I just bought an '86 CRX. I intend to use the car on the street with ocasional autocross use. I have $2000 for this project. I'm happy with the exterior. I'd like to make the car fun to drive, dependable, have good gas mileage, and be California smog legal. It has 132K on it and will need some revitalization (clutch and CV's soon). I'm thinking of doing the 1st gen Acura swap (engine, trans, brakes, suspension, etc) but I'm new to this whole Honda thing and I don't want to overlook some better option. I haven't autocrossed in more than 20 years, so if I start again, I'm more concerned with having fun than getting on the podium- in other words, I'm not too concerned with which class I'd be driving in. Thanks for any ideas or suggestions.

 

Buy a SCCA solo2 rule book

The best classes to start in for autocrossing are Stock or ST2. ST2 allowing for more modifications then stock.

In stock you are allowed to change the shocks (not springs), cat back exhaust, intake filter (not housing).

If you can find them I would get some Koni yellows for the front and koni reds (IIRC) for the back. Koni never made an off the shelf external single adjustable rear shock but if you can find the non-external adjustable ones you can send them to Koni USA to be modified to be external adjustable.

Don't waste your money on the cat backs available on the market for he 1gen crx. Just have a local exhaust shop build a custom setup.

If you plan on ST2 then I would add the following to your list:
Ground controls.
Spring perch adapter so the ground controls fit.
Bigger torsen bars
adjustable rear swaybar
wider wheels and tires

 

^^^ I will second that.

I used to run an 87 in Stock class, but opted for the "faster" 85s later. Stock is fun if you are looking to be nationally competitive for the least amount of $, but if fun with a little more tuning is the goal then ST2 is a great direction i think. If It were a national class I would probably convert to that.

What he said about the Konis is true (no off the shelf externally adjustable rear) But don't be tempted to go with something else. They just are not worth it. Go with the off the shelf koni, and put the rear at 3/4th stiff. (CRXLee's advice to me in 1996) This works well for a combination street/autocross use, and as you autocross it more its not hard to change, or send off and get adapted to externals. (I got to where i could do a rear shock adjustment in under 20 min)

Jon K
http://www.seat-time.com

 

Thanks for the ideas gents. I failed to mention that the car is an Si. Is this car still (was it ever?) reasonably competitve in any of the near stock classes? I live in San Diego and don't plan on doing anything except regional events. If it has a chance, then perhaps I might build it towards a specific class. I like the idea of using coil-overs- adjustable suspension is much more interesting & rewarding. The last time I did auto cross I built to my heart's content and ended up with a car that had no chance of being competitive and that really diminished the fun. Thanks again for your thoughts!

 

Yes, Si is really the best car as far as competitiveness is concerned. (on a national level, in stock classes)

That being said, ANY car can be competitive on a regional level in stock class if driven well.

The 86/87 Si in the right hands, with the right set-up can still be good for a trophy spot at nationals in G-Stock though.

Jon K
http://www.seat-time.com

 

As a surprise to me it looks like the Si (1st or 2nd gen) are in GS. IMHO the car is very out classed there.

ST2 would also be trouble with the Miata in the class.

In any case you should always remember that in autocrossing it's about 80%-90% driver skill. Pick a class that you like the range of modifications in and go with that. Just because you might have an underdog car doesn't mean it can't win, and when you do, it's that much more rewarding.

 

First gen CRX in stock class nationals.

2000: 2nd Place (E-Stock)
2001: 1st Place (E-Stock)
2002: 2nd Place (change to G-Stock)
2003: 2nd place

it might be getting closer to being outclassed, as the Celicas, and Minis get faster with tuning. But you cant say its outclassed for now.

Jon K
http://www.seat-time.com

 

i just finished putting the stock rebuilt engine into an 87 dx crx. With the mods i have on it now it will be placed in a sp class. These cars are fun. If you need more information on the check out redpepperracing.com. You can buy panhard bars there. For torsion bars check out opm motorsports. If you need any info on your car contact me I basically rebuilt everything on the car.

 

The best site for the 1st Gen CRX is http://www.redpepperracing.com, there are lots of racers over there.

I started in CSP in my '87 Si. But I got carried away with the mods so technically I should be in SM2. No way I can be competitive in that class, but I have fun at the events.

Scott