I am currently working on a 80 Accord for Rally X events. Does anyone have any advise on tuning a 1751cc to help with output. This Accord is also a Automatic, but may change to manual next year. Or does anyone know of any books on Honda tuning for any models? Any advise is greatly appreciated. Welcome to email me.
Thanks again. Vampyr444

 

Your biggest problem won't be power - it'll be traction. Before you spend any dough on engine mods, think about a limited slip differential. I don't know what easy options you have but you will get the most control and speed for your dollar by making both front wheels work.

That auto 'box will probably make your life miserable for a while, too and the swap might be more trouble than a 1980 Accord is worth. Can you revisit the decision to use that car? Despite how it might seem, it is almost ALWAYS a bad idea to make your race car decision based on what you already have or what you can get for mega-cheap.

Kirk

 

I'm tending to follow Kirk's notion that the car might not be the best suited nor worth a lot of effort if there is any other option. I have done a fair number of rally crosses and have found at the beginning levels that a good driver with the right approach can carry a lesser car a good ways for awhile. Driving lines and some smart thought can be of good use instead of just going out and hammering in the dirt and spinning wheels.

But there is a point where the car needs to start pulling its weight and that one might not pull it too far. Get yourself the best tires that you can arrange for the front, I ran a 15 year old set of pro-rally tires and they were a huge advantage on my CRX. Depending on the terrain (dirt, gravel, smooth, bumpy and jumpy, etc.), traction and power to the ground is everything. Often a berm of fluffy dirt will pile up on the outside of a turn and it will bog cars that will drive in too fast and slide into the fluff. Better to go into the corner slower and hang to the inside of the turn where the most traction will be thus letting you get back to the power.

Although the "ya-hoo" factor and World of Outlaws slides are fun, they are also quite slow. I've taken FTD at an event of mostly trailered cars in my old street driver with a decent set of front tires and the right mindset.

 

Thanks, for replying guys. I do have a set of good snow tires without studs. They are virtually untouched. So I have at least that. I have also lightened up the car a little by gutting it. I do however, am thinking about switching to manual next year. My father-in-law has other hondas around that I can pull parts when needed. The car was given to me, so money wise I am ahead. I'm also going to have a friend work on a special e-brake attachment that will help me in the corners. He installed a special bracket he made on his own 89 Ford Escort and works well. He's let me use his car while working on mine for past Rallies.

If I were to add a limit slip, what would an average cost be for a basic kit. I'm sure I do some checking around here but what is a norm $ price seen or heard of? If I could really get away with it, I'd turn it into AWD. I guess my next car would most likely be an AWD Subaru or Lancer. Even if I start out with a partial wrecked car. There are a couple of auction venues that do have the occasional interest listed in my area. The car is in real good shape, and fairly light I would think. My main thing about it is also getting it timed in better. But any other adise is also greatly appreciated. I know I'm probably really working with a limited vehicle in what can be done.

Ray