I know this is a question that is asked a lot but I am wondering more about where to start instead of just asking what upgrades I can get. I want to of course start with the things that's the most bang for your buck. I know plugs will be a necessity since they are probably drenched in fuel from a problem I had before. I have replaced all other maintenance items.

Now I am thinking weather or not to start with the air filter assembly on racing beat. It is fairly cheap and I would assume with it having more than just a little hole to suck air from it would give a decent increase in power. Plus being only $60 that is a plus also. But I am not completely sure if this will actually increase power or just look good.
I also have on my list some racingbeat headers, the intake on racingbeat, and holly carb. I am also not sure if the nikki carb can be put on the rb intake also. This is a list of things I am getting to build over time. So getting the $900 holly system just isn't going to happen so I will be getting it all over time and I know I will be spending more money doing so.
So really this is a series of questions in here and I am asking everyones opinion on what they think should be done and in what order. Currently my car has a nikki carb, no rats nest, aftermarket muffler, no cat, 7 psi fuel pump with holly regulator.

 

For performance I'd start with suspension/braking. You'd be surprised how much fun it is going fast around corners, even if you can't go that fast in a straight line. Check out RE-Speed.com for those bits. The intake won't give you much if any noticeable power, but a K&N filter is cheaper than replacing the paper filter time after time. Definitely new plugs. Full exhaust FIRST. Nothing else will matter until that is addressed.

 

Agree above ^^^ mazda chokes these cars for emission purposes. you will be amazed if you take the cat out and do a full exhaust!

 

I currently have the rat's nest removed and I also removed the cat. After replacing my air filter I noticed a little gain, I don't have to put it to the floor to keep up with traffic in acceleration at least lol. But right now exhaust wise it does have the stock headers, to 2 inch exhaust straight to a 3a racing muffler (not sure what type, it was already on the car and doesn't have an annoying ricer sound.) Suspension wise it should be all stock right now.

 

the stock system had no header.

 

First spend money making sure everything on the car is working. No point spending money on go fast parts without first having a solid base to work from. Then a good list is:
-Full exhaust
-Suspension
-Tires
-Fancy intake stuff

 

Stickers, start with a holley sticker and a racingbeat sticker.

Maybe walmart will have some stick on side vents and a couple turbo emblems.

If you can't beat the competition, then scare them

 

Two words: Driving school.
Yah, nobody wants to hear that, not even me. ;-)

I agree with what has already been said. Start with a great working car, and then go from there. Aside from that, the only thing different I would say is TIRES first.
They are the only thing that will increase performance in braking, accelerating, and cornering, all at the same time. It's great fun to late brake into corners and watch the car behind you fall back, and back, and back... Hopefully you've got corners in Indiana.

 

True, but you want to make sure that your tire/wheel choice will work with your new suspension.

 

just do what i did. Plan on putting the pile of parts you traded a dirtbike for together into an actual car and driving it. Then forget the origional plan to do so and tear it all down to nothing and redo it all with a nice little turbo bolted to the side of the keg. Mine still isnt done, but ive spent about $1500 on redoing the interior and all my turbo parts ( quality parts and used quality parts). Car has been laid up for about a year, but when im done it will be 100% worth it, and ill have way more power for about the same amount of money as far as carb/intake/exhaust mods go.

 

Ah I was wondering if the headers were supposed to be under the big *** box that connects to the exhaust or something, which explains a lot. Also I already have Sumitomos for the front and plan to get them for the back as soon as I get the cash. Also for the driving school, I do plan to do this with the autocross. Unfotunately I have to wait until next year to do this, but here shortly I plan to take it to 1 of the events since I havn't been for a couple months. Which I am actually looking forward to drivers school, I would love to be able to find out all flaws and be able to drive better. And of course no matter how good a driver, there is always room for improvement, but until I can do that I want to build this car up that can at least keep up with some of the people.

 

you can probably keep up with most cars on the street now.
















as long as the road isnt straight. lol

 

Suspension and exhaust are definitely the first big things you should do but, there are some cheaper mods you can do in the mean time.

Plain overall tuneup. Thorough cleaning, bushings replaced, spark plugs, oil change, etc.
DLIDFIS
Carb mods

 

Lol. true......I love how my FB corners, especially with the wheels and tires i have now. hope i see a gain after i sell them and get my new setup. I'm also looking at taking driving classes, aside from being fun, i think i would benefit from it greatly.


definitely start with carb modding and 2nd gen ignition. you wont be let down about that.

 

I can keep up with most cars around the corners but right now this car feels like its slower than my little civic I had before this thing lol. I also have put in the thought of maybe just working on getting a 13b or go all out and get a 350... but the 13b would be the only thing around in the price range I may be able to afford doing within the next year so that would be the one I would go for. For the exhaust system and carb I am looking at around about $1300 and may possibly be able to get a 13b for a cheaper price with more room to upgrade (and fuel injection!) Beings that I have never done an engine swap though, I have no idea on what all I would need. I don't know if it would require a new tranny, wiring harness, mounts, ect. But if it slips right in without too much of a hastle I may just go that route and run this engine until it dies while working on another engine and the suspension.

 

#1 overall tune up. timing, spark plugs, good plug wires (resistance spec is in the FSM) filters, make sure the carb is working right, no vacuum leaks etc etc.

#2. exhaust! i like the RB street port system, but you can homebrew. TONS of threads about that. homebrew has more power potential, but its going to be louder, and take longer to get right. the short RB header into like 2.25 pipe would be ok too.

#3 flywheel. i find the stockers too heavy, the RB steel is what the car should have stock!

#4 intake. everyone here loves the nikki, although there are big gains to be had by ditching it. if you insist on keeping the nikki, keep the stock air cleaner. the stock air cleaner is more than good enough for 175hp, all it needs is a hose to cold air at the front of the car.

#5 ignition. stock is actually quite good, although in the upper RPMS the available voltage drops off, so things like plug wires and plug choice is critical. everyone likes to use the FC stuff, although it actually has the same problem. MSD also works, although the big clunky box has to fit somewhere.

 

I have done all the necessity stuff but apparently my car is still having some troubles I must fix before I work on the performance, unless I do an engine swap. I thought after timing my vehicle it has fixed my previous problems but the past 2 days it has been causing hell for me and in the mornings when its cool it runs even worse than before, causing me to drive my chevelle to work now because I don't feel this car can get me to work every day anymore.