Welp, it's time to get out of G Stock and move to STS in my trusty 2000 Si. I'm getting my butt kicked from the Mini's and such so I figure this is the place to go. I'm doing the upgrades in phases over the course of the next season and I need help getting some ideas of what to do, when to do it, and who to buy it from.

So here's Phase 1:

I will have $1500 to spend.

Helpful info:
I already have wheels and tires (Azenis).
I know I could still get my butt kicked in STS but at least I will have fun doing it.
No, I will not get a different car. I like this one too much.
I already have some exhaust upgrades from Stock class.
I currently have no suspension upgrades, not even Konis.
I already have Hawk Black pads, so my brakes are excellent.


I'm all ears, thanks in advance.

Kevin, autocrosser for 5+ years and loving every minute of it

 

suspension, suspension, seat time, tuning

 

Yeah, I know it will end up being suspension first, I just have no idea what kind to buy and where to buy it. I guess I've been in Stock class for so long I haven't been paying attention to all the mods that ppl use...

 

Find out what the fast STS guys are using

If you cant beat 'em, join 'em?

 

My setup: Honda Prelude
Suspension
-GC/Koni 450/425
-Rear ST Bar/Stock front bar.
-Front tower bar.
-16" wheels
-Azenis
Engine
-Header
-Exhaust
-CAI
-Tuned VAFC
-No AC
-Relocated Battery
Brakes
-Axxis Ultimas front only
-Goodridge lines.

 

Ryan123164 or whatever his screen name is should be able to help you with that. He used to run one of those until he got an 89 si.

he was pretty damn good in the 00 si though.

 

why not put the 1500 into another set of race tires, a front bar, and some OTS konis?

seems like a better idea than saying you don't like losing in stock class with an underprepped car, so you can goto STS and do the same...

just my 2 cents. Ryan was damn fast in his Si...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PseudoRealityX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">why not put the 1500 into another set of race tires, a front bar, and some OTS konis?

seems like a better idea than saying you don't like losing in stock class with an underprepped car, so you can goto STS and do the same...

just my 2 cents. Ryan was damn fast in his Si...</TD></TR></TABLE>

I assume you mean a larger front bar? If so, then I don't think it's gonna help him. He has a FWD car, a bigger front bar will just induce more understeer. I would try to disconnect the front bar instead.

 

I already had Hoosiers for GS and I was about to get new ones and the Konis. Problem is I know that even with the Konis I will still be loosing to the Cooper S's and GTI Euro's (I think that's what it's called, mean little bugger).

So, if I'm going to loose, I might as well loose in STS where I can have a modified car that's also fun on the street.

Hopefully Ryan sees this thread and helps me out, it sounds like he would be a good source of info.

 

I was about to say the same thing. I think his name is ryan12321. Very quick.

 

I don't think he wants a larger front bar. The Si already has a 26mm front bar. I don't even know if anyone makes a bigger one. Also front bars tend to exagerate wheelspin in open diff cars because it unloads the inside tire during cornering. A bigger front bar would be a negative IMO. They really work best in stock class for fwd mac strut cars because which have poor camber curves (i.e. old VW's).

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PseudoRealityX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">why not put the 1500 into another set of race tires, a front bar, and some OTS konis?

seems like a better idea than saying you don't like losing in stock class with an underprepped car, so you can goto STS and do the same...

just my 2 cents. Ryan was damn fast in his Si...</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

Kevin, I got your email but just in case anybody else might care for the information. I did run my 00 civic si in STS for awhile until I co-drove a 91 si last year and had to have one for myself. My 00 si is now pretty much back to stock but I can give you some advice.

First of all I still "think" the 00 si could have been prepared and be as fast as my 89 but I gave up on trying. Mainly because of money. The 00 would have cost me a lot more money to do it and I'd be stuck with having to drive an uncomfortable car around all the time. Instead I budgeted 5k(including car cost) and sold all my mods from the 00 si to help pay for it.

The setup I was running was
350/400 on GC perches
kyb agx shocks
stock front swaybar/comptech 22mm adjustable(full stiff)
-1.8F/-1.5R camber
1/8" toe out in front/ 0 toe rear
hawk hp+ pads front and rear

stock exhaust
comptech intake
dc 4-1 header

Those were my only mods to the car and at the SEDiv races I wasn't too far behind the 4th gen hatches. about a second and a half behind heyward wagner in atlanta per day.

There are a few issues that i would focus on. I didn't have nearly enough camber in the car but couldn't go any lower because I was running out of front suspension travel. If I could have gotten 3 degrees out of it like i have my 89 and as low as it is it would have made a huge difference. I would also try to get a 19-22mm front sway bar made as the front 26 is just a little too big. Then there was ALOT of work to be done with power. I'm confident with a better header, exhaust, and ecu I could have been making a lot more power. I was also still on 6.5" wheels which on the heavier car I think the wider 7" or 7.5" wheels would make a huge difference. Spring rates need to go up too. the 350/400 felt almost stock like after driving a 4th gen with similar rates.

I think thats about it but overall its an extremely fun car to drive. Oh yeah and del sol seats helped me drive it a lot better as I felt more comfortable in it. I don't think I'd be able to drive it with the stock high chair seats in it.

and my favorite thing about the car was i think it looked better than the 89.

 

OT...
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Blue Si #72 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">... GTI Euro's (I think that's what it's called, mean little bugger)....</TD></TR></TABLE>

yes they are... especially in crappy weather. i drove a friends bone stock 20th ae gti to FTDI, and was only off FTD (a dsp neon) by about a second.

 

Suspension!
do that before anything.

That STS guys and including me ran GC/Koni combos

 

Welcome, Kevin.

-dave

 

This can help
http://www.redshiftmotorsports.com/

For simple starters go with GC and Koni. The spring rates are the tricky point. Depending on your tollerance for bumps and everyday ride you have to pick spring rates that fit your needs and the desire for autocross. Throw in a rear swaybar and you have a good start.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ryan12321 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

and my favorite thing about the car was i think it looked better than the 89.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

fuggin ricer

 

Hmmm, I get the feeling I know you Hatch2k. I know a Dave in a 2002 Si....

Is this you?

 

You got it, see ya sunday.

 

i'm actually going to fool around in GS locally with a 99 si (totally stock, with 110,000 miles) aside from some old kumho's. i'll let you know how i fair against some of the faster coopers in my area. sorry, a bit OT, but good luck in STS. cheaper than SM that's for sure....

 

Actually I have done well GS in my Si for 4 years, winning the last two seasons. Go out and get some Hawk Black brake pads. They're cheap and they make a HUGE difference in the braking of the car. Also, they don't chew up my stocke rotors at all (33k on them now).

 

You might talk with Martin Trumpier (Green 4g Integra) and Josh (Red DA Integra), they seem to be the fastest STS guys in this area. I'll probably start autoxing again after I replace my clutch and get the sway bar on, so I'll see you out there.

 

Here is the set up from GrassRoots Magazines 02 Si

Custom valved Koni single adjustable shocks
GC's 700ft/900r
225/50/15 BFG KD tires on Volk TE37 15x7's
Comptech rear Anti Roll Bar
Basic bolt-ons I/H/E

They put it head to head with the 2002 STS national winner and the 2002

0-60
89 8.6sec
02 8.2sec

on course
89's best lap 39.782
02's best lap 41.580

They switched drivers and cars and the 89 was faster with either driver, but each drivers best time was in his own car.
Hope this helps.

GrassRoots has a whole write up in the Nov 03 mag and on line.

 

They also used to have an EBP 99/00, might try to source some back issues.

 

Where is Mike Louie? He is probably the fastest EM1 Si driver in the country. His site is here.