mat1898

I just bought a red '84 GS out of AZ from the original owner. This car is very clean, totally original and has 53,000 miles on it, sunroof, A/C, Auto. I bought right (I believe) so I don't have much into the car. I'm an original car kind of guy but it would be fun to do a few Modifications.
I asked fellow owners for their thoughts. IF I modified, the first thing I'd do is put an upgraded stereo in it. Things that crossed my mind intially that were inexpensive, rear window louver, sunroof air defector, wheels/tires

Should I keep her original/unmolested or have some fun? Your opinion counts!! Thanks

YES
or
NO ??????????????

Kerebrus

iTrader: (30)

Modify, they are fun to modify!

mat1898

Also, suggested modifications are welcome. Keep in mind, I don't have a mechanical set up and limited skills. I'd have to pay to have those done.
But any suggestions are welcome. I love the old school look of rear window louvers, my friend says no

orion84gsl

iTrader: (5)

When I first got my car I hadn't done much more than an oil change. Go to my cardomain site in my sig and you'll see how far I've come. The only thing I've allowed a shop to do is an alignment and swap a bent axle. doing it yourself is the best way to learn and you'll be more proud of it if you do it yourself than if you hand it off to a shop to handle.

I would keep it fairly stock, except swap the rear axle for a GSL unit, so you can have an LSD and rear disc brakes, stainless steel lines, and some decent aftermarket street compound brake pads. Also a set of Sumitomo HTR 200 tires. Also, even though it's a big mod, and fairly expensive, it is probably one of the best things you can do to your FB. The RE-Speed R&P conversion. Lose the slop in your steering and gain feel. All that in the name of safety. Then a full RB exhaust, because it will last a long time, sounds fantastic, and will give you a little bump in power. And possibly add an aftermarket carb (I highly recommend the Sterling, both because it's the closest to stock, and it's very driveable), and of course the regulator and pump to go with it. After that a CD player, an amp and 4 speakers, and be done with it. Don't touch that pristine body. These mods will enhance the car as it is without taking away it's essence, or going over the top. All of it is also reversible, so keep the parts you remove handy so you can switch back if you so choose.

Good luck.

Starfox07

I would do wheels and a racing beat exhaust system. Both are things you can return to stock if you like.

mat1898

Wheel and tire suggestions are most welcome. I never shopped for wheels , so figuring out a combo to replace my stock 13" is a bit confusing to me. I saw some Drag brand rims that I fell in love with. What looks good with red? Also, what do you think of rear window louvers for an ol 'skool look????

Spyride

wheels are kinda limited for the bolt pattern on this car. so I hope you like some watanabes or panasport style rims. I agree with orion on rearend swap. get the gsl rear end for the lsd. makes the car 100x's better. Not sure what az's emissions rules are. But you might wanna look into getting a sterling nikki carb. Its the same carb as the stock, just modified, so the install is very easy, like 4 bolts and a few cables and hoses. And of course exhaust. Once you have those done, you will see a very big improvement in your ride, and you will be happy, for a while. then the bug will bite, and you will be looking for more. And when that time comes, look for either a 12at or a 13btII. Oh, and ditch the auto trans. You will be happy you did

tallbozo

iTrader: (5)

Konig Rewinds!!! They look great and actually fit your lug pattern! And have a 15x7 size which will definitely help with tire selection. I love Red FB's...all of mine were!

OneRotor

iTrader: (3)

You have a 53k mile car. Do all of the things listed below before you start modifying anything.

oil change
cooling system flush!
fuel filter
plugs/wires/cap/rotor
auto-manual swap
full bushing set (i'm assuming they're dry rotted from the AZ heat)
replace all the outer rod ends, etc. in the steering system
replace the rear end fluid

ENJOY THE CAR

After enjoying the car, my suggestions are as follows:
RB SP Exhaust

MSD coils (you said you're not mechanically inclined)
OR
2nd Gen Direct Fire (if you can wire stuff)

RB Springs/Tokico Illumina struts
--some may say go with ReSpeed coilovers, and if you have the money, it's well worth it. However if you're on a budget and aren't going to be going to auto-x events or HPDE's, the RB setup is awesome

Wheels (15x7 4x110)
tires

Unless your rats nest is messed up or you MUST have more power, i say don't touch the stock intake for a while. Yes, it wakes up the car immensley, but enjoy the car and take it to auto-x events so you can learn the car, THEN decide what route you want. If you just want a weekend cruiser that can be returned to stock relatively easily, stick with what is listed above.

mat1898

Thanks and I certainly will. I see that you live in Ann Arbor, I live in Grand Blanc
Are there any cruises/meets where a lot Mazda frequent in MI ?
I'm also going to ck brake lines, pads, replace fluid. and ck and replace as needed any belts and hoses

mat1898

NOW, if someone car help me with a picture of the Konig Rewinds in silver on a Red RX-7, when I do wheels it will be all settled. Wow! this Board and it's members are great!

lfd75

I'd highly recommend the 2nd gen direct fire (cheap, reliable and fully reversible) as well as the RB exhaust, besides that i'd say keep it stock

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

Keep it looking stock inside and out but mod the crap out of the engine and drive train. Makes it more of sleeper that way and a lot more fun.

FirebirdSlayer666

iTrader: (3)

I honestly would like to see it kept unmolested and original. Black Dragon Automotive sells ABS plastic louvers for our cars. I agree though with things like the GSL rear swap(makes things simple with with pad changes vs. shoe changes, plus the LSD is wonderful) and a good set of tires plus maintenance items.

OnlyOnThurs

man keep it stock...too sexy

mat1898

It seems the consensus is to keep the interior and exterior unmolested.
But beef up the engine, drivetrain etc. I may add wheels eventually
Please keep your opinions coming, I really appreciate it.
Most people don't like my idea of rear window louvers either. Any opinions on keeping the interior TOTALLY original or can I add a stereo system that goes boom? (sorry I grew up in inner city Flint)

datsun1200

I like stock but with this car i would go 12abridge port or a 13bbridge port.But you have your own style.

83gslRX-7

i agree with everyone keep it stock inside and out.... except the engine.. and exh. and rear end..

slowautoxr

iTrader: (6)

I bought my '84 new and it's been through a few mods. The interior is stock - except for the radio. I love the car and I don't regret any mods but it'd be nice to have a stock one. If I had a nice stock low mileage car - I'd leave it that way. There are plenty of others to hot rod.

boyee

iTrader: (3)

keep it original! is what i always say lol

orion84gsl

iTrader: (5)

Oh I meant to say in one of my PM's to you, the louvers aren't a bad idea, just get the ones for the rear quarter windows as well.

I'd like to think if I had a second 1st gen I would leave it all original, but if I did, I wouldn't drive it as much, and when I did I would want it to go faster, so I would start modding it as well. I think if I get a second 1st gen it'll be a turbo project.

arghx

iTrader: (3)

if it's an auto, mod away. not much collector value.

FirebirdSlayer666

iTrader: (3)

^^ I don't know, automatics are becoming pretty rare as everyone swaps to manual. I almost bought an 83 GSL that was an auto with a recently rebuilt motor but it fell thru. I think it would be cool just for the originallity factor. It would probably make a great touring car

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

there's something to be said for an original unmoleste car that is closing in on its 25th year of unmolested life. there arent too many cars left in that condition. with that being said, the only downside to your car is the automatic transmission. to better enjoy the car, i would perform a manual trans swap and keep it bone stock, the way the car was meant to be. that car is a survivor, keep it as such. if you modify it and disfigure or break something you'll regret it.

notveryhappyjack

iTrader: (4)

modifiy it!
re speed coil overs kit
and
re speed 5 lug conversion