I am going to <a href='http://consumeralertsystem.com/cas/zx-hclick.php?hid=334' target='_blank'>buy</a> a Prelude 97-2001, but I need to know what is the difference between the sh and the v-tec. I have asked honda dealers and repair spots and have got different answers from seats,shift knobs,traction control,to the engine. I really need to find out fast!!!!!!  

well...V-tec is Variable valve timing, which I belive leads to more power, I'm only just now learning about v-tec, myself so I couldn't tell you much more than that...(well I could, but the rest, I'm only 70% certain of)  

V-techs put out more power i belive,i know on civics the SI is top dog,EX is under with the v-tech, im not sure how the preludes work out.    

The engine in the Prelude is called the H22A, not an SH. The SH is the top trim model Prelude from that time. All you have to do is type "Prelude type SH" into google or something similar to find your answers. I did so for you, and this is what I found:

http://www.theautochannel.com/vehicles/new/reviews/1997/russ08199701.html

As for V-TEC, it is a variable valve timing setup that switches the cams to a more aggressive lobe profile at a set RPM (usually between 6000-7000 RPM) to increase the air/fuel intake and produce more horsepower.