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Cost to build and maintain a regionally competitive H4 car?


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Posted

Hi guys,

 

I'm contemplating changing classes next season. I'm currently winding up my rookie season racing a Spec Miata. I'd like to build a car that can get me to the podium at the regional level assuming my driving and racecraft continue to improve.

 

Assuming I do most of the work (except for engine rebuild and rollcage), what would it cost to build a new CRX or Civic H4 car? What is the typical cost to keep it running during the course of the season (brake pads, tires, typical mechanical issues, etc.)?

 

Any other issues I should know about with an H4 CRX or Civic?

 

Thanks in advance for any info!

Posted

I run a CRX Si in H4 in the mid-atlantic and southeast regions, I'm also finishing my rookie year racing. As a rough guess I'd say you can build an H4 car from scratch for 18-20k if you really want to have all the good stuff in it. But you can buy the same car already build for half of that price. I bought my car from a friend, it needed a motor and some general love but most everything else was done. You'll usually want to change a couple things to suit you, like the seat but you don't have to do things like drag it around to do a cage, chip tar paper off the floor, put in an LSD, press in bushings, replace wheel studs, etc. Unless I had a really good reason, I would buy a race car instead of building. The downside is that you have to come up with all the money at once, instead of making payments on individual parts.

 

Running cost is really minimal, I would guess it would be on par with a spec miata. A set of pads will last you about all year. Depending on your competition you may be able to run a set of tires all year, two at the most, depending on your driving style as well. The motor should be fine for a few years. The biggest cost is probably fuel, between towing and track time...

Posted

Mike (aka Dr. Disco ),

 

Thanks for the info. It sounds like operating costs are comparable to a Spec Miata. If I decide to go this route, I might end up buying a used race car. It worked well with my current car.

Posted

With the EF civic/crx you will probably have to replace the hub/bearing at least once a year. They are very weak on those cars.

 

Id say between 6 to 8 tires for a year. 2 sets of brake pads.

 

Motor should last a long time.

 

Search for "aj nealy crx". That car is a steal and is setup very fast if you arent winning races its not the cars fault..

Posted
With the EF civic/crx you will probably have to replace the hub/bearing at least once a year. They are very weak on those cars.

 

Id say between 6 to 8 tires for a year. 2 sets of brake pads.

 

Motor should last a long time.

 

Search for "aj nealy crx". That car is a steal and is setup very fast if you arent winning races its not the cars fault..

 

^ What he said. Especially about AJ's car.

Posted
That car is a steal

Is his car still for sale!? Holy crap, I thought it would have sold by now, that car is awesome.

Posted
That car is a steal

Is his car still for sale!? Holy crap, I thought it would have sold by now, that car is awesome.

 

I remember this car at mid-ohio last year. He lapped practically the whole lightning field in the rain. That was one of those typical nasa mid-ohio events, where it started snowing sunday!

  • 1 month later...

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