So after four bittersweet seasons of autocrossing my '91 MR2 I sold it and bought a '98 Integra GS. I guess after having 1600+ posts on H-T it would make sense that I should probably be driving a Honda product. Performance wasn't really a priority at the time of purchase as I'm doing lots of traveling for work between now and August (I put 2,300 miles on it before I even replaced the 30 day tags with real ones) so I just bought the first thing I found that didn't completely suck. Not really crazy about the car, as I loved the torque of the MR2 and I think the leather seats sit up too high, but it is a pretty nice car.

Of course, despite racing and car classification not being a high priority, I still want to see what I can do with it. Right now I'm thinking anything from just putting Azenis or MXs on it and not taking it seriously, to throwing $2,000 or so into semi-full GS prep like I did with the MR2. I don't really plan on keeping the car for more than a year, but plans can always change and its probably equally likely that I'll keep it until its paid off in 2-3 years. Any thoughts?

Basically I want to know what to look for in a setting up a FWD car for stock class. Is a big sway bar still a good idea? What about alignment? I lucked out with the MR2 in that common alignment specs were widely published but I haven't found much of anything relevent to the Integra. Does what works with say an older Civic also apply to an Integra?

Thanks for the help.

 

Totally flippant response on setting up a FWD car for G-stock:

1. If you have a Mini Cooper S, go to step 3.
2. Buy a Mini Cooper S.
3. Buy tires.

 

Oh, and a serious answer. I assume it would be the same path as a Civic or CRX: r-tires, good shocks, replace worn out suspension parts.

 

Hey Sean - I heard you're such a good driver all you need are some Altezza's and glow in the dark washer nozzles.

 

How do you make your Integra competetive in G Stock in Northeast Ohio? Adjust the tire pressure on Bob Smiths MINI and Todd Swensons Celica when they aint looking

Personally I'd do a few mods to it and run in STS.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Brett@SoloRacer.com &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
How do you make your Integra competetive in G Stock in Northeast Ohio? Adjust the tire pressure on Bob Smiths MINI and Todd Swensons Celica when they aint looking

Personally I'd do a few mods to it and run in STS. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Fortunately Todd is in PAX and Bob is actually in HS.

I dont want to modify it too much since I want to preserve the resale value. I'm only driving it for now because I couldn't find the "right" MR2 and I couldn't afford any other class.

 

Bob bought a Cooper S... but he'll probably run PAX too. You still got Jeff Urban to deal with though. You could put some Koni's, a bigger rear bar, intake, exhaust, and some Falkens and just have some fun in STS. That would keep the resale up, and you wouldn't have to lug around race tires.

With sticky race tires, I'd think that car would be a handful.

 

From one Sean to another.

How much $$$ are you willing to spend? Do you wanna stay in GS for a while.

I'd get Koni yellows, good R comps (I am really beginning to fancy the V710s), lightweight wheels (I think that car has 15s), alignment, good brake pads.

 

Have you tried sitting in the car with your helmet on? I did one HPDE in my LS and realized that there was no way I could find a comfortable driving position with the stock seats and the stupid sunroof. I either had to lean over to get my head into the sunroof recess or lean the seat so far back I was driving with my fingertips.

That made the decision for me to get some Del Sol seats and go to STS.

 

Have you considered STS? Shocks, Azenis, and a rear swaybar. No more expensive than GS, and probably more fun.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Markus &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Hey Sean - I heard you're such a good driver all you need are some Altezza's and glow in the dark washer nozzles.</TD></TR></TABLE>



Like that..

Edo

 

i have a 97 GS integra and did a couple autox...imo without doing something to make the rear stiffer it's not going to be competitive. that being said, i doubt it can be competitive in GS. mine just plowed through every turn, no rotation at all. at first i thought i just sucked at driving because i was ~10s slower than FTD consistantly, but i just raced my crx this past weekend for the first time and its amazing how much of a difference it was. i was still slow for the car's potential, but for the first time driving it i dont think it was that bad, roughly 3-4s behind FTD. i didnt push it near as hard as i could have through the turns since i was used to the integra. i definitely still need to work on my driving skills, thats for sure

 

Shouldn't the Integra GS be in H Stock? Most of the SIs are in H now. I ran my Integra RS in STS for years and just moved up to STX last year with the addition of an LSD. I think your best bet would be STS. Do a rear swaybar, some 15" Azenis and a mild suspension, I run Tokico Illuminas and H&R Sport Springs. National Champions have driven my car (without the LSD) and told me it's very well ballanced. Sure, you probably won't beat the '89 SIs but you probably wouldn't be beating them in HS either, not to mention the Minis.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jack Black &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Have you tried sitting in the car with your helmet on?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Obviously you've never met Sean. He's a dwarf.

- Mark

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Type_RS_59 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Shouldn't the Integra GS be in H Stock? Most of the SIs are in H now. I ran my Integra RS in STS for years and just moved up to STX last year with the addition of an LSD. I think your best bet would be STS. Do a rear swaybar, some 15" Azenis and a mild suspension, I run Tokico Illuminas and H&R Sport Springs. National Champions have driven my car (without the LSD) and told me it's very well ballanced. Sure, you probably won't beat the '89 SIs but you probably wouldn't be beating them in HS either, not to mention the Minis.</TD></TR></TABLE>

mine was in GS, there was also an integra sedan this past weekend, not sure if it was gs or rs, in GS as well

 

Yeah, double-check that car...wasn't it moved to HS? If not, your best mod would be to put pen to paper and request it to be moved

 

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

Obviously you've never met Sean. He's a dwarf.

- Mark</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm not a dwarf, you're a fatass! I'm actually one inch taller than the average Indy Car driver and only 10 lbs lighter, and that gap has been cut nearly in half since early January. I'm actually sorta kinda getting in shape now!

Anyway, I should've mentioned I have no real intention of being nationally competitive in the car, so whether or not it is competitive in GS (or HS) doesn't really matter. I liked the way the MR2 rode in stock trim so I would assume by simply going with Konis and a front sway I wouldn't be rattling my fillings out. I'm just trying to find a way to get a bit of enjoyment out of the car while I wait until I can buy a competitive car again. Besides, dealing with a poor handling car might help me with my driving skills after spending years being in a mid-engined car that always felt like it was on rails.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Todd00 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yeah, double-check that car...wasn't it moved to HS? If not, your best mod would be to put pen to paper and request it to be moved </TD></TR></TABLE>

No they were not moved, I acutally submitted a request last year after they moved a lot of thoose cars to HS, to move the RS/LS/GS integra since they moved the RSX into HS, but nothing came of it.

 

Really there are 3 choices:

1) Don't take it seriously and have fun - Buy a set of Azenis when you have the money. Buy Konis when you have the money. 1/4" total toe out in the front, 1/8" total toe out in the rear. Get a light catback exhaust that you like the sound of (when you have the money) Run GS and get beaten by anyone with a Mini or Celica

2) Don't take it seriously and have fun - Buy a set of Azenis when you have the money. Buy Konis and Ground Control coilovers when you have the money. 1/4" total toe out in the front, 1/8" total toe out in the rear. Buy a big rear bar and be sure to reinforce the subframe when you have the moneyy. Get a light exhaust that you like the sound of (when you have the money) Get headers and CAI when you have the money Run STS and get beaten by anyone with a well prepped Civic Hatch (same car but lighter and shorter wheelbase)

3) Run DSP and get out the credit cards. A DSP Integra can use Type R motor and tranny, 13" wheels, Quaife, etc. Probably make 200whp and 140tq. This car has a fair chance in DSP but probably a BMW is a better bet.

regards,
alan

 

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

Obviously you've never met Sean. He's a dwarf.

- Mark</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's cool. Just figured I'd throw that out as a consideration before he invests too much time and energy on a stock class setup.

I ran my car (94 LS) in a few HPDE and one autocross with the stock suspension, and I wouldn't say it handled that horribly. I could get it to rotate by running somewhere around 8-10 psi higher in back. This was with Azenis, no experience with R compounds. Obviously it won't be anything like a race-tuned front-driver where you have to use the gas to keep the *** behind you. It still handles decently, you just get back on the gas later and more gently.

Just be prepared for some major body roll:

 

I'd say just get an alignment, if your shocks are in good shape some Azenis and run as is. It'll be interesting going from a MR2 to a Teg. I drove a MR2 at Steel Cities last year, the way the car handled was amazing.

 

Honestly I wouldn't spendany money on it at all. Those cars kind of suck in stock form. You'd have to put a crazy *** alignment on it to be even remotely competitive and you'd still get killed by Minis and even Neons and Celicas. Renee's ACR was a MUCH better stock autocrosser than my old GSR (94).

Take the $2000 and buy an old CRX or throw a suspension on it and go STS.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Catch 22 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Honestly I wouldn't spendany money on it at all. Those cars kind of suck in stock form. You'd have to put a crazy *** alignment on it to be even remotely competitive and you'd still get killed by Minis and even Neons and Celicas. Renee's ACR was a MUCH better stock autocrosser than my old GSR (94).

Take the $2000 and buy an old CRX or throw a suspension on it and go STS.</TD></TR></TABLE>

+1 thats what i did and it's worked out well...minus the only $2000 part, that got me just the car, and a rather shitty one at that. should have held out longer, but ran out of time. and im in sm2 because im stupid and swapped before thinking about making it a competitive track/autox car

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Catch 22 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Take the $2000 and buy an old CRX or throw a suspension on it and go STS.</TD></TR></TABLE>

This hasn't been suggested 30+ times to him already. Really.

 

You could build an alomost copy of Tom D's GS-R for about 3k. We didn't spend that much when we built it!