Hi all,
After several months of trying to sell my First Gen RX7, I have decided not to. I drove it to work for the first time in ages the other day, and realised what a light, good looking, great handling little sports car I already own, so why waste time and money selling it and buying something newer, more complex, and probably front-wheel-drive?!? :cheers
Having read Mark\'s thread on his excellent-looking yellow 1st gen, I have been inspired to tinker with mine (no dodgy jokes) and have a bit of fun, maybe trying a track day or two.
Does anyone have any advice on some good starting modifications/improvements? I don\'t have a massive budget (would feel guilty spending loads on my car and none on my 10 wk old daughter), but intend to save up towards a few choice tuning goodies.
I bought Retro Cars magazine yesterday, which is great as always, but just wondered if anyone here had found a particular idea/bit of tuning that had represented good value for money.
Thanks,
Ant
thats great news (nice to hear ive inspiried someone!)
i know it won\'t make you go quicker but im well impressed with the toyos on the rear of mine sticks like you know to a blacket at the rear now
searching ebay can sometimes get a cheap carb but tax and shipping can be the killer (i know!)
apart from that the usual really, good air filter (will have one going cheap when the carbs are fitted to mine)
good leads, (looking for some myself)
oil change and tlc!!
oh and a stripe (always works!)
Mark
New tyres sound like a good idea, but I have the original alloys (actually I have two sets, but the others need refurbishing), so might have to get some bigger, wider wheels too.
What air filter do you have? Mine is standard at the moment.
Just ordered some Motul 6100 10w/40 oil from Opie Oils (very helpful), as I intend to look after the engine (just coming up to 49000 miles now).
What exhaust would you recommend? I think mine is the original! I think I will keep the engine mods small at the moment, and concentrate on improving the suspension and brakes.
Did you see the Retro Cars article on modifying the first gen?
Ant
Good set of leads
http://www.rotaryart.uk.com/acatalog/Magnecor.html
A good air filter
http://www.rotaryart.uk.com/acatalog/57i.html
Maxsport tyres are about half the price of toyo\'s but still a decent track tyre (RB5)
http://www.rotaryart.uk.com/acatalog/Maxsport_rally___tarmac.html
And some decent oil 5w30
http://www.rotaryart.uk.com/acatalog/Royal_Purple_motor_oils.html
Good oil filter
http://www.rotaryart.uk.com/acatalog/K&N_Oil_filters.html
Hi Ant,
In the same boat with respect to budget.
I\'d say the best place to start would be the exhaust. But you\'ll have to decide whether you\'re going turbo or not. I would suggest you dont if you are strapped for cash. Been pondering over a new exhaust for my first gen and have decided to go down the DIY route to save some money. I\'m working on a long primary system at the moment (see my thread \'Exhaust design - help\') which I reckon should cost no more than £300 - £350 and should give quite a power increase. This will also act as a good setup for later mods to the engine (EFI, porting, etc). I\'m going to do a post on the DIY exhaust build when I get round to it, although this could take a while as the car is in Cornwall and I am in Bristol so dont get to do much work on it at the moment.
A good carby will help, such as a downdraft 48 IDA Weber, and is cheaper than EFI. But as with everything, you pay for what you get, EFI will give a bigger power increase and smoother drive.
Oh yeah, and a good performance upgrade for free...... remove unecessary weight.
Dom
Quote from: rotaryart.uk.comGood set of leads
http://www.rotaryart.uk.com/acatalog/Magnecor.html
A good air filter
http://www.rotaryart.uk.com/acatalog/57i.html
Maxsport tyres are about half the price of toyo\'s but still a decent track tyre (RB5)
http://www.rotaryart.uk.com/acatalog/Maxsport_rally___tarmac.html
And some decent oil 5w30
http://www.rotaryart.uk.com/acatalog/Royal_Purple_motor_oils.html
Good oil filter
http://www.rotaryart.uk.com/acatalog/K&N_Oil_filters.html
on the ball there gary!
i have a 13b 4 port which leads would you recormend?
do they come in yellow?
how many in a set 4 or 6
thanks
Mark
Quote from: Ant480New tyres sound like a good idea, but I have the original alloys (actually I have two sets, but the others need refurbishing), so might have to get some bigger, wider wheels too.
What air filter do you have? Mine is standard at the moment.
Just ordered some Motul 6100 10w/40 oil from Opie Oils (very helpful), as I intend to look after the engine (just coming up to 49000 miles now).
What exhaust would you recommend? I think mine is the original! I think I will keep the engine mods small at the moment, and concentrate on improving the suspension and brakes.
Did you see the Retro Cars article on modifying the first gen?
Ant
i have a stainless exhaust straight through not sure of the make, think its a k and n filter can check
i saw the one with dom\'s in was there another artical? which month?
good review in pratical classics (june) also
Mark
Rotaryart...thanks for those links, will check \'em out.
Dominic...Good advice. I was reading your exhaust thread earlier. I take my hat off to you for undertaking something like that. Would you use stainless for the system? I read an article (think it was Practical Performance Car mag) about exhausts. Apparently it\'s difficult to get the bends correct without altering the cross-section of the pipe. As I said, I just read that somewhere, and I\'m sure you have already thought of it.
I think an exhaust and air filter would be the way to go for now with my car. I like the idea of EFI, as it will improve economy and make the car more driveable.
I thought it would be difficult to use an aftermarket ECU, as I guess they are designed for normal engines (i.e. one plug per cylinder), whereas a rotary effectively has two per cylinder. Although now I think about it, Alfas have twin sparks, so maybe it would work.
The other way to do it would be to either transplant an engine from a 2nd Gen (are they 13B engines? What power do they make as standard?), or nick it\'s EFI and attempt to fit it to the 12A
Sorry for the waffle chaps, but I am all excited about this new project! (Not sure my wife will be so enamoured with the idea when I disappear into the garage every evening! LOL) :Talking1
Ant
Quote from: mpk490pon the ball there gary!
i have a 13b 4 port which leads would you recormend?
do they come in yellow?
how many in a set 4 or 6
thanks
Mark
:WaveBye
Because yours is not stock I assme all will be different lengths to normal, there is a form you can download for custom leads, sure its red only.
http://www.rotaryart.uk.com/acatalog/Magnecor-SpecSheet.pdf
Quote from: rotaryart.uk.com:WaveBye
Because yours is not stock I assme all will be different lengths to normal, there is a form you can download for custom leads, sure its red only.
http://www.rotaryart.uk.com/acatalog/Magnecor-SpecSheet.pdf
red is fine
i\'m using some from a 12a engine so the length\'s should be fine
is there 4 or 6 in a set?
thanks
Mark
Mark,
The article on modifying is in the June 2006 issue (just out in the shops), it\'s the one with a mean looking yellow and black Jag XJ6 on the cover.
I think the car they used for the pics was Doms one (I have the issue with his featured too).
The article talks about carb upgrades, but only mentions EFI in passing. They do mention theat big gains can be made by ditching the stock exhaust.
Ant.
6 leads, piccys fresh from store.
mmmmmmm think i will have to place a order!!
Hi Ant.
Its all well and good going for more power but youve still got to make it stop and go round corners.
This is where I would start.
Get some Yokohama A048R tyres (soft compound) on a spare set of rims.I use these in damp conditions and they are really good in the dry. Stick like sh*t to a blanket. George Polley Motorsport.
Good tyres will give you an edge and they are the cheapest way of getting around a circuit faster.
Koni adustable shocks. Front and rear. Again I have these and they would be good for track days. I am upgrading the rears to coil over soon so If you are after some Konis for the rear.
My front suspension is a bit different to standard.
Brakes are ok but get some upgraded pads and maybe depending on your commitment into the corners some grooved or drilled discs.
Ive also got some uprated rear springs in mine and a spare set which will be surplus to requirements soon.
Then start looking at caster and camber angles.
Like the others say, remove all unwanted weight, Its threefold.
Less weight = better stopping & better power to weight ratio.
If you want to have a look at mine and see what we are doing you are more than welcome.
Cheers
Brian
Quote from: kiwimazdaHi Ant.
Its all well and good going for more power but youve still got to make it stop and go round corners.
This is where I would start.
Get some Yokohama A048R tyres (soft compound) on a spare set of rims.I use these in damp conditions and they are really good in the dry. Stick like sh*t to a blanket. George Polley Motorsport.
Good tyres will give you an edge and they are the cheapest way of getting around a circuit faster.
Koni adustable shocks. Front and rear. Again I have these and they would be good for track days. I am upgrading the rears to coil over soon so If you are after some Konis for the rear.
My front suspension is a bit different to standard.
Brakes are ok but get some upgraded pads and maybe depending on your commitment into the corners some grooved or drilled discs.
Ive also got some uprated rear springs in mine and a spare set which will be surplus to requirements soon.
Then start looking at caster and camber angles.
Like the others say, remove all unwanted weight, Its threefold.
Less weight = better stopping & better power to weight ratio.
If you want to have a look at mine and see what we are doing you are more than welcome.
Cheers
Brian
where did you get your koni\'s from? after some for front and poss rears
thanks
Mark
Koni UK main dealer is 10mins from my house.
Tell me your car details and I can get some prices and availability.
Im off to bed
Brian,
thanks for the advice, I hadn\'t managed to find any info on good suspension, so will definately be interested in your Koni rears. I assume Koni can supply fronts as well.
I think I will have a go at stripping some of the interior (a shame as it\'s virtually as new, including the carpets) out of the car this week, as this is obviously a free performance upgrade.
What wheels do you use with the tyres you recommend?
Ant
Ifr you\'re stripping the interior it might be worth your while doing this carefully, i.e. not damaging stuff when you remove it. Second hand interior parts and carpet if in good nick can fetch a few bob and could offset some of your upgrade costs. Just a thought :cheers
Cheap upgrade for brakes.
http://www.rotaryart.uk.com/acatalog/Black_Diamond_rotors_FB.html
http://www.rotaryart.uk.com/acatalog/Hawk_for_RX7.html
Quote from: kiwimazdaKoni UK main dealer is 10mins from my house.
Tell me your car details and I can get some prices and availability.
Im off to bed
Mines a 86 series 1 mark 3 gsl-se
Thanks
Mark
Dominic,
I had thought of carefully stripping it, but not too sure about selling....might keep it just in case I want to replace it. I reckon I\'d know after my first track day!
Ant
Mark I,ll let you know next week as I am going dog racing north oof York this weekend.
Ant, My wheels are 14" Mazda alloys but do have some other wheels (again 14") that I am selling due to upgrading to 15"
Can email Pics if you interested
Cheers
Brian
Quote from: kiwimazdaMark I,ll let you know next week as I am going dog racing north oof York this weekend.
Ant, My wheels are 14" Mazda alloys but do have some other wheels (again 14") that I am selling due to upgrading to 15"
Can email Pics if you interested
Cheers
Brian
many thanks
mine fronts seem to be banging a lot think it could be the top bushes
but theres no hurry
Quote from: rotaryart.uk.com6 leads, piccys fresh from store.
looking at the spec sheet i think the electrosport 80\'s are the one for me
i will be running a weber 45 with a ported 13b 4 port
could\'nt find them on you site though gary, how many beer tokens are they?
thanks
mark
These ones
KV85 leads for 12a UK
Price: £55.65 £65.39 (Including: VAT at 17.5%)
Order a set and I\'ll bring them to Rotorstock on Monday, save carraige.
http://www.rotaryart.uk.com/acatalog/Magnecor.html
Quote from: rotaryart.uk.comThese ones
KV85 leads for 12a UK
Price: £55.65 £65.39 (Including: VAT at 17.5%)
Order a set and I\'ll bring them to Rotorstock on Monday, save carraige.
http://www.rotaryart.uk.com/acatalog/Magnecor.html
Beer tokens parted with
will be there on the Monday
thanks Gary
Mark
Unfortunately, events have conspired against me in my efforts to have a track car. Other cars and house are consuming too much time and money. If I hold on to the Rex I will be skint, and will have allowed a decent car with tax and MOT to deteriorate in the garage.
Thanks for all yer advice guys, really didn;t want it to come to this but the car is now on ebay (my first ever listing)....
Ant :(