Should I continue to build my my old 1986 CRX that we raced in 1986 to 1991?

My question is subjective I know but want to get some honest answers and thought that this would be the best place to post.

Some background on the car.
Purchased a new 1986 CRX in..........1986, yes I know that makes me OLD FART.
Back in the 80s we raced the car in Autocross both in CACS and SCCA classes where we were very competitive. Car ran in CSP .
Because the car was new there weren't lots parts you could buy so me made and engineered everything ourselves. Had Autocross guru Gary Miligan and welder machinist Doug O. help with the whole process.
Times have changed and looking at the the SCCA results looks like the Miatas dominate the CSP class. Back then it was all CRX or Civics.
In 1991 my car placed second at our Canadian Nationals, third in 87 , fifth in 88 and took first in 89 and 90.
The car has been parked in our garage since then .
After the loss in Aug 91, I build a new to spec engine and tranny, bought Mikunis....blah blah blah.
Then came kids and 20 years later is where we sit.
Do I resurrect the old car or get started with something else.
Thanks for your time.
Mike R

 

You may have history w/ the car...but...i would get into something else. The car has sat for 20 yrs. May not be a smooth resurrection.

 

i worked with a guy at honda that ran an 86 crx in the chicago region... was still very competitive...

but, it's your car.

 

you freshen her up and drive the **** out of her! good luck.

 

X2

 

After 20 years you're going to find that other... things have made it a residence.

Mice, skunks perhaps, wiring gremlins, and who knows about the motor conditions. I would say tear out the dash, pull carpet, look for rodent evidence such as ****, crap, and chewed-up wiring. And I hope you've got cash for every. single. piece. of. rubber. By now the rubber's rotted out, so any belts, bushings, and other maintenance items are gone.

You will have A TON of cash put into this. But on the other hand, that would be an EPIC return of an old dominating car. Would be awesome, a build I'd follow.

 

here in Socal CRX is one of the fastest platforms in Honda Challenge right now. I thinking you want to rebuild the car so don't see anything wrong with it.
Just ask prkiller. He will tell you how fast it is. Right Jeremy?

 

this is an 86 crx though. used to ride out in the h4 class though. lol.

 

I know a few racers here in the Southeast that have parted with their 1st gen CRXs due to lack of parts. There are some items you simply can't get for that car new. Tranny parts, wheel hubs and a lot of other important wear items. Guys that do race them are having to scour salvage yards, forums etc. in an attempt to find what they need. Just something to keep in mind.

 

This^^

I had a 1st Gen Integra I was going to build for Rallycross just to do something different. I abandoned the project for similar reasons.

 

I think you should go for it and resurect the old girl you 've held onto her this long she wont let you down. that crx is one of the lightest bodies to go with too and rywire should have a kit to go injected b16 light car = scca gold

 

the car is already a race car

 

Thanks for the many replies.
Back in Sept 91 to Dec 91 when the rebuild started I replaced every item that could need replacing replaced. It had 90000 km on it and it was hard wear and tear.
The two of us took in every auto x plus track days in BC , WA and OR.
The exterior is in mint shape and the same for the interior.
When my wife would drive the CRX to work too many guys wanted to race her.
Full custom cage, five point harness, lightened flywheel, rev to 4500 rpm to engage......... too much attention.
We build a tilt bed trailer and took the CRX off the road in 1989, stored always in our heated garage, along with our other two cars.
Think I will wait to see the 2011 SCCA Nationals Auto X results before I pull the trigger.

Here is my list of to do's :
Remove engine and tranny, disassemble and reassemble.
The decals would need to be removed.
Do I need to change the Mikunis to a fuel injection system ?
Back in my days the Electomotive and the Haltech were the trick set ups.
Replace the front and rear shocks.
New battery.
Have scales to corner weight.
New tires, used to run Hoosiers 225 45 13, are Hoosiers still the one to go with ?
We ran Yokohama R1 in the rain. Best new rain tire ?
And then lots of seat time.
Thanks, Mikel R

 

Hello Mike,

Where are you going to compete?
Pit Meadows only?
Local, regional, national?
What are your goals/aspirations?
How much work are you willing to do on the car?
VCMC/CACC SP was very diffrent to current SCCA SP

I would suggest GP!

And ask your question here you will get a better much more informed answer: http://www.roadraceautox.com/index.php

 

i would consider if u go with thr crx. you should w.swap in a bigger motor.

 

Please let us know what a bigger engine would gain for him in SP?
Dooooooo.....

 

This is the problem with people that are unfamiliar with "classing" vehicles that are used in competition.

I agree 100% with going a different route. I almost bought a 86 ITC crx that was one of the fastest cars in the mid west region of ITC. I decided after looking for replacement parts like bumpers and not having much luck that I probably should not but it even though it was a steal and a fast car. Someone should make some replacement parts for that car because it could still run well in certain classes.

 

Check it out and fire it up. Give it some love and see if you can make it go safely. Running cars are much easier to sell also. If you get it running and don't like it, you could always take it out to some local events and run it easy with some for sale signs on it. Much easy to point out its features when it runs.

 

Pictures man!

 

Go for it....

My1986 Mugen Honda CRX Si- ZC DOHC - Teretonga Raceway New Zealand 1992
I purchased this cool little car from MUGEN while on a buying trip in Japan in 1990. This car was built by MUGEN Japan for the Niseki Trust Racing Series. I shipped it home to NZ and rebuilt it using as many of the original factory parts as I could. Went on to many 1600 cc class wins.
I got to drive this car again When I returned to New Zealand in 2007 after 14 years in the USA. It was as if I had never left home! The car still performs incredibly well. And as far as I know it's still going strong!
Gotta love that Torsion Bar front suspension!


Kiwi

 

Hey guys
Once the car is ready we will first compete at Pitt Meadows.
Get all of the teething done here at the Meadows. See if we can rent the track and get some testing time as well.
Relearn to drive too, little rusty after 20 years.
Once the car and I prove worthy we will run in the States.
My goal will be to WIN. We used to spend 3-4 evenings prepping and adjusting things prior to every race.
Back then we were commitment to being the best, that has not changed. I hated being the first looser.
When I came in second at the Canadian Nationals in 1991 we had a broken front sway bar link that I couldn't get fixed in time.
I was running effectively with no front bar, Eric beat me by .2 of a second.
After this loss it was time to rebuild, that was back in 91. Bought a house, wife got pregnant, started a business and on and on..........now we are in 2011.
My third son (12) is a car person, will show him as much as I can.
Will send the engine and tranny out to be done, but do all of the suspension work, install the fuel injection in our garage.
Purchase dry and wet tires and assemble wheels (both sets are three piece Compomotive)

Have to immerse myself into the new SCCA rules, yes you are right lots has changed.

Your link is a great one, thank you Mark for that.

After all of that Lets see if we can still drive, that will be the big one.

Will uncover the car to post a picture, how do I connect the picture to the post?

 

Ah, so the alumni event has got you all fired up!
Saw Patty, Don and you all made it out out.

For picture help look here: https://honda-tech.com/faq.php?faq=v...faq_vb3_albums

Hey you know my answer, it is likely not a smart direction from an investment perspective however sounds like you still have an emotional connection to the car and the passion to make it fun. Its going to take continued commitment and if you can keep it going you know success and results will follow.

Hey I am still flying your old team name!

 

continue with it man! if you have history with it, you can get back in to it and also since more things are engineered now, it'd be pretty simply to get it to competitive specs again.

 

Keep the old girl. My biggest regret so far was getting rid of my 87 Si Hatch.

A good place to look for some parts is on www.redpepperracing.com for 1g CRX/3g Civics. There are a couple other members on there that are on here also.

 

I would say step away from racing but put her back on the road, for your and our enjoyment.