What class(es) would a stock or a modified 95 civic coupe run in? What is the threshold of modifications that you can do for each class. If this is a FAQ please point me to the right direction.

Thanks

mx

 

Autocrosses (parking lots & cones) or circuit racing ("real" road courses)? If the answer is "both" things get goofy because everyone wants to have their own little set of rules...

Kirk

 

You'll get more helpful replies if you specify what kind of racing you want to be classed for. We will also need a list of your modifications.

The only *real* answer to your question lies in the rulebook for whatever type of racing you want to do.

 

Sorry...little oversight

SCCA Autocross

MX

 

1 down, 1 to go...

what mods have you done?

 

No mods as of yet.

I actually am looking to purchase this car and my intention is to race it locally. That's why I am wondering where I would be. I would like to do a motor swap but, not sure where that is going to put me in the classes.

thanks

MX

 

Listed from least to most number of mods:

H Stock (non Si)
STS
STX
DSP
SM <- Any kind of Honda motor swap will bump you here

Everyone is so quick to swap motors when if you need to learn how to drive the car. Very few cars that I have driven have been limited by power, it's almost always the suspension and driver that is lacking.

 

Stock class for the Civic... hmmm... what model are you looking at?

here is a not always current class listing site:

http://www.moutons.org/sccasolo/

engine swap means running in SM... that's where all the "cool" people are.

 

You are right about the power. I do plan to do suspension first. THe swap is down the road a ways. I was just wondering on the future options.

MX

 

don't mod it. get the best tires that are legal for HS, and stay there. i think you've got a lot better chance of being competitive there than in any other class.

i know everyone says it, but develop your driving skills first. that is what will TRULY make you faster

 

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no doubt. however, if your car is an IT roadrace car with a logbook it can run in it's respective SP autocross class with some restrictions on wheel size.

nate

 

And Spec Miatas too! I really like that rule.

 

Thanks, Nate for reminding me of that. It is the one bright spot in an otherwise disjointed system. It's my understanding that an IT-spec car is pretty much going to get clobbered in its respective SP class but it is possible to play.

K

 

:Noobie alert:

Can someone explain IT, SP, etc...

MX

 

That, I can do...

The dominant classes in amateur road racing (or circuit racing, to differentiate from street racing) are those of the Sports Car Club of America. There are "national" classes - those in which you may run "Nationals" - and "regional-only" classes, in which you may compete for regional championships.

The most popular stock-bodied regional-only category is Improved Touring (or IT). It is broken into four classes (from fastest to slowest) of ITS, ITA, ITB, and ITC. Many Honda products are good performers in ITC and ITA. IT-legal modifications include aftermarket springs, shocks, bars, limited chassis "barz," header, final drive and differential (biggest $ hit, arguably the best improvement in performance), exhaust, limited engine tweaking, brake pads, air dam, and moderate strippage of the interior (to hit the high points).

All IT classes require "real" safety equipment - rollcage, harness, seat, extinguisher, and a few other goodies.

The Civic EX Coupe of your generation has a move pending for the 1995 season, from ITS (where it was NEVER going to be competitive against things like the e36 BMW 325is) to ITA, where it stands a chance. The DX is currently listed in ITA as well - having been living there uncompetitively for a while now - but with the EX now in A and the CX in C, a case might be made to get it moved B.

(Hmm. Hadn't really thought about that until just now but it might be worth a shot.)

"SP" is "Super Production" - another regional-only class - that allows a TON of modifications. Pretty much anything goes in fact but rules differ from region to region.

There is a lot more but that's a good start.

K