Full Tube Chassis CRX Racecar With a 30 Year Old Engine (And it Still Rips!)

Gridlife’s time attack and road racing series has seriously brought out some of the very best and most interesting builds across America. Much like this full tube chassis old school CRX, built for wheel to wheel racing. While a 170hp Honda might not seem like the world’s most interesting car on the outset, this thing hits all the right buttons: vintage race tech, tons of durability, and a few modern tricks to make it a really fun track ripper.
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[@LarryChenPhoto]

If you want that Larry Chen peeker sticker head over to the Etsy store. Each print comes with peeker stickers and Hoonigan Autofocus stickers! www.etsy.com/shop/larrychenphoto

[@DAV4WSR1]

great chassis ! i'm think is low than 1600pound weight !

[@elmatador4759]

You truly are the luckiest man alive 💯

[@Austin25Rivers]

He said “rip nads” and it scared me for a minute 😂 my heart dropped

[@MaNu-pp1em]

Mine too

[@hogdog567]

Me too, Nads is the kind of weirdo we can’t do without.

[@ernieb2323]

Same !

[@stakkalyrics9875]

Same here. Had to check i werent alone before commenting!! Wish you were here might have been better then rip 😅

[@Hanschepu]

NGL I was scared too, Nads is one of the OG in the tuner scene, would defo miss him.

[@fredogknopfler]

I've always had a softspot for the CRX (I love compacts and japanese cars ngl), and maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan this is cool!

[@replynotificationsdisabled]

Ngl?

[@mrcontroversy222]

@@replynotificationsdisabled not going to lie. “Not gonna lie”

[@nothinghere7391]

You know a paintscheme looks good when it looks good on an 80s Honda as well as a NASCAR car

[@Matty.Hill_87]

My first memory of one of these was seeing one take a porsche to gaplebees up a dual carriageway... Loved them ever since

[@nyakio5511]

What’s a carriageway

[@Matty.Hill_87]

@@nyakio5511 it's a road in the UK

[@nyakio5511]

@DJ Coin Laundry what ? No gapplebees is a racing saying it means u beat them in a race badly

[@bbbildhuu]

@@nyakio5511 wooosh

[@mmwosu]

I remember in the early 90’s hearing stories and seeing write ups in magazines of dudes out in California running 10 second in the street in CRX’s and EG hatchbacks with turbo B series Frankensteins in them (B series head on a Prelude block). This was the pre-Fast and the Furious JDM scene before “ricer” was even a term, and also the same time that I began to expand my young understanding of what a “race car” could be. Put those days straight in my veins!

[@chestercallahan8856]

I respect this owner so much and love the history of his car. Sounds like a sport bike! Bad to the bone!

[@isaacshively6705]

Don't change that car, you can buy those CRX' for cheap so if he wanted to do a B series swap or even a K swap I'd build a clone and leave that one how it is, it's a piece of history you don't want to change

[@joeynelson4091]

You can't even find these cars anymore

[@isaacshively6705]

@@joeynelson4091 depends on where you are I'm in northern California and I found 10+ for sale near me

[@alexstromberg7696]

@@isaacshively6705 California may the only place where they, they rust like shit

[@slonky821]

@@isaacshively6705 they're probably mostly 2nd gens

[@replynotificationsdisabled]

My parents sold my 86 civic si hatch when I was deployed. It had been parked when the 1.5 timing jumped. Dammit to hell.. They're dead now, haha.

[@XenonG]

For GT and GT class endurance racing, there are teams that put ply wood under their front splitter, lightweight and soft to adsorb impact damage, used as sacrificial material.

[@kennethfrazee2540]

Oh yeah, plywood. good call, marine grade w good sealer might last a while.

[@supersevenn]

SCCA GT Light is one of the coolest classes to run. Good to see a new generation picking up the class

[@aaabbb9953]

-30y old engine that can rips -Bisimoto enter the chat

[@Celshock13]

Probably the last time he actually built the motor, more just pays everyone to do it now lol

[@rotarymotion120]

Bisimoto》 is The Master Mind of the Honda Engine Builder.

[@dirtayk6742]

Wow, Larry always finding these rare gems! I really respect this guys reverence for the cars history. What a badass ride👍👍 I guarantee you that Nads could do a 3 hr. geek out on this car. Awesome work a usual Mr. Chen❤

[@jameshaulenbeek5931]

Very awesome! And right at the end, he (inadvertently) explained why so many trace teams are going to paddle shifted autos. The balance and precision is so much better.

[@CarlosRivera-lv3uc]

My pops runs historic car racing in the SouthEast, his Porsche 914 is 2200 wet, with him and a strategically placed lead plate to make weight classifications. This things is super sweet and simple enough that even regular dudes could run and have fun, very interesting.

[@Pr0ximaCentauri]

1g CRX was my first car I bought in the 90s. So hard to find now days, rust destroyed most of them in the US NE states.

[@BruceLee-xp5fc]

That was a good overview of the car , you were asking all the right questions love it !

[@mihailpetrovici5044]

I love that this guy improves his car and still keeps it instead of getting something newer but not original

[@sbfhawk4343]

This guy is the real deal he has to keep it going and not break the transmission by doing what other people do just to try to gain a 1/8 of a second. Destroying the Transmission in the process. He said it best do they pay for the transmission? No end of questioning. Yup you do what you do what works so that your fast but still bring the car in for further future fun runs.

[@digimon916]

My bro had a first gen stick in high school when i was a kid. My memories in it are being tossed around in the back going to the arcades

[@CharlieChaosSince97]

That engine needs to be blueprinted if it hasn't been already. It's a piece of history!!! Awesome car.

[@kasuraga]

God damn that thing sounds like a street bike. That cars sick as hell. 30 years being a race car.

[@kelevra558]

The flywheel must weigh as much as an old LP record. Super chill owner/operator and my favorite CR-x ive ever seen. Fantastic job as usual Larry. Ur the man my ninja.

[@ronaldyahya5618]

Larry " the thing is" "here with my good friends"

[@REAPER3fitty]

Well he usually is with friends and the thing usually is so....

[@LarryChenPhoto]

"my buddy" "oh wow that's so cool" "my buddy" "that's insane"

[@justdrifting4749]

@@LarryChenPhoto I call everyone “my buddy” when I’m talkin bout them

[@dillonbmx16]

Man that thing on those ronal turbo splits is goals. God I love those wheels

[@RyanKristoffRacing]

Compomotive Turbo 🤙🏻 They need some TLC

[@GregSiam]

Been following Ryan since he drove a spitfire! CRX on Compomotive Turbos, my favorite wheel of all time!!

[@MTNDEWGANG]

Those wheels are do gorgeous. Always loved those designs.

[@Jaayraaay]

Watanabe wheels are thr dopest on old hondas

[@EMNemesis]

Also, don't forget that the iconic AE86 Trueno from Initial D.

[@kondemnert]

Pretty sure that these are actually Rota RB in 13x8, which despite being a Minilite ripoff are absolutely gorgeous wheels.

[@marcozuniga8163]

@@kondemnert wrong bro, I have a ef sedan an have both Rota RB2 Rims with Toyo TR1 and this same Panasport rims he has with Toyo R888. The Watanabe is also similar as well but not quite the same not saying it's bad dough.

[@josephmatuszak3855]

Those wheels are super vintage classic for the Honda's racing back then. The Mugen CRX talked about ran them too. I wish I could drop a pic of the DC2 Integra I put a mint replica Mugen throwback livery on. Sick car. That car looks like a blast to drive! Nads running in circles screaming right now.

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

they look like minilites,i love them

[@marcozuniga8163]

I run both Panasport Toyo R888(track) and Rota RB2 with T1R (Street) on my EF sedan. Love both wheels

[@sparkeyjones6261]

I bought one of these in '91. Mostly stock, but one of the most fun cars I've ever owned. Just commuting to work every day felt like a kart race.

[@lewisr7099]

Erecto Seato cuz, this thing is just perfect, Larry I wish you were my dad.

[@dougshaw2944]

Rad lil' Hoonda. All that talk about power to weight and lightness makes me think about the old Chapman quote, "simplify and add lightness." Thank you for the excellent feature, sir!

[@JDub33333]

This CRX is in a whole different realm of cool.

[@rotarymotion120]

Is a Nice Piece, '88 CRX.

[@Beardchanics]

Sweet build, love CRX, seen quite a few in my feed lately and it's pretty good. Thanks Larry, nice coverage as usual.

[@zatiticherry3421]

Electromotive in the building!! I bet that ignition setup makes it so it doesn't load up at all,Hella Dope!!!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@adamskinner5868]

that was great, time to learn more about Gridlife!

[@zeitgeist57]

Love this thing. Also, 26:36 what a great shot of that E36 busting through the tire smoke.

[@claudedottin1312]

Right it’s one of the endings I look forward to watching

[@cncdan1364]

Almost sounds like a bike. That’s insane.

[@jonlawrence6338]

Well it is a Honda lol

[@ignaciomartinez4863]

Out of respect to NADS popin a Pabst blue truly a one of a kind Honda RESPECT ✌️😁🍻

[@thetreblerebel]

It's one big money pilevthat looks great in red..kudos

[@PortfolioAutomotive]

Ryan’s the man! Great interview

[@isaacshively6705]

I just bought a MK6 Jetta with a 2.5 that I plan on either TTRS swapping or putting a bunch of IE parts in like their intake manifold, headers, and tune in but I'd like to try Gridlife in it when it's done

[@ErronKebabb]

"...Birch, I think it was." Gold.

[@nikolanaskovski4103]

The CRX mk1 is an iconic little car, glad to see one kicking assess

[@Devonrgn]

The single slammer!!!

[@tommycr-zsportcarssupercar2826]

Awesome CR-X

[@nathanpeachs2704]

Wow dude 🏁 You have great taste, what a car beautiful! The stickers added perfect, keep it up😎

[@AustinAnthony-akaftw]

Beautiful build. "12.5 lbs/HP, then add or remove weight percentage modifiers for aero, drivetrain, and other modifications" GLTC seems like a pretty awesome and conservative open racing format. for perspective a car with ~180hp weighing ~2250lbs.

[@bhaggen]

For the astute car-guy the red-white-gold livery originally appeared on the 67-68 Lotus-49 F1 car and are the trademark colors of their sponsor "Gold Leaf" tobacco

[@chubscub]

Finally a video where Larry Chen isn't trying to raise the price of classic cars out of the affordability bracket.

[@G_Ozare]

This thing is UNREAL. Nerding out HARD

[@CCOCAS_pic]

Larry Chen big big thanks for sharing that car, since your first pic i fall in love..... What beautiful project

[@TFritz82]

Awesome episode, loved this car!! Inquiring minds want to know...what exactly is high compression on this thing? 13:1 neighborhood?

[@RyanKristoffRacing]

This specific engine is closer to 15:1

[@TFritz82]

@@RyanKristoffRacing whoa 😳 she's up there! Thanks for sharing 👍

[@nicksothep8472]

Seriously serious, this is as real as it gets, old school wise of course, I'm pretty sure the Kanjo buys would appreciate it very much👍🏻☠️🖤☠️ And it sounds exactly as it should, like a super pissed off motorcycle 😅

[@Audfile]

In the mid 90s I had an FZR600 and got left behind by one of these on the freeway with 4 people in it.

[@fasteddys906]

Looked like a filter on the underside of that carb cover box lol

[@arcadiagreen150]

Larry is keeping hoonigan alive with this dope content. Im still watching thr Donk build, but im not happy about it

[@cheddarcheese8945]

I bet nadz is watching this with a 🍺 in one hand

[@mzondi1970]

Sounds so much like a street bike. I love it.

[@9kalltheway]

Seen this and met the owner in person at gingerman raceway. Incredible.

[@blueoval92]

Thanks for this auto focus!

[@DustinDegler]

N/A motored cars are always so cool imo

[@SYMTVbroadcasting]

Rad car, rad driver, and nice rear quarter window decals ;)

[@RyanKristoffRacing]

One got almost wiped off after the rain. Pretty sure ur logo is freehand on one side now 😂

[@SYMTVbroadcasting]

@@RyanKristoffRacing always got more b

[@george8718]

I had a 1987 crx Si red in Chicago we’re I lived and loved it >

[@replynotificationsdisabled]

I had same car. Hatch only I believe. My friends new sentra spec v couldn't keep up in the turns twenty years later.

[@mandarb23]

Underglows are back! Dude smiles yeah I got them. I love it to. Why did it ever leave... It did go to far huh?

[@antbymcnair4297]

Sofa King Cool! Keep showing some old school for the old fools

[@lendaryreviews]

Wow. Love the front tire extra space for air. Very japanese love it. Dope.

[@TopherATX420]

my first car was a 1987 honda CRX si with a 5 speed...turned me into the gear head i am today

[@omaralvarez5359]

I actually own a honda crx from 1986 with 140,000 miles which is crazy for the year and I got it for 1,000 dollar and it's in mint condition

[@plnkfloydian7814]

I always wanted a gsr swapped crx, just seemed like it would be a fun daily

[@nobodynoone2500]

If you're suprised to se a carb'ed crx, you aren't in the know about the coolest CRX ever, the SS Work's CRX. Running quad carbs, beats turbo rwd cars. You should look it up, I would LOVE modern pics. Theyre all old af. I think 2009 was the most recent i've seen.

[@mryang3644]

Oh shit.... just ordered some underglow🤣🤣🤣

[@jacksonl9062]

Larry should start trying his hand at racing again please I would love that for you. o-o

[@Jason_Bacon]

TEAM TUNA!!!

[@gemizu4874]

The Kanjozoku boys need to step their game up.

[@sbfhawk4343]

This is one bad little classic. Leave it just like that no need to change a thing. It a masterpiece. 175 HP is all that thing needs to send many many cars to Gapapplebees~~~~~

[@doug5541]

man love this car i allways wanted a crx growin up they are so cool

[@VividTape]

Good coverage Larry! I'm sitting here with a 92 Honda City racecar I imported for Japan, wish I was closer to a gridlife event, would be fun to bring the gymkhana vibes with me

[@AG-sy4wt]

ohh mann. pure lust

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

sounds like a wicked sportbike,i love it

[@BrendanEvan]

9:58 12 Valves Per Cylinder - thats a lot of valves, ha! This car is about 255 bhp/ton which is *quick* Having a good base of cars to compete against in wheel to wheel is everything IMO. I ran around in NASA track days for a few years and it eventually just turned into a “whoever spends the most money is the fastest” contest. That’s probably most track days thought. Spec miata has always been so appealing

[@AnDrEw122100]

I love it . Wish I turn some laps in this thing .

[@Hidalgochrsxm]

As a 90’s baby I’m very happy underglow is making a comeback 😂

[@ManjisFlavors]

I love CRX’s 😻

[@docsgearheadgaming2503]

omg yes..... Wish i could find this body kit to fit a Factory Si Chassis. Wanna do a Mugen GT4 Inspired build so bad

[@RyanKristoffRacing]

Houseman has the street kit - I have the molds for the racecar

[@docsgearheadgaming2503]

@@RyanKristoffRacing Oh wow! Thanks for that man. Book marked that page for sure. The ZC Engine is also really hard to find parts for. So may have to swap t a B or K sadly. Was hoping to keep the ZC and get it around 250hp. But I cant find anything internal for it. Hey if you still play iRacing Feel free to add me. Always looking for people to roll with :) Matthew Oake is the name. A Class 4.xx 34-3500 iR. See you on track :) And thanks again for the info.

[@Scruffy_Hobo]

As a crx owner, this makes me very happy

[@dinisfigueira9918]

Love the old torsion bar Hondas. Own two of them 👌

[@singlecams]

this is a famous car he has there

[@blank8969]

oh! i thought this was an r/c build! incredible!

[@fishinmalarkey9830]

Whoaaaa... 15 seconds into the video and im in awe

[@artoodiitoo]

In the thumbnail It looked like a 1 :10 scale RC car, but actually was a 1:3 scale car

[@artoodiitoo]

@Viking Raiders Actually european. But it is still tiny compared to most cars. I love my CRX

[@ForeverTRUE2011]

That's sicker than covid

[@TheMiddleAmerican]

This should be a special series at CletusMcfarland’s new Track! They DID say NASCAR!

[@jakeeclouse4799]

Beautiful

[@dailygrindescape2598]

I’m trying to figure out the upper control arm on the front. Need this suspension set up for myself

[@rj5485]

Hmmm, Honda Go-Cart. Cool

[@replynotificationsdisabled]

The af civic/crx is the lightest honda chassis I believe. I miss my 87 civic si. I think they were hatch only. The torsion bar set up made it expensive and hard to find upgrades

[@drewp25831]

RUDNIK WHERE YOU AT?????

[@dannygarcia8341]

30yrs of racing development on the original motor? That's amazing and even cooler then the tube frame. How many motors now a day could do that?

[@castin5244]

I was there are saw you guys filming this video :)

[@codysmith4076]

Just paused the whole video to check if the Honda wizard was alive dont scare me like that lol

[@stackzoverheaddoors454]

Nice rig