I am working on a 89 CRX dx to si body swap for NASA HC. I've read the rules and searched Honda-tech, but I still have a few questions.

There are slight differences between the 2nd gen CRXs 88-91. Because I have an 89, do all items swapped have to match an 89 si or can I use 90-91 si parts? The 90-91 si motor has a few more HP.

Aside from the motor/tranny and cosmetics, what additional items would need to be swapped to remain legal? Brakes?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.


Modified by pgibbs at 9:07 AM 2/19/2007

 

You can use a motor/tranny from a 90-91 Si. To be 100% consistant with the rules, you should swap all parts that were different between the models (that can't be removed by the rules), however, nobody is going to complain if you keep the rear drum brakes or the smaller (I believe) front rotors/pads. Typically you won't be protested on anything that puts you at a disadvantage. Since sway bars are removeable/upgradeable, you don't need to worry about those. You need to have the correct drivetrain for the generation/model (in this case any D16A6+matching tranny), but practically speaking anything beyond that you leave as Dx will be a performance disadvantage and nobody will protest you on it. If it were me, I'd probably throw the drivetrain in along with the Si front brakes and call it good. Run it like that for a while to get going, then if you decide that you have national or regional championship aspirations, you can put in the effort to make sure it's 100% legal.

- Scott

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FlyZlow &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You can use a motor/tranny from a 90-91 Si. To be 100% consistant with the rules, you should swap all parts that were different between the models (that can't be removed by the rules), however, nobody is going to complain if you keep the rear drum brakes or the smaller (I believe) front rotors/pads. Typically you won't be protested on anything that puts you at a disadvantage. Since sway bars are removeable/upgradeable, you don't need to worry about those. You need to have the correct drivetrain for the generation/model (in this case any D16A6+matching tranny), but practically speaking anything beyond that you leave as Dx will be a performance disadvantage and nobody will protest you on it. If it were me, I'd probably throw the drivetrain in along with the Si front brakes and call it good. Run it like that for a while to get going, then if you decide that you have national or regional championship aspirations, you can put in the effort to make sure it's 100% legal.

- Scott</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

Great info...thanks! Do you think putting the 90-91 Si rear disc brakes on the 89 "Si" would work with the rules since the stock 89 Si had drums?





Modified by pgibbs at 1:37 PM 2/19/2007

 

If NASA works like SCCA in this area (I am 99% sure it is the same) then yes you can run '91 Si rear disc because the '88-91' CRX Si are on the same spec line so you can update and backdate any part on any year (88-91) Si

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by pgibbs &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Great info...thanks! Do you think putting the 90-91 Si rear disc brakes on the 89 "Si" would work with the rules since the stock 89 Si had drums?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Unless the current parts are really hurting, I say leave them alone.

Take this in context: The off-season is over. The next event is in 4 weeks. You will be running HPDE for experience rather that a race group for competition. If the car can make it competently around the track in stock form, you would be better off entering the next event than you would be missing it because you're busy upgrading brakes or installing an Si drivetrain. That pretty much goes for this whole season.

I drove my DX for 250,000 miles on the stock 1.5 with stock brakes and liked it a lot. As Shakespeare once said, "Better to have tracked and gone slowly than never to have tracked at all."

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by thawley &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
As Shakespeare once said, "Better to have tracked and gone slowly than never to have tracked at all."</TD></TR></TABLE>

Good advice. Thanks. I will definately be getting the car out to the track in stock form through most of the HPDEs. I'm trying to anticipate future needs so I can keep my eyes open for deals. I'm becoming a Craigslist junkie.


Modified by pgibbs at 3:00 PM 2/19/2007

 

This has all been great advice for ya. Only thing I can add is read the rule book carefully and follow it.

Don't confuse what Scott said with mixing parts from different 88-91 CRX's. Generally, what he said about certain parts being disadvantaged and not getting protested is right.

Just don't try and mix engine or transmission internals from different CRX's. It all has to be D16a6 except for the FD in the tranny!

Good luck and see you out at the track!