Honda CRX Newbie

[Knestis]

Yes, I obviously am.

I should have prefaced my comment with "I don't know squat about Honda specifications, US or Canadian". I was taking the information in the strand as accurate (due to my lack of knowledge) and making an "IF" statement. It sounds like you and I are on the same page, Tyson, but I read (or misread) the earlier posts as saying that the Canadian parts were lighter.

I have now shanked two consecutive NERD shots into the kitty litter. I should switch to surfing porn sites since I am losing my touch...

Kirk

(who has now been demoted to NERD lacky, third class)

[Paul]

Wow. I guess I opened up a can of worms.
So, if you all could do it again, would you get in to a CRX?
Paul

[Jon Nelson]

There's one thing that might affect the whole legality of the update/backdate thing.

I'm not sure, but there was a minor trim difference on CRX's, I think at the 1990 model year. I don't know if the 88 doors are exactly the same as 89, or 90-91 doors.... the trim piece is slightly different, so the door skin itself might be slightly different.

As for the legality, I'd say, yeah, OK, as long as it's really an 88 style door you are after. BUT, 88's never had door beams, so you really would be better off (weight wise) with a set of true 88 doors, from either the US or Canada.

Canadian parts tend to be MUCH lighter, though, because of rust. I could hook someone up with a specially "lightened" body shell. )

Does that make sense?

BTW, Kirk, don't get discouraged. At least you're trying. Just don't let anyone tell you Honda's came with carbon fibre hoods.

[Tyson]

trim pieces dont make a difference in the sheetmetal. in fact, the fenders are the same for each year. you'll notice that the metals bends the same way, but in the later years, the trim is just smaller and doesnt cover as much of the detent, which actually gives the cleaner look.

[racer-025]

Ok, lets stop the insanity. I do not believe you could legally bolt the Canadian doors on the 89-91 US car. This is because the 89-91 US cars did infact only come with the seat belt mounts on the doors. You could replace the 88 US doors with the 88-91 Canadian doors. I believe they are the same.

Now, let's throw the rule nerds a bone. SCCA does let us Canadian IT racers enter events south of the border using our Canadian cars that are built to IT specs. So, if I bring my 91 Canadian CRX into SCCA competition, lets say at LRP, doesn't that open up a can of worms to let ANYONE race the Canadian car? AND, wouldn't that allow any of you US folks use the Canadian model CRX and/or allow any doors put on your US cars?

Holy cow, we started something here, eh?

[Type_RS_59]

I'm confused now. I have a 1989 CRX HF (US model) and I do not have door mounted seat belts. Does this mean that I also do not have door bars? Does it mean that Honda used the lighter 88/Canadian doors on the HF models to keep weight down because the car only had 62 HP. I have heard that the HF has 2.5 MPH bumpers which are lighter than the 5 MPH bumpers. So, is there a rule against starting with an HF shell? Or using HF bumpers?

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I have nothing clever or witty to say at this time...please check back later.

[Tyson]

Racer, for the sake of discussion, how can you say that if canadian doors are the same as 88 US doors, that you cant use them in 89-91 car since it is under the update/backdate rule as i could put the 88 doors in 89-91 car? now this is assuming that 88 doors FIT on later US cars, which i have not got a confirmation from anyone here.

[This message has been edited by Tyson (edited August 14, 2002).]

[Knestis]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">So, is there a rule against starting with an HF shell? Or using HF bumpers?</font>

The conversation started with the ITA CRX Si ('88-91) and the rules require that any car running under the specs from that "line" of the rulebook must start life as an Si.

Your '89 HF is actually listed in ITB, at 2030 pounds, which I had personally never noticed before. Things that make you go "hmmm".

Kirk

[Chris Sawatsky]

Originally posted by Tyson:
[B] now this is assuming that 88 doors FIT on later US cars, which i have not got a confirmation from anyone here.

B]

they do not. slightly different fit

[Tom Blaney]

Ok I give, do you guys like to inflict pain on yourselves.

Do you really go to all the trouble of locating canadian doors to save the weight of a few less BigMacs????

Do you really think it makes a difference?

[Knestis]

No, but I like to get all riled up, screaming at my computer monitor, thinking about people doing it. Grrr.

Kirk

[Type_RS_59]

I can't believe the HF is classed in ITB at 2,030 lbs. What were they thinking? Stock, the thing weighs 1,800 lbs. and it can't get out of it's own way! I've gutted mine (behind the seats) and switched to smaller tires but there is no getting around the fact that it only has 62 HP, a 5,000 RPM red line, and breathes through an intake that you could clog with a quarter ($0.25)! The gear ratios are so widely spaced that it will do over 65 in second gear and 5th is useless below 70 MPH. Hey, at least I wouldn't have to spend big bucks on a LSD. It can't even spin the dry rotted street tires that are on it now in the rain.

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I have nothing clever or witty to say at this time...please check back later.

[Tyson]

tom, its all for the sake of discussion. i like to know crx trivia. im a crx nut, if theres something i dont know about a crx, start convulsing and inflicting pain on myself and must go out and have a couple bigmacs if i dont know!

[Tom Blaney]

Wow, I guess I've been told

[Greg Gauper]

So what do they call MacDonalds quarter pounders in Canada? Mac-Eighth Kilo burgers?

[Tyson]

lol. way to bring it around full 360.

[uscrew96]

nice one greg!

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Mike Machi crew chief USGUYS RACING

[HiRcc#21]

Paul-
I would build your car. Shells are scarce, unless you have access or interest in buying an Si shell.
I have an 89 Si, and I have not had a problem with making the car light enough to compete.
Doors, brakes, blah blah blah, get on track with a Crx and the rest is all smiles.
The integra is supposed to be a crx killer, I have yet to see it, the 240 SX was supposed to kill the crx as well.
build a car and go have fun.
chris stiffler
neohio member since '89 and CRX ITA competitior and car builder.
****Just remember, use a lsd, final drive gear, and get a good stock bottom end, and use Dan Paramore Racing (dpr-racing.com) for your HP, and you will do well.
brakes are only good if you use them!
I use the 89 Si brakes and have developed a special pad with KFP (Canton, Ohio firm) and 3 inch ducts, no probs with them, no fade either, I use the stock 89 doors with Nascar door bars as well.
Unsprung weight is important, but if you throw the speed away in a corner or under braking think of the time you lost looking for "special" parts to make the car fast.
Keep in on track and in gear and you'll be just fine.
I love debates!
*** I have no friends due to my opinions. LOL

[Gord Galloway]

I am not sure about the issue of legality for using the canadian doors however as long as you fell within your minimum weight why would this be a problem?

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Gordon Galloway
Honda CRXsi
IT2 #32

[Greg Gauper]

Some people might claim it is a performance advantage to take the weight off high and outside (doors) and put it low and inside (ballast). Car still weighs the same, but a lower Cg and lower polar moment are usually a good thing.