Civic w/ a b series all the way. H series parts are not as plentiful (new and used) and the civic will be much lighter and faster than the prelude could ever hope to be.
Yes everyone has a civic, but that should tell you something. Theyre so easy to make fast.
Is the civic a coupe or a hatch?
Get the civic and later down the road, swap in a 2.0L bottom end. Theres no reason you shouldnt at least be in the 13's with a 2.0 and at least the 14's with a near stock B16...