I have a 88 civic hatch that I still drive almost every day and I am going to try solo2 this year. Do you guys think polyureathane bushings are a good idea? Also what tires would work best? Any other advice or tips would be great. Thanks

Eric

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by S2R Honda &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have a 88 civic hatch that I still drive almost every day and I am going to try solo2 this year. Do you guys think polyureathane bushings are a good idea? Also what tires would work best? Any other advice or tips would be great. Thanks

Eric</TD></TR></TABLE>

If you're worried about being competitive, take a look at the SCCA Solo2 rules. Pick a class, go from there.

But really, your absolute best bet is to just figure out what class you're in, and show up for now. Fancy bushings might save you 0.05 seconds, but each event you attend will knock off *seconds*. So save the money, attend as many events as you can, learn from anyone that will talk to you

Have fun!

Thanks for the advice, any thoughts on tires? 205/50/15or 195/50/15 will fit my wheels good.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by S2R Honda &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks for the advice, any thoughts on tires? 205/50/15or 195/50/15 will fit my wheels good.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Street tires, autocross/summer only, or R compound?

If you're running the car in your sig you're going to be in Street Mod. The brake swap keeps you out of Street Prepared where you would be running against cars similar to yours. Street mod can have a wide variety of highly prepped cars. Don't worry about trying to be competitive at first, just focus on getting faster each event. Race tires (DOT approved R-compound tires) are legal in Street Mod. If you need tires I'd look at getting a set of Falken Azenis 615's in a 205/50/15 instead of R- compounds. Great tire, will last a long time and they stick really well. If they aren't worn out I'd just start with what's on the car now. You will get bigger improvements from working on the driver than making changes to the car. Good luck and have fun!

Thanks for the advice, any other suggestions

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by S2R Honda &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks for the advice, any other suggestions</TD></TR></TABLE>

1. Get as much seat time as possible. In SC, the CCR-SCCA is having a test and tune on Saturday and and event on Sunday. The SCR-SCCA is having and event on Sunday also.
2. Get an Instructor. To make sure you aren't practicing bad habits. Good technique comes from good practice, and lots of it. If you can't find an instructor at an event in SC, look for a black on black Mini and ask me. I'll instruct you or find you someone who can.
3. Don't change anything on the car until you are done with your first season. Unless you are replacing wear items don't do a thing. Your learning curve is so steep during the first year you should only concrentrate on seat time and making your car reliable and safe.



Modified by Tirewarmer at 6:00 PM 2/1/2006

I recommend leaving your car on jackstands in a unsuspecting Mini owner's garage.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by S2R Honda &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">S2 racing 88' Honda Civic Std. SMSP 4 into 1 header and 2 1/4 exhaust, DFE Built D16A6, Skunk2 intake, Edelbrock 65mm TB, Obd1 p06 tuned by Rocket with Chrome,Rocket Motorsports plugs, MSD Digital-6 and Blaster 2 coil, Tokico blues, ST springs & f/r sway bars, 15" Falken wheels, Fastbrakes 11" upgrade f/r.
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That is a great start on a FWD street modified car. HP and platform are the easier parts to get right. IMO you're spot on.

Now "all" you have to work on is the driver and suspension (the other 98%). Might want to get a solid year's worth of events under your belt before you go after the suspension though. Not only will you learn a ton about driving, but also about your particular car and your own style.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MattP &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I recommend leaving your car on jackstands in a unsuspecting Mini owner's garage.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Free 91 CRX in Lexington, SC. Needs suspension reassembled.

Looks like this----&gt;

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by S2R Honda &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have a 88 civic hatch that I still drive almost every day and I am going to try solo2 this year. Do you guys think polyureathane bushings are a good idea? Also what tires would work best? Any other advice or tips would be great. Thanks

Eric</TD></TR></TABLE>

Don't do a thing to the car for the first year of autocrossing. Autocrossing is 80-90% driver skill and many of the skills are unique to autocrossing. In other words, improving the car will give you very little speed increase if you as a driver can't take advantage of it.

Also, not changing the car will make it easier to learn. Its very hard to get good experience if you are constantly changing the platform you are driving.

Also, you can save a lot of money by not putting on parts which later you find out are not really the right ones for your style of driving. There is no more expensive part than one that sits in the garage unused.

But when you are ready to modify, your best source will be http://www.redshiftmotorsports.com/
The owner, Chris Shenefield pretty much wrote the book on STS Civics and he has the trophies to prove it. He is also probably the nicest, most honest guy I have met in the aftermarket business. And best of all, his site is a great guide to how to build a top performing Civic at bottom line prices.

regards,
alan

Thanks for all the advice. I am going to try to the CCR-SCCA event in Orangeburg SC on Feb. 18, any of you going to be there? If so maybe we will get to talk in person.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by S2R Honda &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks for all the advice. I am going to try to the CCR-SCCA event in Orangeburg SC on Feb. 18, any of you going to be there? If so maybe we will get to talk in person.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'll be at the National Tour event in Fort Myers that weekend but I am sure MattP will be there.

I'd highly recommend coming to the test and tune in Fort Mill this Saturday if you can. There should be plenty of seat time and people should be very willing to ride along/instruct and have you ride along with them also since it isn't a competitive event.

I have to work this weekend, so the Feb. 18 event is the next one I can make it to. I will try to learn as much as I can. I am an ex drag racer (domestic) and this type of racing seems like a lot more fun.