Hey does anyone know how to tell the difference between a prelude SH and a vtec prelude?

SH is Vtec. What year are we talking about here.

Don't the majority of Honda V-tech engines say V-TECH on the valve cover(s)??? That should be a dead giveaway. . . .

First of all its Vtec, not VTECH, its an engine, not a phone. Second, I think he means from the outside, as in matched door moldings or a spoiler as in the Integras, but the Preludes do not. If it is SH, it will have an SH badge on it, thats it.

Like Rx said, they have the same engine, its the differential that makes the difference. In the MkV Preludes (like 97-04 or thereabouts) the SH had a special diff that could send more torque to the outside wheel while turning, which ideally would improve the ability to put power down during a turn. As I recall, this made the car a fair amount heavier, and actually slower (ever so slightly of course) in a straight line. But, beyond this special differential, there were basically no differences. If I remember right, you couldn't get an SH with an auto tranny, so that might be one give away, but the clincher should be the SH marking on the trunk lid. If I were going to buy a fifth gen Prelude, I wouldn't worry so much about whether it was the SH or standard. I would worry more about the maintainence done on the car, the condition of the body, and if it was raced before or not. Look up a Prelude fansite, it would list all of the differences. I don't know if www.hondaprelude.com is still up or not, it was shut down a while back. Good luck. Josh

talljosh put that one nicely, hats off to you on that one sir....now if only more people could post good, technical replies.....