Advice requested
07-03-07, 08:57 AM
#1
The Evil Bastard
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Advice requested
I just today bought my first rx7, my dream car after first seeing one 23 years ago. It's an '85 GS with, I've determined after reading the forums here for a bit, a 12a engine. This is a project car that will ultimately be a daily driver with the ability to show the racers around town a thing or three. My problem is simple:
All the info on this site has overloaded my ability to decide what parts I should add to the car to get the most speed out of it while still keeping it a fairly economical daily driver!!!!
Any and all advice on this would be welcome, and I ask that when suggesting a part you rationalize it. Advice on how to compare the various parts would be even more helpful as this is my first real project racer, and while I know a bit about tuning, I'm sure the combined experience of this board far outweighs mine.
Thanks,
Dravok, The Evil Bastard
All the info on this site has overloaded my ability to decide what parts I should add to the car to get the most speed out of it while still keeping it a fairly economical daily driver!!!!
Any and all advice on this would be welcome, and I ask that when suggesting a part you rationalize it. Advice on how to compare the various parts would be even more helpful as this is my first real project racer, and while I know a bit about tuning, I'm sure the combined experience of this board far outweighs mine.
Thanks,
Dravok, The Evil Bastard
07-03-07, 09:18 AM
#2
i can say that i reccomend a racing beat ehaust for starters. following that i woud reccoend going to an aftermarket carb setup, such as a deltorro or weber and in addition to that, replacing the intake manifold and adding a fuel pressure regulator, which is are musts when going to an aftermarket carb. you could also opt for a sterling carb, which is a forum member here who is like a God with the nikki carb. he can modify it for you and you can retain your stock intake manifold. an ignition is what you'll need to burn the fuel. you can decide on what you want to do there, if you want to add an msd or go with the dlidfis setup. finally, i wouldn't skimp on your suspension. upgrade that. maybe add an e-fan, get rid of the air pump, add a dual slotted alternator pulley and a second belt. you have a lot of options my friend. welcome to the dark side!
07-03-07, 07:55 PM
#3
Welcome to the forum. For a daily driven FB I would recommend the following.
Intake - I would retain the factory Nikki carb. Since you have a stock port engine and are looking for drivability and gas mileage, I would not recommend a Weber or Delorto. Have the Nikki rebuilt or do it yourself. Remove the "rats nest" and other emisions equipment if your area does not require it. While the carb is being rebuilt I would remove the manifold and clean it. There is a small flapper built in the manifold (shutter valve). Remove it and JB weld the hole. A K&N air filter can help slightly also.
Exhaust - Though the RacingBeat exhaust is a very nice unit, it is also very expensive. If you have the resources, I would recommend making your own or having a local shop piece one together. I would purchase a RB header and presilenser, use the factory center section, and weld up a nice Magnaflow muffler. You can remove the factory sections for a larger pipe, depending on your ability to fabricate. Since you have a NA/stock port engine, 2.5" diameter is fine.
Ignition - Also very important for good, smooth power. A nice set of RacingBeat wires and fresh plugs. A MSD 6A with some Blaster coils is a good setup. Many people also use another setup for Direct Fire using a 2nd gen. coil, for it's low part cost.
A complete suspension restoration will also do wonders for your cars "fun factor".
Struts/shocks
Springs
Complete Poly bushings
Ball Joints
Tierod ends
Tighten the steering Box
There are many angles to modification. I would recommend performing maintenance and reliability mods first, and then work on power. Information is your best tool. As you said before, this forum is loaded with just about everything you need. There are many great members here that are willing to help you. If you feel overwhelmed then try to organize your information. Create a spreadsheed or a document that catagorizes and breaks down what you have planned. I personally have done this with my upcoming project and it really does help.
Good luck
Intake - I would retain the factory Nikki carb. Since you have a stock port engine and are looking for drivability and gas mileage, I would not recommend a Weber or Delorto. Have the Nikki rebuilt or do it yourself. Remove the "rats nest" and other emisions equipment if your area does not require it. While the carb is being rebuilt I would remove the manifold and clean it. There is a small flapper built in the manifold (shutter valve). Remove it and JB weld the hole. A K&N air filter can help slightly also.
Exhaust - Though the RacingBeat exhaust is a very nice unit, it is also very expensive. If you have the resources, I would recommend making your own or having a local shop piece one together. I would purchase a RB header and presilenser, use the factory center section, and weld up a nice Magnaflow muffler. You can remove the factory sections for a larger pipe, depending on your ability to fabricate. Since you have a NA/stock port engine, 2.5" diameter is fine.
Ignition - Also very important for good, smooth power. A nice set of RacingBeat wires and fresh plugs. A MSD 6A with some Blaster coils is a good setup. Many people also use another setup for Direct Fire using a 2nd gen. coil, for it's low part cost.
A complete suspension restoration will also do wonders for your cars "fun factor".
Struts/shocks
Springs
Complete Poly bushings
Ball Joints
Tierod ends
Tighten the steering Box
There are many angles to modification. I would recommend performing maintenance and reliability mods first, and then work on power. Information is your best tool. As you said before, this forum is loaded with just about everything you need. There are many great members here that are willing to help you. If you feel overwhelmed then try to organize your information. Create a spreadsheed or a document that catagorizes and breaks down what you have planned. I personally have done this with my upcoming project and it really does help.
Good luck
07-04-07, 05:42 PM
#4
This is really the lighter side of rotary stuff. The dark side is 2nd gen RX-7s. Scary things. All those solenoids...
There is no need to get a dual sheave alt pulley if you eliminate the clutch fan to go electric. I'd say to keep the clutch fan. I did, with ONE belt, and it's perfectly fine. You don't want to overpopulate this guy's mind with ideas this early in the game.
XLR8, I agree on the intake. Keep the Nikki. However you must cut a channel in the manifold after removal of the shutter valve. It already flows badly enough. At least cutting a channel helps. I did it with a drill bit, a chisel, a dremel and some time. The end result was very good. Also upped the primary fuel jets to 95. Stock intake ports, slightly large (12A turbo spec) exhaust ports.
For exhaust, the problem with having a muffler shop make one up for you with off the shelf parts is they always suck. Muffler shops use thinwall pipe (because they can't bend the thick stuff). Crappy mufflers are crappy in performance. They sound bad too. Thinwall pipe allows a lot of noise to enter the car and it drones at cruise RPM. That kind of subpar exhaust is a real pet peeve of mine. Also keep it around 2" diameter. I'm affraid that 2.5 will kill low end, and since this is a nonported daily driver that's supposed to get good mileage and be nice and drivbeable, 2.5 is totally wrong. Totally wrong.
The best bang for your buck exhaust system is the RB single pipe system. It comes with a header, presilencer, you retain your stock center section, and you can choose to either keep you stock muffler, or get the RB Power Pulse muffler. I'd receommend the RB muffler just to complete the package. It sounds good too. Plus your 23 year old muffler is probably falling apart inside blocking some flow.
My car has the dual pipe "streetport" system with a mild port job and it's great because it's not too loud, doesn't drone at all regardless of RPM, and flows well enough for future upgrades like porting, supercharger etc.
What's the secret to the quiet running and no anoying droning? RB uses thickwall pipe throughout. That's the secret. You can't find it at muffler shops, but maybe they can order it for you. I wouldn't hold my breath. It's gotta be 1/8" wall thickness or .120" or 11 guage. Well, whatever the prefered unit of measurement is. That's what you need.
As for ignition, DLIDFIS is probably more your style. It costs way less than an MSD, and since you're not boosted and not trying to ignite exotic racing fuels, save some money. Or if you can find a 2nd gen leading coil, maybe you could try 2GCDFIS instead. It only requires one ignitor where DLIDFIS requires two, and two coils compared to the one 2nd gen leading coil. Just go with whichever is more appealing to your personality.
As for suspension, do what XLR8 said. I haven't done enough to have any opinions either way. Well, I take that back. I like the Eibach springs, Tokico illumina shocks and Suspension Techniques sway bars. That makes a nice combo on a friend's '83.
There is no need to get a dual sheave alt pulley if you eliminate the clutch fan to go electric. I'd say to keep the clutch fan. I did, with ONE belt, and it's perfectly fine. You don't want to overpopulate this guy's mind with ideas this early in the game.
XLR8, I agree on the intake. Keep the Nikki. However you must cut a channel in the manifold after removal of the shutter valve. It already flows badly enough. At least cutting a channel helps. I did it with a drill bit, a chisel, a dremel and some time. The end result was very good. Also upped the primary fuel jets to 95. Stock intake ports, slightly large (12A turbo spec) exhaust ports.
For exhaust, the problem with having a muffler shop make one up for you with off the shelf parts is they always suck. Muffler shops use thinwall pipe (because they can't bend the thick stuff). Crappy mufflers are crappy in performance. They sound bad too. Thinwall pipe allows a lot of noise to enter the car and it drones at cruise RPM. That kind of subpar exhaust is a real pet peeve of mine. Also keep it around 2" diameter. I'm affraid that 2.5 will kill low end, and since this is a nonported daily driver that's supposed to get good mileage and be nice and drivbeable, 2.5 is totally wrong. Totally wrong.
The best bang for your buck exhaust system is the RB single pipe system. It comes with a header, presilencer, you retain your stock center section, and you can choose to either keep you stock muffler, or get the RB Power Pulse muffler. I'd receommend the RB muffler just to complete the package. It sounds good too. Plus your 23 year old muffler is probably falling apart inside blocking some flow.
My car has the dual pipe "streetport" system with a mild port job and it's great because it's not too loud, doesn't drone at all regardless of RPM, and flows well enough for future upgrades like porting, supercharger etc.
What's the secret to the quiet running and no anoying droning? RB uses thickwall pipe throughout. That's the secret. You can't find it at muffler shops, but maybe they can order it for you. I wouldn't hold my breath. It's gotta be 1/8" wall thickness or .120" or 11 guage. Well, whatever the prefered unit of measurement is. That's what you need.
As for ignition, DLIDFIS is probably more your style. It costs way less than an MSD, and since you're not boosted and not trying to ignite exotic racing fuels, save some money. Or if you can find a 2nd gen leading coil, maybe you could try 2GCDFIS instead. It only requires one ignitor where DLIDFIS requires two, and two coils compared to the one 2nd gen leading coil. Just go with whichever is more appealing to your personality.
As for suspension, do what XLR8 said. I haven't done enough to have any opinions either way. Well, I take that back. I like the Eibach springs, Tokico illumina shocks and Suspension Techniques sway bars. That makes a nice combo on a friend's '83.
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