there might be one close by for sale and im thinking of checking it out.

If so, post your set-up and what events you race in.


TIA

Mike D

 

yeah I think there is a couple here

Jamie - who sits back and waits for the challenge guys to get here

 

At SF's 3 day super driver's school there was a guy with a 4th gen hatch. Alan I think his name is. I have not seen him at any of the regional races. But his 4th gen CHB is good for SCCA comp.

On another note, I see you are working on a 92 DX (from your sig line). Is this for road racing?

 

Thanks for the responses. My 92 will be raced, yes. My GC's should be on their way now (better be atleasted), im going to be ordering my Konis this week, and my K1's with fresh rubber maybe next. And im thinking about throwing a EX tranny once the clutch ***** on me.

Id like to keep the 92 hatch a street car as much as possible, because i like the looks better but im not sure. It will see autox and track time hopefully real soon.

The reason im interested in the 4th gen is because they are so cheap. With the Progress car in last months honda tuning and the short piece on 4th gens in GRM, my mind has been turning. And with d15 and d16s so cheap, id almost be crazy not to get one, for a daily driver atleast. PLus it would be something cheap to learn on.

So any comments or advice is welcome.


Mike D

 

isnt a 92 a 5th gen? like yours greg?

 

Mike D,
I race a 94 CHB, and as Tyson says, I think it is a 5th gen. I would like to swap info and ask questions from time to time. I was the one who petitioned the 92-95 DX to the SCCA comp board. So I have a drive to make the car competative. So far Johng , you and I are the only ones who will w2w race the 5th gen Civic.

I have been concentrating on my skills more than the car this year. I just got my novice permit filled up and I am about to send it out for the change to a regional licesnse. All I did to the car was the safety reqs and some limited performance stuff. My car is also registered for street. I have to keep it that way in order to park it outside my home.

So if you have anything to ask, please feel free to contact me greg_umbay@yahoo.com I race in the SF regoin SCCA. If the Honda Challenge ever comes out to the west coast I'll join that.

 

Mike,
I have a real problem with that article on Jonathan Spiegel's car. I don't know Jonathan, and I have no issues with his car at all, in fact, I envy Mr. Spiegel. The issue I have with the article is in its presentation.

The article starts off by saying how affordable road racing is, and how it's not so unattainable as you think. Then they introduce the reader to Mr. Spiegel's racecar and go on for 3 pages about the motor and its level of prep. That's not affordable for most of us.

I understand that the cars themselves are inexpensive, and the motors/transmissions are pretty cheap to obtain, but how about selling a article on inexpensive racing, and actually doing a article on inexpensive racing?! I'm sure entry-level budget racers like Greg or myself would be willing to be interviewed for such. Christ, I haven't touched my motor aside from plug wires, a cold air intake, and a exhaust. I'm like Greg, I have suspension, brakes, and safety stuff. That's it.

John -- who, for whatever reason is really bothered by this article on affordable racing, and only wishes his car was prepared as well as Mr. Spiegel's (hats off to his program).

 

ITAcivic, and Tyson

Thank you for your help and willingness to help. And yes the 92 is a 5th gen, which i already have. Im think of buying a 4th gen to have along with my 92. Just to clear any confusion.

John,

i understand and agree totally. A fully built engine, whether it be a d15 or b18c, is not cheap. I meant the cars and the engines are very cheap, not rebuilding then to full race spec. So, very good point.

If i could find a 5th gen shell i would eat it up, but it seems the 4th gen are cheaper and easier to find. Plus, i wouldnt go into any major engine work, simply because as of now i dont have the know-how or money. I just want to get started into auto-x and roadracing and these cars seem like a cheap and easy window.

Thanks again for the help guys. Any more advice is appreciated.


Mike D

 

i did not read any of these articles you mentioned. but keep in mind while the car may be cheap, the rollcage, seat, helmet, suit, shoes, gloves, tires, wheels, suspension and replacement parts are not cheap. but if you pay for it all, then go for it! and the good thing is that most of that is a one time hit, just pay for seat time and tires.

 

This is my first year road racing after a couple of years of Solo 1. I bought my 88 hatch in the fall. It's a street legal ex race-car from an old Canadian series called the Honda Michelin Challenge. Check it out at www.geocities.com/basileracing/civic.html It's a DX 1.5. It came with a 6-point chromoly cage, blueprinted engine and braided steel brake lines. I paid 2100$CAD. Since then, I removed the interior, put in a race seat and harness, installed H&R Race springs and KYB shocks, bought a couple of sets of wheels and tires and some hawk pads, and that's about it. I've done an EMRA school and one event so far. I was lapping about 5 seconds off the pace of the class leader, also in a 88-91 Civic, out of a 2:18 lap. He had Hoosiers, I had Hankook (treadwear 80 R-compound). He had the Si tranny and 500-600 spring rates. He also had a header. Some of the 5 second per lap difference was due to experience, some due to these mods. The car weighs alsmost exactly 2000 pounds in race trim. It's still street legal. Parts are dirt cheap. I just picked up an Si tranny (better final drive) for 100$CAD. You can run 13-inch wheels and save on tires that way too. I've also been to several track days and it runs reliably for many long sessions. The point of this car was to have my first race car, keep it street legal and street driveable, save some $$ and get my license. Now that I have my EMRA license, it's only a matter of paperwork to get the NASA license. So basically, mission accomplished. I don't think I'll ever sell it, but if I do, I don't think I'll lose much money. It's a fun car and easy to drive fast. Even with my lo-buck suspension, the handling is quite neutral and the car generally feels very safe.

P.S. Now that it has numbers on it, people keep asking what's under the hood. When I say a 92 hp 1.5, they all seem disappointed. Maybe if they came out to a track day and saw what 92 hp can do...

 

Some advice - buy a rulebook for whatever race series you plan to enter. People have discussed 2 or 3 different things here so far (autox, improved touring with SCCA, and EMRA - none of the three have the same rules, though they are similar).

4th gens kick ***. There biggest problem is they almost always get classed with similar vintage CRXs - which weigh less out of the box. Other than that, they take well to engine work, have good suspensions, and weigh little.

 

yeah i read a little bit of the ECHC rules but nothing for ITA or NASA. The mods would be safety and suspension more or less.

Thanks for the help.


Mike D