Autocross Senior Project Car

[technojunky]

so me and 2 of my friends just got our senior project idea approved, miraculously... its the first time anything regarding a car has been approved at my school. We managed to sell the idea through the "academic aspect" since the project has to be "academic." we're going to create a log of all the modifications we do to a car to transform it into an autocross car, and attempt to explain the scientific reasoning behind why each part works and why it's better than before... not like "install this because you get more horsepower" but "install this because you get more horsepower an this is WHY you get more horsepower..."

we're working on a 1989 Honda Prelude my friend picked up for $500. we've been working maintenance on it so far, since the project doesnt start for 2 or 3 weeks more... but it runs no problems only maintenance left is to replace the clutch and power steering valve, since it leaks power steering fluid everywhere.

the clutch is slipping and needs replaced, but we're putting in a racing clutch as a "performance mod"

it runs and idles fine right now, only 2 problems are clutch and power steering. he's been driving it to school, except right now he's doing the "$50 paint job" (found here http://www.rickwrench.com/index79mas...llarpaint.html )

he's wet sanding between every coat, and is on coat 5. painting it black. we power sanded down to the metal and then primered with auto primer, painting with black rustoleum roll on. looks good so far *crosses fingers* it needed it bad, the car was 3 colors heh

it already has a short shifter and a performance exhaust. the car had a bunch of mods when he bought it. it just didnt have a battery or half the interior and a bunch of small things were broken that we have fixed already

CURRENT PLANS FOR THE CAR:
putting on racing tires (with new, wider rims),
performance clutch,
hardened suspension,
weight reduction (ripping out interior, installing racing seat with 6 point harness),
CAI,
engine inspection/overhaul (for sure pulling the engine apart to clean and inspect it. it has 200k miles haha. We're thinking about new pistons/rods if its in the budget)

weve got about $1500-2k minimum to work with between the 3 of us, all our own money we worked for, and we're gunna run it close...

any advice? i know a bunch of you guys out there know a lot about cars, and a youngster like me would love to have any advice you all can give

we're planning to dyno before and after, as well as do a few timed autocross runs before and after. If you guys want, i'll post a log of what we're doing, as well as the results of everything...

project starts officially in 3 weeks (when we get back from spring break)

[Stogey]

Good luck with your project guys ! Sounds like a lotta fun !

[Kurts]

When I first saw "senior" project in the thread title I thought senior=old fart............like myself!

I don't have any advice, per se, but I'd be concerned about tearing apart the whole engine; not for the learning experience - that can't be beat - but you're soon to discover that your budget will get eaten alive once you find that
the rods are shot,
the pistons are burnt
the valves look like they've gone through a war
it's gonna need that
& it's gonna need this, etc.

I'm not saying it's a bad idea. Frankly, if you're making this car a project it's the only way to go. I'd just be concerned that you'll go over budget el pronto.
I'm thinking junk yard/used parts store/Ebay may not be a bad idea for scrounging!
Good Luck!!

Now if I just had an endless budget, a decent garage & time I'd LOVE to do a "Waldig" on my SRT!

[technojunky]

yup we've already visited the junk yard twice to get that pesky check engine light to go off. It's off now because we're obviously master mechanics and replaced 2 sensors for 5 bucks from the junkyard as for the cylinders etc from the engine, that would be the absolutely last thing we do. We figure it's probably only a good idea to pull the engine apart since it has 200k miles and make sure nothing is cracked and it wont explode in our face from running at high revvs during an autocross test.

but it's funny. we're scared to seafoam the car because what if it's all the crap in the engine bay that's holding everything together, and if we do it then suddenly everything will stop working because all the holes that were covered with grime are suddenly opened up..... then we'd be looking at replacing an engine, and haivng to come up with a much larger budget...