To build or not to build

If it were my choice, I'd buy a car already built to the class vs. converting one from another class. I'd choose the CRX.
What's the weight difference in the two? I would suppose both are faily cheap to run, but you're looking at greater consumables cost on a larger car. more tires & brakes mostly, slightly more fuel.
 
Almost 700 lbs in ITS and about 300 pounds in ITR (Prelude can run both).

COnsumables would be more expensive (specially Hoosiers)

I think prelude would be easier to drive than the CRX though...
 
The CRX would be more "twitchy" at the limit due to the shorter wheelbase, but I would think it should do better on small tracks due to the same reason. The Prelude would be better at stretching its legs.

Kinda like my 240SX vs. a Miata. They're about the same power to weight ratio, but they get through corners a touch faster with the same basic setup and can get on the gas sooner on corner exit.. but I run them down and catch them in braking at the end of the straight and they have a hard time getting back around me. :)
 
Late to the party here, but were it me, I would lean towards:

1. Car with the largest knowledgebase if you hate inventing the wheel.
2. Car which will compete in the largest field. A fast car is nice, but a fast car with nothing to race against is boring.

Case in point - I race a SSM Miata. It's not the fastest class in the paddock. One of the bigger reasons for my choice in mounts was that I can race in a 40+ car field on average (Summit Point). That means that no matter where you are on the driver development curve you always have somebody to race against. As I've moved forward from starting in the 40s to running in the top 10 I've had ever increasing levels of competition which have forced me to up my game to compete.

EDIT - and buy, don't build. I've made that mistake more than once and all it does is waste seasons of money.
 
Wreckerboy said:
Late to the party here, but were it me, I would lean towards:

1. Car with the largest knowledge base if you hate inventing the wheel.
2. Car which will compete in the largest field. A fast car is nice, but a fast car with nothing to race against is boring.
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Both fields have roughly same number of entries down here. CRX would get the nod for knowledge base and parts availability for sure.

Prelude looks clean, every CRX I have seen looks a little banged up...
 
I spent some time with Ken a few years back when he had his FP car at CMP, and some emails after. pretty sure that one is not part fo the sale though. just based on it and his knowledge, I'd assume they are good but not high-dollar pieces. Likely a very good "build it further" starting point for you.

I think that Rob (wreckerboy) has more info. maybe some of the other NE guys can add details, too.
 
Kenny, his family, and the fabled "Stinkin' Honda" were good people. All that I know about Ken's stuff is that is most likely decent, "as represented" material. I highly doubt that the the person listing it or Ken's family would intentionally try to deceive anybody about its condition.
 
Prelude

Come look a the Prelude because it is close to where you live and look at all the extras that come with it and then make your choice. As for the competitive part the Prelude could be a front runner at most any tracks. As a SSB car it was very fast at Roebling Road, Sebring & of course Daytona. It held track records at Nashville & Daytona. Daytona record was reset by a Mustang in SSB last August.
 
Matt93SE said:
Kinda like my 240SX vs. a Miata. They're about the same power to weight ratio, but they get through corners a touch faster with the same basic setup and can get on the gas sooner on corner exit.. but I run them down and catch them in braking at the end of the straight and they have a hard time getting back around me. :)
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Not after Louie does my motor :D Just kidding , not this year ( maybe )

Very true about the way the cars race ... Miata qualifies quicker if it gets a clean lap ... 240SX passes at the start ... Miata & 240SX have a good race until miata driver is a nice guy to an EP car ... EP car holds up miata @ corner exit ... 240SX checks out

BTW : Don't build / Buy
 
Trey, don't forget Blondie in the ITA Miata that likes to spin in front of us 3x a race. ;)
Watch out for the EP cars. they're either really fast, or they have really bad drivers. If they get in your way, just ride their bumper for 1/2 a lap or so and they'll spin and you can go on around.
 
I am very happy I found this forum. You guys have been a ton of help all ready. THere seems to be a ton of choices for cars in the budget I was thinking. Now to pick one...

I am leaning towards an ITA CRX despite the proximity of the Prelude. I am going to go see it. But the lack of parts support scares me.
 
don't let parts support scare you off. it's a prelude, it's been done before, it can be done again. go-fast parts might cost a little bit more but compared to a few seasons of registration fees, tires, and towing even a few thousand in shocks seems paltry.

worry more about what the OEM and aftermarket will suppor tin terms of OEM-spec wear items. like wheel hubs. a dried up supply can bench the car. if the prelude is supported better than the CRX (and I have heard that some parts like that for the CRX are getting rare) then the prelude will be cheaper in the long run.
 
A friend of mine has an 89 CRX ITA car that is for sale here in NC. Has the OPM inverted shock setup, LS, etc and is in the under $5000 price range. Good starter car. PM me if you have any interest.
 
Chip42 said:
don't let parts support scare you off. it's a prelude, it's been done before, it can be done again. go-fast parts might cost a little bit more but compared to a few seasons of registration fees, tires, and towing even a few thousand in shocks seems paltry.

worry more about what the OEM and aftermarket will suppor tin terms of OEM-spec wear items. like wheel hubs. a dried up supply can bench the car. if the prelude is supported better than the CRX (and I have heard that some parts like that for the CRX are getting rare) then the prelude will be cheaper in the long run.
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I see where you are coming from, the though of a 23 year old race car is a bit daunting (vs. an 11 year old car)

It just seems like for cost reasons, (since we are not building any more) it would make sense to buy the best available car for the cheapest possible price vs. spending more money on the Prelude to make it an ITS car...
 
I went to see the Prelude. It is nicer/ cleaner than I thought and has a TON of spares...

More confused than ever.

CRX vs. Prelude. I need a sign :shrug:
 
seckerich said:
A friend of mine has an 89 CRX ITA car that is for sale here in NC. Has the OPM inverted shock setup, LS, etc and is in the under $5000 price range. Good starter car. PM me if you have any interest.
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Tried to PM you but I don't know if it went through.
 
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