Simon Tibbett

Hello,

I have been considering buying an RSX Type-S for dual duty purpose. Something easy to drive to the track and something easy to drive home and around town. Mods would be nothing more than suspension, brakes, and tires aside from some safety equipment.

For anyone who has tracked a fairly stock RSX, did you encounter any issues? It's between this, a Miata, and maybe an E36. All have pros and cons IMO, would I be disappointed with the RSX in terms of handling? I've driven a LOT of FWD cars on track and have always really enjoyed them but...

Thanks!

-Simon

rice_classic

Transmission. Take it easy on those shifts.

F22Master

Dont lower it more than like an inch. Something to do with the suspension geometry, causing wacky handling

10cjennings

iTrader: (1)

Rear suspension

TunerN00b

F22Master

^ That too.

$ vs Fun, Miata will win.

Not fast enough? Slap a T28 turbo on it and go! (dont forget the other upgrades needed along with the turbo: cooling, LSD, clutch, etc)

m_shake

If thinking newer honda fwd, disregard the rsx and get a 06-11 civic si. Better car all around. Has LSD stock and suspension is hugely improved.

Or get a miata lol

Simon Tibbett

I love Miatas, have had one before and driven many of my friends, they're just so small for daily use! I'm old....26. lol

I'll look at the Civics but around here they seem to be quite a bit more.

Simon Tibbett

Any issues with the 06-11 Civic Si that comes out with occasional track duty?

Runnerdown

Transmission fluid and timing chain tensioners take a real beating. Make sure both are up to snuff on both the rsx or civic.

10cjennings

iTrader: (1)

I can't think of any reason why an rsx would be preferable to a 94-01 GSR for your intended use and price point.

DaveSi677

I track my FA5 frequently... and drive it around town too.

We have a track thread in the 06 + civic section if you have any questions.

I just change my oil before each track event on both the tranny and engine. Double check all suspension stuff. I would upgrade the brake pads and get ss lines with some RBF600 and you are set for a lot of fun!

TunerN00b

This. My GSR gave me over a decade of daily driver / HPDE / auto-x use without issue.

Lighter weight with double wishbones has one large advantage here, and that's the fact that the tires will last a lot longer, saving considerable money over time. So will the brakes. Both are cheaper for an Integra compared to the RSX as well.

Track friendly spring rates are going to be more streetable on an older double wishbones based Civic / Integra than a strut based newer Honda. Just the reality of the suspension designs. Ask the track RSX guys what their rear spring rates and toe settings are, and decide if your wallet and back can actually afford that.

dinged

I tracked my (mostly stock) RSX for a while. I got a new tranny under the TSB from Acura, and other than a higher final drive and LSD, the car was mostly stock (Tein Flex coils, brake fluid/pads, R comps). Very fun car. It was slow and heavy so not quite as fun as my EH2. Tensioner is a big one, mine gave out and the chain jumped 6 teeth. If I were to do it all over again I would've just kept the Civic and tracked that instead... Lol

Simon Tibbett

Thanks for all the input.

Reason for RSX or newer Civic over an old Integra is well...age. Not to mention the majority of the age group that owns them around here. It would be a street/occasional track car so I'm not looking for something to invest a lot into, just something fun out of the box without unwanted attention.

10cjennings

iTrader: (1)

Why does the age of the car matter? The rsx brings nothing new or more modern to the table worth mentioning. And the age of those who own them? What?

It's flat out, a way better car in every aspect except for dyno numbers and a "how many gears do you have" competition. Obviously you would buy an especially nice one, the nicest stock, low
mileage GSR is still going to be cheaper then a comparable Type-S, and again, a way better car. And there's plenty of them out there. It's not like finding one in 2001, but they made plenty of them that enough are out there unmolested.

Xian

Yeah, pretty much that ^^^.

I'd suggest an ITR (fanboi alert!) but they're likely over budget. Still, a nice 4dr or hatch GSR would be pretty cheap, fun, and dead nuts reliable.

Simon Tibbett

Without sounding stuck up I don't want to be associated with the typical wanting to race everything with wheels Honda owners that so often represent Honda driving Integras. Lol Not to mention I'd seriously be concerned about theft. Without worrying about image the cars just feel older and cheap. Yeah Miatas do too and older BMWs depends but...

I'll probably just end up with a Miata or BMW anyway unless I do run across a good deal on an 8th gen Civic when I have money in my hand.

aw614

if you are older, just don't mod the exterior of the car heavily or make it appear stockish when dailying. I've purposely kept my integra "stock" looking yet still fun and competitive at the local autocrosses with the mods it has and it still has an image of just being a 90s acura/honda.

Find a beige color honda/acura of that gen with a manual, no one would bat an eye at that no be associated with the honda crowd.

Simon Tibbett

I'll keep my eye out for one, I really do like them I just get scared of theft. I looked last night and aside from one GSR the others were all faded/slammed on XXR/lip/exhaust.

Thanks!

essex

I would think a K20 RSX , civic si is a bigger target now than even a type R

Simon Tibbett

Really? I figured K series were gaining steam now but read a while ago that RSXs were particularly hard to steal because of the alarm system it has. Of course a ****** and grab with a trailer is no match for an alarm but...

m_shake

These newer cars are too hard to steal for most of your average asshat Honda thief.

mattbatson

I have an fa5 (2009 with 75k miles) that I have tracked a handful of times along with a few autocrosses. I've left it stock expect for a slightly larger rear swaybar.
It is my DD, and when I go to the track I leave my street tires on (michelin pilot SS)

I run redline in the trans and ate blue for brake fluid along with carbotech pads that I switch out for a matched pair of rotors the day before a track day.

never had any issues at all...still running on the original engine accessory belt, spark plugs, etc.

I also run ate blue in the clutch line, and have speedbleeders on everything so it is quick and easy the day before.

Handling wise it is pretty great. With me in it, it is still a 3200 lb car, and there is just no way of getting around or hiding that fact (215 tire). But it is very tossable, communicative, and just plain easy to drive fast.
I've had an alignment with zero toe all around and about 1 deg neg camber, and other than that it is bone stock and rides smooth as glass on the street.

Truly an awesome dual purpose car.

Now, that said, I still drive it with some left on the table for fear of balling up a car we paid 20k for a few years ago...and am in process of trying to get my eg hatch ready to use as a track car instead.
but if you have to have just one car, you cannot go wrong with an fa5.

With a larger tire and a little more hp it would hang with vettes I bet...and some tls wheels and maybe a 235 tire are in plans for the future

DaveSi677

Tl wheels way to heavy...