recommendations for autocross

[bigdaddywiz]

Hi guys,

Ive been itchin to try some autocross with my 90 civic hatch 5 speed. the car is completly stock, stock wheels, exhaust, intake...everything. i figure i would try a local autocross event to see if i like it and maybe make it an additional hobby alongside of drag racing, which is what i normally do. so i will make necessary mods later if i want to stick with it.

can anyone offer me any suggestions that i can do and check on my car as it sits now before going? as in what to double check so i dont break it, since this is my daily driver? i know these cars are very capable autocrossers when modified, but dont know what to expect completely stock. i'm just goin out for fun, remember.

thanks!

[Clint]

Your best bet is not to expect anything the first time out. Just go and enjoy yourself. A lot of clubs put on a Novice Seminar at the start and have a Novice Class so you are not competing against the guys that have been doing it for years. At first the only person with whom you will be competing is yourself. Hopefully you will get to make a couple of runs and you should see improvements from the first to the last. Below is a link. It is a long read but lots more information than you need to start. Bookmark the site, as you will come back to it as you progress and things you read before will start to make sense. One great thing about Autocrossers is that they love to help a new guy. If your car is bone stock and you run an SCCA event you will run H Stock. It is often a big class. (include me in it) Figure out some way to put numbers on your car and the HS so you can be scored. They may have Painters Tape but if you are real fussy about your car's finish you can get/make magnetic numbers to mark the car. I use the Window Writers (white) in the rear window (1990 Civic HB). Good luck and remember to have fun. If it isn't fun, don't do it.

http://farnorthracing.com/autocross_secrets.html

[bigdaddywiz]

thanks a lot clint!

[freydaddy]

over inflate those tires so they dont "roll" over in the turns.
see if you can ride shotgun with someone with experience.
dont use floor mats.
clean the inside of your car of any loose objects.
wear soft shoes
try to keep a steady speed through slaloms.

just some pointers.

[bigdaddywiz]

over inflate those tires so they dont "roll" over in the turns.
see if you can ride shotgun with someone with experience.
dont use floor mats.
clean the inside of your car of any loose objects.
wear soft shoes
try to keep a steady speed through slaloms.

just some pointers.

thanks man, i'll keep all that in mind.

[91B16AHB]

Don't mean to thread-jack, but I figured why sart a new thread if I can just revive this one?
Any way, I've already missed most of the local autocross events for this season, but I'm still hoping to get one in, (parking lot course) and I was wondering about a few things.
So my car is a 91 DX, so no rear sway bar.
all stock suspension, (rides a little low infront after the swap)
I figured I would do the brakes before anything, thinking of staying stock, but going with some ebc green stuff's, and maybe a brembo rotor...unless I find something cheaper with a similar reputation
I figured I would try one of those generic e-bay front strut bars...anyone have any experience with these?
I'm having a hard time with spending over $100 for one...
I've got some descent new shoes, and I figured suspension would be done for spring.
Any other recomendations? advice?

[el_jelly]

Since you don't have a rear sway bar I would spend the money first on that. Everyone that has put one on their 4g says the difference in handling after is huge. Mounting it is always the problem but as maybe you saw in one thread not so long ago there are some options for doing it without drilling. Getting a bigger rear bar than the stock one is even better, most of the setups I see for autocross put some simple front strut bar (preferably one of those triangle ones), another one in the rear and the better money goes for the lower tie bar and sway.

[91B16AHB]

Yeah, I remember the thread on the rear sway bars, but I couldn't really find any of the products, or at least pricing for them, and as money is always a concern, I stopped researching them...I'm gonna have to check that thread again!
I figured that I would hold off on the lower bars for now, and I'd hate to cut a hole in the plastic for a rear bar...I know it can probably be done cleanly, but I have never seen it

[freydaddy]

Yeah, I remember the thread on the rear sway bars, but I couldn't really find any of the products, or at least pricing for them, and as money is always a concern, I stopped researching them...I'm gonna have to check that thread again!
I figured that I would hold off on the lower bars for now, and I'd hate to cut a hole in the plastic for a rear bar...I know it can probably be done cleanly, but I have never seen it

i believe ther is one that connects to the seat belt bolsters.

[random]

If you haven't autocrossed before, my first recommendation is to resist modifying the car; learn how to drive it (on course) first.

Go through the car and be certain the battery is secure, the brakes work and don't leak, same for coolant system and related hoses, and make sure you have all the lug nuts secured and they are torqued properly. Inflate the front tires to 40psi and the rears to 25-30psi. Remove floormats and anything/everything that's loose in the interior - leave that stuff at home so you don't have to worry about it at the event.

Find a Novice instructor who will ride with you on your runs; you need the input from someone who had done this before and who knows the "right" things to do. Don't be disappointed when you don't well at first. Hey, you weren't a picture of grace when you learned how to walk, were you? If you're not sure, ask Mom or Dad. Don't spend money modifying the car; put it towards entry fees and get the seat-time.

This advice comes from one who started autocrossing in 1984, has instructed, has a few regional championships and has competed at the Solo Nationals. My best advice is to have an open mind, ask questions, GET EXPERIENCE and have lots of FUN!

YOU are the most important speed-factor on/in the car. Anything else should come a lot later.

[91B16AHB]

Thanks, good advice on preping the car:thumbright: ...I'm not too clear on all the rules as of yet, and I believe my engine swap puts me into a class that I probably cannot compete in but I'm just looking to have some fun so no worries.

I'm sure that I have alot to learn as far as course driving goes, but I guess that's part of the fun.

(by the way, our cars are twins)

[91B16AHB]

So I'm finally doing my first event next saturday. The car is ready, who knows if I am. BTW, anyone know if 10" bolts will clear the hood? Trying to secure my battery, but I don't feel like paying $100 for some "password jdm" crappy tie down kit...I have 8" bolts, but they are too short...I guess I can just get 10" bolts and trim them down...hmmm, now what to use as the top part? Back to Home Depot for some ideas!

[cougar289]

Bungee cords

[el_jelly]

I used the top part and side bolts from a toyota, don't know what model, and the tray I found it and it was from a domestic car. I trimmed the bolts and put the tray a little bend over the fender but the battery is secure. BTW I'm not using the stock battery, is a bigger one.

[91B16AHB]

Bungee cords

Not SCCA approved...thought of that already.