I'm building a ChumpCar. It's not a Miata. It's not even a Mazda. Sorry, plz don't kick me out?

This last Sunday (Nov. 9, 2014) I purchased a minty fresh 1994 Honda Prelude Si from a nice gentleman in Clemson, SC. 149k miles, very clean interior, clean exterior except for "previous" owner shenanigans with a flat black hood, roof and decklid.

I've been looking (ie Craigslist'ing) for '92-95 Preludes and '90-93 Integras for building into a chumpcar for some time. I found this clean, well priced Prelude and jumped on it.

As of the 2015 ChumpCar rules this is a 400 point car. That gives me 100 points to play with, and avoid any penalty laps. Also, as of the 2015 ChumpCar rules this is a Class "B" car.

The car is scheduled to go to the cage builder around Nov. 30th and should be finished between Dec. 15th and 20th. Despite living in NC (and near a bazillion NASCAR fab shops) I'm taking the car to Ohio for the cage install. The cage builder I'm using is AMAZEBALLZ and builds $4000 cages for just over $2000. Almost every car I've ever raced has had a cage by this guy, including all of the professional GrandAM cars.

I have just over two weeks to completely gut the interior, AND find a tow vehicle and trailer. I'm also currently shopping for a race seat, steering wheel and harness.

I will chronicle this build here because, well, MT.net is full of win and most other forums are NOT. Seefo is also in the process of building a ChumpCar and I think he should also have a build thread.

As for the name of the car; "Stealth". I've never been into naming cars. Honestly, I think it's pretty miserable. Kind of like naming your race car "Crusher"... a bit pretentious don't you think? But one of the previous owners painted this ridiculous "Stealth" shadow decal thingamajigger onto the hood and, well, it's there. I think I'll leave it.

Anyway, pictures:





















Interior gutting starts tomorrow!

 

shots fired.

 

Neg propz incoming!!!

Look out!

 

Someone really wished he'd bought a Dodge-branded Mitsubishi instead?

--Ian

 

Chump car looks like a blast. I really want to start a team in the near future.

What lead you to search for the fwd honda/acura over something like a miata?

 

Because Chumpcar points system.

 

Cool project. Sub'd.

 

Looks like fun.

And seriously, WTF with that paint scheme? The way it meets the regular paint on the c-pillar...

looks like fun though.

 

Partially because of what Concealer said and partially because I've been road racing Hondas for 5+ years. They're what I know and I still have lots of connections at HPD and Honda R&D

 

plus all dat VTAK

 

I guess I have been outed. we are working on a SC300 for chumpcar. I will start a build thread soon, but unfortunately I am more of the angle grinder type than the camera type.

Looks good though, we will have to get together and do some testing together, although with your schedule, I am not sure you plan to do any testing!

 

Yea, it's quite unlikely this car will make a race debut at Road Atlanta in early February BUT I figure it's better to have an aggressive target.

I'm hoping CMP will have some random test n tune days in January. They have some scheduled in December but that's not gonna happen.

Cage install first, then I'll go from there.

 

Interior tear down is happening.

Have pulled out something like 280 lbs so far. Almost all behind the A-pillar so F/R balance is mucho worse moew.

The car is to be delivered to the cage builder Nov. 30th... really need to find a tow vehicle + trailer.












These pictures are a few days old, I'm farther along now.

Working with some contacts on getting a racing seat so I don't have to pay retail prices, hopefully that works itself out soon. Also need to order some wheels and OEM spares and etc. etc. etc.

Cheers

 

P.S. my silly iPhone hates the lighting in my garage and sure takes some shitty/grainy pictures in it.

I apologize. As soon as there are things worthy of photographing I will use a real camera...

 

Given what's happening here, I find this post hilarious:

JK. Keep going. Looks good.

 

Irony.

It's not lost on me.

 

can i have all your spare parts?

 

I thought you got rid of your Prelude?

I'm planning on trying to sell the interior stuffs on CL. The interior is in darn good shape and will hopefully bring some much needed funds.

But...if you really need them???

 

Tow Rig acquired.










I'm a firm believer in using a bigger tool for the job then you need.

1998 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins 2WD Auto

214k miles, and the worst color combination possible.


I call it "The Turd".


Has a 4" downpipe, full 5" exhaust, volant cold air intake, Edge "Juice" tuner, Air Dog 150 lift pump, etc. etc.

A bit beat up but it should tow just fine.


Stealth is supposed to go to the cage builder this Sunday but that depends on me being able to get the truck titled and tag'd in time. Oh and borrowing a trailer.

 

I think it looks good. Obviously pretty beat but I don't mind the color. Love it.