is this possible
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Joined: Feb 2001
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From: S.F. Bay Area, CA, USA
Re: is this possible (Integra187)
It is possible, but only if you're willing to kiss street-legality good-bye. And it would cost you thousands and thousands of dollars. The old saying goes something like this... Q: "How fast can I make my car go?" A: "How much money do you have?"
I firmly believe that just about any Honda product is going to be much more at home on twisty roads or autocross courses than on a drag strip. Drag racing is all about monster torque teamed up with good traction at launch. NA Hondas don't make moster torque, and no front driver is blessed with much traction on a hard launch.
Still interested? Then first, forget about having a comfortable daily driver. You're going to have to completely gut the car. Nothing left but the driver's seat, the steering wheel, the shifter, and the pedals. That part's free. Then get some super light-weight drag wheels and slicks up front. I would think you'd be able to find something for about $1,000. Of course, you'll have to nail down the suspension to help you with the launches. Figure at least $2,000 - $3,000 to really work that out.
Then you'll have to go to work on the engine. You'll probably need to do a complete tear-down. Port, polish, and Extrude-Hone everything. Then go back and balance and blueprint everything. The entire intake system will have to be swapped out for racing spec pieces. Same with the exhaust. You might want to look into upgrading the crank. Definitely the rods and pistons. From there it's all head work. And lots of it. And don't forget about the ignition, the fuel system, and the computer.
I lost track, but my guess is that you're probably over the $10,000 mark by now. But I could be wrong.
Here's my advice: get some respectable progressive-rate springs that don't lower the car more than about 1.5". Team those up with some good shocks like Koni, Bilstein, or KYB. Stiffen up the chassis front and back, and beef up the rear anti-roll bar. Finally, get some really good tires. Upgrade the wheels if you must, but keep them light and please don't go over 16". You won't do much damage at the drag strip, but you'll be able to lose just about anybody on a good twisty backroad. And it'll still be legal and comfortable.
I firmly believe that just about any Honda product is going to be much more at home on twisty roads or autocross courses than on a drag strip. Drag racing is all about monster torque teamed up with good traction at launch. NA Hondas don't make moster torque, and no front driver is blessed with much traction on a hard launch.
Still interested? Then first, forget about having a comfortable daily driver. You're going to have to completely gut the car. Nothing left but the driver's seat, the steering wheel, the shifter, and the pedals. That part's free. Then get some super light-weight drag wheels and slicks up front. I would think you'd be able to find something for about $1,000. Of course, you'll have to nail down the suspension to help you with the launches. Figure at least $2,000 - $3,000 to really work that out.
Then you'll have to go to work on the engine. You'll probably need to do a complete tear-down. Port, polish, and Extrude-Hone everything. Then go back and balance and blueprint everything. The entire intake system will have to be swapped out for racing spec pieces. Same with the exhaust. You might want to look into upgrading the crank. Definitely the rods and pistons. From there it's all head work. And lots of it. And don't forget about the ignition, the fuel system, and the computer.
I lost track, but my guess is that you're probably over the $10,000 mark by now. But I could be wrong.
Here's my advice: get some respectable progressive-rate springs that don't lower the car more than about 1.5". Team those up with some good shocks like Koni, Bilstein, or KYB. Stiffen up the chassis front and back, and beef up the rear anti-roll bar. Finally, get some really good tires. Upgrade the wheels if you must, but keep them light and please don't go over 16". You won't do much damage at the drag strip, but you'll be able to lose just about anybody on a good twisty backroad. And it'll still be legal and comfortable.
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