I've been given the opportunity to purchase a straight bodied '84 CRX DX, for a whole wopping $800. It runs great, has installed some Tokiko 5-ways front and rear, as well as a set of Eibach springs in the rear(~240lbs??), as well as being converted to rear disk brakes(whole rear axle of an early integra, if I remember correctly).

What I'm thinking of doing is just making it a track toy, put a cage in it, have some fun, then eventually do an engine swap and go play with the Honda-Challenge series, that is after I go through the whole license process, and all of the needed safety modifications. Right now I'm just looking for some thoughts, and opinions.

Any pros, cons, thoughts, ideas?

Thanks,
Austin

 

It will all depend on what other options you have, what your goals are, and how much money you want to spend.
What class in Honda Challenge? That car would fall in H5. It would also fall in ITC. (it's carb'ed, right?) You would need to put the drums back on for either class. Sourcing a new rear axle for that has just added to your bottom line.

The car is unproven as a H1 swap car for wheel to wheel, so buyer beware. Resale value on this thing when you outgrow it will be affected by that fact. Significantly.

Don't factor the suspension into the purchase as a plus. You will just end up chucking it for a stiffer setup than what's there. 29mm torsion bars are in the $350 neighorhood, rear springs will run you another $100, and 4 new shocks to handle the rates will run you another $500. Oh, and the GC sleeves that will let you run those springs. (~$40?)

However, if you are looking for something cheap, reliable, and easy to work on just to get out onto track so that you are not putting your daily driver at risk, it would work out well. This happens to be almost exactly the route I took. Aside from the fact that when it's all said and done, I am the slowest car in ANY field, it's been a great learning experience.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Austin &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Right now I'm just looking for some thoughts, and opinions.


Thanks,
Austin</TD></TR></TABLE>

Save money and buy a ready to race car. I've seen a few 88-91 CRXs for sale on here that were between $3-4K range. If you were to build same it will end-up costing you $10-15K...

 

I have collected an entire FAQ file for the 1st Gen CRX, it will answer nearly every question you may have about enjoying the 84-87 CRX.

The early CRX is very different from the the 1988 and later Hondas. Aftermarket parts are not as plentiful as the newer cars. The carb'ed Hondas do not have the pressurized fuel system that the fuel injected cars have, so swapping a FI engine into your car requires everything from the gas tank forward.

The carb'ed EW engine in your car is pretty weak in the stock form. It is possible to build a racing version of that engine that makes close to 200hp NA.... but it will not be a street legal engine.

Out here in California clean rust free 1st Gen CRXs are as common as dirt. For a street car, I would look for a fuel injected Si model.

Scott

BTW- the rear axle is the same in the early CRXC and early Integra. It is possible to swap the Integra's disk brakes on to the CRX axle..... but the rear disks from the Integra weigh a lot more than the iron drums and do not stop the car any better. The "trick" set up for CRX/Civics with rear drums is to swap on the 84-87 CRX HF aluminum drums on to your car.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by cbstd &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have collected an entire FAQ file for the 1st Gen CRX, it will answer nearly every question you may have about enjoying the 84-87 CRX.

The early CRX is very different from the the 1988 and later Hondas. Aftermarket parts are not as plentiful as the newer cars. The carb'ed Hondas do not have the pressurized fuel system that the fuel injected cars have, so swapping a FI engine into your car requires everything from the gas tank forward.

The carb'ed EW engine in your car is pretty weak in the stock form. It is possible to build a racing version of that engine that makes close to 200hp NA.... but it will not be a street legal engine.

Out here in California clean rust free 1st Gen CRXs are as common as dirt. For a street car, I would look for a fuel injected Si model.

Scott

BTW- the rear axle is the same in the early CRXC and early Integra. It is possible to swap the Integra's disk brakes on to the CRX axle..... but the rear disks from the Integra weigh a lot more than the iron drums and do not stop the car any better. The "trick" set up for CRX/Civics with rear drums is to swap on the 84-87 CRX HF aluminum drums on to your car.</TD></TR></TABLE>
HF drum swap is not legal for any SCCA class.
He is dead on on all the above info about the carb'ed cars. The Si swap would save you having to patch the sunroof, though. Figure in the wiring harness, fuel tank, lines, pump, ECU, uhh... seems like a lot to avoid having to patch the sunroof. Nevermind. I have seen these motors built to astonishing levels. They are very tough, and all it takes is money. What's your budget? Does a prebuilt car look good yet? I am assuming you don't want a trailered racecar, but it might serve you better to retrofit a catalytic converter (as odd as that would seem) onto a racecar than to go the other way.

 

This is something that will cost me more in the long run, however it's going to be a project.

My plans are to get the safety gear in the car, get the suspension up to par...and try to go get a competition license. When that is achieved I would like Honda-Challenge H1, I don't care if I'm not competitive to start, I'll be there, and I'll (hopefully) be having fun. The car will receive an engine swap with a newer B series engine...

I just want to get out there, and have some fun...and it's fairly cheap to get started.

Austin - who must get back to work at the moment

 

Come, join us at http://www.redpepperracing.com That's where all the 1st gen CRX/3rd gen Civic folks hang out. There's a lot of information out there and plenty of experienced racers there to answer questions. As much as I love my Civic, I wouldn't dream of building one from scratch right now. There are so many newer bodies available cheap that are far easier and cheaper to get parts for now.

-Chris

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EMod Civic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Come, join us at http://www.redpepperracing.com That's where all the 1st gen CRX/3rd gen Civic folks hang out. There's a lot of information out there and plenty of experienced racers there to answer questions. As much as I love my Civic, I wouldn't dream of building one from scratch right now. There are so many newer bodies available cheap that are far easier and cheaper to get parts for now.

-Chris
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks...Geratol gave me the link last night, I sat there and read for a few hours. I think that I see what you're getting at, cheaper cars with a greater availability of parts. Maybe I'm understating the initial cost...but I know that it's going to take a while to get everything together....hmmm, lots to think about.

 

Deciding what to build is always big task. I keep running my 3rd gen Civic because I have a sentimental attachment to it (first car my wife and i bought), and because it's always cheaper to keep making it faster than to start over, largely because it has virtually no resale value, regardless of how fast or how much money is spent on it.

If you're wanting a track car, then the single most expensive part you're going to have is the roll cage. That $800 car plus a $1500-$2000 roll cage is now a $2300-$2800 car, yet nowhere near race ready. Add a grand or so for minimum suspension parts, another grand or so to go through and freshen up all the wear items, etc. Before you even blink, you've sunk $5k into it to get it safe and reliable, but are still nowhere near competitive.

On the other hand, $3500-$4500 will buy you a nice fully prepared, well sorted race car that someone else has already taken the depreciation on. It might not get you the absolute best of everything, but I've been really impressed with some of the cars I've seen in that price range.

-Chris

 

EMod Civic -

I agree with you, and taking a quick look out there I'm seeing what it's going to take...I might still just pick the car up to have a secondary driver, I need one at the moment.

If you can find an inexpensive '84-87, or any links to ones I'd appreciate it. I might still continue going through with the prospective car.

Austin

 

There are a few 1G SI's for sale in CA in the classifieds on my site, unfortunately it seems to be down at the moment, but it will be back up by 5pm EST with luck...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rpr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">There are a few 1G SI's for sale in CA in the classifieds on my site, unfortunately it seems to be down at the moment, but it will be back up by 5pm EST with luck... </TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks...I've been off and on that site since Geratol gave me a link on Sunday night.

I'm still thinking of going ahead with the project, might just have to do a little more research.

Austin

 

After LOTS of research...I'm gonna get the car just to have a daily driver, and something to put around in.

Any links to an inexpensive '88-91 CRX that's already been prepped?

Austin

 

Austin,

I ran a 86 Civic in GT4 and still have the roller. I have a bunch of parts you may be interested in. Si heads, 4wd blocks, big brakes, custom caster plates, TWM twin DCOE intake manifolds, trigger wheels, UD pulley even 2 sets of 13x7 steel wheels with slicks on them. Hit me up for any info you may need, I've autox, solo I and road raced these cars since 1987.

I even know someone who builds headers for them.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Austin &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">After LOTS of research...I'm gonna get the car just to have a daily driver, and something to put around in.

Any links to an inexpensive '88-91 CRX that's already been prepped?

Austin</TD></TR></TABLE>

civicrr was telling me the other day he had a line on a truly great 2nd gen race car for about 5000. And if you are in Norcal, you would be running with us, which would awesome. I would love to see our field grow.

On the 1st build up, I did one last year. What everyone says is true, parts are harder to find, they just discontinued konis for them, it costs more and takes more time. But for me, it was the journey. I wasn't just into the driving. The car prep fascinated me. I say if it is your thing, and you have the patience/money to do it right, try building a car yourself. If you just like to drive, on a budget, and want to be competitive right away, definately buy a used one.

Where in Norcal are you Austin? You should come out to the HC event are sears point in Feb. You can see a race, meet the people you would be running against, and get ideas/pointers.

 

Hey Chris,

How are the repairs coming on your car? Will you be competing in the HC event at Sears Point in Feb? What weekend is it?

I'm finally making progress on my 1st gen project and will be testing it at an Autocross event on Feb 1., then if nothing brakes, it will step onto the track for the first time on Feb 7. at Button Willow.

As it stands:
Engine: 80% complete
Suspension: 60% complete
Safety: 20% complete

 

Hello there Chris...yes, I've been to a couple of events as a spectator, I met you at the last Sears Point event, I found Jeremy and was walking around with him, I helped Kiwi a little bit, and spent some time with Glen Kawano(sp), the Hondata boys, and Joe Alaniz.

Hmmm...nice second gen for $5000....might be interested, and if civicrr says that it's a good deal....

Yes, I wanted the journey, I wanted to tinker, have some fun, learn, make mistakes...but what I'm seeing(that I already knew ) is that if I buy a prebuilt car I can do all of it, just with a less costly(in the long run) beginning point.

I am looking for a car that I can learn with, attend some more HPDE events with, gain a license with, and attend a couple of races with...I love driving, I've just been spending too much $$$ on the Type-R, and it's really too costly if I ball it up, and I will not be caging the car, at most a rollbar(that arrived on Wednesday), some harnesses(need to order), and a decent seat(wide *** needs an EVOII).

Damn I've been thinking alot, I think the karting that I did last weekend really lit a fire under my ***, and I'm going back next weekend for some more.

Austin

 

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

I ran a 86 Civic in GT4 and still have the roller. I have a bunch of parts you may be interested in. Si heads, 4wd blocks, big brakes, custom caster plates, TWM twin DCOE intake manifolds, trigger wheels, UD pulley even 2 sets of 13x7 steel wheels with slicks on them. Hit me up for any info you may need, I've autox, solo I and road raced these cars since 1987.

I even know someone who builds headers for them.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks for the great info Dave, sounds like you have a whole corner of the garage dedicated to the 2G civic, with quite a few really nice parts.

Funny...I also know someone that makes headers for these cars... lol

Austin

 

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

How are the repairs coming on your car? Will you be competing in the HC event at Sears Point in Feb? What weekend is it?
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I do plan to make it to Feb 7-8 at Sears. I was all set to run this season, but I got laid off. So I am going to share weekends with Mike, my brother and mechanic, and just take it one weekend at a time till I get a new job. I hope nothing breaks (yeah right).

The car is fixed, though it seems a little bent because the corners are way off. But at least it is in one piece and drivable. I fear this is it's last season if it doesn't drive well.

 

I know I'm a little late, but I had an 85 CRX Si with a B16A. I did HPDEs with the car, and I had front and rear 86-89 Integra breaks with Axxis Ultimates in front and back. The car hauled ***. The major downside to a b-series swap is the cost of the mounts and axles. I think Hasport mounts and linakge are $550, and the axles are custom and cost about $300. With the B16 and gutted, the car weighed 1960 with 8 gallons of gas. I wanted to swap in something with more power, but never got around to it.