autocross tuning

[ricergribbs]

i have a 2001 honda civic lx, and ive finally figured out what i want to do with it . basically i want an all engine autocross car. ive made a list of all the parts ill be buying, so tell me if theres something that i missed or something that is completely unnecessary. here it goes:
high compression (11:1) pistons/rings/rods
rims(just to look good)
coilovers(the realy kind)
exhaust(headers/everything else)
spark plugs/plug wires
440cc+ fuel injectors
valves/valve springs
camshaft
cam gear
sway bars
strut bar
tru-power pulleys
clutch
flywheel
battery
head gasket(to handle higher compression in engine)
port/polish heads
brake kit
70mm throttle body
limited slip differential

so if i missed something just leave a message with the price of the item, thanks to all those who help me out here . and yes i am crazy for deciding to do this to a stock 1.7L engine . but thats not the point of this post so plz dont flame me that i can do all this to a better car.

[BullShifter]

I have a question...How many heads on an inline 4 cyclinder engine?

Originally Posted by ricergribbs

exhaust(headers/everything else) port/polish heads

There is only a SINGLE cyclinder head(er)

Take all that $$$$ for those parts & spend it on driver training,tires, & suspension. After your good invest in all the other BS, by that time, if your good, you may even get most of the parts for free.

www.scca.org
www.racingschools.com

[SilverY2KCivic]

Originally Posted by jackasssi

I have a question...How many heads on an inline 4 cyclinder engine? There is only a SINGLE cyclinder head(er)

Take all that $$$$ for those parts & spend it on driver training,tires, & suspension. After your good invest in all the other BS, by that time, if your good, you may even get most of the parts for free.

www.scca.org
www.racingschools.com

Amen to that! Unless you have the absolute proper driver skill and technique for auto-X, a stock showroom car from the factory will KILL your car with all those mods you plan on getting, no joke! I've seen it happen time and time again at various races. Case in point: The dominating car currently in the STS class of the CSCC-S2 So. Cali region of Solo2 auto-X is a '91 Ford Escort GT. That's right, a Ford Escort is killing all the Civics and Suby RS2.5's out there in So. Cali in STS class. Give that some thought before you literally throw all your $$$ away into unnessacery engine mods. BTW, half those mods you mention will throw you back into a Street Prep class, meaning you'll be up against big time RX7's, Z06 Vettes and other high power and high handling cars. You'll be at a serious DISadvantage against those cars, even if you skill is up to par.

Go to www.scca.org and do some serious researching on classes, what's allowed in each and what it takes to win. This isn't to flame you (as it's always good to see a hopeful person get into this area of motorsport) but I'm telling you this as an early wake up reality call to avoid you making a mistake on things.

[CivicSiRacer]

I bet you even with all those mods I would beat you in a stock car. Remember autocross is 90% driver then 5% car. You can run 700hp Civic against a 95hp Civic CX with a National Champion driving and he would always beat the 700hp Civic.

I would invest your money is driving schools like the Evolution School (http://www.autocross.com/evolution). It's only $225 for one phase and it will shave off about 4-8 seconds on a 60 second course. I don't know any mods that will do that to your car.

[david1486]

I agree with the others, but if u really want to spent ur money on parts maybe consider a short shifter. B&M make good ones for less than 200. i hear for daily driving it can mess up ur car some, but it might be worth it

[Blowncivic1320]

i have a quick question...to autocross do you need a rollcage?

or does this depend on the track and all?

because raceway park in old bridge, NJ has an autocross track (not sure if it is open yet) but i have heard by some people (not really educated in it) that you need a full rollcage to even get on the track (competing or not)

[BullShifter]

No you do NOT need a roll cage. It all depends on what the rules for your class are. Now on a real race track its different, you most likely will need a cage.

Check with your sanctioning body

Nothin better than building a car to specific rules, per your sanctioning body. There is no reason for the extra weight of a cage if not needed.

Most of the time, they want all the windows/sunroof open during a race(autocross)

[CivicSiRacer]

Originally Posted by jackasssi

No you do NOT need a roll cage. It all depends on what the rules for your class are. Now on a real race track its different, you most likely will need a cage.

Check with your sanctioning body

Nothin better than building a car to specific rules, per your sanctioning body. There is no reason for the extra weight of a cage if not needed.

Most of the time, they want all the windows/sunroof open during a race(autocross)

It is recommend to run a roll bar, but not required. I run at Englishtown with the North NJ region SCCA and they are a bunch of great guys! But my main area is Harrisburg, PA.

[Blowncivic1320]

so there track is open at raceway park?

how is it?

[CivicSiRacer]

The road track and autocross are in different areas. I've only autocrossed.

[SilverY2KCivic]

Originally Posted by david1486

I agree with the others, but if u really want to spent ur money on parts maybe consider a short shifter. B&M make good ones for less than 200. i hear for daily driving it can mess up ur car some, but it might be worth it

A short shifter will do NOTHING compared to getting the proper suspension component upgrades.

[CivicSiRacer]

Originally Posted by SilverY2KCivic

A short shifter will do NOTHING compared to getting the proper suspension component upgrades.

Agreed. Short shifter saves like 0.00001 seconds whereas proper suspension tuning can reap more benefits.