To build or not to build

[HQHITA]

Gentlemen, I'm new here. I have tried searching, but to no avail.

I have in my possession a 95 Civic DX hatchback. I wanted to convert it to Si spec and run it in ITA. I have a z6 motor, tranny, I have the rear disc brakes, I have the proportioning valve, power steering rack, basically everything I need (except for a sunroof) all sitting outside the car.

Is the 92-95 EG Si competitive in ITA? Is it even legal for me to do conversion?

Should I abandon ship (sell the car, and all the parts) before I even get started?

I don't mind doing the work, mainly I want to know if it will be competitive. I can't really find any results or info on them which leads me to believe that I am answering my own question...

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
J

[Chip42]

why not leave it a DX and run ITB? less work, and also a good class with a lot of competition in many parts fo the country. the EG Si is a good car in ITA, though, yes. having a stock, solid-roof car as an Si will be at best questionably legal, though most people wouldn't object I don't think. also don't forget the differe control arms, steering rack,...

[Knestis]

I'd recommend sticking with B as well. That car is a drop-dead great option there.

THAT SAID, there are good IT cars out there for less money than you will spend to build one - even if you value your time at $0/hr. The price of the car is just a fraction of the total build cost.

Tristan Herbert has his ITB VW Golf for sale, which has demonstrated it's one of the best in the nation. (Check the classifieds here.) If you find yourself suffering from sticker shock looking at used race car prices, be warned that building (whatever) will cost 2x or more to achieve the same "sum of the parts" as buying.

Good luck!

Kirk

[joeg]

Where are you "J"??

There are many used built good IT cars for sale. Buy your first car.

[JohnW8]

I agree with buying a car being the cheaper alternative but I can say I've spent a lot of money fixing things on my "race-ready" car to suit me that makes building a car not seem so expensive.

And keep in mind building a car you will know every nut and bolt on it and know it's done right from the start.

There are 2 sides to everything.

[HQHITA]

I agree with buying a car being the cheaper alternative but I can say I've spent a lot of money fixing things on my "race-ready" car to suit me that makes building a car not seem so expensive.

And keep in mind building a car you will know every nut and bolt on it and know it's done right from the start.

There are 2 sides to everything.

I agree 100% with this. I have access to a great shop, and I think the guys would like building it as well. Plus I would know the idiosyncrasies of the car...

[lateapex911]

While it seems you have "all the parts", ready to go, be careful.
Make a list:
Include on it things like
A racing radiator, an oil system/cooler/accusump.
The engine build.
The dyno time tweaking the tuning, the intake the exhaust, etc.
The cage, the seat, the safety stuff. Fire bottle.
SetS of wheels.
Tires.
Super jammy shocks.
Coilovers and race springs.
Strut tower plates, or similar.
Custom machined suspension bushings.
Super custom (or off the shelf) sway bar and other suspension bits.
Custom exhaust header and system.
Replacements for your hubs, bearings, brakes, pads, fluid, lines (Stainless steel at the wheels)
A different final drive and some form of ltd slip.


That's just off the top of my head. Now, you may say, "Well, I don't plan on being competitive first season so I don't need a built engine" (or similar). OK, fine, but, if you are competitive (uh, you want to race, so I'd assume you're competitive, ), you will be going through the car adding the stuff I listed.
In the end, you WILL spend more for the same thing. Now, you might spread it out over two years, but, $20K is still more than $11K, no matter when and how long it takes to get there.
Some say" "I want to build so I know the car". Buy, then spend a weekend taking stuff apart and cleaning it, then putting it back together, you'll know it well.

[bamfp]

I am in the process of building a 92-95 Civic EX for ITA right now. I hope to have out at the end of April. I think it will make a good addition to ITA.

But like others have said it would also make a great ITB car. Cost run either one should be about the same. The B version might be a little cheaper.

[HQHITA]

While it seems you have "all the parts", ready to go, be careful.
Make a list:
Include on it things like
A racing radiator, an oil system/cooler/accusump.
The engine build.
The dyno time tweaking the tuning, the intake the exhaust, etc.
The cage, the seat, the safety stuff. Fire bottle.
SetS of wheels.
Tires.
Super jammy shocks.
Coilovers and race springs.
Strut tower plates, or similar.
Custom machined suspension bushings.
Super custom (or off the shelf) sway bar and other suspension bits.
Custom exhaust header and system.
Replacements for your hubs, bearings, brakes, pads, fluid, lines (Stainless steel at the wheels)
A different final drive and some form of ltd slip.


That's just off the top of my head. Now, you may say, "Well, I don't plan on being competitive first season so I don't need a built engine" (or similar). OK, fine, but, if you are competitive (uh, you want to race, so I'd assume you're competitive, ), you will be going through the car adding the stuff I listed.
In the end, you WILL spend more for the same thing. Now, you might spread it out over two years, but, $20K is still more than $11K, no matter when and how long it takes to get there.
Some say" "I want to build so I know the car". Buy, then spend a weekend taking stuff apart and cleaning it, then putting it back together, you'll know it well.

Great advice. Those are in the budget (mine not wifeys!!!)

[HQHITA]

Where are you "J"??

There are many used built good IT cars for sale. Buy your first car.

Sorry, Orlando, FL. I saw an ITA CRX for sale that is pretty cheap. Just kind of far from me. Could be a good option too...

https://improvedtouring.com...ad.php?t=29574

Anyone know this car? Looks a little beat up, but has tons of spares...

[philstireservice]

First off - faster isn't always more fun. It's all relative. I know someone in Florida that says ITB is quite popular and to boot, we are building new wheels for the Honda's.....

[HQHITA]

I'd recommend sticking with B as well. That car is a drop-dead great option there.

THAT SAID, there are good IT cars out there for less money than you will spend to build one - even if you value your time at $0/hr. The price of the car is just a fraction of the total build cost.

Tristan Herbert has his ITB VW Golf for sale, which has demonstrated it's one of the best in the nation. (Check the classifieds here.) If you find yourself suffering from sticker shock looking at used race car prices, be warned that building (whatever) will cost 2x or more to achieve the same "sum of the parts" as buying.

Good luck!

Kirk

Thanks man. I agree with you that buying a car is cheaper. That's not making my decision easier. That sounds like a great car, but I'm partially obligated to run Honda for work and cost reasons (I sell them).

[timo944]

If you find yourself suffering from sticker shock looking at used race car prices, be warned that building (whatever) will cost 2x or more to achieve the same "sum of the parts" as buying.

Good luck!

Kirk

You gotta be kidding Kirk. More like 5x !!!!!!!!!

[HQHITA]

I think I got a sign. No more CRX. Between prelude or buying a race ready integra. Either ITA or ITS.

[HQHITA]

Got the Prelude.

Thanks to Darryl.

Looking forward to seeing some of you guys out there.

J

[HQHITA]

why not leave it a DX and run ITB? less work, and also a good class with a lot of competition in many parts fo the country. the EG Si is a good car in ITA, though, yes. having a stock, solid-roof car as an Si will be at best questionably legal, though most people wouldn't object I don't think. also don't forget the differe control arms, steering rack,...

Mainly because I thought more people ran ITA. I'm in Orlando like you. I thought I had seen more participants in ITA in recent races. Also i thought ita was faster than ITB and thus more fun.

I figure the cost to build both cars are somewhat similar. I don't want to piss people off if my car doesn't have a sunroof. I would hate for people to think I am cheating. Don't we have to remove a sunroof anyways though?

I might contact you about a roll cage if I pull the trigger on this thing.

[mark500]

If here is a better option to purchase a car then why are you wasting your money and time both to built a car?

[Greg Amy]

If here is a better option to purchase a car then why are you wasting your money and time both to built a car?

Spammer or not? You decide before I go ahead and ban him and delete this post. - GA

(Why? Just created the account, first post is an attack, advertisement in signature).

[Chip42]

likely spam but it wasn't completely obnoxious. watch list, 3 strikes sort of thing?

[Terry Hanushek]

Greg

Spammer or not? You decide before I go ahead and ban him and delete this post. - GA

(Why? Just created the account, first post is an attack, advertisement in signature).

Delete the signature, leave the post

Terry