It's time to start my project:
1989 - CRX ED9 D16A9 becomes a trackday car

As I am limited to the things that can be done to the engine (needs to be NA, engine swap may be too expensive the first year) and as it will become a trackday car, I am curious how much weight can be removed from the car.

Anyone got numbers/weights or a figure I need to go for ?
Is there anything that isn't too obvious but that needs to be removed or swapped for a lighter item (as the sunroof for example) ?

Thanks,

 

search

 

I've got an 85 civic 1500s that's a full race car, with full rollcage and everything, rules limit it to 1955 pounds with driver, you could go for that, without driver, especially if you're gonna drive it daily and race on the weekends, if not, go for 1775, like my civic, and that's with a 50+ lbs. rollcage!

 

Here's what you can do:

for daily driving I would suggest:
remove spare tire and jack
remove sound dampening materials
replace steering wheel with aftermarket (stock can weigh like 10+lbs!)
replace driver's seat with race seat (and get one that makes you sit lower, lower center of gravity = better handling)
remove passenger seats and rear seats (this could be more for trackday only)


for trackday only:
remove rear seats and passenger seat
remove all carpeting
remove all unsulation
remove all interior trim (door panels etc.)

If you have ALOT of money to spend:
make the bottom of the car smoother
add a rollcage adn remove all but one frame support in the doors and rear body
to do this you will also need to add sturt bars and the rollcage needs to be GOOD QUALITY and very close to the body (touching if possible) this will help to control chassis twist = better handling
remove dashboard adn replace with bars on rollcage
replace guages with lighter ones and move more towards the center of the car
replace all glass with plexi-glass of the same thickness for the windshield, and with very thin plexi-glass everywhere else

I have a friend that has an 87 civic si autocross car that has all this done, and it weighs 1500 lbs. with driver, not kidding, it's been weighed, that's the limit for his autocross class. this could be dangerous though because he can get on two wheels when cornering at an autocross, and has nearly flipped simply because his car can corner SO well. THIS COULD BE TOO DANGEROUS FOR TRACKDAY, I probably would say leave it with some more weight, G-forces on an autocross are less than that of a roadcourse, better chance of flipping on track.

 

The car will be prepared for track usage only.

You had some good point austincrx... the thing about the steering wheel is nice. I know the standard one isn't sporty, but didn't know about the weigth.
Off course all interior trim will be removed.

Roll cage will be compliant with FIA rules, as well for seat and 5-point seat-belts.

Glass will be replaced by Lexan (polycarbonate).

Dashboard needs to be kept in place (class rules), but the console will be modified.

You've got a good point regarding moving as much as possible to the middle of the car. Lowering the COG is common knowledge.

I am trying to get my hands on a set of 15" MOTEGI TRAKLITE wheels, but they aren't easy to find (10lbs/wheel)


(source: http://www.tirerack.com)

Are there any suspension components that can be replaced by lighter ones ?

1500lbs is really impressive !!

 

If you are planning to track it, check the rules for the series you plan to race in before you do anything.