*Improved Touring* 2002 Civic Si ?
- Thread starter 20CiviC02Si
- Start date
When IT was developed in the early 80's, ABS was non-existent. As new cars have been added in over the years, ABS was disallowed because it adds in a "performance advantage" that is not accounted for in the classification process.
Some day that may change - or maybe we'll do an "adder" if you've got ABS installed and working - but for now, out it goes... - GA
jay05
New member
What he said. Then you can concentrate on driver development, not car development.
Evan Darling's selling a 100% ready to race ITA CRX, with current logbook, for $3000. I'm just saying.
It boggles my mind when n00bs want to build what's sitting in their driveway. Do you have an extra $20K laying around to put into a car that won't be faster than that $5K pre-built car you passed up and could've been racing two years ago? If so, go for it. Most of the guys you see building their own cars have probably already gone through one or two pre-bought one's before, can recite the GCR from memory, have all the tools and connections necessary to build one, know how to get the best "band for the buck" as they buy parts for their car, and are just anal retentive enough to know exactly the way they personally like everything in an IT car, and then demand to have it that way.
It boggles my mind when n00bs want to build what's sitting in their driveway. Do you have an extra $20K laying around to put into a car that won't be faster than that $5K pre-built car you passed up and could've been racing two years ago? If so, go for it. Most of the guys you see building their own cars have probably already gone through one or two pre-bought one's before, can recite the GCR from memory, have all the tools and connections necessary to build one, know how to get the best "band for the buck" as they buy parts for their car, and are just anal retentive enough to know exactly the way they personally like everything in an IT car, and then demand to have it that way.
20CiviC02Si
New member
I just can't seem to part with my 2002. So this is why i am considering turning it into a race car.
20CiviC02Si
New member
You have a good point. Right now i have a couple prebuilt cars that i have my eye set on. However i am thinking of all the possibilities that surround me. It wouldn't really cost all that much to get my car where it needs to be. Probably right around $7000 to get it there.
I would just love to race this car because i know the car so well.
Let me take a moment to tell you: You're Doing it WRONG.
Ok... so your current car is worth what? Maybe $6,000-7,500? Say you can "only" sell it for $5,000. Take your $5k and buy a ready to race car for $3k and have $2k for driver gear and then go race on your "budget" of $7k to develop the old car.
Obviously you can do whatever you want to do but developing/building a car just b/c you can't part with it isn't the brightest thing (then again, neither is racing).
Christian
+1.
Buy, don't build.
Let me rephrase: "I have a car that I really love. So, since I love it so much, I'm going to hack into it, removing most parts and cutting into others to install safety equipment. THEN I'm going to put it on the same track as Kevin Ruck and Joe DiMinno - maybe, probably, BETWEEN Kevin Ruck and Joe DiMinno - so that they can beat the shit out of each and every body panel for me. Oh, but they'll say 'I'm sorry'. Maybe."
May I rephrase, again?
"I'm going to take a nice car worth roughly $10,000, add in $7,000 worth of modifications, and instantly make it worth - maybe - $4000-5000 in resale value as a race car. But only if I can find that special someone else that loves it as much as I do."
Which means, in all truthiness, you are completely unenlightened as to other possibilities there are out there.
For reference, a Honda CRX Si won (on the track) the last two years of National ITA Championships. You know, the same make/model car that you can buy right now for $3000...?
Hey, just sayin'....
Buy, don't build.
I built my street car. Lots of you said 'dont be dumb - go buy one'. I rustled with that for a long time. I decided to build. Despite already paying more for my underdeveloped car than I would have for a turnkey, I would do it again. The experience of building the car is well worth it to me. (plus I collected some pretty cool tools along the way!)
20CiviC02Si
New member
That's how i see it if i decide to build. However if i purchase a car, then i'll have an expendable car that i didn't waste a ton of money on.
I see the experience of building a car that i love, and love to race as rewarding. Not the smartest road to take, i'll completely agree. But fun regardless. Either way i am not selling it!
Now i am looking to compete in 2010, so i have an entire year to put away the cash for driver development and a car. I can easily pull in $4000 a month take home if i hit the over time hard come January. So we'll see which road i take.
I've done both the buy and the build. I enjoyed both for different reasons. In the end, I was successful with both for about the same amount of money, one just cost me a whole bunch more time. Even if you buy a race ready, proven car there will be things that you will want to change.
In the end, my advice to you would be to NOT race a car you love. Never race a car that you can't afford to wad up in a ball and walk away from, both emotionally and financially. If Hondas are your thing, pick up a Honda on the cheap--one where the interior, suspension and brakes are shot and it leaks oil like mad. Don't pay for stuff you are going to have to replace or discard anyway. And don't make yourself sound "cool" when you are going to buy it. Use the bad interior, brakes, suspension and the exxon valdez impression as bargaining tools.
Have fun.
In the end, my advice to you would be to NOT race a car you love. Never race a car that you can't afford to wad up in a ball and walk away from, both emotionally and financially. If Hondas are your thing, pick up a Honda on the cheap--one where the interior, suspension and brakes are shot and it leaks oil like mad. Don't pay for stuff you are going to have to replace or discard anyway. And don't make yourself sound "cool" when you are going to buy it. Use the bad interior, brakes, suspension and the exxon valdez impression as bargaining tools.
Have fun.
20CiviC02Si
New member
Thans, i appreciate the advice! There is a local that has an Si shell with cage already built for cheap. Problem is finding everything that is needed to make a complete car out of it.
20CiviC02Si
New member
Thanks for the link. If i had $3000 lying around right now i would buy it. Hopefully this car or one like it will be available by the time February rolls around.
20CiviC02Si
New member
You could always sell the 02 Si and use the $$ to fund the racecar...
Like i said i don't want to sell my Si. If it were any other car i would, it's just something that is of great value to me.
RacerBill
New member
I didn't see anyone else mention it, but how about a fire bottle or fire system?
I have not seen any posts that I would disagree with. I chose to build my first car, but only because it was the only option I had. On the other hand, it has been a great experience and satisfaction.
Have fun with whatever you decide to do!
Well, build it, race it, but be prepared to walk away from it if (when) it gets balled up. 'cause that does happen (along with s**t)
