ITA Civic

[autotec]

Hello everybody,

The last few weeks I have been reading through multiple forums, websites and the GCR and I think I have my question figured out. But I figured I would run it past a few of you before I start the build.

I have a 1997 Civic DX that I want to build into a school/ITA car so I can finally get on the track and have some fun. Now I see the DX is not classed so I have to convert it into a EX I think. Right?

Thanks in advance for the input.

Justin

[R2 Racing]

My advice would be to either convert it to an EX for ITA or petition the ITAC to classify the '96-'00 Civic (the 'EK') DX in ITB. I don't have the specs for that car sitting in front of me, so I can't comment on wether or not that's an actual realistic posibility.

[autotec]

Thank you for the reply. To make the car a EX is just a engine swap away, plus it might be more fun to drive with the small amount of extra power.

Either way it's good to verify that the car I purchased for this project fits into a class. Now the fun begins, the build.


Thanks again,

Justin

[lateapex911]

In with the first "Buy don't build" advisory!

Justing, by all means send a request to: [email protected] - it will get forwarded to us on the ITAC and we'll class it up, assuming it fits. (I'm sure it will)

It's ideal if you can scan some factory manuals with data and send it along with. Check out the listings of cars in the ITCS, that data is mandatory, things move faster if it's provided and we don't have to go fishing. In addition, let us know what you think the lowest weight it can achieve with a full strip and cage and driver (180lbs) and the curb weight.

Now.....you're going to hear this a few times. Think hard about the big picture. If you love building, then fine, build. Just know that you're paying for the privledge. Generally speaking, first timers are money ahead buying a built car. AJ Nealy has a CRX in the classifieds. TOP notch car, and I bet he's got double the money in it compared to his ask. Guaranteed even if you work overtime or get a second job to save up "the nut" to buy that car, you will be time and money ahead compared to building, AND you get a no excuses top 3 at the ARRC car. And there are other options for less. Everyone thinks the car sitting in the driveway is half the expense, and if it's there they are half way done. Uh,no, the donor car is a mere slice of the big pie.

Either way, ask as many questions as you can think of, we're glad to have you on track.

[gran racing]

Have you done any HPDEs yet? Just get the car safe and begin there if you haven't done a bunch of them.

What's your budget to build the car?
Do you have a fair amount of time to spend building it?

[autotec]

I'll see how much info I can gather on the 96-2000 Civic DX. As far as I can tell, it's the same as the 94-95 DX's that are classed. I'll see what I can find and submit it to the ITAC.

I've been tossing the idea around about buying, but then you lose the fun of the build. My wife and daughter are actually pretty excited about getting started with this project. Plus I can build it exactly how I want it.

Building also gives me a excuse to buy a few tools that I wanted to purchase, but never did. ( tubing bender, tig welder )

Budget, 15K

I've been autocrossing for the last 15 years, both the parking lot and the high speed ones at Blackhawk, Gingerman, and a few others. I've been trying to build/buy a car for the last few years just to try some w2w.

Thanks,

Justin

[mossaidis]

Justin,

Good luck with purchase and/or build. As a "builder" myself, I enjoy knowing all that the little civic has to offer. I also auto-xed and HPDE/TT my little Si hatchback for 4 years before having a IT car and becoming a club racer. I will admit - I might just buy my next IT car for the same suggestions listed above.

Quick question : is your DX a coupe, 4dr or hatch?

[mc-integra111]

Looks like people have you covered. You can either choose to get the DX classed or swap to the EX (all required parts must be swapped so it looks like an EX). Unfortunately I have not encountered an ITA EX and don't know enough about the DX to know which choice would be more competitive.

I've been autocrossing for the last 15 years, both the parking lot and the high speed ones at Blackhawk

Is the high speed stuff with Council?
Who do you do the parking lot stuff with?

[EV]

In with the first "Buy don't build" advisory!
AJ Nealy has a CRX in the classifieds. TOP notch car, and I bet he's got double the money in it compared to his ask. Guaranteed even if you work overtime or get a second job to save up "the nut" to buy that car, you will be time and money ahead compared to building, AND you get a no excuses top 3 at the ARRC car. And there are other options for less. Everyone thinks the car sitting in the driveway is half the expense, and if it's there they are half way done. Uh,no, the donor car is a mere slice of the big pie.

I will second the recommendation.

I started with a showroom stock classed car, and am converting it to IT. Trust me when I say, it's better to buy than build.

If you are just getting started, with the budget you mentioned, I would get AJ's ride, then you will have some $$ for a suit and such. You can then concentrate on driving instead of fixing, and worrying about set up (like me).

Learn from my mistakes...

[autotec]

It is a coupe, so it's a little longer and has a few more pounds than a hatch.

I'm going to dig around and see exactly what the differences are between a EX and a DX. From what I can tell, the only ones are a few small trim pieces and the engine. All of the suspension pieces cross between the 2. But I have a few more calls to make and some more research to do.

For me, building is where half the fun is. Trust me, I would love to buy a car today and be at the track next weekend, but I would feel that I missed out on some of the experience.

Thank you though for trying to save me all of the headaches/expense of building a car.

Justin

[gran racing]

For $15K, it sounds like you'll do a pretty extensive build. Be aware of just how much time it'll take to build the car if you're doing it relatively right and haven't built one before. I know, that can be part of the fun.

Last year I finished building my second Prelude and had quite a bit of knowledge about what was needed for the project. I also had a shop build the engine, tranny went elsewhere, header somewhere else, cage, and the list goes on. In the beginning I really enjoyed it although required a ton of time just doing research alone. When I finished it all, I was so burnt out I didn't even want to race the darn thing.

As long as you know what you're getting into if you build, then have at it. Oh, once you've spent the $15K good luck getting $8K for it the next day.

I absolutely can not believe no one has bought Ajah's CRX.

[lateapex911]

$15K is a good budget amount. One consideration when deciding whether to buy/build is the pool of cars available. Right now, the pool is great. The economy is down, and there are deals out there. While AJs car might not look like a deal, when you actually jump though all the hoops to get a car that fast, you'll discover that the price he's asking is short money.

Depending on the class, much of the value of a race car is it's history. I think a car with a good history, (ARRC wins, lap records, etc) is worth as much as double of an equivalent car.

That's because: A- people KNOW that car can get it done, and B- knowledgeable buyers know that all the tricks it took to get there cost a ton of time and money. Cars like that are well built, and it shows in the results.

I appreciate your desires, and I can't say we all don't agree to some degree, LOL. But think long term. In three years, when you're a fast racer, will the car be holding you back because it doesn't have "the right stuff" or because it was the wrong choice for the class?

If so, you're stuck, having to shell out $$ (again) for the right stuff, or selling it for pennies on the dollar to get a better choice.....assuming that competition is your ultimate goal.

Just some thoughts...again, we're all glad you're here and will help in whatever way we can.

[autotec]

Competition is not my goal, yet. I really just want to go out and have some fun. Even if I finish in the rear of the field, I'll be happy.

I don't plan on spending the entire budget on the car, I have to be able to race out of that money also. My early figures are if I do everything myself, ( besides the machine work on the engine )I should be able to complete the car for under 8K. It will not be 10/10ths build, but it should be enough to keep me happy for a few years. Plus my wife will be able to use it for a HPDE car at the same time.

Justin

[lateapex911]

It's cool that your wife is into it! When "things happen" at least she'll have a degree of understanding.

[almracing]

Chimning in... time is the killer for maintaining a car, much less building one. Buying a car will get you on the track tomorrow... building will be next year.
Figure you can build a basic car for 12K... or buy a well built car for 8K and put 4K in upgrades in it.
Before I bought my CRX I put together a spreadsheet of costs to build. I bought the car for 1/2 of my estimated cost to build. Since then I have been able to upgrade the car and I am now just reaching the total cost I estimated... 5 seasons later.

[autotec]

There are some really good deals out there right now for somebody. It's just like Street Rods, you can buy one for the tenth of the cost to build one. But when you build it yourself, it's your car. I just enjoy the building process. I learn something new everytime I take on a new project.

Justin

[bonespec]

Alot of headaches converting DX to EX, engine wiring for IACV, all the brakes are different, transmission is different (better gearing)....and by the time you add it all up, buying a EX will end up cheaper.

[gran racing]

But when you build it yourself, it's your car.

You're absolutely right. That's one drawback of buying someone else's fast car - people will always say isn't that such and such person's old car?

[EV]

I absolutely can not believe no one has bought Ajah's CRX.

I know why I wouldn't. I am pretty sure I couldn't drive it like him. I suxer right now, but at least I can say "It's not full prep car."

[barry 23]

Justin I to love to build things and I have everything from racing carts to sportfishing boats hot rod and race cars. I have a 2000 civic SI that has WELL over 20k in and i did the build all but the cage. I would tell you the exact price but wife is watching. Go find a competitive car Take it apart,Rebuild engine,Paint it,Put your touches on it ,Upgrade it,Put you number on it, Few will remember it. It will proberly be faster and I know it will be better and cheaper. As for running at th back of the field that all stops after you pass your first car. You will thank all that gave you this suggestion .Have fun and lots of good luck.