I unfortunately posted this orginally in the wrong forum:

Just wanted to say hi and officially join the posting populace here on HT. I am primarilly a Nissan guy. I own in addition to my 92 Civic a sr20det equipped 240sx.
My main goal right now is to join ECHC after I get my racing licence. I have been to a couple of HPDE through NASA but still in novice. So my questions are:

1. is it really feasible to race a four door (I know there is a civic wagon)
2. will I need tons of chasis reinforcement?
3. what are suggestions on taking the right track to w2w racing

Since I still have a lot of learning to do most of my lurking here has been strictly research and will remain that way. Just wanted to get any and all suggestions for my plans.

I have a 3 yr plan:
-keep going to HPDEs and progress as a driver
-enter racing school and get licenced
-build the civic continuously
brakes
suspension
rubber
cooling
safety
power
-then finally w2w
-hopefully sponsership

Comments and suggestions are welcome. ::hoping to not have to put on flame retardant suit::

 

Bah, no flames (at least not from me), all fair questions.

1. Sure you can race the four door. It won't be the lightest Civic out there and will have a longer wheelbase, but there's no reason to not race the car. Plus, you'll be "unusual" amongst all the Integras and hatchbacks. Which is potentially beneficial to you come time to look for sponsorship down the road...

2. All the chassis reinforcement you "need" comes with the rollcage. Even a bolt in. Welded is of course better, and that's where you start trying to really solidify the tub of the car...but this costs a lot of money. I went from a bolt in to a welded cage ( clicky ) and the difference in chassis stiffness is pretty amazing. But did I "need" it? Not really.

3. Seat tine, seat time, seat time. Once you've got your driving more or less sorted out, you don't have to worry about it anymore. Which is good, as there's plenty to worry about apart from your technique when you go wheel to wheel.

The 3 year plan looks really good actually. Although you're probably at a point where you need to make a decision...are you going to stick with the Civic you currently own, or sell it, and buy an already-built race car? I suggest the latter if you're truly serious about doing this. You'll have more money in your pocket as a result.

If you do build the Civic I'd suggest changing your plan to this:
safety (don't skimp here!)
brakes
rubber
suspension
power
cooling (I doubt you'll need to bother with a Honda)

Good luck.

 

Ahem...
I know where you can get a good deal on a '91 Civic hatch with a pimpy *** 8 point cage already welded in it.
No motor or suspension, but doing that yourself is the fun stuff (or so I hear )

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Catch 22 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">but doing that yourself is the fun stuff (or so I hear )</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thats funny, no one told me.

 

I appreciate all of the responses. The "seat time, seat time, seat time" is what I am looking forward to. I was considering building it myself since I have nothing but time on my hands untill I grow enough as a driver to actually get on the track w2w.

After looking at the rules more in depth, I know for a fact that I will be coming to you guys for a "further explanation" because they are damn vauge. Is that on purpose to allow more diversity in the field or just to cover their *** so they can have a built in catch all rule book?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nrcooled &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">After looking at the rules more in depth, I know for a fact that I will be coming to you guys for a "further explanation" because they are damn vauge. Is that on purpose to allow more diversity in the field or just to cover their *** so they can have a built in catch all rule book?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Given your three year plan...what is it that appears vague?

The East Coast rules are going away at the end of this year. After that you'll be building your car according to the rules on http://www.hondachallenge.com (no dash between honda and challenge).

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I went from a bolt in to a welded cage ( clicky ) and the difference in chassis stiffness is pretty amazing.</TD></TR></TABLE>


Small thing... the "clicky" above substitutes a "." for a "/" and comes up dead ... the proper link to clicky is http://www.nogumracing.com/karl/integra/rollcage/

BTW- to add some actual merit to this discussion, your 3-year-plan looks good (revised with safety & brakes first of course as Karl suggested) but are you planning to get the seat time in the Civic as you build it, or in that sweet S13-DET?

Jon

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by getfast &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


Small thing... the "clicky" above substitutes a "." for a "/" and comes up dead ... the proper link to clicky is http://www.nogumracing.com/karl/integra/rollcage/

BTW- to add some actual merit to this discussion, your 3-year-plan looks good (revised with safety & brakes first of course as Karl suggested) but are you planning to get the seat time in the Civic as you build it, or in that sweet S13-DET?

Jon
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I will put in the seat time in my s13 until the civic is track worthy. The civic has 250k hard miles on her (the reason I bought it for $700) So a heart transplant is in order. After that all time will be in the civic so I can get used to FWD again, it has been a while since I have driven a FWD

And the revised plan does look good. The coolest part is my wife is all about it! So I have support where it is very important. (read: I won't have to get a divorce ) So the build begins and I will hopefully see some of you in June at Summit

 

Hey Bacari, welcome aboard. I'd also recommend looking at something a little more prepared in order to keep 4 dr from becoming a money pit. Come fall/winter, you'll see a lot of really good partially built cars selling for far less than the sum of their parts -- let alone the tub, motor, etc. In the long run, you'd spend about as much on just safety gear as some of these cars sell for. You could do the later tinkering on your own, but Mr. Sparco, Mr. Kirk, and the rest will cost you either way -- it's just whether you pay retail or 60% discount.

Anyway, good to see you stop by -- I'll have to show you my new toy (see sig) next time I see you

 

Yeah, buy a built car if you want to save money...... if you want to use an old car at the track, here is what you do:

Put it on jacks, expect it not to leave them for at least one month.

Replace:

Entire brake system (calipers, lines, Master)
Replace every suspension bolt and bushing, re-assemble with anti-seize, helms and a torque wrench
Replace axles/hubs/wheelbearings
Replace clutch
All fluids
All service items
Buy spare distributor
Buy spare tranny

This method is not cheap but will keep your mechanical failures at the track to a minimum for the first year.