If you’ve ever had the chance to step behind the scenes at HaSport, located in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona, there are many things that probably jumped right out at you. First and foremost, the wall-to-wall parts, engines, and the remains of countless Honda carcasses strewn about. You may have also noticed a variety of dusty race cars from various generations; some complete, some not too complete, among others barely flirting with the potential of being next on the operating table. While Brian Gillespie, HaSport’s chief development and marketing guru, would prefer to focus on race cars morning, noon, and night, the engine mount business comes first. Reaching a fever pitch over the past number of years, Gillespie has received little time to dedicate to his stable of track cars. Even HaSport felt the crunch of a faltering economy that put a stranglehold around the automotive aftermarket, as successful as the company has been within the last 14 years. Though it surely could tough it all out, the pressure was enough to set this K-swapped track car on the back burner…until now.
Before the Prelude was a thought, the engine the thing is pictured, an ERL-built K24A4, sat nicely between the fenders of a ’01 Civic sedan. Plans to compete with the four-door halted rather quickly as Gillespie had his doubts about the MacPherson strut suspension serving as a solid basis for a formidable track weapon. Gillespie adds, “I spoke with Bernardo Martinez, and he suggested a mid-’90s Prelude. One of many reasons being that its large wheel arches will allow for wider, more aggressive wheels and tires without resorting to flared arches. We eventually found an ex-World Challenge car owned by SCCA Club Racer Dwight Kelly. The car originally belonged to Taz Harvey, and in 1996, he was narrowly defeated on earth Challenge T2 Driver’s Championship by RealTime Racing’s Prelude. Only two points separated them.”
Getting the keys to an excellent chassis for the build that lay ahead, crew and Gillespie transported the vehicle back to HaSport where they did what they always do with expert precision; they swapped the engine. Before Full-Race put together a custom turbo kit to abuse the ERL-built mill, the K24 was nestled comfortably in its brand new home for what looked like only moments. Based on a Garrett GT3076R, Full-Race took care of all the cooling and piping duties and supplied one of its race-proven exhaust manifolds. Next, they paid a visit to Joe Sawyer of Locash Racing so he could work his tuning magic, the result of which was a smooth graph topping out at 500 hp. Doing its best to placed the power to the floor is an RSX Type S transmission provided with a Clutch Masters Stage IV clutch and Mugen 1.5 way differential.
Hasport 1995 honda prelude air redirection panels
Hasport 1995 honda prelude andy hope
Hasport 1995 honda prelude hondata church engine bay
Together with the project moving along so well, everyone was caught off guard since the momentum was slapped in the face. Gillespie adds, “It was shipped to Bernardo [Martinez] to get more fab. This was in 2009, and due to the souring economy, the project was put on the back burner.” Though there was short flashes of progress along the way, Gillespie admits that it was slow. “The stock brake system was changed to Wilwood’s top-mount pedal assemblies and a dual master cylinder setup for better brake bias control. The rollcage was modified hence the driver seat could be moved back to better fit the brake pedal changes. The fuel system was upgraded for the big-horsepower turbo motor with a total of four fuel pumps feeding the engine. Complete replumbing of brake lines, boost control, and all wiring. That’s regarding it during that time.”
In The Year 2011, as the economy finally started to turn around, at the very least in the performance aftermarket world, HaSport’s mount kits were flying off the shelves at breakneck speeds, and the project was resurrected. An influx of new business meant new machines being added to the HaSport compound, including a water jet, MIG and TIG welders, and sheetmetal-bending capabilities. Beneath the consultation and watchful eye of renowned aerodynamicist John McNulty, the Prelude was treated to a number of aero enhancements solely focused on functionality and efficiency. A custom-built wing, radiator shrouding, side skirts, and rear diffuser were incorporated. Before a set of Rays Gram Lights 57DR wheels from Mackin Industries arrived, andy Hope of Circuit Monsters fame hand-laid his patented vinyl wrapped graphics scheme just days. To match the performance in the fully built Prelude, some Toyo Proxes RS1 competition slicks were mounted and stenciled.
The auto is ready to do battle, according to Gillespie. The big challenge will be putting all 500 hp to the ground-additional tuning is going to be handled by Church Automotive Testing, though he states, “It’s ready for the track now. And we’ll be utilising their gear-dependent boost controller along with Hondata’s new traction control system.” Gillespie is positive about the car’s ability, once all of the intricacies are taken care of on track, the car’s computer is Hondata’s K-Pro. Equipped with 500 hp, virgin slicks, and between the three of them Gillespie and Bernardo, and Hope), a pool of knowledge and experience that runs deeper than most, Gillespie closes comfortably with this particular, “Rest assured, track records will fall.”
Hasport 1995 honda prelude toyo proxes RS1
Hasport 1995 honda prelude sparco seats
Hasport 1995 honda prelude fuel tank
Owner Specs
Daily Grind
HaSport
Favorite Sites
HaSport.com and hondatuningmagazine.com
Screen Name
HaSport
Building Hondas
Long, looong time
Dream Car
Any car that could be swapped
Inspiration for This Build
The need for speed!
Future Builds
How much time have you got?
Hasport 1995 honda prelude MOMO controls
Hasport 1995 honda prelude motion suspension remote damper
Hasport 1995 honda prelude fluid containers
Bolts & Washers
Propulsion
K24A4
HaSport mounts
ERL Performance machine work
CP Pistons 9.: 1
Brian Crower rods
Brian Crower cams
Brian Crower valves
Brian Crower valvesprings
Garrett GT3076R
Full-Race exhaust manifold
Full-Race intercooler
Full-Race piping
Full-Race 3-inch exhaust
Walbro internal fuel pump x2
Bosch external fuel pump x2
RC 1,000 injectors
Bosch fuel filter
AEM fuel pressure regulator
CSF radiator, DC/EG/EK version
RSX Type S transmission
Clutch Masters Stage IV
Clutch Masters flywheel
Mugen 1.5 way diff
Power
500 hp
Suspension
Moton coilovers
Moton shocks
HaSport custom bushings
HaSport custom alignment
HaSport custom front subframe
HaSport custom front radius rods
Wheels & Tires
Rays Gram Lights 57DR, 18×8.5 38
Toyo Proxes RS1, 245/640-18 (full slick)
Resistance
Wilwood calipers
Fastbrakes discs
Fastbrakes brackets
Carbonetic pads
Custom brake lines
Wilwood dual master cylinder
Exterior
Custom front bumper
HaSport splitter
HaSport diffuser
HaSport side skirts
HaSport rear wing
Circuit Monsters vinyl wrap
Interior
Interior paint by Bernardo Martinez
Sparco seats
MOMO controls
HaSport shift knob
Wilwood pedal assembly
Electronics
Hondata K-Pro
Hondata boost controller
Hondata traction control
Hondata datalogger
AIM datalogger
AIM gauges
Props
ERL Performance, Brian Crower, CP Pistons, Full-Race, Fastbrakes, CSF Radiator, Church Automotive Testing, Locash Racing, Mackin Industries, Toyo Tires, Nacho Speed Garage
Hasport 1995 honda prelude rear wrap
Hasport 1995 honda prelude front vinyl wrap
Hasport 1995 honda prelude rays gramlights 570R
In Search Of Function
crew and Gillespie are looking for absolute performance using this build, and also as mentioned, aerodynamicist John McNulty played a significant role in the search for an appropriate amount of downforce. The wing, a McNulty original design, mounts straight to brackets that transfer downforce to the chassis of the Prelude. The front splitter mounts right to the chassis as well, utilizing adjustable brackets so that its height could be fine-tuned anytime. The rear diffuser is also mounted on adjustable brackets and will eventually be incorporated into a complete flat bottom piece. The low-hanging side skirts were designed to benefit from the downforce created by the spiraling vortices coming off the wheels. As you’ve probably discovered by now, this car wasn’t just thrown together. Every part serves a definitive purpose.