Hey guys, was thinking about things after the last auto-x. I've started running my 89 CRX (auto-x only) in CSP. Currently just has suspension, wheel/tire, and weight reduction mods, stock engine. I also have a 97 Mitsu Eclipse (street car and occasional drag) that I'm slowly modifying. I'm contemplating using all the take-offs (turbo, IC, etc, etc) from the Eclipse and putting together a turbo system for the CRX and running in SM2. I've always liked the idea of the SM classes and CSP is kind of old-school restrictive. What do you guys think? Will my 190k stock engine with turbo be fun in SM2? BTW, engine management will be taken care of with Hondata.

 

If you haven't been autocrossing for awhile, I suggest you learn how to drive the car first. But as for putting a turbo in the Rex, being bumped into SM2 is like bringing a knife to a gun fight. I don't think you can hang with modified corvettes with only a slap on t25 turbo. You probably need a built B18C1 with a small t3/t4, lsd, and race tires to even begin to be the least bit competitive in that class.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by happycorepuppy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Will my 190k stock engine with turbo be fun in SM2?</TD></TR></TABLE>

If this and the fun of the turbo build project are your main concerns, and not whether you will be nationally competitive, I say do it.

 

Although I would love to go to Nationals and probably will in the near future, actually making lots of National-level events is unlikely with my work schedule. This will be primarily run locally, with several divisional events. At the local level, I just looked and strangely enough SM2 has been behind CSP in times all year? But yeah, this is mostly for fun, but obviously I don't want something that will be a severe underdog. On more open courses at least, I don't see how my CRX has a chance in hell with the Type Rs in CSP anyway.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Andrew 825SM &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you haven't been autocrossing for awhile, I suggest you learn how to drive the car first. </TD></TR></TABLE>
BTW, been autocrossing 5 years, but with the del Sol, not the CRX. Just learning how to drive the CRX (although it's not THAT much different). Trying to decide which direction to go with it when I start engine mods. Definitely doing a few more events with it before I modify anything else...

 

As long as you realize, that the more you modify your car the more likely you'll be spending time tuning and fixing it. It may also cost you valueable seat time as it did to a friend of mine yesterday at a track day @ Pocono N. He had one lapping session and booom, engine toast. 175 down the drain (that's just for the track day). Sucks!

Honestly I understand why you want to do this, and I encourage it, just also remember it's not the car, hp rarely makes as much difference as the driver, or handling capabilities.

I'm also in CSP, and with lots of seat time, hanging with instructor dudes, and a few suspension and tire upgrades, I've decreased the time from +5 second behind the local CSP guy to just under one second. My car is without an LSD, rear swaybar or proper sized 13x8+ wheel/tire combo. It matters, but not as much as mental and physical ability.

Yet, I still consider myself a novice with lots to learn, but I've seen more then my fair share of turbos gone wild. (I think I saw an ad for that last night)

Have fun, learn and be safe!