Hello All.

I am looking to buy a project car. I am looking to buy a 92-99 Honda Civic with the goal of building a track car, something I can take to the track and enjoy myself. I am not sure what model to focus on, I am leaning hatchback, but interested in knowing what might be best.

I plan on installing a K-series motor so power plant is not my main concern, mainly looking from an ease of working on and possible track handling standpoint.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

What's wrong with the 2000 civics?

 

That is a fair question. I had my years off, it is the 2001 that has the shifter up high, I am not sure I like that.

I am thinking I would also be open to older models depending on condition.

 

92-95 hatches are supposed to be the lightest, I think.

 

I think I read that somewhere also, I owned a 92 hatchback almost 20 years ago, but I sold it....

 

What experience do you have with Hondas?

 

To be honest, not a ton.

I used to run with a group of friends that were really into them, but it has been a long time.

I am looking to build a track car, and I feel that Honda's would be a low budget build, but still have a lot of fun.

 

What's your budget?

 

If you want a suggestion, look for someone else's track car that they are selling. If it's a running competing car, you will have so much of the really hard work already done and can add your flavor to the car. Many people have had civics, raced them, and now are in a different phase of life, so you can get a decent sorted out amateur car much cheaper than doing this yourself. Often these already have been certified for certain kinds of racing such a SCCA, drag race, Pike's Peak, Road course, Bonneville, etc.

I'm only giving an example of where to look, not suggesting this is the car for you.

https://www.racingjunk.com/Mini-Stock/184017215/1999-Honda-Civic-.html?category_id=&location_distance=1000&location _zip=&price_min=&price_max=&condition=&trade=&sear ch=civic&search_type=all&search_exclude=&order=sco re&limit=20&np_offset=2&from=search

or this for example:

https://www.racingjunk.com/Road-Club...=3&from=search

 

^ Like so:

https://honda-tech.com/forums/vehicl...-race-3346052/

 

I really do not have one. I want to spend around 5k on the car upfront, and work to upgrade it over time.

 

That is a good point, however part of why I am doing this is to work on the car myself, at least as much as I can.

But looking at other track cars will give me some ideas for sure.

 

I’d buy a RSX type S for around 4,000$. Great platform and already has a K motor in it. (Plus a 6 speed!)

 

That is a great idea, now I have more to research.

 

What looking at some of these other cars can tell you is some costs to add up. that Integra for example must have $10k in work added to it, with things like the cage, computer, and spare parts. And its' already certified. If I had space in the garage for another car, I would take that one home myself, because I know I could never do that cheaper and it would save me a year of work on the car to just take off in it. Anyway, I totally get doing it yourself, I've gone down both routes in the past, bought a track car already done and built out my own. Part of the fun of the (expensive) hobby.

 

I think that's only true for the 92-95 series. Not really sure where the 6th gen (96-00) falls into the mix. I know 7th gen was heavier and why they got 1.7L power plants.

I believe the EF (88-91) hatch is 500 lbs lighter than the 92-95 hatch to start.

 

Max is 300 lbs... but it could be as little as 65 depending on model and year in which you are comparing. Example: 1991 CRX-Si and 1992 Civic CX hatch is only 65 pounds difference.

 

Yeah but you are comparing the most option loaded CRX to the least option loaded 5th gen hatch.

Anyways, 300 pounds for trim specific comparisons is still at least one human worth of extra weight.

I guess if weight isn't as much of a variance on the 4th, 5th and 6th gens, then it's which chassis seems to handle the best to start with (least body roll etc).

A little google work:
Curb weights
1988 CRX Manual 1,922 lb (872 kg)
1988 CRX HF Manual 1,819 lb (825 kg)

5th Gen civic
Curb weight 925–1,130 kg (2,039–2,491 lb)

1988 DX Hatch Manual
Curb Weight
1933 lb

Each year after weight went up significantly as per Wikipedia.

So over 200 pound difference from the lightest 5th gen to the lightest CRX. Seems the EF might actually be in the same range as the 5th gens except the 88 hatch in DX or STD flavor.

 

oh thanks. I figured people would get upset cause you specified you wanted a civic lol

i think you could save a ton of labor and computer ECU swapping knowledge just going with that car if you want a K motor. I’m sure it’s super easy for a lot of guys that are on here but I don’t know how to do it and would have to spend a bunch of time learning it. Time that could be spent on the track or even boosting your car 😍

 

L15B7 swapped into a an eg would be dope

 

OK, I look for potential track cars all the time and if $5K is your up front budget, you have a lot of options. Look for the following vehicles:

• 94-01 Acura Integra RS/LS/GSR - 2 Door is pretty much the standard for track vehicles. However, the 4-Door has better weight distribution and handles very well.
• 92-95 Civic EG Hatchback - A solid, light-weight single cam can be a ton of fun on the track. You might even be lucky and find a B18/B20 swapped one.
• 96-00 Civic EK Hatchback - Heavier than the EG, but aesthetically my favorite of the hatchbacks. Another single jingle that can be fun.
• 96-00 Civic EJ/EM1 Coupe - The EJs are a single cam with good weight distribution. The EM1s are harder to find, but came with the B16A2 DOHC. However, a good one will be out of your budget.

If you have limited to no Honda experience, then an empty shell with no motor is not gonna be the direction you should go. You'll get more bang for your buck, but unless you have the time and mechanical knowledge, it might be too much out of your reach for the time being. Don't focus on power. The main things you're going to need are seat time, suspension, tires and more seat time. Any one of those vehicles (Except maybe the GSR and EM1) can be found for around $2,000 - $3,000 depending on your area. You're going to want to get better suspension (coil-overs) and meatier tires. If they come with 195's, try and fit at least a 205 on them. After that, do all the preventative maintenance.

• Timing Belt
• New Seals
• Oil and Oil Filter
• Spark Plugs
• Transmission Flush
• Brake Flush
• New Brake Pads

Get yourself a SA2015+ helmet too. After that, go out and track the car. See how she does. From there, determine what needs to be done on the vehicle to improve it over time. Tracking is a ton of fun and teaches you a lot about your vehicle(s). If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

#TrackEverythingYouOwn

My 2000 Integra LSVTEC (Non-VTEC to VTEC Converted B18B1) at Apple Valley Speedway


My 2018 Si Coupe With Full Bolt-Ons (Daily) at Willow Springs International Raceway.


Bonus Video Of the 2018 Si

Here's a video of my friend driving his Integra. At the time it had a stock B18B that was going out. The guy in the red Civic coupe is a friend of ours and he kills it on the track with a single-cam. Proof power isn't everything.