PROJECT CRX
 

Recently, my friends and I have thought about a group project. We want to buy a beater rex and build it up and turbo it. we are lookin for about a 2000 dollar budget project here. i just want to know from all you guys on here with rex's your opinions on the idea. it has no time limit and it really is just to learn more about turbo charging cars with no worries since it'll be a cheap junkyard rex..

i have no HP goals as of now i am thinkin about creating a plan that we'll follow. i dunno whether to go b series or d series etc etc.

like i said this is a group of 5-6 guys and we are all begginer-intermediate at this, but i think it would work out okay we are not morons and any real problems we run into we can come to good ol HMT for the answer.

do you think a 2k - 2500 budget is too low and is this going to be a huge waste of money or do you think we'll enjoy the time spent on it... i read through almost every turbo project on here and it looks like the people involved had a LOT of fun doing it and had a fun car to drive afterwards. and theres nothin like a light as rex to start out with..


any input would be appreciated

Re: PROJECT CRX
 

2k to build a car that is worth anything to write home about, unless you have a fab guy,retail guy,tuner,engine builder, and good mechanics in your group no you dont have enough

Re: PROJECT CRX
 

right....well much better to no do it then get 1/4 way through and then say ---- it

Re: PROJECT CRX
 

really the tuning is the problem i dont know anyone with experience in that... i have some friends that can weld and build up blocks etc but cant tune...anyone in st louis area?

Re: PROJECT CRX
 

$2500 is doable but $3000 would be ideal.I guess it depends on wether you can get a CRX for 4-500.The tuning you will figure it out, I just bought some gear from Xenecron a sponsor on here and started reading on PGMFI.org as well as here and managed to get it figured out.I wouldnt recommend attempting a 400whp monster first try but judging by your budget Im thinking this will be a turbo D basic setup.All the info and writeups you need are there and it is a great way to learn about building turbo rides etc on a Honda as mistakes are not that expensive.Good luck

Re: PROJECT CRX
 

I dont think 3000 is enough to build anything faster than your typical 13 sec turbo sohc crx. You have to buy a car,suspension,clutch,random car ----,tires,brakes. Plus ecu tuning you have to have a laptop,burner,wideband,ostrich so you dont kill yourself. That budget is weak at best

Re: PROJECT CRX
 

i dont think 2000 is enough to get a crx anymore :-\

Re: PROJECT CRX
 

Paid $400 for mine :6

Re: PROJECT CRX
 

Where do you guys get them. I got my 87 crx for 300 but it needed alot of work and its a 1st gen so nobody wants them

Re: PROJECT CRX
 

I got my 1gen CRX for 290, really all it needed is a new fuel pump and it was driveable

there are tons around here, first and second gen for way less than a thousand... you just gotta know how to shop I guess

Re: PROJECT CRX
 

Make a livin sellin them in california cause crx's here still sell for 2500-3500

Re: PROJECT CRX
 

crx's are getting expensive. i paid 1200 for my first gen and sold it for 1600. with that budget i would look for a hatch and boost the d

Re: PROJECT CRX
 

Really depends on what kind crx you start out with. In Cali, I know a guy who is selling a 89 crx with LS swap already for $1200 with del sol seats etc. Then it also depends on what motor you want to boost and how high. If you have no real plan of what you want or no specific goal of hp, the project will flop and people will be in people's faces and people will drop out. Dont be a Nazi about it, but you need some kind of timeline and specific ideas for the project. Just cant be like uhm, 6 guys, crx, $2000 or so, going to boost... ya boost! Doesnt work that way. I'm not doubting you, Im just saying things will be MUCH smoother if everyone has an idea of what is going to happen and what the next step is...

In terms of $2000, it can happen on a super duper low budget setup where you are basically almost getting ---- for free you'll get a decent boosted crx. think about it though, crx are sold anywhere from $25-3000+ with or without engines, with or without body damages. Next is a decent motor, lets say d16z6 with good tranny around $300-600, super budget turbo setup $500-1000, slicks because you wont have traction for ---- with a boosted car on a track $200-500, fluids and random ---- just add another $500. Tuning is another story... get to know some of these guys on here and if you are nice enough you may be able to get cheap and decent basemap to rape the crx on...

My point is, $2000, you'll may be able to do it, but it'lll be a shitbag and may not make it down the track very well... but you can say it is a boosted crx etc...

Re: PROJECT CRX
 

I paid $1000 CDN for mine 1988 CRX SI with one year old viper black paint nice interior and a body kit installed.I see them for around $500-700 all the time.If your doing a basic build $3000 and some hunting on the classifeds you could build something prety quick.Grab a B18a swap[5-600] build a kit for it[1000] and then your left with 8-900 to do suspension get some mounts,ecu gear etc.I think it is doable if you hunt around for used stuff and look for bargains.I guess it does depend where you are as I know California Honda stuff is double price of elsewhere.

Re: PROJECT CRX
 

a lot of them here are listed for that much on craigslist (and often quite a bit more), but they are riced out to the max

Re: PROJECT CRX
 

Give me his # for that crx Ill pick it up monday Im totally serious

Re: PROJECT CRX
 

yeh guess i shoulda put on here that i meant a 2000-2500 budget for the build....that is once i have the rex and motor. but like i said this would be as extreme a case of 'all go, no show' as you can get. its not going to be a daily driver, i dont even care if its street legal. that was an estimated budget anyway i mean i have no problem with spending a little more but i dont know about the rest. it was just an idea really i wanted some opinions and i appreciate all the responses.

yeh thats exactly why i was tryin to get a basic idea going so i could come up with some realistic plans/goals. im the kinda guy who would plan every detail out before we even started, so that there's less confusion later.

i dunno tho ill have to ask them all how serious they are about this cuz its not somethin i just want to throw money into for no reason, but yeh thanks guys for the comments

Re: PROJECT CRX
 

Yeah around here you find crazy ---- all the time. i came across a dx 90 dx hatch converted to mpfi with full si interior and a spare a6 block and z6 head. had d15b in the car and it was running for 1200. the other day i picked up a whole 1g GST turbo kit for 100 bucks. really it wont be hard to find some ---- jsut listen to me when i say dont jump on ---- to soon unless you know its a bangin ass deal. Sure this is a learning project type thing but hey if you do it well enough keep the rex or drop that engine and ---- in your car. jsut try to get the cheapest 5spd honda you can find and go with a simple d series with hf manifold and a junkyard t3 off a saab or some ---- or a t25 off a dsm. easy cheap and fun