ok, so im looking at some upgrades for my 85 gsl, no major engine performance ****, just a "lets replace these 20 year old pars with something better" upgrade. this being my first 7 project, id like to get some feedback on the parts ive selected.

BRAKES:
steel braided DOT lines - $94.70
Hawk HPS pads - 53.95 front, 49.95 rear
(still havent found any non-oem discs, any suggestions? also, should i replace the calipers? im thinking i should, but im trying to do this on a budget)

TIRES/SUSPENSION:
tokiko illumina shocks/struts - $433.40/set
yokohama AVID T4 on stock rims - $162/set
B&G 1.4in lowering springs - $199/set
(any opinions on lowering? all i can find are oem, -1in, and the -1.4 in.)

Ignition:
Jacobs Ignition set from rotary performance (FC1000 and 2 coils=$279)
not sure if its really worth it, but it appears to be cheaper than the oem parts from mazdatrix

im also looking at the RP radiator. i live in texas, and we all know **** gets hot in texas, so i think itd be a good investment, along with the oil cooler mod

any other basic things i should do? its getting a full fluid change once i get back from iraq, probably right after it gets painted (now the question, do i take the engine out to paint the car?)

 

if you want a good suspension just go with regular tokico shocks and struts. illumina is adjustable. the regular feel good.

Steel braided lines deffintly go with. the old ones swell and crack then burst.
HPS pads i dunno I dont know any info on the,

Yokohama tires are great.

dont get springs that lower it too much or you will get rubbing, you will have to get an add-on

go with-1in unless you wanna pay the extra 60 dollars.

oil cooler and radiator mod. deffintly, I live in louisiana and it gets hot here too.
Will deffintly do good

If you want a full paint job inside shell inside doors basically a to look brand new. or you can get just outside parts like outside shell doors quarter panels roof hood. stuff like that anywase.

 

get the jacobs from summitracing if u want to save some money

 

for ignition go with the 2nd gen rx7 ignition setup(ITS CALLED 2gidlis or something like that god they need to make it easier to remember.).. this is cheaper and will provide u with a spark just as good as any of those aftermarker ones (if not better) there are right ups in the 1st gen archives.
When replacing shocks/springs brakes replace the wheel bearings while u are in there. U cannot lower the front suspension more than 1 inch or u bottom out... if u wish to get it lower u need to buy a kit and fabricate it too the front strut housings in the engine bay.
that is all I can think of for now but read the 1st gen archives should give u alot of info to get started.

 

i must agree with the above on using the second gen coil. As far as calipers go, I would get them rebuilt they will look and preform as good as new and for a price less than one caliper. Everything else seems good

 

i was looking at the 2nd gen swap earlier, and that seems like a lot of fabrication. not that i couldnt do it, but thats just more stuff for me to horribly screw up. and maybe i was looking at the wrong parts, but some of the oem ignition parts were equally, if not more, expensive than the complete jacobs setup.

 

I had a 2nd gen coil and extra plugs sitting in the shop, upgrade was cheap and fairly easy once I figured out the wiring. Unless you plan spending a lot of time running at 8k rpm or above, save your money for someting more useful. Spend 25 on a used 2g coil and another 14 on plugs, put the rest somewhere else.

 

I did the 2GCDFIS it was easy and works great, even inproved my fuel economy by 2/3 mpg. For suspension try this set up at www.racersareme.com I disagree with using Tokico non adjustable shocks, you can still find Koni reds for the front, they are a higher quality shock, use Eibach springs they are one of the worlds best manufacturers.
GSL-SE brakes are a good upgrade, larger front rotors, and vented rear rotors, you will need the front struts and rear axles, calipers etc.
I had my factory radiator rebuilt as a three core, works great, stock mounts, keep the clutch fan they are the most efficient, much more than the electric ones.