4 replies to this topic

[Aaron]

Hey guys, I have a couple of questions today. First, I have a 1984 Honda CRX DX (1.5) with a Weber 32/36 DGEV Carb that I installed on it. Now, here comes the questions.

1) It doesn't feel like its getting enough gas, so I am going to Bore or buy new jets. If I buy new jets, any recommendations? right now I am going towards boreing it because I have the special drill bits to do so.

2) I have stock headers and Exhaust. We all know (i hope you do atleast) that more gas but no more air = bad/no effect/bogging and a waste of gas. BUT, more air plus more gas = perfect! But more air and no gas is better the more gas and no air, so I am going to be getting the exhaust and header thing done, then going to bore out or replace the jets. So I am already getting a Custom 2 1/2 inch piping, but haven't decided on the muffler. I want the kind of muffler like the newer CRX's where the muffler sits sideways, parallel to the rear bumper. I think I am going to go with a 3 inch exit though (muffler tip/whatever you want to call it), so its gonna be 2 1/2 to 3 inch exit. Any good muffler and tip you guys prefer?

3)About the headers, Ive heard the Bosa are really good heads but you have to get a SI Oil pan. Then it is all bolt on Correct? Which headers do you guys prefer, and what year oil pan should I get?

4) Last question (I know, you guys are like YES, almost done ). What size wheels/rims fit the best. Ive been looking at the Drag DR-20 (work equip knock offs) and have really been thinking and almost buying them. The only thing that is stopping me is that I don't want them to be to big. Here are the specs

- Offset = 38
- Size = 15 x 7.5
- Bolts = 4x100

Do you think those will fit good or be to big or to much offset, also what size tires? Ive been thinking 195s or 205s.


Thanks

p.s- I live in Virginia

Edited by Aaron, 26 April 2007 - 05:42 AM.

[Madkore]

Please fill in your location.
It actually helps if we know where you are.

You will want to buy new jets.
With Webers, it always helps to have some spares around.

Since I don't know where you live, I don't know if you are near or in the mountains.
You may want a set of jets for higher altitudes.

Many cars with Weber carbs lose power at higher altitudes.
Sometimes the car will actually stop running.

My brother's VW Van with the 2.0 liter pancake motor with ported heads, a big cam, and dual Weber 40 DCNFs would actually stop running.
You had to change out the jets to compensate for the altitude if you went into the mountains.

Remember, Webers are pretty much fully adjustable. Extra jets are always nice to have.

There has been some debate on exhaust pipe size. Some people feel 2 inches is plenty big for our small engines. It does depend upon the level of modifications you do to your engine. If you are running a Turbo DOHC engine, you may need the larger diameter exhaust pipes. I would stick with 2 inch mandrel bent, maybe up to 2-1/2 if it's not mandrel since your engine is fairly stock right now. I am running a highly modified 1.5 liter, and I am running a 2 inch exhaust.

As for mufflers, I am running two Magnaflow mufflers. An 18 inch, 4 inch round, muffler where the stock resonator was in the middle of the car, and a 18 inch oval muffler in the stock location. I wanted my car to by quieter at idle and cruise. I had a blown HKS exhaust system before, and it was LOUD.

A lot of people run a single glass pack and a side exit for weight savings. Lighter, but louder.

Chikara headers are good if you can find them. Check Summit Racing or NOPI to see what they have. Look for a good 4-2-1 Tri-Y header for a stock engine. There are some 4 into 1 headers available, but they are for higher revving engines. And check our Board for used ones. Do NOT buy a Pacesetter header.

As for a tip, I always liked the dual tips on my HKS exhaust. It's an old school look popularized in the 60s and 70s by companies like Ansa and Abarth, and I like the way it fits the look of our cars. I am actually running a plain steel exhaust pipe, it adds to the sleeper appearance of my car. Most of us do not like the huge shiny chrome coffee can mufflers.

I believe any Si oil pan will work, CRX or Civic. CRX Si would be 85-87 in the US. Civic Si would be 86-87.

Wheel size is another topic of debate. It is a looks vs. performance issue. Bigger wheels usually weigh more. Heavier wheels are bad because it increases what is called unsprung weight, which has a negative effect on handling. Just about every racer is running 13s. Think about that. Going plus 1 to 14s is the maximum most of us would recommend. 15 inch tires are usually designed for cars weighing twice what our cars weigh. There is also an issue of getting the tires up to optimum handling temperatures, which may not happen because there is not enough weight on the tire.

A 7-1/2 inch wheel is pretty wide, and will probably rub if you lower the car. Some racers are running 13 X 8s, but they have very stiff suspensions. A better choice would be a 13 X 6 or a 14 X 6 wheel, which would tuck under the fenders. Tire sizes could be 185/70-13s, 205/60-13s, 185/60- 14s, 195/60-14s, or 205/55-14s.

[Aaron]

Thanks a lot for the information, I live in Virginia by the way.

Exhaust - I hate fart cans also and thats why I am getting a custom one. I am definitely going to do the 2 inch piping though. I have been looking at the Bosal Thermal tip and might get the Bosal resonator to if I decide on it. (http://www.zcbrothers.com/avatars/beat.jpg) Then I am gonna get custom 2 inch piping. What do you think about that.

Header - Thanks, I will look for the Chikara headers. I found them for the other years, just can't seem to find them for 84' . Ive also heard the Bosal header are also really good.

Rims - The rims may be 15 inch, but they only way like 12-15 pounds each i believe.. I know it fits almost perfect on the newer CRX's. I don't plan on tucking or slamming the car anyways, I just lower it to get rid of the wheel well space. I am not sure how much different the wheel space is between us and the newer Rex's.

here is the rims I am looking at - http://cgi.ebay.com/...104748996QQrdZ1
Also some other question,

Short shifter - Can I use the short shifters for the newer rexes or other years, or do I have to custom one? I can't find anything for our year.

Edited by Aaron, 27 April 2007 - 05:42 AM.

[squareback]

A 15x7.5 wheel with a 38mm offset will rub unless you stiffen the car and leave it at stock height, which I think defeats the purpose. Because of street tire availability, it may be best to stay with a 15" wheel, but make sure your wheels are not too wide. A 6" or 6.5" wide wheel is sufficient, with a 7" being about the maximum you can do. All of this is dependent on the wheel's offset, too. If you get a wheel with too little offset, it will rub the fender lips. Look at 195/50R15 tires. Also, try to find wheels that are no more than about 12 pounds each. Otherwise, they car may seem sluggish due to too much unsprung weight.

Get the Chikara header. For the money and availability, it can't be beat.

As far as short shifters go, DC used to make one (I don't think they do anymore), but it worked on our cars and the 86-89 Accord. If you can't find one for our cars, maybe you can find one listed under the 86-89 Accord.

Let us know what you decide.

Mike

[RFL85CRXSI]

Refering to your exhaust, w/ an N/A EW, go w/ a 2" exhaust (there have been many discusions on here about this). As for your mufffler, try a high-flow univeral muffler.
My Dx has a P&P'd EW3 head w/ the stock EW1 block, ported and gasket matched USDM IM, (right now) devac'd and mod'ed stock USDM carb, Mallory Hy-Fire AL-6 ignition, Chikara hedder w/ hedder wrap (to keep the under hood temp to a minimum), 2 1/4" exhuaust from the hedder back (w/no cat) and a Dynomax Supper Turbo muffler (to keep the OEM look and so I actualy hear the radio...)