Chapter of MUGEN
June 1st, 2006 by Elusive Media| Chapter of MUGEN Text: Di Lai Images: Erik |
Hi my name is Di Lai and I drive a Honda Prelude.
Cars have always been part of my life from a very young age. My love for Preludes started when I had my first trip to Hong Kong back in 1992. From the moment when I saw my aunt’s third generation Prelude I set the goal of owning a Prelude in the future. Five years passed, and the all new redesign Prelude debuted in 1997. I said to myself that this is the car I NEED to have. It wasn’t until 2001 when I finally purchased an Electron Blue Pearl Prelude Type-SH.
I was already into the tuning scene before I had owned the car and that was just a big N O to keep the car in its stock form. After three years of ownership the car’s exterior received a set of WingsWest Lip kit, and a Custom pearl colored Fiber Image carbon fiber hood. I lowered the car on some Apex springs and set it on 18” RacingHart C5 Evo wheels. Being a student and trying to mod your car was a death trap, but the passion took over. In addition to the cosmetic upgrade the car received a Greddy Evo cat-back exhaust system, an AEM cold air intake system, and a set of all so popular JDM fog lights. To further enhance the handling of a well know turning car I added DC Sports front upper, rear upper and lower tie bars.
By 2003 the JDM fever has struck and a complete makeover was in the plans. The addiction for Mugen parts took me to a whole new level where I couldn’t resist any parts that were made for my car. Being a poor man, it wasn’t easy to accomplish that addiction. Finally, getting out of school and having a decent job took me to where I wanted the car to be today. The makeover consists of a complete genuine Mugen system: body kit, rear flush mount spoiler with third LED, twin loop cat-back exhaust system, headers, MZ3X 17” wheels, oil cap, radiator cap, reservoir covers, gas cap, shift knob, racing pedal, S1 bucket seats, and racing II steering wheel. Other mods includes JDM: side markers, fog lights, window visors, power folding mirrors, a cup holder, ash tray, Type-S Cluster, Super Rare Honda Access Showa Suspension, Type-S front upper strut bar, and a SiR blue valve cover. This isn’t the end of the list and the rest of the potential mods to further enhance the car. I added an EM racing C-pillar bar, TAKATA 4 pt harnesses, NR-G quick release attached to HKB steering hub, Bride seat brackets/rails, Custom retrofit projector headlights with H.I.D., and AEM adjustable cam gears. The only things that were left unchanged included AEM cold air intake, DC sports rear upper, lower tie bar and the custom pearl finish Fiber Images carbon fiber hood.
As of today everything seems to be complete; however, the lack of power started another chapter for the Prelude. Soon the engine will receive a complete Jun Stage II valve train system, and to make sure air flows through them well a TWM individual throttle body will be added. To make sure the right gears are selected a Lean short shifter will also be joining the car. Finally to make sure the stopping power is matched with the engine, a set of Endless brake kits will end up in the wheel wells.
I would like to thank everyone that has helped in anyway for the way the Prelude is today. Big thanks go out to PreludeOnline.com; without you guys I wouldn’t be where my car and I stand. Prelude love forever.











