which car should i build for auto-x? rb20 s13 or crx

[nissanman04]

ok, i have an rb20 swap in my s13...don't get me wrong, it's a blast to drive, but the engine swap bumps me all the way up to SM in solo2. i feel that i would need a complete suspension overhaul to become remotely competitive w/ my stockish engine, not to mention i need to get an lsd (which i learned last weekend after continuous one wheel burnouts and ungodly wheelhop). It was fun, but i was slow. half because i still suck at driving, the other half because of my 17 yeard old suspension.

I recently picked up a '91 crx si for my winter beater (for $800), but i have been thinking about making it my auto-x car instead of the s13 because i would be able to make it competitive for much less money in g stock or sts2. i figure i'd need some r-compound rubber, good brake pads and rotors, maybe get a new clutch and i'd be good to go in g stock. sts2 prep would probably cost about the same as if i were to run the s13 in SM.

I am a poor college student, so whatever costs the least is probably what i wil go with. keep in mind that i only did 3 events this year and i am still learning, which is another reason why i think the lower powered crx would be a good car to use...at least for now.

what does everyone else think?

[evildky]

doesn't the swapped s13 qualify for one of the other street tire calsses? also EM is a catch all and can vary greatly region to region, also LSD is needed to be competitive in most classes and cars, as for making your S13 handle, the front sway bar and some decent shocks (think tokiko blues) are pretty cheap and make a huge improvement in handling, running FWD is completely differetn from RWD, I've run both but ultimately FWD is just not as much fun to compete with IMHO

for the record, I'm 3 time EM champ in my region, I drive a 71 240Z with L28ET with bigger turbo I/C and megasquirt with basic suspension and brake upgrades, my car is faster that most cars in a straight line but turning and braking in my car suck compared to more modern cars, I still manage to place consistantly in the top 10% of raw sort for fendered cars, I am planning some major suspension upgrades this year with brakes the following year to hopefully be able to smack down the SM2 vettes, it's not cheap trying chasing ftd cars

[onosqv]

Rock what you got...

Engine swaps will automatically put you in SM, no street tire classes. So will a just carbon fiber hood :p, hee hee...

I compete in SM in my auto 240sx... Always last place w/ respect to class, but I keep improving overall.

For the vast majority of ppl, the trend seems to be at least 2 years before you are competitive in any class - depending on your dedication and seat time.

Another thing is, for championships it's actually advantageous for newbies to start in a ridiculous class like SM. The reason is that you are allowed instructors, but they can only take your car for a spin or ride along with you after they've already finished their runs. In my region, there's a lot more veterans at disposal who run in stock/street/other classes first. SM usually runs toward the end here.

No matter what car you end up taking out there, you are bound to learn lots. My personal opinion is to compete w/ whatever you have, as long as you are improving, who cares what place you end up in?

[Pho King]

I'm taking my stockie sometime November too...hahaha. I think my car is high enough to clear the cones...

[Kenny_D]

IMO, to be competitive in the 240 in SM you'd have to get some wicked coilovers, sway bars, strut bars, all new bushings, LSD, and fender flares to fit the 275 tires you'll need to compete with 400 hp WRX's and 200 hp b20 vtec civics. But if I had a CRX, i'd rock it. Much better suited for autox

I'm sticking with the KA and working on wheels, tires, and suspension for DSP, which is the only class I feel I can compete in. I race with a guy that has a KA-T s13 in SM with a front mount, GT28r, boost control, etc. But he has an open diff, stock suspention, and all season *** tires. I have an exhaust, vlsd, and nice 160 treadwear 225's on stock rims, that's it. He hasn't got to within 2 seconds of my times yet. 250 hp doesn't help it you can't put it to the ground.

But maybe it's because I grew up watching Richard Petty and Cole Trickle .... Yeee haww

[nissanman04]

250 hp doesn't help if you can't put it to the ground.

yeah ive noticed lol