I’ve been reading threads on Honda-tech for about 6 yrs but haven’t posted many questions. Not wanting to add to the plethora of redundant questions I’ve become pretty efficient at using the search feature. Today I have a question of my own.

My 95 Integra GSR has remained stock with the exception of a CAI and Cat Back Exh and has served me well I bought it with 71k back in 01 and now have almost 140k on the odom. I’ve had a second vehicle since 05 but only now do I have “some” extra income to invest in bringing my girl back to life. So here’s the deal; My suspension is shot springs, shocks, and bushings. My paint is dead red (shot as well) with random dents and dings. My tranny is solid, clutch is new, axles are new, clutch slave cyl and master cyl are new, motor mounts are new (urethane), as well as hawk pads and EBC rotors. My engine is on its way out with leakdown and compression numbers approaching the loose end of specs.

I intend on turning my GSR into a street legal track/auto x car but want to keep the driveline stock to allow me to remain legal in STS. I’m not quite sure how to approach the whole situation so I figure I’d get some online input.

My budget for this resurrection is $4,000 which I have mentally broken down:
Suspension & Bushings- $1,100
JDM used Engine (less tranny)-$2,300
Paint Job- $500
Misc-$100

This budget is not set in stone and if I keep it under 5 grand I will still consider myself within budget. I know very well the additional cost of “discovery” as I start taking the car apart. I do my own work so labor should not factor into the cost.

Should I start with the suspension first or maybe begin bodywork and prep for painting first. Should my engine be pulled before or after paint work. Etc. I just want some opinions on how to approach this project.
Thanks

 

start suspension first. a car cant go fast without a good base go all out that way u dont have to worry about updating any of that farther down the way. A lotta people make the mistake of dumping all the money in the motor and skimping out on suspension.

 

just to let you know if it's just going to be an auto-x/track car/weekend car, your paint is going to get all effed up. I've been doing track days for 3 years now and i can believe how bad the front of the car has chipped up. Race cars arn't pretty just keep telling yourself that. Your paint and body work money is kind of low too, remember you get what you pay for.

 

Hence the $500 paint job. I'll be doing the prep work myself and my neighbor is going to shoot it.