Hi all - I currently have an '89 GTU that I autocross and am seriously considering picking up a 1st gen to turn into a long-term project/track/auto-x toy. I've been poking around, searching for specific topics and picking up bits of info on the site, but I still have a question about the 'best' starting point for what I plan to do.

In short, I'll be looking to build a track toy and auto-x car with some of the following in mind:

- 2nd gen 13b swap (N/A, not turbo)
- 2nd gen hubs/brakes swap to get five-lug and beefier brakes
- mostly gutted interior with rollbar, race buckets, harnesses, etc
- ReSpeed rack and pinion upgrade
- 'big' rear end with short gears and Miata torsen
- light weight is a goal, but I'm not consumed by having to be super-light

I think I'd prefer to start with a non-sunroof car, but I'm not sure how important that is in the grand scheme. Any thoughts on good years/models to serve as a base? Aside from the rear axle differences are there any *major* drawbacks to starting with an earlier car? This will be a long-term project, and I'm not afraid of having to do minor fabbing to get things to work.

Thanks!

 

If you plan on swapping the suspension parts for the lsd and big brakes, any S, non-suroof model will work. The SAs are the lightest and there are ways to lighten thier heavy bumpers. Fun part is finding a rust free body to start with.

In my sig line is a link to the FSMs, etc to help get you started.
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Thanks for the FSM link