Every so often these pop up, and every so often I get the inkling to get one. not sure why. It's not fast. It's not sexy. I think it would just be something fun/simple to mess with. And get like 45mpg when gas prices on my guzzing WRX get too high, lol. And the thought of having a Civic that is so old that it was BEFORE they were seen as teenage ricer cars....that's kind of cool too.
Anyhow, what's the story with these? What is the suspension setup, in particular? Is there any aftermarket to speak of, or parts from more modern hondas that can work on them? Do they have any promise for autocross or (!!!) rallycross? I mean, just to have fun in, not to actually win.
wow, nobody? 
I was able to find out its independent front and rear suspension (both MacStrut) and that they put down about 65whp on the dyno, haha...but only 1900lbs. Seems like swaps to newer civic engines are not very difficult and that civic/integra suspension and brake components can be used with only minor modification. hmm.
You thought the 85 and newer civics rust bad? The fact that there are any of these left around is an act of God!
My father owned one. Fun little cars, like to rev, good gas mileage. Of course, their newer brethren do literally everything better and there is no downside, so ya...
There was a 1500 "S" in 1983.
HiTempguy wrote:
You thought the 85 and newer civics rust bad? The fact that there are any of these left around is an act of God!
My father owned one. Fun little cars, like to rev, good gas mileage. Of course, their newer brethren do literally everything better and there is no downside, so ya...
I've owned civics, accords, and an integra and sure they are great cars. But they're common and not particularly fun. The whole idea of going with a 1st/2nd gen civic is for the "different" factor (isn't that the key around this place?).....but different in a reliable/inexpensive way, unlike this money-pit GT6 sitting in my garage, lol.
I really just want a rallycross beater and maybe use it to commute every once in a while to save some gas money.
In reply to irish44j:
I ice raced one years ago,it was my street car for a couple of years 1st-great little car that took alot of abuse.The 1300's love to rev but only make 55hp,the 1500's had the cvcc head and made 67hp.Up here in canada we had a cross flow head for the 1500's,find one of those and do a little port work along with a milling and bolt it on.I did it on the awd civic wagon(same engine) I had after this one(was awd class champ with it),made great power(relatively speaking)and would rev to the moon without the power falling off.
Or stick a D16 vtec in it,that should cure the lack of go very easily.
They could likely be made to be a decent autox car simply because they are very light stock,the front sway bar doubles as the lateral arm though so it kinda needs to stay stock.Big front bars suck anyways so stiffen the front with springs.
