I have read forums and done some research on engine swaps, I feel comfortable with forging ahead on this but I have one bit of uneasiness to deal with.

I was talking with a few local Honda enthusiasts about putting the GSR engine, tranny and brakes on the 1994 Del Sol and they all told me to not bother with it. Their reasoning was:
a: Heavier than other available models for that year
b: Chassis is not as rigid as the previous CRX model

I can handle the weight concerns, remember I have a stable of 3000lb-4000lb Vintage Domestic Iron I cruise around in, I am concerned about what they mean by the rigidity of this chassis.

I do not plan to autocross my Del Sol, well not yet who knows what the future brings, just use it as a spirited daily driver with fun in mind.

What are the weaknesses I should be concerned with on this chassis and should I think about trading in this 96K+ vehicle for a hatchback? I know on the old 60s unibody Domestic cars (Falcon and Mustang) there are issues with flex and I understand that strut bars (Monte Carlo bars) fix this as well as subframing the front with better gussets and supports.

Are the guys being fanboys of Hondas that are not Del Sols? Is it not worth the drivetrain swap on this targa top? What are your thoughts? Am I paranoid?


Modified by desertdroog at 4:32 PM 1/21/2005

 

I am biased with a del sol because i have one. personally i see nothing wrong wit the chassis except for a leak in the targa top ( i havent experieced it yet ). my friend has a gsr swap in his del sol and is hitting high 14's with 2.6 60 foots and 13 inch steelies. also, its an s. the lightest model del sol.

 

dont listen to those guys, it'll be fine, I have one w/ no problems

 

i have a 94 si sol, with a factory front sway bar. I did a b16a swap in it about two years ago and the weight problem hasn't really been too much off the factory curb weight. I wouldn't imagine that a gsr would be that much heavier than a b16. the only problem with the chasis that i have found is when the targa top is off, the whole car feels kinda loose, but when it's in place it feels just as solid as any other eg chasis. if you plan on just mildly modifing your sol, a good set of springs and struts will address any handling problems that you might have.

 

Dont listen to em,down here if its not an EG or EF,or have a hatch of somesort,it gets no love.A b18 would be PERFECT in the sol IMHO...........

 

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Are the guys being fanboys of Hondas that are not Del Sols? Is it not worth the drivetrain swap on this targa top? What are your thoughts? Am I paranoid?
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Nothing wrong with Del Sols as they can hold their own with any other Honda car model, just depends on what you do to it that dictates the outcome. If you want a convertable Honda car the Del Sol or the S2000 are good choices. I love mine!