change the information on their site :P


I have tein SS, and whiteline 18mm. There was a noticeable difference going from -0.5 to -1.5 camber at the front aswell, the front end seems to bite into the corner more and resist understeer. Stiffer spring rates than the Tein 8kg F and 4kg R would help even more, but the car still feels pretty capable with the current setup

[aaronng]

in that case they should change the information on their site :P


I have tein SS, and whiteline 18mm. There was a noticeable difference going from -0.5 to -1.5 camber at the front aswell, the front end seems to bite into the corner more and resist understeer. Stiffer spring rates than the Tein 8kg F and 4kg R would help even more, but the car still feels pretty capable with the current setup

Did you go for the vision/spoon front camber kit? Was thinking about this when I had my coils put on a year ago.

[Chris_F]

I'm using SPC at the moment. It does the job but the lowest you can have the car is a 2 finger gap all round (approx 45mm drop) or you run into clearance problems with the fender. Looking into a vision camber kit atm, but it's a lot of money...

The outside edge of the front tyres used to cop a beating with a lot of hard cornering but now with -1.5* camber tyre wear is really even.