What are the benefits of owning a 1st gen...the reason I ask, is because I'm looking at buying one... what's the drawbacks? I know that I like the looks, but are they fast enough to get around and stay out of people's way...I'm looking more specifically at a 12A...thanks for the help.

 

I haven't had any problems with mine. I've been able to stomp a mildly suspension modded 944 at the autox course. It's got enough get-up-and-go to get you in trouble, and is quite a reliable motor.

 

Stock is only 100 horses, but they respond very well to modification. It doesn't take a whole lot to turn one into a monster.

 

I plan to autocross my '85 SE when I finish getting it running better (transmission, steering gear & tires).

I have not autocrossed my '84 GS. However, it is hard to keep me away from the canyons. And the '84 GS 12A performs wonderfully on a spirited canyon run. With the 12A, the key term is "carrying speed" through a corner.

The only problem with the 12A is its low end power, especially torque. The 13B has a significant advantage there. But like others have said, the 12A responds well to minor mods. Both engines have enough to get you into trouble.

'85 SE for autocross and the '05 STi for the track.

Mike

 

Yes they are lots of fun. The more events you do the better they get.

Bruce

 

i have many trophies that say "yes, yes it is good at autocross" lol

even on crappy kumhos, i generally outperformed FC, rx-8..and the FD. (one FD that consistantly beat me was gutted/caged otherwise stock with an RB exhaust and r compound)

 

fb's are the JAM for auto-x!!!!!! i'm keeping my old shell exactly for this reason! gut the **** out of it and rock the stock carb and custom exhaust and it will get down like crazy. just spend your money where it counts... suspension!

 

hey, thanks guys...I'll keep you posted on what I do...keep the comments coming...the more I get, the closer I get to possibly adding a 1st gen...I appreciate it

 

In stock form, they are quite lively little cars, but with lightly modded suspension, they become beasts. Stock they will pull 0.78g on a skidpad, but I would be willing to bet that with a few simple suspension mods and good tire you could pull off a 0.9g or better. They chassis is very good and the light weight of the FB just helps that much more.

Correction, according to Motor Trend, the GSL-SE does 0.88g's on a 100ft diameter skidpad which was top by about 0.06g's in the test!!! Road and Track tested a 79 with automatic to 0.78g's, which was second only to a corvette in the test.

 

heres what i know they are like ae86's , i touge w my 7 , gets scary sometimes when i hit 70-80mph on certain curves because i can feel my rear tire spining a lil bit but yes the are hekka ez to control easier than my mr2 supercharged.... get 1 man become a 1st gen brother.

 

if you get a 12a powered car, look for a GSL or swap in a LSD from a GSL-SE. RX7s can really kick some *** in autox, lightweight and great low speed handling. if you're really into it you may aswell gut the interior, remove the rear swaybar (improves handling), get some sticky tires and prepare to have a blast!

 

^^ removing the sway bar improves handling ??? i thought it was the other way around?

 

in a bone stock FB removing the rear helps out the suspension. something to do with getting more tire contact with the road. but once you start modding the suspension, you'll want to add in a beefier rear sway bar.


~Steve

 

i've done about every suspension mod you can to my car over the last year or two (with exception to switching to irs) and you will never need a rear sway bar, unless you are running a fully LOCKED diff. but other wise don't waste your time with a rear sway bar

 

i wasn't planning on buying new ones ... but i have upgrade my struts (tokico blues) and spring (eibachs pro) would removing the rear swaybar help handling in my case?