My Honda tech question is at the end of my babbling so if you don't want to read babble and just want a tech question to ponder then skip to the bottomish part of this post. I joined this forum because y'all seem more into "real" sport driving than some other forums I've read.



Hi guys, I'm new to Hondas (well, haven't had one since the early 90s) and plan on running one for SCCA Rallycross. Used to run a Fox in stock front (SF) was building a Ghia for modified rear (MR) but that build isn't going to be finished any time soon. I found out my junkyard turbo wasn't going to be legal and need to save my pennies for a large displacement torque monster build.

I live in Alabama near Montgomery. I've got some buddies that work and race for the Alabama Honda factory so that was one of the factors that swayed me from VW to Honda.

Ummm personal info I'm a disabled veteran. Worked at Hyundai as a QC test track driver for 4 1/2 years then got promoted and moved to the paint shop. VA has decided I do not need to work anymore so I need to find a new hobby besides working. Test track was probably the coolest job I ever had except for the ridiculously long hours, stress and wear and tear on the body. Got a wife, dog, cat and kids that are for the most part are grown up.

Picked a 90 Civic DX for $700 from a buddy that does repos for title pawns. Got some dents and needs a brake booster but other than that seems fine. Most importantly it's stock and not covered with dragons, flames, neon unicorns and the usual fast and furious mess.


TECH QUESTION!!!! END OF BABBLE!!!!

Car seems to have stock (beat up, worn out) struts. I'm going to replace bushing and wondering about recommendations for struts/shocks. I'm looking at KYB GR2s, I ran them in my VW and they worked well. Anyone have thoughts or a comparison on the KYB vs Bilstein HD or one of the other non-adjustable shocks?

Thanks in advance.

 

Thanks for serving!! Nice to know there are other fellow disabled vets out there.

Start off my searching the forum using "google" and honda-tech in the search thread for "shocks" you'll come across lots of threads that will give you an idea of what you need to look for.
Id also look at the stickies read those carefully.
Careful not to just post without searching as just about every topic has been covered a million times over.
Generally we dont spoon feed people here, or at least we didnt in the past.
Most of your car setup will have to come from testing, testing and more testing.
There is no one setup fits all.

Good Luck.

 

Thanks for the welcome.

Yeah, google is how I wound up here and after 2 days of reading through threads there didn't seem to be a "stock" rallycross set up recommendation. Lot of threads about stage rally but that's a different critter in rules and $$$

Unfortunately there's going to be more and more of us in the VA line. I feel bad for the young ones but most of the other vets consider me a young one too.

 

Im in that same boat (VA) I know many out there that are given the run around.

See what your budget will allow and buy the best for your budget.

 

Tokico D-specs are 15way adjustable and I know some ran them at nationals. I'm using KYB AGXs for PF but will be switching to a stock suspension soon. Using two separate spring strut setups for on and off road racing. Some have said you need softer than stock for rallyx but honestly going and getting stock replacements from autozone would be perfectly fine. If you go aftermarket you might as well get something adjustable but rallyx is more driver than car setup. 2nd place at nationals in M2 went to a friend of mine running a stock gutted Sentra Se-R.

 

Shinny, I'd love to run adjustables but I'm in Stock.... so it's KYB GR2s, Bilstein HDs or maybe those Staggs. I haven't heard any long term reviews of the Staggs though.

Alabama sent a fairly large contingent to Oklahoma in 2011 and probably the same for 2012. Lot of the guys are going hot and heavy in MR for this season. I plan on running SF in 2012 so I'll see you in Tulsa.

Lotta old Civics in the top spots in FWD.

 

I run OEM Integra Type R shocks and springs in my wifes EG Civic and they have performed well and held up to the abuse for 3 seasons now.

<------Also a disabled combat vet

 

I don't know if the rules specify if adjustables aren't allowed in in stock. I know in autocross you can change to any strut of the same design, but the Rallycross board seems dead set on being different in any way possible. MR? There's only M2 and M4. Do you mean PR?

 

Rules for stock specifically state that "adjustable dampers are only allowed if the OEM unit was adjustable and must retain the same number of adjustments or fewer." That's why I was going with the non-adjustable shocks.

SCCA new classes for 2012 is to split M2 into MF and MR. The Alabama contingent will be dragging their BMWs and RX7s to the podium this year instead of competing for top loser to FWD.

Thanks to my brother in arms....

 

Bilstein HD on stock springs will be fine for rallycross (hell people use them for stage rally). AGX are OK but Bilstein's are easily serviced when you need and have a larger 46mm piston in them with monotube construction.

Stay in the stock class as much as you can.

 

Ah, surprised no one on the local forums has posted the new rules. Considering we're hosting nationals again

 

I plan on coming up this year. Fat Daddy's All American BBQ still around in Tulsa?

 

Lol well, there's fat daddy's pub and grill. And Big daddy's all American BBQ. Looks like two locations of the latter.

 

BBQ is in the projects, I found that place while working in Oklahoma for Bonnie Plant Farms. Only decent BBQ I found in the state.

 

You may want to try the new Burn Co. BBQ. Just opened last year by one of our own autocrossers.

 

KYB GR2's are pretty junk (stock replacements right? we tried a set of those on our old 1992 Infiniti G20 and it was worthless) so don't bother. I'd say get Bilstein's because you can have them serviced down the road...

Just my 2 cents.