88 crx racecar build. (Page 1 of 4)
Posted: 8/29/2025 11:18:15 PM EDT
[Last Edit: victorgonzales][Edited]
|
Those of you that pay attention know I do custom body and paint . Just bought myself an 88 crx si Going to be a full restomod racecar. Probably do some kind of wide body and custom front end. Haven't decided the motor build but there's a chance I may do a mid engine conversion . On the fence about it due to the time and complexity. Eventually interior cage. Possible tube front end and carbon fiber roof skin. If I can figure out how to make those things Whatever I do it will be fast and hopefully a bit over the top in the looks department. Follow along if you want. Will be a slow build but it will get done . Picked up the car Tuesday. Getting an ef donor for some front end and interior stuff on Sunday. Will mostly be collecting parts for a bit but once I start moving on the build it will move quick.    
|
¯\_(?)_/¯
|
IN Man that thing is clean. There is a CRX that pops up on my socials once in a while that has some cool accents. Probably AI but whatever Attached File |
|
Originally Posted By ARHank: This oughta be good. Did you finish the other car you were building for yourself? 
|
¯\_(?)_/¯
|
Originally Posted By ToledoXJ: IN Man that thing is clean. There is a CRX that pops up on my socials once in a while that has some cool accents. Probably AI but whatever https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/285969/Screen_Shot_2025-08-30_at_11_00_03_AM_pn-3616256.JPG I'm hoping mozy will notice it's popularity and make a better crx kit. Their new Miata kit is wild |
¯\_(?)_/¯
|
Originally Posted By ToledoXJ: IN Man that thing is clean. There is a CRX that pops up on my socials once in a while that has some cool accents. Probably AI but whatever https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/285969/Screen_Shot_2025-08-30_at_11_00_03_AM_pn-3616256.JPG  Waaaaay back then, there was this performance company called "Stillen" (spelling) that was the stuff for modding them. I have no idea if they are still around or make parts, and before I crashed her, I was planning on adding some Stillen upgrades. Again, this was EONS ago. Also re the CRX in general, I had my Si for a good while before it was destroyed, and what I always found shocking was how pleasurable it was on the highway, and how nicely it tracked. I had previously read often that short wheelbases in general don't make for the most pleasurably tracking highway riders, but man my CRX sure was. It was a true "one finger on the steering wheel" driver for running with most anyone on the interstate. |
Proud and grateful Tennessee Squire
flgfish: "Low mileage cars piss me off. You saving your girlfriend for the next guy? Drive the car and enjoy it. A 911 is damn near bulletproof."
flgfish: "Low mileage cars piss me off. You saving your girlfriend for the next guy? Drive the car and enjoy it. A 911 is damn near bulletproof."
|
I followed a guy into the grocery store parking lot. He was driving a white, super clean, mostly stock, crx. He was about my age and and you could tell he took pride in his nostalgic prize. It was the cleanest example I have seen in a long time. I'm not a Honda guy but appreciate what the car is and understand the appeal. We split off in the parking lot. I park and walk into the row while he is stopped, waiting for a soccer mom to back out. Presumably he was going to take her spot. Soccer mom's foot must have slipped. She punched the throttle and backed her rear tire right up the center of his hood. It crushed the bumper, rad, and hood. The axle pealed back the fender and the windshield shattered. I froze. The lady pulls her rig off the mangled Honda and hops out all,"Oops, sorry about that. Let me get my insurance card." Dude was in shock. He just stood there staring and shaking. I walked up and gave him a hug. I told him how sorry I was and that I saw the whole thing. I asked for his number, which he struggled to relay, and text him my information in case he needed a witness. I looked back at the lady who showed zero remorse and was super confused. I told her, "You have no idea what you just destroyed". She reacted with even more confusion. 
|
Adjectives: smart/handsome/modest
| Aren't those very light? I don't know anything about FWD but it's amazing what they can do with Honda builds. I see them pop up in some of the street racing vids holding their own against some seriously fast cars. |
BikerNut:
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
Pickep up a donor ef that had a lot of interior panels I need and some gtr bucket seats. Gutted and going to scrap after I pull the wheel studs and control arms. Had some expensive stuff on it. Got it for 200 bucks. Will probably get 400 for the doors hatch and all the glass. Got free parts and a profit. I'd feel bad scrapping but this thing lives it's last few years as a track car so it has its time in the light 
|
¯\_(?)_/¯
|
Originally Posted By victorgonzales: Pickep up a donor ef that had a lot of interior panels I need and some gtr bucket seats. Gutted and going to scrap after I pull the wheel studs and control arms. Had some expensive stuff on it. Got it for 200 bucks. Will probably get 400 for the doors hatch and all the glass. Got free parts and a profit. I'd feel bad scrapping but this thing lives it's last few years as a track car so it has its time in the light https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/173081/1000002335-3617085.jpg My MR2 is a combination of about 6 cars from all the various body parts |
Wake up, wake up and smell the ashes.
|
Originally Posted By Agilt: If that shell's reasonably straight someone will likely want it. Also IIRC it's likely a good idea to seam weld the little hondas if you're going to track them hard. My MR2 is a combination of about 6 cars from all the various body parts |
¯\_(?)_/¯
|
Had a chat with a guy who has raced the crx for over a decade. Told me these cars lose a lot of lap time changing the offset too much . To prioritize chassis stifness and just put a wide tire with same wheel track. So I'm.bot going to build it super wide body. Prioritizing speed over looks because I want to actually compete in time trials and time attack at some point with this. I'll still make it look cool with some aero stuff though. Probably do some custom body work still with the bumpers rockers and shaving the mouldings. Just won't be making it super wide. Maybe I'll airbrush some big ole anime titties on the hood to make up for the lack of flair lol |
¯\_(?)_/¯
|
If that hatch shell is not rusty sell it to a racer. Also make the CRX rwd. They would be fun RWD Attached File This is NA and puts 328 hp to the wheels with a K engine. |
RIP Jeff Reed. Tennessee Squire, Ga. Carry member, NRA,Non-puking 72 ounce drinker 2 of 6 Norcal call sign, Forgotten.
|
Here's my plan for body style. Found a 1m bumper for an e30. About a half inch difference in width and roughly the same front curve. Going to fuse it with the top half of OEM crx bumper. Gonna match my M3 crv kinda. Lol . Aluminum fabricated large front splitter with aero underneath I'm going to try and copy from some high dollar racing ones. Probably just buy a rear upper wing and fabricate the lower rear diffuser wing. I'll probably make the side skirts from fiberglass . Maybe aluminum though depending on how things go. Glass would be easier and lighter and that part doesn't need much stiffness I don't think. Only functional part of it is to kick air away from the back wheel where it curves up at the end. I'll probably build ducting to the radiator and to the front brakes from the bumper pockets.  No idea what I'll do with paint but I'm pretty happy with this look  |
¯\_(?)_/¯
|
Originally Posted By whiskerz: If that hatch shell is not rusty sell it to a racer. Also make the CRX rwd. They would be fun RWD https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/5137/1712441673960_jpg-3617710.JPG This is NA and puts 328 hp to the wheels with a K engine. |
¯\_(?)_/¯
|
If you’re planning on trying to compete seriously, highly, highly recommend reviewing the rules for the class(es) for the sanctioning bodies you want to run in. They can be quite particular about modifications. There’s always “run whatcha brung” / unlimited classes that are pretty open but you’ll end up running against monster builds and might be completely uncompetitive. Out west NASA is fairly primary so I’d start with them. |
Wake up, wake up and smell the ashes.
|
Originally Posted By Agilt: If you're planning on trying to compete seriously, highly, highly recommend reviewing the rules for the class(es) for the sanctioning bodies you want to run in. They can be quite particular about modifications. There's always "run whatcha brung" / unlimited classes that are pretty open but you'll end up running against monster builds and might be completely uncompetitive. Out west NASA is fairly primary so I'd start with them. If I want to do competitive pvp racing on my budget I'll probably just buy a Miata and run it. |
¯\_(?)_/¯
|
Originally Posted By victorgonzales: I probably won't. My plans are more or less build a fast car that looks and drives good and take it to open track days and drive fast. Maybe do some time trial ,time attack type stuff. If I want to do competitive pvp racing on my budget I'll probably just buy a Miata and run it. I'm talking about TT too. It's more horsepower/weight based now than when I was involved more actively (and they've added some more classes), but still should look through it just to know what's going on and not be surprised. https://drivenasa.com/time-trial/ https://nasa-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/document/document/24001/2025_TT_Rules.pdf https://form.jotform.com/drivenasa/st-tt-car-classification-form My car is a more "build what I want" and run for fun as well. |
Wake up, wake up and smell the ashes.
|
Originally Posted By Agilt: I'm talking about TT too. It's more horsepower/weight based now than when I was involved more actively (and they've added some more classes), but still should look through it just to know what's going on and not be surprised. https://drivenasa.com/time-trial/ https://nasa-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/document/document/24001/2025_TT_Rules.pdf https://form.jotform.com/drivenasa/st-tt-car-classification-form My car is a more "build what I want" and run for fun as well. |
¯\_(?)_/¯
|
Originally Posted By GoGo: Ditto. Really, really, wanted one of these even more than a Fox body 5.0 when I was a youngster. Now a fucking door glass is 300 dollars lol |
¯\_(?)_/¯
|
i like RWD thought above or even the midengine how about a small V8? although a budget buster https://www.jfcracing.com/specs (hayabusa heads & bespoke block) |
Proud Member of Team Ranstad
NRA Member
Tennessee Squire
#PlasticPoniesForAll
Aimless = Suburban Pot Bellied Snow Chicken
NRA Member
Tennessee Squire
#PlasticPoniesForAll
Aimless = Suburban Pot Bellied Snow Chicken
|
Originally Posted By d13s3l: i like RWD thought above or even the midengine how about a small V8? although a budget buster https://www.jfcracing.com/specs (hayabusa heads & bespoke block) But I did learn to use bing image thing and I'm definitely doing the e36 front end. This shit is just too good looking.  |
¯\_(?)_/¯
|
Originally Posted By victorgonzales: Did a render of the OEM front end with 1m bumper fusion. I think I like this better. Not as unique but looks goodhttps://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/173081/1000002449-3625520.jpg |
Proud and grateful Tennessee Squire
flgfish: "Low mileage cars piss me off. You saving your girlfriend for the next guy? Drive the car and enjoy it. A 911 is damn near bulletproof."
flgfish: "Low mileage cars piss me off. You saving your girlfriend for the next guy? Drive the car and enjoy it. A 911 is damn near bulletproof."
| Keeping the thread alive. Just gathering parts still. Got all the panels except fenders and lights. Thinking Iight not put the sunroof in through . The assembly weighs probably forty pounds. Might just make a carbon fiber roof or just weld some sheet metal into the hole. Adding forty pounds to a track car doesn't make any sense to me and it's too damn hot here to have open windows |
¯\_(?)_/¯
|
I wanted one of those so bad. I was still single and was making payments on an 84 Silverado and couldn't do both at the same time. I saw a few of them around, and Car and Driver magazine made them sound like the most fun things ever. I wanted an 88 Nissan Maxima SE too, champagne taste on a ripple budget.
|
Politicians Prefer Unarmed Peasants
Caddyshack
Some men are morally opposed to violence. They are protected by men who are not.
Caddyshack
Some men are morally opposed to violence. They are protected by men who are not.
|
Originally Posted By victorgonzales: Did a render of the OEM front end with 1m bumper fusion. I think I like this better. Not as unique but looks goodhttps://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/173081/1000002449-3625520.jpg Saw this ridiculous CRX somewhere and thought of your thread. It's dialed up to 11. https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-px-10-18-mid-length-308-win-stainless-steel-15-keymod-lightweight-moe-rifle-516446415.html Attached File |
BikerNut:
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
|
Originally Posted By ALASKANFIRE: Saw this ridiculous CRX somewhere and thought of your thread. It's dialed up to 11. https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-px-10-18-mid-length-308-win-stainless-steel-15-keymod-lightweight-moe-rifle-516446415.html https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/129950/CRX_jpeg-3634532.JPG Yeah that thing is nuts. |
¯\_(?)_/¯
|
Originally Posted By Ef4life: Looks good so far, is it staying all metal like that or are you wrapping in in fiberglass? |
¯\_(?)_/¯
|
Originally Posted By victorgonzales: Picking up a roof skin tomorrow to use as a mold for a carbon fiber roof . Only update. Plan on selling a few cf roofs to find all the mechanical stuff I need to get this thing driving so I can take it to work and start doing bodywork. |
|
Originally Posted By killingmachine123: Please detail your process and methods for this if you're willing to share. The idea of a CF roof panel in AZ that'll hold up to the sun without warping intrigues me. That's a tall order in my very limited CF experience. It won't be the lightest weight possible to make it sturdy but should come in well under ten pounds vs the 40lb roof and sunroof mechanism that's on there. And it will look cool. Also going to make some layover skins for sale just using a plain roof skin for a mold. Those should sell easier since no cutting and just cosmetic and will stay put if attached well. |
¯\_(?)_/¯
| Looks good now that you mention the BMW front end I saw it recently on a Honda.. You can also look at Stock Car products noses. A lot of circle track Honda guys use those and put a seam in the middle to make width correct. Some SCCA road racing regional events have catch all classes to run what you bring. Atlanta used to run GTO and GTU and over and under 2.5 or 3 liters at some events. It was fun to see some of the O cars run. Guys would sometimes bring vintage stuff out . If you convert to RWD you can sit the front engine cradle under the rear build mounts and bolt it in place. Boosted Boy Kyle has a twin engine Honda on his channel |
RIP Jeff Reed. Tennessee Squire, Ga. Carry member, NRA,Non-puking 72 ounce drinker 2 of 6 Norcal call sign, Forgotten.
|
Got the spare roof skin cut off and repaired so I can use it for a mold for a carbon fiber roof. Also picked up a 1m bumper for the front end. Got another crx for a parts car. It has shit bodywork and rust everywhere but I needed some stuff like window regulators, door glass , latches, seats, and a headlights. Will part out everything else for some funding. Pic of it next to huge wheel from a silly car at work. Only think I still need are tail lights, starter,alternator and axles to get this running then I can bring it to work and start the hard stuff.   
|
¯\_(?)_/¯
