NSX owner needs help with original CRX - Tuner-Junction

jadkar · #1 (**permalink**) March 5th, 2006, 08:26 PM

Repost ......5-16-2005

OK.....I'm a super newbie!!!

I'm never on this forum, my normal stomping ground is NSXPRIME. However, it seems like I'm going to be a fixture here for a while. I'm gonna sound a little long winded, but it's because I'm looking for some good advice.

I'm the orignal owner of a 1990 CRX SI. It was my first car, I graduated HS with the car, and took my first date with my girlfriend (now wife) in that car. It means a TON to me. I stopped driving the car about 9 years ago!! It's been in my garage packed away from the weather while I was out doing the P-car and NSX thing. Well, I was just about to drop about 11K on the NSX and I said...what the hell, the NSX is already fast enough and it's insane on the track. Why not finally rebuild the CRX the way I wanted to years ago.

So, I have many questions, and I am going to be spending a lot of time on the "Search" button. For now however, I wanted to see if I'm at least on the right track.

My two biggest issues were body kit, and engine. Since almost every CRX I see these days in NJ is completely butchered (nobody here) I have decided to scrap the body kit. I think it looks more impressive to see a really clean, dropped, "stock" body work CRX these days then another bad body kit. IMO

So the big issue is the engine, so here are the 3 questions in the sticky....

what are your goals for the car (hp mainly)?
My goals are to have a clean CRX that people will say.."wow that's what they used to look like!!" It will be driven every now and then. I don't need something with crazy HP, but I want to stay with my wife's TL

Do you plan to stay n/a or go turbo in the future?
Do we really ever know the answer to this?? Hangn' out at the track with the NSX I've have learned that you can never get have enough HP, but like I said above.... it's not my main goal. So I'm planning on a low boost JRSC.

What do you plan to use it for (drag, road race, daily driver)?
Garage queen

No really..I plan on driving it alot, but it's not my primary car. I take the Element to work, and many weekends are spent with the NSXCA. So whenever I can get the chance I'll be driving the CRX.

With that said, I'm looking to go with a 94-96 GSR engine with a JRSC. I'm hoping to get around 200-230 at the wheels and run the 1/4 close to the NSX (not sure though). I'm a bit concerned about weight, the CRX has always been my go-cart. I'm concerned that I'm going to be throwing the dynamics of the car way off by changing the engine.

Basically, I'm just trying to get some opinions. What do you guys think?? Any coments are OK, and first hand expierence is ALWAYS welcome.

NSXPRIME has been a huge help to me. I have done a number of things to my NSX and I'm always on the forum (same name). Most of my knowledge on that car has been because of PRIME, I'm hoping this site will be the same. I look forward to hearing from some of you

Thanks,
John

Moon Ill · #2 (**permalink**) March 5th, 2006, 08:42 PM

Wow, I read that twice untill I read that this was a repost.

I was like.... .... .... "What's going on"

jadkar · #3 (**permalink**) March 5th, 2006, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moon Ill

Wow, I read that twice untill I read that this was a repost.

I was like.... .... .... "What's going on"

I'm glad you made it here buddy!!!

Moon Ill · #4 (**permalink**) March 5th, 2006, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jadkar

I'm glad you made it here buddy!!!

Thanks man. I was IM'd about it weeks back, I just never registered.

jadkar · #5 (**permalink**) March 6th, 2006, 07:09 PM

Repost from 5-16-05

Wow....god damn. I didn't think I was gonna get so many responses back so quickly, thanks!!

You guys tossed out a lot of good ideas, and I could spend all night in a chat room talking about suspension and brakes

But, for now I'm gonna stick to the enigne, trust me if I don't stay focused (damn I said the Ford word!) I'll talk your ears off. Once I'm set with the engine work I'm gonna move to brakes and suspension.

From what you've said it looks like the GSR engine will be cool. I was really torn for a while about taking a non-gsr engine and working on that like Pearlwhite suggested, or even doing a LS-VTEC conversion. Now however, since I have so much worked planned for the car I would rather just bolt something in. What I mean is I'd rather not tear an engine down (at least not yet). The ZC sounds cool, but I think I'd rather get a little more torque from the 1.8, but more importantly those engine have been around for so long that I'm concerned about the condition of a used one (I used to read about them in 1989!!). For sure I would what to do quick rebuild on a ZC just for the hell of it before dropping in my baby, and like I said I have to much work ahead of me to tear an engine down.

So it looks like a GSR with the JRSC it is. Oh, I guess I'll also stick with my cable clutch. I spoke with Hasport (earlier today) and they told me I could use my cable set-up with the hydro. trans (not sure how that works, I'll have to wait and see). I'm gonna get the engine, trans, ECU from H-motors, and I'm going to specify a LSD in the transmission.

First thing that is happening is I'm taking the car to a custom shop near me to get the body work done. The car doesn't have a drop of rust ANYWHERE on it (been garaged so long), but still I want it stripped down to the metal and repainted origianl RIO red. The only thing I'm doing non-stock is the mirrors, handles, and belt moulding will be RIO red as well. The bottom will remain black. While it's in the shop I'll order the stuff for the engine swap. I really wanted to do the swap first (to avoid damaging the paint) but if I wait any longer this body shop will be packed for the summer. I'm also gonna pick up some OZ Superleggeras to match my NSX, most likely 205/50 r15 this will match the original tire diameter that was on the GSR (unless I'm mistaken).

When this is all done, I'll be back to talk brakes....that's a whole new story!!

I'll be sure to post pictures along the way.

Thanks again

jadkar · #6 (**permalink**) March 6th, 2006, 07:10 PM

Repost 5-16-05

Quote:

Originally Posted by NXLude

You want something somewhat original and something that will hang with the NSX, then go with the H swap......No need for boost.

Really....I've run 13.1 @ 109mph on street tires in my NSX (it was my first time). I didn't think the CRX with an H motor could do that without some work. Plus, the weight balance of the car I would think would be trashed.

Anyway, I'm not looking to beat the NSX...but my Element does 0-60 in 8.2 seconds, the CRX has to be faster than that

jadkar · #7 (**permalink**) March 6th, 2006, 07:23 PM

First time I heard from my buddy 88 Rex 5-17-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88 Rex

For K series info go to k20a.org . You can find anything you want to know about all k series swaps into all cars.

Now, if I were you:

I would look for a B18c5. Simple as that. Leave the internals stock, throw on a Toda flywheel, and replace all your common things like water pump, etc...

OR, if your adventurous, find a K20a and swap that in. More power, more money, more bling, more everything (except weight )

BTW, wanna sell your car?
___________

jadkar · #8 (**permalink**) March 6th, 2006, 07:27 PM

First time I heard from my boy XLR8

Quote:

Originally Posted by XLR8

Find yourself a B18C spec R. It's the JDM Integra Type R engine, and it has a little bit more HP than the USDM counterpart (B18C5). Type R parts can take a good beating so you wont have to worry about replacing them if you wanna put on a SC.

For the looks I would either keep it stock with a front lip, or get the JDM siR front end conversion (check out http://www.passwordjdm.com). It makes the car look a little newer and more aggresive.

jadkar · #9 (**permalink**) March 6th, 2006, 07:28 PM

This was the first time I spoke to both of these great guys!! You can start to see why I have always said this is EVERYONE'S build not just mine. You guys all had a very direct impact as to which way I went!!

stjohnscrx · #10 (**permalink**) March 6th, 2006, 10:51 PM

just glad we can be there for you on this awesome project, since i have a more relieable vehicle (06 impreza) i think i might just go through my rex but it's going to take a little more time then your build

Blake · #11 (**permalink**) March 6th, 2006, 10:54 PM

i told you about Jeff Evans

jadkar · #12 (**permalink**) March 9th, 2006, 12:36 AM

I don't know if that was directed towards me, but if it was.....no thanks

That CRX will be with me til' my dying day, I would rather sell the NSX than the CRX.

As far as the K20a, I did a lot of research last night on k20a.org and I'll tell ya, that engine swap seems insane. However, for some reason it just doesn't look "good" in the rex, just my own .02 I know the engine is superior and the weight factor would be addressed, but for some reason you seem to cross over the imaginary line of "it's no longer a CRX". I may be crazy but the whole engine sits the wrong way, you lose the shift linkage, headers on the back, etc.. IMO the rex engine should always sit left to right, header in the front and a solid shift linkage. What we have been doing, IMO is improving on the general design of the car by adding larger engines, K20a is simply changing the whole car. Hell, maybe one day I'll buy a beater CRX and do a K20, but not for my baby.

I'm still interested in the H22 (the engine looks soooo good in there) but the time frame for the mount kit sucks.

Now I'm tossing around the idea of coughing up an additional 1K and getting a B18C5 instead of the B18C1. At first I didn't think the hp difference justified the price, as well as the higher compression (not good for JRSC). However, I have been reading that the porting on the 18C5 is better and the internals are a little bit tougher. With that in mind I may go that route. Plus I get to wear the red valve cover without being a poser

BTW....http://www.passwordjdm.com is no good, do I have the right link??