Honda Challenge Cars

Andy · 06-08-2009, 09:56 PM

Goodspeed Wrote:2nd gen N/A MR2? It goes against your anti-rare car criteria a little bit, but they are well within your price range (esp. the NA's), a little bit more power and more style (IMO) than a Miata. Lightweight and probably comparable to a Miata on consumables. I'm not sure what they're classed in for w2w stuff, but I'm sure you could shoehorn it in somewhere.

Maybe Andy can chime on on the +'s and -'s of his experience tracking his car...

Since you ask.
I loved my MR2. It's relaxing in my father-in-law's garage until I can figure out what I'm going to do with it. SF, and CA in general, don't take too kindly to gutted cars without emissions stuff on it. If you were to buy a stock one and do a track car, you're going to find that you need to fabricate most of the stuff yourself and since the strong majority of MR2 owners are idiot HS'ers, you're going to be struggling to figure it out yourself and few choice MR2 veterans. For starters, I had Piper weld in my rollbar and I fabbed my own coilovers. You won't find very much OTS stuff. I think it could be competitive in NASA's PT and I think a guy is campaigning one in ITA.

Driving the car is a lot of fun. It's rewarding when you get it right and sort of scary when you get it wrong. Maybe you've heard me say this but I've always wanted a shirt that read,"MR2:We only leave the track backwards." I've only driven 2 other cars on track, a Civic and a Miata and they felt much easier to drive at speed. The civic didn't know what oversteer was and the fully prepped, borderline Spec Miata was a pure pleasure to drive. I almost want to say it was even easy to drive.

**Mike** · 06-08-2009, 10:08 PM

.RJ Wrote:You should look around for roll bars for the S2000, I remember that for a long time there just werent any available due to the hateful install and slight hacking up of the interior required to get one in.

they're very much available.

Evan · 06-09-2009, 12:33 AM

S2000 is the perfect track car choice if you want a little more oomph than a miata.
More expensive to track of course, but more faster too. Still much much less expensive to track than something like a vette, mustang, STi/EVO or your GSX. As long as you dont do dumb stuff like put 18" wheels on it, race tires and huge brembos anyway.
keep it as stock as possible and go with it. a friend of mine is currently building up an s2000 as a track car. Rollbar, seats, hardtop, pads, shocks is all you need.

Kaan · 06-09-2009, 07:34 AM

I'm going to say this...

240 and slowly build it for PTE Smile

D_Eclipse9916 · 06-09-2009, 10:11 AM

Mike Wrote:
.RJ Wrote:You should look around for roll bars for the S2000, I remember that for a long time there just werent any available due to the hateful install and slight hacking up of the interior required to get one in.

they're very much available.

Mike I know you had an s2000, howd you like it? You think a 70-80,000 mile one would be reliable? Or do I need something with 30-40,000? I just want to buy it, buy an extra set of race pads/blank rotors, a roll bar, a catch can (s2000s have issues apparently and NEED these). Thats it. No exhaust, no intake, no nothing, maybe ill throw on my titanium shift knob lol! Top wouldnt be an issue really cause itll be garage kept and driven on nice days, the beater is for all other days.

The GSX is now not even gonna get the aftermarket parts I have for it thrown on, im just gonna keep it running and sell all the upgrades I have for it sitting in the garage. Beat the shit out of it and enjoy it, and if in a few months it still is a pain to keep running, ill return it to stock and sell it.

Thanks guys, and no a 240 is a rustbucket with no power, and dont say swap, remember....SIMPLE!!! lol. I bet you guys didnt ever see the day I considered selling the dsm and getting something *OMG* stock or maybe you did....lol. Damn turbo tomfoolery.

**Mike** · 06-09-2009, 10:43 AM

D_Eclipse9916 Wrote:
Mike Wrote:
.RJ Wrote:You should look around for roll bars for the S2000, I remember that for a long time there just werent any available due to the hateful install and slight hacking up of the interior required to get one in.

they're very much available.

Mike I know you had an s2000, howd you like it? You think a 70-80,000 mile one would be reliable? Or do I need something with 30-40,000? I just want to buy it, buy an extra set of race pads/blank rotors, a roll bar, a catch can (s2000s have issues apparently and NEED these). Thats it. No exhaust, no intake, no nothing, maybe ill throw on my titanium shift knob lol! Top wouldnt be an issue really cause itll be garage kept and driven on nice days, the beater is for all other days.

Loved it. I've been in quite a few cars in my time... Nothing in stock form has some close to the enjoyment per $ than that thing. I sold my car with maybe 65k miles and it was 7 years old. It was starting to feel like a used car... Just all those little things, ya know? Overall, uber reliable car. Only problem you may face is the diff... they're kind of weak, but there are plenty of upgrades out there if you do blow one.

Big thumbsup for not wanting to modify it. An intake and exhaust will run you well over $1k, will add maybe 1-2hp if you're lucky AND make it loud as f*ck.

My top was beginning to leak and wear out at 6 years. I covered the tiny holes [two spots that are notorious for rubbing through] with some black racer's tape. Not an issue after that... The rear window gets nasty pretty quickly... I had mine replaced by a body shop that managed to scratch it when repainting my front bumper.

The only downside is at 10-15k, that's a lot of money to put in to a wall... and they do like to snap around with the quickness.

CaptainHenreh · 06-09-2009, 10:46 AM

D_Eclipse9916 Wrote:I bet you guys didnt ever see the day I considered selling the dsm and getting something *OMG* stock or maybe you did....

We did. The only surprise is that it didn't require a connecting rod achieving orbit for you to come to that conclusion.

***ViPER1313*** · 06-09-2009, 03:03 PM

CaptainHenreh Wrote:
D_Eclipse9916 Wrote:I bet you guys didnt ever see the day I considered selling the dsm and getting something *OMG* stock or maybe you did....

We did. The only surprise is that it didn't require a connecting rod achieving orbit for you to come to that conclusion.

Only 8 bent valves and 2 engine rebuilds Smile

Did you ever consider all the AN lines might be breaking for the oil cooler because the motor torques up and down on it's mounts when you hit the gas? You might want to consider replacing the motor mounts or just using rubber line. Seriously, I have seen more AN fittings and braided hoses break than rubber with proper fitting clamps.

I'll trade you straight up - your GSX for my Talon.

**Ryan T** · 06-09-2009, 03:20 PM

Corvette. End discussion.

D_Eclipse9916 · 06-09-2009, 03:56 PM

ViPER1313 Wrote:
CaptainHenreh Wrote:
D_Eclipse9916 Wrote:I bet you guys didnt ever see the day I considered selling the dsm and getting something *OMG* stock or maybe you did....

We did. The only surprise is that it didn't require a connecting rod achieving orbit for you to come to that conclusion.

Only 8 bent valves and 2 engine rebuilds

Did you ever consider all the AN lines might be breaking for the oil cooler because the motor torques up and down on it's mounts when you hit the gas? You might want to consider replacing the motor mounts or just using rubber line. Seriously, I have seen more AN fittings and braided hoses break than rubber with proper fitting clamps.

I'll trade you straight up - your GSX for my Talon.

aha. AHAHAHHHHAHA. your amusing quotes always get me Adam.

Yes that is exactly why I have a flexible mount, and one mount is polyurethane, my current step is to make each of the AN lines 3-inches longer to allow for a LOT of slack, luckily there is plenty of room where these are.
Im not just getting rid of it because this issue, its because of everything in the past two years. Just killing me in time and effort that I do not feel I can continue
Yeah 2 rebuilds, one I wanted to do, one because the one I wanted to do had faulty machine work. Unfortunately I put the motor together and I should have paid attention to the one balance shaft that..."didnt feel quite right". Well that bitch ended up taking out my 2 grand motor. Then I did another build. Yeah didnt cost 10-20 grand like people think, but it was the downtime and now im "nervous" about beating the shit outta my car.

Steve85 · 06-09-2009, 08:54 PM

Ryan T Wrote:Corvette. End discussion.

Yeah, with pads about the same price, NAPA rotors for $30, a few more bucks for gas, and plenty of T1 guys dumping tires that are good for HPDE but not good enough for a race weekend, the few extra bucks are worth a look. Especially as someone that is used to a certain power level and the joy and challenge that comes with it. Of course I hardly I have the experience to really comprehend all the consumables so if there is something I'm missing or grossly understating..let me know.

And dare I say... a C4 LT1/4 6spd would be a good idea if you don't want to worry about burying a bunch of money in a tire wall. $6-8K would net you 300hp/340tq (LT4 is 50hp more despite what GM "advertised") and a capable, though certainly outclassed by today's standard, suspension.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4s-for-...texas.html
Not the car in the ad, but with less than 100 bucks to lower it...(longer bolts)
[Image: CIMG1080.jpg]

D_Eclipse9916 · 06-09-2009, 09:17 PM

Convincing argument. However tires are gone through a lot more quickly, pads etc., its a MUCH older platform, and the number one thing that ive been battling on track is confidence and being too fast for my level. Despite my insanely arrogant attitude, im actually quite "not so confident". The corvette would have the same problem. I back off the throttle on the gsx after or 3/4 way down the pit wall at summit because its...just too fast fo rmy confidence level. I am typically doing 130 by then (topping out 4th at 7500rpms), once I went halfway to 3/4 down the straight and got to about ~145-150 and almost shat myself. This was way back when the car was running slow but at least running reliably. The car comes out of turn 10 like a monster, which I would assume the corvette can too, turn 9 and 10 are just awsome for high horsepower high grip AWD and RWD cars and im just a beginner Turn 4-5-6 is where the smaller cars shine, and honestly is a lot more fun. Also may have to do with me not trusting the gsx.

Steve85 · 06-09-2009, 11:17 PM

I get that...I similarly shat myself trying to brake for turn 1 and started short shifting and lifting and often lack the confidence to pound on it the way I want to. Honestly, while the Integra is anemic acceleration wise, I can't wait to take it out on track and feel the difference.

PS. Wuss...

**Mike** · 06-10-2009, 12:06 AM

there is something to be said for being able to pretty much bury the throttle from T5 to T10 Tongue

***ViPER1313*** · 06-10-2009, 08:35 AM

Mike Wrote:there is something to be said for being able to pretty much bury the throttle from T5 to T10

"I need more power......"
"This thing is slow....."
"Boring......"

:?:

**Mike** · 06-10-2009, 10:38 AM

ViPER1313 Wrote:
Mike Wrote:there is something to be said for being able to pretty much bury the throttle from T5 to T10
"I need more power......"
"This thing is slow....."
"Boring......"

:?:

ignorance is bliss.

D_Eclipse9916 · 06-10-2009, 10:58 AM

Mike Wrote:
ViPER1313 Wrote:
Mike Wrote:there is something to be said for being able to pretty much bury the throttle from T5 to T10
"I need more power......"
"This thing is slow....."
"Boring......"

:?:

ignorance is bliss.

hahah there is a thing as too little power, you dont even lift/brake before 7, 8, or 9?? Mikey, and I cant beleive im saying this, is right tho....AHHHH!!!

**Mike** · 06-10-2009, 11:13 AM

D_Eclipse9916 Wrote:you dont even lift/brake before 7, 8, or 9??

nope, mash the bitch... it's so easy! just gotta pucker a bit.

i haven't been to summit in a while and i've grown up/become more respectful of death... wouldn't be doing that on my first session out Tongue

Evan · 06-10-2009, 11:56 AM

keep telling yourself that you brake before 7,8,or 9 because of the car.....

Nis01 · 06-12-2009, 07:42 AM

Just throwing it out there as another option, there is a Spec Turbo Miata (Super Miata) class being designed, I don't know if it will come to be on the East Coast anytime soon but its growing in popularity on the West Coast. Kind of takes away from some of the low costs of owning a miata but its would sure be fun. :twisted:

Topic: <a class="postlink" href="http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=252685">http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=252685</a>

I have been giving a lot of thought to a S2000 lately, excellent platform but I just can't justify the additional costs at the current time.

Login




Remember me Lost Password?