Hi all.

Inaugural post and new member to this site. While I'm familiar with the site and familiar with Honda's [I work for one of Vancouver's biggest Honda Dealerships in the motorcycle division] I have been procrastinating in registering.

Anyways.

I have always owned a Honda, albeit car, bike, generator, scooter, lawnmower, so i am certainly familiar with the product and the line up. But when it comes down to it, I merely ask for the assistance of those that have done what I wish to accomplish....

Bottom line? I am going to build up my first ever car. A 4th gen civic hatch back. It's the car that i had when i learned how to drive, and now i'm feeling a tad bit nostalgic towards them again.

I want it to handle like a GO-KART. Which means sacrificing comfort and stiffening the chassis and suspension the best way possible.

Thinking about the following :

Fully adjustable coil overs
22-25mm sway bars front/rear
3 point front strut bar
rear strut bar
angular c pillar bar
c pillar bar
rear lower tie bar
Energy suspension bushings to replace the tired rubber one's
And top it off with camber correction kits.

The tire and wheel combination is debatable, but really it boils down to the suspension being crucial.

I don't care for horsepower, or speed...if i want to go fast, i'll jump on one of my bikes for that. I just want a car that is slightly better in fuel economy but hella fun to corner and play around the city with.

Any comments, they would be great.

Any brands that you'd recommend for the suspension components? they too would be great.

 

this sounds alsome u need to post up pics of ur car and as u put ur stuff on

 

For sure.

First things first, i need to find a decent car for this.

I'm jaded, having owned so many other cars, i want what we all want. Low mileage cheap older car.

But getting free work on the car, and getting cheap OEM parts definitely helps.

Will most likely pick up a hatch back in the next couple weeks.

 

I would look and search all over the road racing/autocross forum:

https://honda-tech.com/forums/road-racing-autocross-time-attack-19/

Our EFs are one of the most popular platforms

 

Good deal!

Thanks.

I haven't explored this forum enough, just found this subforum.

 

that sounds like an awesome idea! on a kind of unrelated note about go-kart handling, at BCIT the honda apprentices are building a go-cart with a V6 odyssey engine in it. too bad i quit working at the dealer for my apprenticeship!

i live in richmond by the way, you need to take me for a rip in your car when its ready to go!

 

Deal!

All my automotive techs are fully willing to help me out in the build. Offering their lifts, and their assistance. There is a huge array of builds going on at my shop. From a K20 02 hatch, to a B18c5 97 Hatch build, to a CRX build it's pretty crazy.

I haven't built a car since my last Civic, but even that was just a mild build and tune.

 

Invest in some good tires, those can make or break a suspension pretty easy. Also, swaybars from a Si. You can go reasonably cheap to make a good handling car, some real springs, like Progress that I suggested to Jarred, and extend the top hats of your stock strut cups.

 

Will extending the top hats result in more controllable and more predictable body roll? or allow for more travel?

 

It allows the ability to use stock struts while dropping low, thus not bottoming out. Doing this, if you have a welder and appropriate steel tubing, it's a very cheap and worthwhile mod in my eyes.

 

Oh rad.

I am 100% positive I'll be replacing the oem components in regards to springs and struts.

Debating on going with aftermarket rear Lower control arms. But that's all within budget of course.

 

Those are really only for looking good, although there are some that are shorter and need adjustable camber kit so you can fit wider tires. Honestly its a waste of money.

 

Good information.

I figured that's what they were for....looking good.

I'm going to look at a few with under 250km on the body. who knows what i might buy after this weekend?

 

My $.02

Front sway's are overrated. suspension techniques rear swaybar and the stock si front swaybar will be a great combo.

 

if you want a go kart, why not do the real thing................

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dGoZs_tZh8

 

The tech page at www.redshiftmotorsports.com is a MUST READ. Their sway bar suggestions are really great.

http://www.redshiftmotorsports.com/R...ech%20Page.htm

That kind of setup isn't always the best handling in real world driving situations, though. For best grip on the street, you might want softer spring rates than what autocrossers run. Actually, quality struts and regular lowering springs (progressive rate) can be awesome handling too. That type of setup is generally more comfy and less expensive... certainly an option worth considering. I think it's already been said, but don't skimp on struts and tires.

good luck, and post pics of the build!

 

DUDE that site is golden!

Sure i could easily build up a T-rex, or play around with a 250 2 stroke shifter kart on the street, but i want a toy I can mess around with and have fun on the road ways I play with on my sport bikes.

I just want moderate power and the ability to carry speed through a corner.

Oh and the ability to carry a weeks worth of groceries instead of a couple days when on a bike.

That always helps as well.

 

Very good point

 

that was bad ***

 

I just got my 90 hatch running again today for the first time in about 2 years. After driving my truck for that long and jumping back in my little hatch...lets just say they are complete opposites. I'm running K-sport 32 way's (dialed in pretty stiff), Suspension Technique front and rear sway bars, and some front and rear tower bars. Running some SPUN-SPKG in black and as for rubber, Falken Azenis (got a good wheel/tire package). Also have some decent bucket seats that are pretty firm. They car feels like its clawing into the road when you drive, just like a little go-cart with more go speed ;]

 

Or get a crx and make it handle like a go-kart

 

i have PIC select coilovers and they are great.
my car handles like a champ in corners.
just an idea for a suspension set-up....

 

I could get a CRX, but i'm feeling the desire to own the same car I learned to drive, and traveled half the continent on.

It is really boiling down to nostalgia. When i last had my 89 DX hatchback, i remember being rear ended SO hard that i pushed into the next 3 cars in front of me.

That was roughly 2002, and since that car was in my family [actually purchased at the dealership i work for] since late 88 I have put just over 300k.

It's time to take it back old school and mash it up with the new.