OK, here's the deal. The car is a 1988 CRX Si autocross car. Wheels and tires will be wide lightwieght 13s (8" max, must keep tread inside stock fenders). The rules allow for machining of the motor within factory specs. The compression will get a little bump from cutting the head and block. No further engine mods permitted. The engine management is unrestricted. The air filter is unrestricted (CAI, short ram, etc...). I have a choice of 2 ways to mod the motor based on points: either bolt on a header, or a light flywheel. Which will yield better performance: sub 8 lb flywheel, or high end header?

 

Between the two, I think the acceleration from the lower mass flywheel would help you in more places on a autocross course. Besides, the engine mods you mentioned are allowed, won't be so extreme as to make the header a point of restiction. Not sure on your specific rules, but the muffler and cat will have more of an impact. And if you can't change those (assuming from what you posted) it won't matter.

 

Cat and muffler are free, and I fully intend to change those. Thanks for the input. Anyone else?

 

well u could look for a used exhaust manifold from a 99-00 ex that is a pretty decent upgrade and u would still be able to get the flywheel.

 

Unfortunately that mod would cost me the 2 points that I have to play with as that manifold was not sold by the manufacturer on an 88 CRX Si. If I'm going to take the points for the header, it will be the best header I can afford, to extract the most power possible from that mod.

Thanks for the input anyhow.

 

if given the option of header or flywheel, i would go with the flywheel.

 

well i figured since it was a factory item u could use it guess not since it doesn't match your cars year. although u could prolly get away with it if u used the factory heatshield as well.

 

For autocross, flywheel for sure.

 

I vote flywheel

 

flywheel