http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content...._code=00642865

Man .. the '03 CL-S 6MT is looking nice.

 

Sure. Strip it while it's still at the dealer lot, weld a cage in, and then have them completely take the suspension off for some real springs/shocks and engine apart and rebuild. Think the dealer would like that? Hee hee. I can picture their faces now....
Oh, but you have to wait until mid year '03 to get one.

 

If it didn't weigh 3400 lbs it might be a fun car, but that's way too much weight for a FWD performance car IMO. Nice cruiser though

 

Not so, my gf's Dad just ordered his '03 TL-S which should arrive in March! I don't understand why they're out so early, but Acura is rolling out the '03 CL's and TL's early this year!

 

It was my understanding (and car and drivers) that the 6 speed was to be released 6 months after the 03's went on sale...
Maybe I should double check the article, but I just read the thing yesterday...
Hmm.

 

Ask Phat-S how a stock suspended CL-S handles...

 

At 3500+ lbs for the 02 model (according to acura.com, i'm sure the 03 will prolly weigh a few more lbs) that sled doesnt stand a chance against an ITR in H2, even with 260hp, 6 speed and all...

I mean, what will it weigh in stripped and with a cage? 3000-3100lbs? Forget it...

 

You might be surprised at the weight you can get out of a "luxury" car when you start stripping all the comfort crap out of it. I was able to get nearly 300lbs out of an Integra.

Power leather seats and such add up.

 

I don't think the CL-S would make a bad H2 car at all. If you really think about it, the main issues are:

1) Weight. A good gutting should do wonders. All the luxo junk and `` foam sound barriers and the liberal use of Thinsulate'' adds up.
2) Chassis. It is still a Honda .. so it can't be all that bad. A good cage will do wonders.
3) Brakes. 11.8" is not too bad. Depends on the results of #1.
4) Wheelbase. Yea .. it is long.
5) Aftermarket support. Not as good as the other cars, but the essentials are all there.

Now .. for the pluses.

1) Power
2) Power
3) Power

The J32 is a nice little power plant. 260HP stock, revs to 7000 rpms, and responds well to mods. The Comptech headers alone are supposed to be good for 40HP. A CL-S in full HC trim should make plenty of power to motor past the other H2 guys.

Then look at the tracks. CMP and VIR are a toss up, but the 2 trips to Lowe's and Summit provide plenty of straights to motor away from the other H2 cars.

 

The problem here is that is just too expensive (and luxurious) a car to strip and race. I can't imagine anyone stripping and caging a CL Type S? There won't be any old, beater CL-Ss for quite some time.