I have a 1987 CRX Si which we are dropping a CRVTEC b20b into.

My use - some back road Maryland driving, occ. on street for transpo (when forced) but also at your favourite drag strip.

Questions are:

what suspension in general?
what about springs and struts (brands and spring rates, etc.)?

Also when everybody quotes F/R spring rates, what brands and where do they find these??

Thanks, all & for tolerating the naive questions...

 

I'd suggest 23mm front torsion bars from Ground Control or OPM, Ground Control rear coilovers (ask them to advise a rate tailored to your needs), Tokico Illuminas, and an Addco rear sway bar.

Ground Control can answer all of your questions, just call them up and tell them what you want to do.

 

Call Ben Schaeffer at GTR Motorsports

301-854-6252

Arguably he is one of the most knowledgable Gen. 1 CRX tuners in the country.

Tell him Andrew sent you.

 

Ben also goes by:
Schaeffer's Import Auto Care, Inc.
2878 Daisy Road
Woodbine, MD
410-489-9005

The 23 mm front torsion bars are OK, 25mm bars would be better (esp with a heavier front end after the swap).
Tokico Illuminas worked well on my car (also an 87 CRX Si), ... one of these days when I get it running again I'll install his (Ben's/OPM rear springs--adj. rear bar) kit!
Ed Pipala

 

Ben wouldn't know what to do with a first gen hybrid... with all that extra weight up front, you're going to have to do some serious beefing up of the suspension... If you can still find a set, go with some 27mm torsion bars.. Suspension techniques makes a sweet set of swaybars for the first gen... Call Ground control, and order a set of coilovers for the back (I ran a 350 spring rate on the street).... Call Tokico, and order a set of Illuminas, don't bother with Blues, you'll blow them out in a month, and they have NO dampening at all...... Finally, visit http://www.opmmotorsports.com and order any other toys you can afford... But start with the list I gave you first... I worked great for me.... OH! One more thing, call Fred Ellis: 301-888-2506, he owns Ellis Racing, and has an 87 Si with the exact swap you're doing... he runs 11's...

Dan
87 CRX Si hybrid (RIP) (D-MOD)
91 Galant VR4
89 CRX Si (CSP)



[Modified by Lt. Dan, 7:44 AM 12/20/2001]

 

LD - yea, thanks gonna prob go with some of those suggestions & hopefully stay in a street class....

 

Asphyncter says what?!!! Evidently you don't know what Ben does all day long. Sorry to step on your toes but I PROMISE you that Ben has a 99% chance of getting it right.

For ***** and grins call Ben and see what he suggests in regards to a suspension. I bet he is close to what was suggested. Understand however that Ben typically sets his NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP WINNING cars up on the soft side. I could list out the awards his cars have won but it is up to you ultimately to decide what to do. Just know that Ben has been tuning Hondas for a LONG time and hybrids are nothing new to him.

 

I'm just speaking from personal observation... I have seen him work with a lot of second gens, I've seen his CRX SiR, and he probably has a decent idea of where to start with a first gen suspension, but I have yet to see a first gen that he's worked on.... ****, from what I hear, he doesn't even autocross anymore... But like I said, I'm not Ben, and I don't know him personally... If I'm wrong, I apologize...

Dan

 

Ben doesn't autocross. He stopped about 6 years ago. He never enjoyed driving as much as building. He still does autocross prep work however. His original Gen.1 CRX still exists and is still competetive. His was one of the first injected CRXs in the CS/P scene (beyond the stock Sis). I have known Ben for 12 years now and he definately knows his ****.

And for the record Dan - what you recommended sounds right - I was never questioning that.

 

um, aren't we talking about drag racing here and not auto-x? i dunno.