Rally Beater CRX

[93HondaSI]

Originally Posted by MugenEJ6AutoX

[In the link] The green mazda is owned by my boss Kurt Thiel, of Thiel's Import Auto.

Photos from January 31 & February 1 2004 at Cayuta Lake

So I'm not gonna lie that VW Rabbit is F'n SWEET! Better then you're bosses Miata.... no offense i just think Miata's are gay cars, don't know how good of rally cars they are tho.

[8695Beaters]

Well also remember that the Accord is something like 600+ pounds heavier than the CRX. Even the stock springs will hold up the CRX nicely. Also they will raise the ride height a good deal, which will help prevent bottoming out. I think I will be gaining about 2 inches of height over stock. Lastly, my tires should also be helping me out in the damping since I will be using rather tall tires (probably snow tires since they are easy to get). A stiff suspension in rallying is bad since it causes the car to bounce instead of articulate with the ruts and bumps. There are a few places nearby that I can practice driving the car and test all this stuff out.

As for the front, my team (or at least I am) is planning to reinforce the front bumper for Lemons. We will probably be filling the bumper with metal pipes so if we hit something, we won't crush the radiator. Everything will stay in the car if it survives that race, so I will have a nice stiff front end for rallying.

[MugenEJ6AutoX]

I understand the bounce problem. The best set-up is a decently strong gas-tube, with springs that have some decent travel. Thats the thing about Teins rally package, it offers alot of travel, but really doesn't get stiff untill about an 1-2 inchs past stock height. If you can part together a set-up with 6-8 inches of travel thats only stiff slightly lower than stock, god bless ya.

Btw don't just put a bar in the bumper, when it comes to rally impacts come from every angle. Unless you want to replace your lights, and front end install one like in this pic.

http://www.camburg.com/images/FORDE-...er/Bumper1.jpg

I know its on a truck, but if you want a few years of rally out of this thing install one like it.

Winter tires are a very good idea.

PS- That VW in the pics, I did all the mods. =]

[8695Beaters]

I actually thought about a bush bar. I think that is overkill, the CRX is front heavy as it is. This car is also going to get a full rollcage for Lemons, so I will be covered there. I may do a set of PIAA lights on the A-pillars for extra lighting, but I don't know if the local rallies have any night stages. Besides, pro rally cars don't use bush bars, I think I will be okay. And if I total the car, at least I had fun in the process. This whole thing is about having fun with a POS car before it goes to the junkyard.

I looked at Tein's site and they don't sell rally shocks for the CRX. Do you know if the EJ6 Civic uses similar mounts as the ED CRX (LOL)? Actually I was looking at Bilstein's HD shocks. They sell them for the CRX. I was just reading in SCC that revalved HD's would be perfect for a rally car. Plus they would fit Civic springs perfectly. What's your opinion on them, I've never driven on Bilsteins before?

[MugenEJ6AutoX]

Their nice, i think their simular to Tokico. Atleast when it comes to street performance. I believe the mounts are simular to the EJ6. Atleast it won't take any more modification than mounting Accord suspension on a CRX. And if you read SCC you know the article about the Rally school, and that no matter what they do the school's car's don't last past 3 years no matter what. But if your just looking to have a few years of fun then part it out, have at it. I did it a few years back in a old GTI. 2 years then flipped it into a tree, but all in good fun. =]

Rally is a great sport, my fav is AutoX, but rally is a very close second.

P.S.- Invest in good wiperblades, and always have a full tank of window squirt. Big mudflaps are a good idea as well. Check out some of last fall's SCC, one has an article about a homemade Subaru rally car that competes in the WRC. Most of the mods won't work on a CRX, but worth reading it.

[8695Beaters]

I have subscribed to SCC since 2006. And I have every single issue since then (except one where they screwed up my subscription). I've been following all of their rally projects as best I can. Coleman's 510 was where I got the idea to rally the CRX (and their Celica inspired me to do Lemons). I actually wrote into him asking him the same questions as I did here. It might get published in 2 months, we'll have to see. Look for a "Dear Dave" where the Geek In Training asks about rally shocks and Lemons tips.

[MugenEJ6AutoX]

Sweet, yeah i've been reading them as long as i can remember.

[8695Beaters]

I've been following Project Silvia too. Were there only 7 installments? I subscribed right as Coleman was leaving, and they only have 7 online. I'm trying to get some good ideas for my own Sil-Eighty and I've been impressed with the insanity his car has followed. I'm not crazy enough to try some of his ideas though. Like cutting through my bumper for cooling.

Well all this rally business is moot if the CRX gets totalled at the 24 Hours Of Lemons. I'll get back on this idea in about 4 months.

[MugenEJ6AutoX]

True about the lemons bit, and I followed the RSX build. I know it was a k-series and they were boosting it. But whenever they start experimenting with honda aftermarket parts, I have to take a closer look. They never finished the series, then someone complained and they wrote an explanation.

[8695Beaters]

They finished the RSX. They turbo'ed it, put in a new clutch, flywheel, LSD, lost some weight (and did a great bit on ho to build your own working NACA duct), put on KW dampers, and then tuned it and tested the StopTech brakes. I think they ended up with about 270 horsepower. I didn't pay too much attention to the series since I like Integras better. Check their website, I think all the installments are posted there.

They just got an AP2 S2K and they are doing a buildup war between a 1988 Civic Si and a 1991 NSX. That last bit loks interesting.