The 2026 Honda Prelude’s modest factory output has prompted an ambitious response from Throtl, which is transforming the hybrid coupe with the Civic Type R’s 315-hp turbocharged engine and six-speed manual transmission.
Honda Prelude Gets the Power Upgrade Enthusiasts Wanted
When Honda revealed the new Prelude’s power figures, enthusiasm quickly gave way to disappointment among those expecting stronger performance from the nameplate. The 2026 Honda Prelude produces 200 horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque from its hybrid powertrain.
Throtl’s build takes a very different approach, installing a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 315 hp along with a six-speed manual transmission from the FL5 Civic Type R. Honda does not offer the new Prelude with either a turbocharged engine or a manual transmission, making the conversion a close approximation of the high-performance version the coupe does not have.
How the Prelude Type R Swap Was Done
The Throtl team removed the Prelude’s original engine, transmission, hybrid hardware and interior before installing the Civic Type R drivetrain. The conversion also transforms the automatic-only Prelude into a manual car, addressing one of the most obvious questions surrounding Honda’s return of the nameplate.
The Prelude and Civic share enough underlying hardware to make the conversion relatively straightforward. The firewalls are nearly identical, while the brake and fuel systems transferred largely intact. The Type R’s dash bar, wiring and interior also bolted in with just two rivnuts serving as the main modification.
Most of the Prelude’s brake and fuel systems could remain in place, but the turbocharged K20C1 required the Type R’s higher-pressure fuel pump and fuel line. The builders also fabricated a bracket for the Type R’s brake booster and clutch master cylinder before drilling the body for the manual transmission’s shift cables.
Custom billet mounts from Hasport were required because the stock mounts were positioned at the wrong height and angle. While the conversion is not a simple bolt-in swap, the build shows that creating a Prelude Type R is more straightforward than it might initially appear.
The Prelude Type R Still Needs Final Sorting
The modified Prelude now runs, drives and shifts under its own power, but the conversion is not completely finished. The largest remaining issues appear to be electronic rather than mechanical.
During its first drive, the car encountered a limiter at around 4,500 rpm, indicating that the Type R’s ECU was still not completely happy with its new surroundings. For now, the issue appears to be part of the early-stage problems with the conversion.
Throtl Plans to Show the Car at SEMA 2026
Once completed, the build is expected to retain the appearance of a standard Prelude while carrying the Civic Type R’s 315-hp turbocharged four-cylinder and six-speed manual underneath.
The red Type R valve cover may be the only obvious visual clue to the transformation. Throtl plans to show the completed car at SEMA 2026.
