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So I've read ChrisShen's setup notes on the Civic, and in a civic I'd be inclined to go with his recommended 400f/450r spring rate for a weekend-warrior/daily-driver.

Now I'm building a 91 CRX Si for STS2, and I'm wondering how those spring rates will translate to the shorter crx chassis... the weight of the vehicle is similar, but the f-r ratio might differ some. I've seen some folks talk about using 400/400 on crxs as well.

Do you think 400/450 would be a good all-around spring setup for an autocrossed daily driver or is there another known setup the csp or ep or sm2 folks have found to work best?

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'91 CRX Si (STS2)

I'd be looking at something more along the lines of 550-600 lbs up front and 450-500 lbs out back, but that's just me.

Also really depends on the shocks you choose.

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2006 Ford Focus ZX3.

Ahh, OK, I've been seeing that the typical auto-x setup for CRXs is much different from the civics...more bias up front.

Still, those rates sound insane for a daily driven autoxer. :eek:

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'91 CRX Si (STS2)

Can someone explain why a CRX would have more of a bais toward the front? I know it has a shorter wheelbase than a Civic, but I've seen many Civics with a very stong bias towards the rear, so why wouldn't heavier springs in the rear also benefit a CRX?

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Bill Bounds
96 STS
1989 Civic Si "H. Dumpty"

Its important to note that the 88 CRX is from the 89-91's. Whats good for an 88 is not neccessarily optimum for a 89-91.

Now alot of roadrace CRXs are putting high bias in the rear as well, but all the crx "kits" generally come with higher fronts off the shelf.

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'91 CRX Si (STS2)

I'm driving a 91 CRX Si, so I am interested in this question too. My concern is that a "kit" is not the best way to go (and not what I was considering) because of the front bias. So I was wondering why the front bias was suggested, as it is contrary to what I have been reading recently regarding Civic setups.

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Bill Bounds
96 STS
1989 Civic Si "H. Dumpty"

bottomline, do whatever works for j00!

i subscribe to the "run as soft as you can and still win" school of thought, if that helps.

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2006 Ford Focus ZX3.

Originally posted by carl: i subscribe to the "run as soft as you can and still win" school of thought, if that helps.

me too. :D

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'91 CRX Si (STS2)

Originally posted by yeha22: I'm driving a 91 CRX Si, so I am interested in this question too. My concern is that a "kit" is not the best way to go (and not what I was considering) because of the front bias. So I was wondering why the front bias was suggested, as it is contrary to what I have been reading recently regarding Civic setups.

Because it doesn't take much to get the CRX's to rotate, especially on street tires. I'd start out with something like 450/450 and go from there. Heck, with the proper alignment, camber settings and springrates, I seriously doubt you'd even need to upgrade the rear swaybar.

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Todd
Too many ST cars

"Restricted Area Racing"

Granted I'm new to this, but I was running a 90si in sts2 last year, I have since bought an 88 (with 62k original miles ;) ) and am building it for 06 or 07!!

Back to the point at hand.. I ran the 90si as a daily driver, with 400 ft 450 rr, and had the progress rear sway, adj to full stiff, and I think it rotated great, I had it figured out pretty well to get it to kick out enough I could get back on the throttle out of the corner.  Now I am the 'slower brother' compared to my EP brother, but I liked that setup, and think I'll end up around 450/500 to start off with on this new project, that will be a strict STS2 car, since I won't have to use it as a daily driver.  WOOHOO!!

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»Coining the phrase... Clarifi-Change...

Well its time to check in on this old thread, I suppose.

I've been really happy with the CRX so far, and currently its on 450f/400r with a ST rear sway bar on full soft, and a CRX HF front bar. I'm happy with this setting, just need to drive it better. :P

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'91 CRX Si (STS2)

A year and a half later, who is up for sharing their spring rates on the STS2 Rexs?

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»Coining the phrase... Clarifi-Change...

450/500.

I tried 380/500 and felt it was too loose in fast transitions, and I like loose.

 

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'91 ITB Civic DX

What's funny is that a lot of people I talk to in impound are running completely different set ups and everybody is running similar times.  Some people left foot brake so they can drive a car that's real loose.  Some people don't so they need a more stable car...  Different strokes for different folks and to tell you the truth, I dont' think spring rates and all that mean that much compared to how well you can drive.  You just have to set the car up for your driving style and keep at it.

I would tend to agree. I wasn't left foot braking a year ago, and as soon as I started and lost that giant weight transfer rear to front.. a car that was point and shoot, became a gravel plow. I spent the next few events tweaking rates, and setup again. Spring rates, bar choices, shock settings, pressures, etc. are definitely driver dependant, "good choices" are relative to the driver's style.

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»Coining the phrase... Clarifi-Change...

Still 450/400, and still learning to drive it.

 

One thing I think stands true universally for all the CRXs I've seen... rear camber is one of the biggest factors in getting the CRX either settled down or looser, depending on what you're looking for. 

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'91 CRX Si (STS2)

David McKnight:

One thing I think stands true universally for all the CRXs I've seen... rear camber is one of the biggest factors in getting the CRX either settled down or looser, depending on what you're looking for. 

Understood, not only did I just run my (presumably) last event on my funky 14's (toyos), but did some severe camber corrections to the rear, enough that it was incredibly loose and twitchy at our local event yesterday... a couple DNFs, tons of cones, borderline un-drivable. Some 'Stones will be on it by week's end, do some camber and toe adjustments before the next event. As well as working more on a carbon fibre intake.

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»Coining the phrase... Clarifi-Change...

I have owned a 1988 CRX Si back in the day. Even with all seasons on the car in the winter was a handful. So I would have to agree the 89-91 Civic Si would be a handful for the 88-91 CRX Si. But it really depends on the driver.

 From memory the weight dist was something like 63/37 or 62/48. And the Civic was more 60/40.

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KAM Racing Sports, Falken Tires, Progress Technology, Brady's High Performance, Taggart Performance Engineering, Rotora Brakes
Autocross is: 90% driver, 5% car, & 5% CRAZY MOJO!
Buy my Civic parts!

430/500

Not very loose.
 

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The Brown Sean - #48 STS2 CRX

400/450   Plenty loose....

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OzCop

"It's never too late to have a happy childhood."