I'm getting a new car for daily driving and autox. I've looked around but I haven't seen people's view on different cars. I want to JDM an ek hatch and do some weekend autox. I need some point of views on different cars. I'm thinking about a 99-00 si maybe.... I'm confused.

 

Get anything for the STS class and you'll have a blast in the Atlanta region SCCA. There are often up to 20 cars running there, with lots of stiff competition.

A 99 Si will do pretty well. I think Thompson won the Atlanta championship in his a couple of years ago.
Just put a decent suspension and some Falken Azenis on it and call it soup.
Easy.

Do any sort of swap or JDM job and you're in the modified classes. Usually running against one or two other people, both in Corvettes.

Not nearly as fun, and more expensive than STS.

 

So with a suspension and tires I can stay in a 'newb' class? or sts

 

You can run anything in the novice class, but you can't stay there forever.

 

So where would a 99' si with suspension and tires put me? Because I can't drive around a stock height civic. That's lame. I have to drop it 2". That's just what I'm used to. I love how low my ek hatch is. Besides It makes more sense that a lower center of gravity would make a car corner better.


Modified by 97hatchswapwishing at 10:15 AM 8/17/2005


Modified by 97hatchswapwishing at 6:51 PM 8/21/2005

 

So where would a 99' si with suspension and tires put me?

 

STS

 

[broken record on] Learn to drive it stock. You'll be much faster in the long run. [/broken record off]

Here is the rule book: Autox rulebook - http://www.scca.com/_filelibra...s.pdf

Now, if you

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 97hatchswapwishing &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I can't drive around a stock height civic. That's lame. I have to drop it 2". That's just what I'm used to. </TD></TR></TABLE>

then you are asking your questions of the wrong forum. This group, in general, want's to do what makes them fast... not what makes them look cool.

Good luck in your slizzammed ride, yo!

 

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

Not necessarily... The "tires" he mentions may not be street tires. Any race tire puts him out of STS.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 97hatchswapwishing &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So where would a 99' si with suspension and tires put me?</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

Are azenis tires radial? I've been explained that under harsh handleing radial tires can 'break' No matter how new they are. I've driven the crap out of my tires on my ek and I've had no such problems. But my Uncle still insists they can.

______ Wait, What's wrong with lowering an si if i get one? wont it handle better? or will that put me out of class.

BTW that link to the rules didnt work.


Modified by 97hatchswapwishing at 10:27 AM 8/17/2005

 

Lower IS NOT necessarily better. Too low is going to adversely effect handling if you don't also shorten the shocks.
The car needs suspension travel to handle. You can't explain this to most guys like you (for example) who have how the car looks way too high on their priority list, but consider yourself told.

In short, if you "slam" your Civic to keep from looking lame its probably going to handle like ****, and you're going to be slower than 40 year old women in stock Neons.

And any high performance radial tire will be fine.

You've been told, now do what you want...

 

OK... here's your spoon...

http://www.scca.com/Solo/Index...0|070&~=

30 seconds on the SCCA page and I found it.

 

Sorry I'm acting like a noob. But I am a noob. You don't have to be an ******* about it. Thanks though. I understand now...

 

No... See, you aren't acting like a noob. You're acting like a guy asking autocross questions but who is really interested in making sure he's got a nice drop y0.

We're answering your questions, but we're jaded because experience tells us that you aren't going to listen. You are going to get a hatch, do a swap, buy some craptastic ebay coilover kit and slam the **** out of the car.
Then, the first time you try to toss it into a sharp right hander... Its going to go straight... While making alot of noise.
Then you'll realize some 60 year old guy in a stock 1995 Toyota Celica beat you by 4 seconds, you'll get embarassed in front of your cr3w, do a big burnout when leaving the site, and never come back.

Will you really do that?
I dunno, but I've seen it so many times now that I'm just playing the odds.

 

I'm not that arrogant. I know just springs dont do anything. If I invested in lowering my car I'd spend good money on a good set of shocks. KYB or koni's maybe. I'm not retarted. All I'm wanting Is a fun daily driver that I can <U>Weekend </U>autox. I might autox twice a year man! I dont know. The only reason I'm interested in lowering my car is because I'm told all the time that shocks/springs dramatically increase handleing. If you dont think it's a good idea I wont do it.


Modified by 97hatchswapwishing at 9:33 AM 8/18/2005

 

I'm getting a new car soon (sorry for all of you who've heard this several times) But i've narrowed it down to me buying either a 99-00 Si or an ek hatch. What's the big deal autox wise? I want a daily driver that can carry all of my sports equip. Boxing stuff, and armor.... that I can occasionally autox in. I have an Ek hatch now and It carries all my ****, and handles like a ****. I like how it looks and I want to make it look more jdm for my car club. Please dont flame me because I want a good looking daily driver I can autox in. Wait, So with some exterior and interior mods I'm put in a different class?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 97hatchswapwishing &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The only reason I'm interested in lowering my car is because I'm told all the time that shocks/springs dramatically increase handleing. If you dont think it's a good idea I wont do it.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Here's what you just don't seem to be getting. At least your writing makes it look like you aren't getting it.

Just lowering a car or just adding shocks and springs DOES NOT necessarily improve handling. The amount of lowering, spring rates, shocks, and even the alignment is what pays off with better handling.
If you install (for example) KYB shocks with 2 to 3" lowering springs, the car is probably going to handle worse than stock, especially if you hit a bump(s) when turning. You'll be too low, have no shock travel, and still be on relatively soft progressive rate springs. Guys always drop the **** out of their cars and think that they are "stiffer" because of the ride and less body roll. The reality is that they are sitting on the bump stops and are one aggresively approached turn away from crashing the car.

Want to have fun daily driving and autocrossing. Fine.
Here's what you do.
1. Buy 99 Civic Si
2. Install Ground Control / Koni / Buddy Club / whatever coilover kit
3. Lower car about 1 to 1.5 inches
4. Set alignment.
5. Get good tires
6. Drive it. Ask for help from experienced people at autocrosses

There. Its not that hard. Certainly not worth starting 6 threads .

 

I know I got carried away with the threads... I've been posting for what seems a while to me. I've never done it until now I'll try my best not to do it again. It's not like me. Thanks for the help though. I really do appreciate it. I'm just confused and inexperienced. I dont want to invest 6k into a car and not have as much fun as I could have with the other. I'm just not sure.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 97hatchswapwishing &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I dont want to invest 6k into a car and not have as much fun as I could have with the other. I'm just not sure.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You'll have fun no matter what you drive - even if its a Nugget Gold Yugo hatch.

 

personally I dont like how the si coupes look. That's why I've always been a fan of the hb swap. Doesnt the HB have a "better" wheelbase? I've heard it's shorter and wider or something. Would I be faster in a HB? or si?... sorry to be nagging. And i like the idea of power windows and keyless entry... Not to mention sunroof.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 97hatchswapwishing &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Would I be faster in a HB? or si?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Wont matter. Just buy something, drive and have fun. Keep it simple.

 

Its the driver and not the car.

Last month I codrove a STS2 MR2 at BeaveRun and I technically should have matched the other drivers times. But, I didn't and that speaks volumes for what this sport requires.

If you want a slammed ride that looks cool you are in the wrong sport. My car looks like ****, most of the dedicated guys aren't worried about fancy paint jobs or spiffy rims but what makes them fast.

 

I wish you'd quit thinking I want a slammed car. I just thought Lowering makes a car handle better. I know different now though thanks. But as a daily driver, what would exterior mods like fog lights or a mugen front lip do for my class? i dont understand why something that doesnt increase power or handleing puts you in another class.

 

I think of myself as a fairly decent judge of character. Your countless posts have made me realize you are just another ricer fanboy wanting to get into this sport. If you are dedicated you'd buy anything and race it, not want some bling factor high women attracting rice rocket.

Sean who wishes his car had a high bling factor.

 

Listen to Catch he know his stuff.

But if you have EK hatch right now why not just run it? especially since it "slammed already"

and stop posting! tomorrow is sunday take whatever car you have an AX tomorrow and have fun. I am sure someone in you area is probably running one. Just go sign up dont worry abotu anything beside driving and having fun. If you have **** tires ann an auto trans it doesnt matter you were going to lose anyways at least no you have an excuse.

Best advice is tomorrow if you can blow everything else of and jsut go enter an event.