I need a new heart for my 88’ CRX Si , and would really appreciate all of your input. Please put yourself in my shoes and give me some of that knowledge that you have aquired thru experience tracking a car. First off, the purpose of the car. Just a weekend fun car, going to do some HPDE’s, some drag racing, just general canyon carving fun(I live on the foothills of Angeles Crest). I plan on stripping the interior and making it as light as possible, I also plan on towing it to events ( I don’t want to get stuck out at a track w/out a ride back). So that is what I would like the car to be, now I have to decide on a powerplant.
The stock D16A6 is really tired, and needs help.

So I have come up w/ two desired options and one rational option.

1. Build the stock D16A6 – Exospeed stage 3 head and block ( P&P,upgraded valvetrain, race cam – high comp. Pistons, up-graded rods)
Transmission – Final drive gears, LSD
Engine manag. - Dual 44 webers (used and rebuilt)
Estimated total: about $5500
Cons – as good as it will get (power potential)
On the edge – likely to break if not tuned correctly
will have to maintain constantly
Pros – Light weight
I already have it and it bolts on
I’ve always liked the D16 – simple and effective
will have to maintain constantly ( that’s half the fun)

2. B18C –R – Completely stock
Transmission – Stock hyd. Tranny w/ LSD
Engine manag. – Stock
Bolt-on’s will come later.
Estimated total: about $5500
Cons – Epensive
Hard to install (I don’t have the experience)
Nose Heavy Car
Pros- Awesome out of the box
Everything is stock and reliable
Huge potential

3. B16A1 – stock
Cable tranny w/ Lsd
Bolt-ons
Estimated cost: $2500
Just drive it till it dies
And save money
Not really fun, but sensible!

What a dilemma! I just got the car and am ready to take it apart (it's not running right now). I can’t wait to have fun working on the rex and driving it.
This is just a hobby for me, and I will probably never race this car.
Thanks for the help.



Modified by Rude-e at 7:19 PM 5/19/2004

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Rude-e &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">going to do some HPDE’s</TD></TR></TABLE>

This leads me to think that you havent done any yet....

Put another stock engine in the car, and put the money into making the car ready for the track (bushings, brakes, bearings, shocks, etc) and doing events

Although I wonder what dual webers on a ITR motor would be like

 

I knew I would get a responce like this here, but yeah - no HPDE experience for me, just lots of drag racing a long time ago, where you first throw parts at the car then go race.
Bad habit to break, besides it's fun to work on the engine.
Like I said, I have two choices that my heart desires and one sensible approach.
But this money is burning my pockets! What to do?



Modified by Rude-e at 7:39 PM 5/19/2004


Modified by Rude-e at 7:45 PM 5/19/2004

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Rude-e &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">But this money is burning my pockets! What to do?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Put a cage, seats and belts in it then after the rest of the car is ready.

 

I was thinking that since I needed the engine I would do that first.

Maybe I'll just get a B16a and leave it alone till I can actually drive.
Then atleast I would have something to build on.

I'm just so bored of seeing stock b16a swaps - no imagination!
Now, a nicely built Sohc or a b18c5, makes me shiver w/ excitement!

 

I have B18c stripped out 88 CRX and nothing is more fun than being the little Honda in a ZO6-supercharged NSX sandwich on the track. Having the power to run with the bigger motor, higher hp cars is a whole lot of fun. I do recommend that you follow the driver first, suspension/brakes second, and engine third approach. The makes you/car the fastest. Plus running people down in higher hp machinery is much more fun than having a motor but no handling.
Barry H.

 

I'm with .RJ, cage the car if you've got money burning a hole in your pocket. Heck, just a 4 point with a harness bar is much better than nothing. Plus, the design of your cage will influence how you build the car later. Saftey always takes the number one priority.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Rude-e &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
But this money is burning my pockets! What to do?</TD></TR></TABLE>

There's a problem that should fix itself after your first HPDE day

Speaking as someone who picked up a street car (88 CRX Si) and prepared it as a racecar, save your money on the motor for now. A weak, oil burning, stock D16 is more than enough to get you around the track while you're learning what they hell you're supposed to do, and my experience recommends that you save some money for problems that WILL come up with 16 year old car. I have spent a great deal on things like fresh OEM brake parts, bushings, safety gear, and general "replace-it-when-it-breaks" stuff. After 2 years and many events, I'm just now looking at motors.