i asked the autox area and know one seemed to want to help me.. right now i'm thinking about koni yellow adjustables with h&r stage II sport springs with an ST rear sway .. and some light rims like volks or something with some falken azenis tires.. if anyone can think of a better setup let me know.. before i waste my money.. thanks for the assist

 

Not sure if this helps as I do track days, but I'm on Koni "yellow" shocks and Neuspeed Sport Springs on the 99 Base. They are not as stiff as I would like at times-then again the suspension is very predictable and comfortable on the highway and track. I would set the Konis to somewhere near 1 full turn to start with. I'm using RE730s on 16x7 +42 offset rims and 34 pounds all around for now. Your settings will vary from this based on your style and track design and other local conditions (weather for one). On a similar note-I have Skunk2s on the Civic and CRX and the spring rates are very firm. The Koni shocks on both cars are set about 1/2 turn firm for the street. Finally, I am using a Neuspeed 25mm bar in the rear of #99 and it makes things very tight. You will need to decide for yourself how much of a change in handling you need. My car corners just about the same as several stock Corvettes I have run with-just a lot less torque <G>. Want to see pictures? Go to http://www.imp-auto.com, click on gallery, Pocono,August,Blue and look for me(#99)Blue. I genuinely feel that there is a lot of bang for the buck in my case-I found that the only place a Pocono that I had any issue with was coming off the North infield onto the front straight-the car felt a bit on the wallowy side for just a moment; otherwise it tracked exactly as it shuld and speeds coming off Turn 2 were over 110 going into the braking zone. The handling of the car was superb at Watkins Glen where it is a real challenge to go smoothly.
All of this can be applied to a short course autocross event. You will have to work with settings as we do. You got other Q's-drop me an e-mail.

 

You need to decide what class you want to run in before you do anything. Your choices are basically D Stock, STS, STX, or DSP. But before you even think about how to class your car. Just go out and do some events. I woud say to do at least 1 season with your car exactly as it is now. You need seat time when you are a novice autoXer, and no part you can add to your car will improve your times anywhere near as much as practice can.

In D stock, your car will be an underdog to ITRs, BMW 330is, WRX Mini S, and Lexus IS300s. To be competive, you would need R compound DOT tires and Koni Yellows.

The Prelude fits in pretty well in STS. I would run Konis, Ground Controls, Mugen header, Mugen catback, AEM CAI, a V-AFC, and maybe a bigger rear sway bar depending on your driving style. You can only run street tires in STS and STX, so I would suggest Bridgestone S-03s, BFGoodrich KDs, or Falken Azenis. The max tread section allowed is 225. The smallest wheels that will clear your stock brakes are preferable. 15x7.5 wheels are ideal, but hard to come by.

In STX, an extension of the STS rules, you can add a Quaife LSD and a high-flow cat convertor, and you can use wheels up to 8" wide.

DSP allows even more mods like a lightweight flywheel, clutch, LSD, and r-compounds...

Andrew

 

That sounds pretty except you might wanna go for a stiffer spring. I have Tanabe Super H springs (lower 1" & its a stiff spring.), KYB AGX shocks, ST front and rear sway bars, and a neuspeed strut bar. I the ride is stiff as hell, its really flat though the corner. I'd say the best investment you can make would be the sway bars especially the rear. I saw a noticeable increase in handling, after I got the sway bars.
If you're interesting Tanabe does not produce the Super H series anymore but they did come out with a new line that I will lower the car 1" but I'm unsure about the stiffness of the new spring. Check their website, and search google or yahoo for their website.

 

You might want to consider coil-overs with your Koni "yellows".
I have Koni yellows and coil overs from Ground Control. I also
had the car corner balanced for push (suits my driving style).
I picked up about 2 seconds. BTW - this is on a much less
powerful 'Lude - I've a 3rd Gen Si.

You might also want to think of getting some sticky rubber for
the front tires - try the Kuhmo ECSTA V700's (check out Tire
Rack). I would suggest about 32 - 35 psi (if you get Kuhmo's
for the rear, you might try 30 - 32 for starters).

Have fun!