Author Topic: Ginger - End of the line, baby.  (Read 54666 times)

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Offline Rathburn

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Ginger - End of the line, baby.
« on: October 18, 2014, 05:17:40 pm »

Nostalgia
by Tang3nt, on Flickr - Photo by Wong Photography

Over the last few weeks, Cagare and myself have been thinking of a way to cheapen our racing experience, and to have a vehicle that we cared little enough about that we were will to thrash the absolute itshay out of it. To that end, we set a budget and mulled our options as to what would be a competitive, and cost effective vehicle to start with.

While at a hockey game a few weeks ago, LilDrunkeSmurf mentioned that forum overlord steveb0t was looking to rid himself of a car that might fit the bill. We looked into the competitiveness, cost effectiveness, and upgradeability, and decided that it would certainly be worth checking out. The car in question came in at the lower end of our budget, meaning that it would leave enough room for maintenance, upgrades, R-comps, and other sundries.

After weighing the merits and detriments of this particular car, we handed steveb0t our money (most of it, we still owe him the other half and a case of beer) and became the proud, and somewhat giddy, owners of a 1990 Honda Civic Si!



The car is a little dusty from all the rally-X but otherwise clean and straight. A couple dings here and there, but overall remarkably good condition for a 25 year old car. A little bit of rust in front of the rear wheels, however for a car with over 230,000 km on the odo, it was looking good. The car also came with an extra Si motor and short ratio transmission, a set of 15x7 Rotas, various other bibs and bobs, and even a piece of wood to prop open the rear hatch since the struts have long since given up the ghost. The car is light, has a short ratio 'box, no power steering, and the seats are even in good shape and fairly well bolstered! Oddly, it's got a power sun roof but roll-up windows. The lack of a cup holder will also mean that it's gonna suck balls on those early morning drives out to the races, but it should prove to be fun, above all else.

Of course, a car this old that's seen this much abuse tough love comes with a list of items that will have to be addressed before next season. Ball joints and bushings will need to be replaced, all fluids will have to be flushed and filled, brakes are a bit rough, and the engine burns and leaks a small bit of oil (the one under the hood anyways). However with a car so far under our budget, and with lots of time before the next season of auto-X we should have no problems correcting all the ills.

Our plan is to run in H-Street or H-Street-R next season, and move it up to STF the season after that. We've got plenty of time to get everything straightened out, fixed up, upgraded, and hopefully vacuumed out before she'll turn a wheel in anger.

Stay tuned for more updates.
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Roxanne - 2015 WRX Ginger - 1990 Civic Si
Avatar courtesy of Wong Photography

Offline Rathburn

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Re: Because Race Car
« Reply #1 on: October 18, 2014, 05:17:56 pm »
This is our planned Parts list. Nothing is final (until it is), but this is based on some championship winning ST Civic Si down in the States.

Suspension
Shocks(F/R) - Koni Yellow Race INSTALLED
Springs(F/R) - Ground Control Coilovers INSTALLED
Sway bar(F) - Stock Si Sway Bar REMOVED
Sway bar(R) - ASR Sway bar INSTALLED
Bushings - Energy Suspension Bushings kit INSTALLED
Upper Strut Tie Bar (F) - Skunk2 2 Point Strut Tower Bar INSTALLED
Lower Tie Bar(F) - Cusco Type I Tie Bar INSTALLED
Lower Tie Bar(R) - Skunk2 Phi Fifty Tie Bar INSTALLED
Upper Strut Tie Bar(R) - Skunk2 2 Point Rear Strut Tower Bar INSTALLED
Lower Control Arms - Skunk2 Lowers INSTALLED
Toe Adjustment - Password:JDM Ultimate Rear Toe Links Skunk2 (?) Adjustable Rear Toe Links INSTALLED
Camber Adjustment(F/R) - Skunk2 Pro-Series Camber kits INSTALLED
Inner & Outer Tie Rod Ends INSTALLED
Wheel Bearings INSTALLED

Brakes
Brakes(F) - Replace calipers, Hawk HP+ pads, OEM Style Rotors INSTALLED
Brakes(R) - Replace drums, OEM shoes INSTALLED
Brakes(F/R) - Russel Stainless Steel Lines INSTALLED

Tires/Wheels
Race Wheels - Rota Slipstream - 15x7
Race Tires - Dunlop Direzza ZII Star Spec 205/50-R15 Hankook Ventus R-S3 Version 2 225/45-R15

All Weather Wheels - OEM Steel 14x5.5
All Weather Tires - Nokkian Nordman WR 185/65-R14

Ice Racing Wheels - OEM 1980 Honda Prelude Wheels 13x5
Ice Racing Tires - Hankook iPike RSV 155/80-R13

Engine
Header - DC Sports 4-2-1 Ceramic Header INSTALLED
Emissions - High Flow Catalytic Converter INSTALLED
Exhaust - Cheapo fab job MUFFLER REMOVED
Crank Pully - Leight Weight of some sort
ECU - Possible Chip Upgrade?
Front Main Seal INSTALLED
Cam Seal INSTALLED
Valve Cover Gasket INSTALLED
Oil Pan Gasket INSTALLED
New oil pump INSTALLED
Timing Belt INSTALLED
Water Pump INSTALLED
Spark Plugs & Leads INSTALLED
K&N High flow Cone Filter INSTALLED

Interior
Seats(F) - Corbeau Lightweight fixed back?
Remove Rear Seats

Misc.
Windshield INSTALLED
Is illmotion's sunday school where you learn about how Stance Jesus scraped for your sins?
Roxanne - 2015 WRX Ginger - 1990 Civic Si
Avatar courtesy of Wong Photography

Offline Rathburn

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Re: Because Race Car
« Reply #2 on: October 18, 2014, 05:18:10 pm »
Ice Racing Setup

Suspension
Shocks(F/R) - KYB GR2
Springs(F/R) - Stock Si Springs
Sway bar(F) - Sway Bar Removed
Sway bar(R) - Sway Bar Removed

Tires/Wheels
All Weather Wheels - OEM Steel 14x5.5
All Weather Tires - Nokkian Nordman WR 185/65-R14

Ice Racing Wheels - OEM 1980 Honda Prelude Wheels 13x5
Ice Racing Tires - Hankook iPike RSV 155/80-R13 (Studded)

*Anything not listed here will be the same as the pavement racing setup.
Is illmotion's sunday school where you learn about how Stance Jesus scraped for your sins?
Roxanne - 2015 WRX Ginger - 1990 Civic Si
Avatar courtesy of Wong Photography

Offline Rathburn

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Re: Because Race Car
« Reply #3 on: October 18, 2014, 05:18:24 pm »
RESERVED
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Roxanne - 2015 WRX Ginger - 1990 Civic Si
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Offline jellynuts

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Re: Because Race Car
« Reply #4 on: October 18, 2014, 05:24:17 pm »
Congrats on the new car!  This is the first car I bought Gideon as well.  Looking forward to this thread. 


Gid's First Car
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Offline Mr Crowley

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Re: Because Race Car
« Reply #5 on: October 18, 2014, 05:28:03 pm »
Cooooool. I am into this. I want pics..lots of them.

Offline Rathburn

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Re: Because Race Car
« Reply #6 on: October 18, 2014, 05:43:49 pm »
Congrats on the new car!  This is the first car I bought Gideon as well.  Looking forward to this thread.

Cooooool. I am into this. I want pics..lots of them.

Thanks! We're gonna pick it up next weekend, there'll be lots of pics for sure, lots of updating going on. We're planning on doing some research for the next few weeks at least to see exactly what we'll need and what our costs will look like. The biggest goals of this car are cost effectiveness and fun factor, so most decisions will play into that!
Is illmotion's sunday school where you learn about how Stance Jesus scraped for your sins?
Roxanne - 2015 WRX Ginger - 1990 Civic Si
Avatar courtesy of Wong Photography

Offline GrantC

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Re: Because Race Car
« Reply #7 on: October 18, 2014, 05:58:28 pm »
There is no HS-R next year...  Only HS.

This year was the transition to let people use up their R's.

Offline Rathburn

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Re: Because Race Car
« Reply #8 on: October 18, 2014, 06:04:35 pm »
There is no HS-R next year...  Only HS.

This year was the transition to let people use up their R's.

HS it is!
Is illmotion's sunday school where you learn about how Stance Jesus scraped for your sins?
Roxanne - 2015 WRX Ginger - 1990 Civic Si
Avatar courtesy of Wong Photography

Offline 05LGT

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Re: Because Race Car
« Reply #9 on: October 18, 2014, 06:42:36 pm »
Whoa whoa wtf. Stop trying to be more competitive PLZ.
I don't name things I know I'm going to sell eventually. Hence why I'd never name any kids I had.

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Offline Rathburn

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Re: Because Race Car
« Reply #10 on: October 18, 2014, 06:53:55 pm »
Whoa whoa wtf. Stop trying to be more competitive PLZ.

Pft, you're going down bud!
Is illmotion's sunday school where you learn about how Stance Jesus scraped for your sins?
Roxanne - 2015 WRX Ginger - 1990 Civic Si
Avatar courtesy of Wong Photography

Offline seat safety switch

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Re: Because Race Car
« Reply #11 on: October 18, 2014, 07:42:06 pm »
This was a great car to drive. I even forgive it for dropping the hatch on my head and nearly killing me.

Is the tape line still on the steering wheel?

Offline Rathburn

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Re: Because Race Car
« Reply #12 on: October 18, 2014, 07:48:25 pm »
This was a great car to drive. I even forgive it for dropping the hatch on my head and nearly killing me.

Is the tape line still on the steering wheel?

So this car has been blessed by Mike? Stance Jesus Christ!

No tape on the wheel anymore, now I'm even more pumped. Picking it up from steveb0t tomorrow, thanks to LilDrunkenSmurf and Darthekai for the help!

Also, new hatch struts included, I'll be sure to install those ASAP since I'm about 17 inches taller than you are, Seat.
Is illmotion's sunday school where you learn about how Stance Jesus scraped for your sins?
Roxanne - 2015 WRX Ginger - 1990 Civic Si
Avatar courtesy of Wong Photography

Offline Cagare

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Re: Because Race Car
« Reply #13 on: October 18, 2014, 08:41:06 pm »
Funny enough we were talking about a honda civic at the second event we were both at this season.  We thought it would be great to have something we don't feel as bad beating on. 

Well, just some sticky non r-comps for this year based on the rule change till we move to STFSTC.  As Chris said the goal over the winter will be to make sure the car is road worthy.  This will include brakes, suspension parts replacement where needed, fluid flushing/replacement as well as getting some of the rust under control.  Looking forward to having some fun with this car next year.  I am learning that you don't need to have a fast car to have fun driving and at autocross.  It will be nice to do autocross on a budget as well this upcoming this year, and then upgrade again next winter.

Some additional photos from today:

Filling out some paperwork


Dat assay


Spare wheels/tires


Hey look,spare motor and transmission

Offline Cagare

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Re: Because Race Car
« Reply #14 on: October 18, 2014, 08:43:03 pm »
We are also going to have to come up with a name for this car.  I was thinking of the name Ginger because it is red and it will be abused.  Other ideas are welcome, we will come up with one tomorrow when we pick it up.

Offline GrantC

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Re: Because Race Car
« Reply #15 on: October 18, 2014, 08:57:55 pm »
Well, just some sticky non r-comps for this year based on the rule change till we move to STF.

Um.. 

1) STC
2) The Street Touring (ie. ST_) classes also require 200+ TW tires
3) Also a decent car to go lapping/TimeAttack

Offline seat safety switch

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Re: Because Race Car
« Reply #16 on: October 18, 2014, 09:00:49 pm »
We are also going to have to come up with a name for this car.  I was thinking of the name Ginger because it is red and it will be abused.  Other ideas are welcome, we will come up with one tomorrow when we pick it up.
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Offline Rathburn

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Re: Because Race Car
« Reply #17 on: October 18, 2014, 09:02:59 pm »
I was thinking of the name Ginger because it is red and it will be abused.

Hahaha. Abused HARD.
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Roxanne - 2015 WRX Ginger - 1990 Civic Si
Avatar courtesy of Wong Photography

Offline bigdl

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Re: Because Race Car
« Reply #18 on: October 18, 2014, 09:05:44 pm »
Just don't screw up the car :D, I was supposed to buy it but other financial things came up this year :(  Heh those crappy tire no seasons were mine way back in the day when I still had a 90 si.

The only thing I suggest checking out first is the drain lines for the sun roof.  They are in the trunk on each side I believe, mine where clogged up when I bought my car, it is possible they could have gotten clogged on steve's car after sitting for a while.


Offline Cagare

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Re: Because Race Car
« Reply #19 on: October 18, 2014, 09:08:53 pm »
Thanks Grant, corrected.  Yeah, we will have to run the non r-comp street tires.

Ah, thank you bigdl, we will check that out.  Yeah Steve said he had done some rallycross events on those tires.

Offline LilDrunkenSmurf

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Re: Because Race Car
« Reply #20 on: October 18, 2014, 09:24:59 pm »
Man, I'm kicking myself for not picking this up myself.
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Re: Because Race Car
« Reply #21 on: October 18, 2014, 09:27:15 pm »
It's fairly cheap (and a known recipie) to turn it into a competitive STC car...

http://www.redshiftmotorsports.com/RedShift%20Tech%20Page.htm

Offline Bandit

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Re: Because Race Car
« Reply #22 on: October 18, 2014, 09:30:17 pm »
This was my car from 2001 to 2008, before it was sold to Steveb0t. Loved every second of driving this thing since it is a shouty little gokart. Was happy that Steve rallyautocrossed it, and even happier that it is going to people that are going to wail on it even harder.

Maybe I will get to go for a little spin in it once the maintenance / upgrades are complete. :)

Oh, and its' name was always "The Civic" because my friends and I were always extremely imaginative when naming autos.

Offline Rathburn

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Re: Because Race Car
« Reply #23 on: October 18, 2014, 09:37:58 pm »
This was my car from 2001 to 2008, before it was sold to Steveb0t. Loved every second of driving this thing since it is a shouty little gokart. Was happy that Steve rallyautocrossed it, and even happier that it is going to people that are going to wail on it even harder.

Maybe I will get to go for a little spin in it once the maintenance / upgrades are complete. :)

Oh, and its' name was always "The Civic" because my friends and I were always extremely imaginative when naming autos.

This makes me very excite.
Is illmotion's sunday school where you learn about how Stance Jesus scraped for your sins?
Roxanne - 2015 WRX Ginger - 1990 Civic Si
Avatar courtesy of Wong Photography

Offline jellynuts

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Re: Because Race Car
« Reply #24 on: October 18, 2014, 09:38:43 pm »
The Ginger?
uckfay, Johnny with the back-handed slap. You're clearly the Oracle.

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