Kc858083

I dont have much previous car experience., and i was wondering as to where i should start with building my 12a up.

I plan on upgrading the suspension here in a month or so, new shocks and struts, and im looking at RB lowering springs.

What direction would be good to go in next?

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

Brakes, suspension, exhaust, intake, in that order, providing you have done all of the basic maintinance first. i.e., full tune up, ALL fluids changed, belts, hoses, filters, fuel tank drained, etc., and everything fixed that doesn't work now.

Btw, I'm in St. Joe and plan on going to the cruise in Platte City Sat. eve. with the widebody. Bring your car out.

mooseknuckle

i havent started on my new 85 gs project yet but first thing im doing is changing the steering to r and p ( mine is messed up ) then suspension/brakes then exaust

skizzle84

I have an '84 12a completely stock, but I plan to put in the complete RB exhaust system within the next 2 months. I read that the order should be brakes, suspension, THEN exhaust... my brakes are fine and my suspension has no problems. I'm guessing you suggest to lower it? I havn't really thought about lowering it. Would it be ok to just put in the exhaust? Ah help!!

Thanks

LaRazaUnida

also depends on how many miles you got on your current engine and how well it runs......i mean starting off with a bridge port isnt too bad of a place to start is it

FB II

turbo and a block of cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessseeeeeee!!!!!!

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

Ok, I will go into more detail for the youngin's.

1. Do the 30/60k maintinance as listed in the owners manual. Don't have tthe manual, find the online FSM.

2. Decide what you want to do with the car. What is it's pupose in your life? DD, Autox, Street/strip, etc. Any further work should be directed/dedicated towards that purpose, and that pupose can easily change. I un-modded my 2nd gen, and went nuts with the 1st gen widebody.

3. Make sure everything works as it should and is in tiptop shape. Repair or replace as needed, with your goal in mind.

4. Brakes. If you want increased perfomance, you have to be able to control it. Whether it be horsepower or handling, if it can't stop, you crash.

5. Suspension. And no, you don't HAVE to lower your car. It is probably low already from the old oem sagging springs anyway. Lowering springs often raise the car and greatly stiffen the ride. Some like it, some don't. You can get oem springs, install what meets your goals. Suspension also includes the steering system, tie rods, pitman and idler arms, shocks, struts, ball joints, wheel bearings and bushings. Everyone of which is a wear item and needs to be addressed accordingly.

6. Exhaust. This is the first and most immediately benificial upgrade. The stock oem system was designed for emissions and noise supression, not all out performance. Which system you choose should be inline with your goals.

7. Intake. This can be anything from from a modified Nikki to one of the many aftermarket carb setups, again in line with your use goals. This does not address the 13b fi's, that is a whole 'nother ball of wax.

These are the basics, beyond this point, you need to get inside the engine or start looking at engine swaps. If you have a good foundation built first, the car will be ready to make full use of further mods.

Keep in mind a 1st gen is at least 20 years old now. If you up the performace/hp/handling, the car needs to be mechanically up to oem conditions or better. The car will last longer, be safer and much more enjoyable to drive.

ps. There is also nothing wrong with restoring the car to it's original oem condition and keeping it perfectly stock. It will probably have more value in the years to come if they become a popular collectable.

Boswoj

Well stated Trochoid!

It is far too popular to invest in things that really don't improve the function of these cars. The last 12a cars to hit the US are now fully 20 yeas old, and that's the newest ones! The brakes are surprisingly good on Rx-7's for regular road use, but marginal for increased performance. Make sure EVERYTHING in the braking system is clean, in good repair, and fully operative - being able to stop in a bad situation is much better than a big bullwinkle wing, neon underlights, window tinting, Greddy stickers, a billet shift ***, carbon-fiber look stick-on dash plastic, clear taillights, white gauge faces, a 100 pound neighbor annoying sub-woofer box, and a peeing calvin combined!

Seriously though - 1st gens already handle pretty well on the street, and going for some rock hard lowering springs for such a light and nimble car will probably just make it annoying to drive farther than a few minutes, and make it scrape all the time. If you really want to stiffen it up, us "springs" that will help cornering while not completely ruining your ability to react to road variation - a bit heavier sway bar. If you just freshen everything up with new ( read "working") parts you will be surprised by the improvement in handling. It's likely that your car has the original, 20 year old, "weren't that great when they were new" OEM shocks, and aging springs. A few firmer bushings to replace the used up, flattened out rubber ones, and a check of the tie rods and suspension pieces and an amazing transformation can take place. Good Luck!!

FB II

just remember, your advantage in this car is WEIGHT. if you do not plan to auto-x this car, dont add all the sway bars and junk because they are heavy. do weight reduction and your car will suprise you. if you want a fun street car.... save up and add a hair dryer


after getting it up to par of course

Kc858083

that really helps me out with this, very informative about most of my questions

thanks