Rich,
ST only allows most of the HANDLEING goodies. The reason the CSP ranks are
populated by CRX's and RX-2/3's is because they can make a lot more power than
stock. An air intake, a header, a STOCK cat, a chip and a cat-back exhaust does
not make a fast CRX or RX2 under the ST rules. Those Mazda's are making around
190hp!!!
The M3 isn't legal for ST. Limited slip is the wrong type.
I think that when you are looking for a good ST cr you have to look at the
following factors:
- stock weight (because your not going to get much lighter)
- stock power (because your not going to get tons more)
- performance weeknesses corrctable under the rules
If you add another 20 real HP, lets look at a few cars out there now: (These
of course are estimates)
Car Weight Power Differential Power/Weight
Prelude 2900 210 Open 13.81
Integra 2600 190 Open 13.68
SE-R 2300 160 Viscous 14.35
ACR 2300 170 Open 13.52
I think people overlook that fact that the SE-R and Integra's handleing woes
began with soft factory springs and large roll issues. You can eliminate these
problems in ST. I look for a killer ST car every time I open the book.
AB
Here in New England I've heard discussion about what might and might not
make a good car for ST. The 4th gen VTEC Prelude is clearly capable with
Mr. Bly behind the wheel and others have definitely hypothesized that the
Sentra SE-R could be a contender because of the relatively good power and
limited slip.
Here's my question: Given that ST allows most of the good stuff allowed
in street-prepared, why wouldn't the best ST cars be the same as the
best CSP cars? ASP and BSP cars would most likely fall outside of the
"sports car" exclusion, but there are lots of CSP cars with 4 seats that
are much better than a Prelude or a Sentra. For example, a CSP Civic Si
hatchback or a CSP M3 would obliterate a Prelude or a Sentra in CSP, so
why shouldn't things be about the same in ST?
Thoughts?
Rich Johnston
ESP #177
p.s. Please cc me on responses. I'm on the digest.
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