2016 GRM challenge soccer mom class domination| Builds and Project Cars forum |

pimpm3 Dork
10/30/15 4:16 p.m.

The gauntlet has now been tossed

Today I purchased my 2016 challenge car. I know it is astonishing to begin a challenge build less then a week after the conclusion of the last challenge, but I am done berking around.

I am gunning for a top five finish overall, and I am looking to crush all comers in the minivan class. I have put a lot of thought into this and I think I have come up with a contender.

Yesterday I won a damaged, yet running and driving 2003 Acura CL Type S 6-speed coupe. It was sold by State Farm and was purchased for the princely sum of $800.00 plus $269.00 fees. The shipping truck picks it up Monday.

Now for those unfamiliar with the CL Type S it should be noted that it is equipped with a 260 HP J32a2 V6 engine. That engine is attached to a 6 speed manual transmission with a Helical Limited Slip Differential. Now like other similar vintage Honda power plants this motor takes extremely well to mods. 260 WHP is not unusual with modifications. Most importantly this power plant offers a broad torque curve.

With the power plant donor acquired, I set my sights on the van to put it in. I wanted something light weight with a sophisticated suspension. Enter the 1995 through 1998 RA1 Honda Odyssey. Multilink four wheel suspension, check. Light weight, 3450 lbs check. Compact dimensions, check.

I looked to my local craigslist, and discovered a clean 1997 in a small town 90 minutes from Jacksonville. The seller had it listed as a "mechanic's special" with a broken timing belt. He was asking $500. This morning I met with the seller and purchased it for $350. I pick it up next week when I return from a trip up north to visit family.

TRoglodyte SuperDork
10/30/15 4:23 p.m.

Now all you gotta do is hammer that square peg into that round hole. How long could it take?

AntiArrhythmic New Reader
10/30/15 4:23 p.m.

Oh hell yes. J-series have been swapped into plenty of accords which share the F-series SOHC drivetrain with the early Ody. Couldn't be that hard.

2002maniac Dork
10/30/15 4:26 p.m.

This is going to be great! My wife drives a 1st gen Odyssey. We've wanted to replace it, but it just won't die. It handles pretty well too.

I put konis on ours. Accord front and E46 BMW rear bolt right on.

SVreX MegaDork
10/30/15 4:34 p.m.

I've got 2 of those- nice find!

Now, if you cut the weight in half, you'll be in the neighborhood of The Mumpkin...

... but you will still weigh twice what my next entry will.

pimpm3 Dork
10/30/15 4:39 p.m.

I am shooting for 2800 lbs. A set of ebay headers, a 3.5 liter intake manifold, and a cold air intake should net about 260 WHP.

physician New Reader
10/30/15 4:56 p.m.

Install in the front? A mid engine odyssey would be way more grassroot :D

Nice project, you got my attention !

How boost friendly is it?

Billy_Bottle_Caps Dork
10/30/15 5:14 p.m.

awesome sauce...6-speed Honda Van..

rob_lewis SuperDork
10/30/15 5:26 p.m.

Excellent!! I think it's awesome that the first gauntlet thrown was NOT a Caravan. I'll be watching just to see how you mount up the 6-speed linkage and where. I know it's probably impossible, but column shift would probably net quite a few bonus points in the concourse part.

-Rob

pimpm3 Dork
10/30/15 5:35 p.m.

rob_lewis wrote: Excellent!! I think it's awesome that the first gauntlet thrown was NOT a Caravan. I'll be watching just to see how you mount up the 6-speed linkage and where. I know it's probably impossible, but column shift would probably net quite a few bonus points in the concourse part. -Rob

Thanks, not sure about shifter or much of anything else yet. Once I get them side by side and start measuring I will have a better idea.

dropstep Dork
10/30/15 5:58 p.m.

As much as im not a big honda fan, a 6 speed van build is worth watching!

DeadSkunk UltraDork
10/30/15 5:59 p.m.

Bisimoto's 1029 HP Honda van
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIutWHOTDqQ

JohnRW1621 MegaDork
10/30/15 6:39 p.m.

Great, it's beige.

aussiesmg MegaDork
10/30/15 6:49 p.m.

Hey did John tell you, we are going with a pickup challenge, not Soccer Mom vans now.

chandlerGTi UltraDork
10/30/15 7:53 p.m.

I daily a 6spd minivan. It doesn't have 260 whp though.

This is going to be fun; checking out the scratches on door handles.

pimpm3 Dork
10/30/15 8:05 p.m.

aussiesmg wrote: Hey did John tell you, we are going with a pickup challenge, not Soccer Mom vans now.

That's fine. I will just have to beat up some miatas and mustangs with my van then.

logdog SuperDork
10/30/15 8:38 p.m.

aussiesmg wrote: Hey did John tell you, we are going with a pickup challenge, not Soccer Mom vans now.

Why not both?

sethmeister4 SuperDork
10/30/15 9:09 p.m.

Oh man this is gonna be good!

Robbie Dork
10/30/15 9:23 p.m.

Sweet score. Now you just need a couple sliding doors for that beastie.

pimpm3 Dork
10/30/15 9:50 p.m.

logdog wrote:
aussiesmg wrote: Hey did John tell you, we are going with a pickup challenge, not Soccer Mom vans now.
Why not both?

That is classy

JohnRW1621 MegaDork
10/31/15 8:12 a.m.

I think that is the Cadillac of minivans, of pickups.
Add a 3800SC and that could be a contender!

captdownshift UltraDork
10/31/15 1:34 p.m.

Lexan all the non windshield glass and I bet that you'd cut out 250lb.

EvanR Dork
10/31/15 3:05 p.m.

captdownshift wrote: Lexan all the non windshield glass and I bet that you'd cut out 250lb.

Or cut more for more weight savings:

pimpm3 Dork
11/4/15 5:50 p.m.

The CL arrived today. It runs good, with no strange noises. It has a slight misfire which I am hoping is a coil or bad plug. The oil is dirty but all there. There is surface rust on many of the underhand connectors and bolts.

The a/c works as does power steering. The car has lots of sellable parts and the interior is nice.