I'm setting up my 88 crx to Auto-X and have heard alot of differing opinions about suspension/sway setup. Some say full sways/strut bars are the way to go while others think that the only sway that should be upgraded is the rear one. Well, I want some opionions from guys who actually auto-x. So what works the best; stock front sway w/an aftermarket rear one? Both front and rear sways? Do upper and lower strut bars really bull their weight? Why was Big Bird so damn big? These are all things I'm curious about, and remember, when I'm finished I want my crx to handle like a go-cart. Thanks for the help in advance.

-Cody

 

You don't need a rear sway bar in the CRX. It's already tail happy to begin with. But it all depends on what class you want to be in or what mods you have done already. But my thinking about novices just starting out ot autocross is just drive the car as is for about 20 events.

The car is probably more than you can handle already as it sits. You have to catch up to the car and drive it 10/10ths. Most novices will drive their car 5/10ths or 11/10ths. Both are slow.

Also read my help page in my sig.

 

Do you have any videos of total novices? I am curious as to how they look compared to you.
And yes, our year CRX is pretty tail happy.

 

Why would I video tape novices? Just show up to an event and you can see all the novices your heart desires.

 

How many people there usually really suck? What is the most common mistake? What is the gap in time between you and a novice with a similar set up? too many questions h:

 

Why does it matter how many people suck? What are you defining as sucking? Making mistakes? Driving slow? Hitting cones? Not being able to find your way on course? We all had to start as novices, and we all did some of those things, some of us STILL do those things (espcially the cones...) Who cares?

Most common mistake: thinking that improving the car is going to improve the driver. A 5/10's driver in a 10/10ths car will lose every day of the week (and twice on Sunday) to a 10/10ths driver in a 5/10ths car.

Not many novices start in a fully preppared, nationally competitive 89 EFsi HB, so its kinda hard to compare...

 

We all make mistakes. Heck I've been doing this for 8 years and I still kick myself for doing certain things.

Most common mistake is what I said above.

Most novices are usually 4-8 seconds behind the fastest car in the class, but that's a rough estimate based on my instructor experience. Some are quicker and some are not. Just like any sport you have people who are extremely well adapted to a sport while others need practice.

 

Thanks for the responces, I think. I'm not totally brand new to this SCCA deal. I've been going out to events with my buddy in his VW Rabbit for a couple years now, switching between driver and passenger with him. I ran my stock 90 CRX DX for sheits and giggles at one event and liked the way it felt except for the body roll; and that was the target of this thread was to figure out the best way to eliminate body roll, not neccecarily on really tight auto-x courses but on longer road courses as well. Less/No body roll = Me a happy camper. Thanks again guys.

-Cody

 

Agreed with CivicSiRacer. It was a question long ago about how to make your car faster that lead to the quote in my sig:

 

cool thanks for the responses. I just don't want to look terrible when I go so I just wanted to get an idea, especially since I get thrown in a really high class. h: