5
made a lot of progress today on the splitter... we're going for the rustic, craftsman style so beloved in berkeley w/the brown garden edging.
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
the franken-rex rolls!
8
the people's republic of racing (based in the people's republic of berkeley, ca) present to you: the franken-rex!
![]()
it's been a long time since i posted here, but we just got most of the bugs ironed out of the full racecar build and have been taking it to small track days in CA. it's an enduro car, so simplicity, reliability, economy and driveability are key. at the same time, it is made out of about 8 different civics, crxs and integras... which is what you do.
you should see the spreadsheet. it's epic.
the chassis is an 88 HF, with 98 integ rear arms, 91 si front suspension, some pci sphericals here and there but mostly poly bushings. a set of craigslist koni yellows w/450lb springs in the front, and 600lb in the rear. (we have a set of 800lb springs if we feel stiffer is better). no sway bars.
engine is a driveway rebuild early 88 d15b2 w/mpfi upgrade, and we have an 89 Si transmission. the shift linkage is all poly/aluminum with a single-bend steel short shifter. we 'upgraded' to an Si fuel tank and get almost a full gallon more gas... after two hours of flogging flat-out at a track day last weekend, we burned through 10g. this is perfect for enduro -- we want the car on track for at least two hours between driver changes and minimize time in the pits.
inside: full cage, fire suppression, custom seat/slider mount (driver height ranges from 4'12" to 6'3"), oil pressure gauge, kirkey seat, schroth harnesses.
it's slow, handles like a dream and you never need the brakes! we'll be painting the car soon, and getting the aero sorted (front splitter, rear spoiler).
the only work we farmed out was for machine work on the head/block, transmission rebuild, and cage welding. we built the cage bits under the direction of john pagel @ evil genius racing in his shop, and he welded it in to the car. the cage is some seriously amazing work, and i have incredible amounts of headroom at 6'3".
if anyone has questions about the car, build, etc, lemme know! i got a bunch of Qs answered here, and this board has been a nice, drama-free source of reliable advice and i'm down to give back.
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
it's been a long time since i posted here, but we just got most of the bugs ironed out of the full racecar build and have been taking it to small track days in CA. it's an enduro car, so simplicity, reliability, economy and driveability are key. at the same time, it is made out of about 8 different civics, crxs and integras... which is what you do.
you should see the spreadsheet. it's epic.
the chassis is an 88 HF, with 98 integ rear arms, 91 si front suspension, some pci sphericals here and there but mostly poly bushings. a set of craigslist koni yellows w/450lb springs in the front, and 600lb in the rear. (we have a set of 800lb springs if we feel stiffer is better). no sway bars.
engine is a driveway rebuild early 88 d15b2 w/mpfi upgrade, and we have an 89 Si transmission. the shift linkage is all poly/aluminum with a single-bend steel short shifter. we 'upgraded' to an Si fuel tank and get almost a full gallon more gas... after two hours of flogging flat-out at a track day last weekend, we burned through 10g. this is perfect for enduro -- we want the car on track for at least two hours between driver changes and minimize time in the pits.
inside: full cage, fire suppression, custom seat/slider mount (driver height ranges from 4'12" to 6'3"), oil pressure gauge, kirkey seat, schroth harnesses.
it's slow, handles like a dream and you never need the brakes! we'll be painting the car soon, and getting the aero sorted (front splitter, rear spoiler).
the only work we farmed out was for machine work on the head/block, transmission rebuild, and cage welding. we built the cage bits under the direction of john pagel @ evil genius racing in his shop, and he welded it in to the car. the cage is some seriously amazing work, and i have incredible amounts of headroom at 6'3".
if anyone has questions about the car, build, etc, lemme know! i got a bunch of Qs answered here, and this board has been a nice, drama-free source of reliable advice and i'm down to give back.
1 - 20 of 55 Posts
2
ready for paint!
![]()
our ideal livery!
![]()
our ideal livery!
paint done! we sprayed it at a friend's shop w/tractor paint (primer + "AC Orange"), and did a wet sand between the 2nd coat of primer and first color coat. it's definitely got orange peel, but looks great from 5' away. i consider that a success!
it took a while, but i was able to finally convince my teammates that doing a fade like the image above would be far too difficult and time consuming w/a harbor freight sprayer and tractor paint. once we started putting the orange on it, however, everyone immediately got on board.
we renamed the color "fucking ORANGE". it's glorious!
![]()
it took a while, but i was able to finally convince my teammates that doing a fade like the image above would be far too difficult and time consuming w/a harbor freight sprayer and tractor paint. once we started putting the orange on it, however, everyone immediately got on board.
we renamed the color "fucking ORANGE". it's glorious!
I occasionally see those bottlecap wheels free on craigslist but am always too late to snag them. They wouldn't fit on my crx (big brake) but would be nice on my miata.
b to Griffin. Back in the day, I'd bring my crx there just to be tech'd for track days but thought their garage only wrenched on European cars.
b to Griffin. Back in the day, I'd bring my crx there just to be tech'd for track days but thought their garage only wrenched on European cars.
let me see how many wheels we have... i might have an extra set for sale.ColdLumpen said:
i take my rsx-s time trial car there for NASA inspection, and they can align pretty much anything. i haven't used them for any work on my hondas tho, as i typically do all that myself. they'd be able to (and more than happy to) work on imports, though they do specialize in the european stuff.ColdLumpen said:
well, after flogging it over a few track days, i have to report: the car is sorted... it's stable through turns but has a little bit of twitchiness (which i LOVE). if you push it too far, it let's you know that it's about to rotate. when it lets you know, you just hold throttle and prep for a touch of counter steer.AttackCRX said:
i am honestly surprised, but i don't think (at least at this time) that sways will make it handle better.
this car inspires confidence.
another quick update: we dropped the car off @ griffin motorwerke this morning for some dyno pulls. i'm guessing 78whp.
1 - 20 of 55 Posts
