First Build – Honda CRX

So, our first build critique on ActuallyWerks comes from HondaTech.  It’s a caged CRX.

Well, not too horrible so far.  I like the overall design idea on the cage, but the fact that every pipe is intersecting into a different location – no nodes – worries me a little, as well as the surface rust on the tubing.  Wonder what kind of tube was used.

That looks nice how they tied into the rear wheelwells.  I’m not super familiar with Honda’s, perhaps somebody can point out why they didn’t tie into the rear shock towers themselves?  Is the sheetmetal up farther in the wheelwell just as strong, and flex at the shocks (especially if coilovers are being used in the rear) won’t flex that wheelwell now that it’s more rigid above?

You know, some of the cage looks nice – but why are the bars going to the strut towers bent in that fashion, and attached the way they are?

Not to shabby.  I see spherical goodies.  Also engine bay cleaned, painted, and spot welded.

BOOST!!!!

As you can see here, the builder/owner is replacing the rear shock tower sheetmetal where the shock bolts into the car.  Apparently the previous owner damaged the sheetmetal there with a cutting torch….  Kudo’s for fixing it before this car gets driven!  Notice all of the spotwelds drilled out as well in prep for being cleaned and re-welded or stitch-welded.

Or they’ll rivet it together.  Can anybody explain why we did that instead of welded it? I personally have never had good luck with rivets doing anything, they tend to loosen up over time, especially with lateral stress working on trying to compress them.

Looky-here!  Engine is in, bay is cleaned and painted.  Looks like this guy is making some progress now!  I see some shiny suspension goodies, Wilwood calipers, but no supercharger!  🙁

PAINT!!

Finished engine bay just looks fantastic.  Pretty much everything is easily accessible.

Check it out, it’s almost a car!  Wheens & cage have been painted orange too, not bad. I think I like that better than the red honestly.

And that’s all that’s there.  Not sure if this car has ever been finished, but overall it appears to be a solid build.  A few things I’d do differently, most notably the cage, but otherwise should be a fast and fun car!