Hey guys, I need some advice. I recently bought my 95 cd5 accord coupe EX from my brother, and it got me into hondas. Spending some time on here, and some time working on the car really got me liking hondas, but anyway heres where I need some advice.

I plan to autocross all season this year, as well as try and get to at least one or two track days, but for this year I won't have the money to swap in an H22, or anything like that. Mainly I'm just trying to get some seat time, but I will be doing mods such as a race seat, roll bar/cage, and suspension/brakes for now. As much as I can afford as I go anyway(I'm a college student, funds are low)
Heres my question, should I stick with the accord for this year? Or should I sell it and try and find a cheap Ej civic or Ek civic hatch and start with a "better"/lighter platform with a more competitive engine?

 

While I don't do auto x I 'd say just from looking at it the last thing you'd want is a big accord. Even a stock eg hatch with some money into good suspension and tires will be fun don't be too obsessed over engine hp/tq it's not drag racing. 2,855 is the CD5's listed CW and eg hatch is something like 2039-2178, just my o2 but sell it and grab a stock eg.

 

If you think you'll continue to do track days I'd get into an eg or something similar. They are lighter, probably more responsive at the track, and replacement parts are more readily available. I've seen several swapped eg hatches and coupes for $2500-3000. If you can sell the accord for the same price as you can buy an eg I'd do it. I wouldn't waste $1000-1500 on a cage and seat for the accord; put that money towards a new car.

 

Are you just starting or do you have experience autocrossing already? Before thinking about engine swaps and modifications, I would take a thorough look at the rules.

I was in your situation about 10 years or so ago when I started tracking my car (I was in university back then). The best advice I can give you is to save money for events, tires/brakes and maintenance, and to try and get seat time rather than go-fast parts.

In a few years, you'll have more money and will probably know more about what you want/need in a track car and have a decent build.

The Accord is probably fine to start with, but don't do too many modifications to it. You will probably end up wanting a lighter platform eventually.

 

Yeah thats what I figured, I've heard of a few competitive accords, but I' sure it would be much better to start with a eg hatch or coupe. And yeah I'm not worried about engine swaps and everything for autocross, I was saying that more for HPDE and road racing in the future.
I started last season with a mustang GT, but I no longer have that car, so I'm starting with a honda now. You're right, saving for the necessities is the most important part, because this year I just care about getting seat time, not necessarily being the fastest in the class right from the start. I think the accord would do fine, but starting with an eg would definitely make more sense for future things. I guess I'll run the accord for a little bit and then sell it and find myself a hatch or coupe. Thanks for the help guys!

 

That's the smart move ^^^. I'd also suggest holding off on doing track days for as long as you can. The cost of entry and consumables is quite a bit more than autoX. Save the money and put it toward a longer term car option (EF/EG/EK).

 

Tires tires tires that's all I can say. Lol

 

Meh. Learn on hard/crappy tires and get a decent set for your 2nd season.

 

Yeah I think I'll just run the accord this season, and then buy an ef/eg/ek at the end of the summer. The accord will still be a good platform to learn on, shes just heavy!

Any advice to get the accord set up without putting a lot of money into it? It has an exhaust, cold air intake, and it's on cheap coil sleeves/ new tires. I figure I'll just strip it of some weight and run it how it is

 

I wouldn't bother with stripping weight out of the car... just run it as is in probably one of the ST classes (STF maybe?). Use rear tire pressure to loosen the car and focus on learning to be consistent and not over-drive the car.

 

x2^^


especially since it has ebay coil sleves I hope not on stock shocks.

 

Ok yeah that's true. And the less I have to spend, the more I can save for a better platform. This season is going to be more seat time than anything for me anyway.
I didn't do that to the car, so I'm not sure. But I think they are stock. I was going to get proper coilovers, but with the intention of selling the car after the season I guess I'll just see how these do.

 

Don't spend any money on the Accord... just run it "as is". Seriously... it's not worth putting the money into it.

 

^^^I don't plan on it besides keeping it on the road for now, thanks for the help!

 

I blow like a grand a weekend in tires check me in to Hoosier rehab !!