vwong

I don't know how many people here are fans of the SCCA/Speed WC Touring race seires. Anyway this past Saturday, Speed broadcasted the last round of this year's race at Puerto Rico. The commentator mentioned something about Acura (currently the Realtime team and Mugen/King Motorsport team) NOT running the RSX-S next year. He didn't mention what car Acura is gonna run, but I'm speculating that it could possibly be the TSX. And I think TSX fits perfectly in this race series. Most of the cars in this series are 4-door sedans (except the RSX-S, few E36 328's, a C240 hatch, couple of EG Civic hatch...). Engine sizes in these cars are from 2.0L to 2.8L (yes, the Lexus IS300's are destroked to 2.8L). All of them run on the spec-size wheels (17x8) and spec tires (Toyo T1-S 225/45/17) this year, next year they'll all be on 235/40/17 Toyo RA-1 race tires. Doesn't the TSX fit in all these? I sure think so.

ricecake

that's a good question. we watched the race on Saturday too...the TSX does have very similar specs to the RSX-S. but the RSX is substantially lighter, so if they can find a way to get rid of all of that weight, plus some tuning...interesting proposition.

mantis23

well either way, I sure as hell hope they participate. I'd hate to see 2 good Acura teams fall out of the series.

I could see pierre going to Team RTR and driving the Nissan, but I doubt King Motorsports would move to a different manufacturer.

Go Acura!

dom

Hmmmm. I wonder if the 2.0L ITR engine may be fitted to a SCCA Spec TSX. The engine has already had 2+ years of race development under its belt and its already more powerful than the K24. A TSX weighing 3000lbs would benifit greatly from that engine.

fdl

I think they can even get the weight much lower than 3000 in a full race trim.

In any case, this would be great news and it would prove that the TSX is the better handling car on a track

mantis23

it'd be cool as shit, but I can't see them allowing an engine swapped car into that series.

ClutchPerformer

That shouldn't be too hard since in full race trim, the car doesn't need all the (heavy) niceties it has in stock form. A TSX stripped to the bone should weigh 2900 lbs or less. I can't wait!

ricecake

i miss the ITR days...

dom

Anyone know if the Euro Accord/TSX races in any series over in Europe or Japan? (I'd guess yes) and if os what engine does it use?

vwong

Don't know about Japan, but most of the European races (British Touring Car Championship and European Touring Car Championship) run the Civic TypeR.

With regards to the weight, I agree that without all those comfort items, a full race version of the TSX could weight less than 2800 lbs. The JDM Accord EuroR weighs roughly 3058 lbs, and this is still a street car with many comfort items on. FYI, the minimum weight for the Audi A4 2.8, BMW 328 (E36), Lexus IS300, and MB C240 is 2800 lbs.

TinkySD

if you believe cartest a rsx-s with a k24a2 and tsx tranny + assumed 100lbs more weight is faster than a stock rsx-s. This is a really strong motor...just tied to a heavy car Ever wonder why tuners have been making civics/rsx-s with k24 swaps? It would be just as easy to put a k20a1 in them.

dom

My only argument for going with the K20A1 would be the fact thats its race proven and fully developed (see reliable) Using the K24 would probly set them back a year or two.

JeffTSX

in the December issue for Sport Compact Car. On page 156. there's an article about a RSX by Neuspeed. To cut the story short, The 2nd last paragraph saids " Among other things, the company will be building a completely new engine for it, likely a built 2.4 liter TSX block mated with a Type-S head and Type-R valvetrain. The goal is to put together an all-motor fire breather that will run reliably in the face of more volatile forced induction applications."

Sweeeet!!!

vwong

Not likely!!! If I understand SCCA's intent on this series is that "only vehicles that are produced for sale and delivery to customers through an established dealer network will be recognized". The allowed modifications must follow the VTS (Vehicle Technical Specification) of each car. I've looked through all, the only car that SCCA allows to have engine swap is the 96-00 Civics where they can have the B16 or the B18C1 (GS-R) motor. And if the Civic have the B18C1 package, they have to meet the minimum weight of an Integra GS-R. The K24A2 motor found in the TSX is NOT offered in the RSX, so I don't see the RSX with the K24 motor happening.

edit: I just read that article in SCC. It didn't mention anything related to SCCA/Speed WC Touring Car race. So I have no doubt that Neuspeed can build an RSX with the K24A2 motor for street application. But I don't see Realtime or Mugen/King Motorsport would be building one for the 2004 season.

JeffTSX

Oh sorry man. I wasn't clear enough. The car isn't not for SCCA. It's for street. Sorry man. Hmm...you said only 96-00 Civics are allowed to have engine swaps? But when Roger Foo just started in the SCCA. He had a 92 hatch with a B16.

vwong

I'm not sure what the rules were when Roger Foo ran the Civic. But now (well, at least for 2003 season), 1997-2003 vehicles are eligible to run. http://www.world-challenge.com/seriesfacts.html

I don't know why the VTS for the Civic says 96-00 though.

JeffTSX

Haha. Well whatever it is. It's nice to see the Hondas going at it with BMWs and Mazdas. The Mazdas did quite strong at the beginning of the season.
Can't wait till the new season

vwong

Mazda is also running a new car next season. Most likely the Mazda 6. That'll be interesting!!!

JeffTSX

Wow. It's nice to see more and more 4drs racing. Just like the JTCC and BTCC.