Rotary-MG

iTrader: (1)

85 GS 140K, bone stock except radio. clean
I am the 2nd and 4th owner.
3rd owner gave her back to me for $0.00.

Hi all,
less than 100 miles since changing hands and the sound of metal contacting metal from the left brake rotor tells me it's time to do a little work. (see the shiney line in the rotor?)

I thought I'd be a good boy and do a legit smog test, (California). Replaced a cat, shutter-valve, couldn't get an Air-Control Valve, so in the end my mechanic paid off a testing center. I didn't know about this until later.

I've been checking out some sites like blackdragon, mazdatrix, tirerack and racingbeat. Creditcard in hand and my mouse ready to click away.

My goal is to begin with a fun street/autocross car, eventually becoming an open track days car, totally stripped down. Not concerned with race class nor keeping her street legal. A fun learning project.

Any advice on the following?
I'm probably going to start buying parts this weekend!!!

Stage 1 - Brakes and Suspension
No Powerslots for an 85 GS???
Brembo fronts seem to be the best I've found so far - tirerack.com
Hawk HPS pads all around.

I have a GSL rearend with brake cables sitting in my garage, so may as well get rid of the drums and gain LSP. Do I need the proportioning valve from a GSL?

RacingBeat isn't too far away, so I'm going down there to pick up a complete spring and roll bar package.

My mechanic gave me a set of new front KYB gas shocks. The cheap ones like in the Victoria British catalog. May as well use them and get a matching set of the rears.

Keeping stock wheels for now, but need better rubber.

Other things: Braided Brake lines, Urethane bushings...

Question:
there's a lot of play in the steering wheel. If the gear box is worn out, where would I get a new or rebuilt one? Can it be adjusted? or could this be from some other worn part like the rod ends?

During the past few days I've been darting around town with her, just running errands, but I'm like a crack addict now. Can't wait to get back in her to get my fix! She's been away from me for 5 years, and it's great to have her back.

Thanks for any advice or suggestions you may have for me!

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

I'm still running the drum ppv after my rear disc swap, no problems so far. Post the KYBs for sale and pick up a full set of Tokico Blues, or spend the extra money for their Illumina adjustables. If you upgrade the springs, the KYBs will be worthless.

As for the wonder steer, check/replace every other steering component before even touching the steering sector. This includes, idler arm, ball joints, tierods, pitman arm and wheel bearings, along with a decent alignment after installing lowering springs and shocks/struts.

Once the steering components are up to par, there is a link in the FAQs for a 'How To' on adjusting the steering sector.

Rotary-MG

iTrader: (1)

Life is too short for cheap shocks. Your'e right, why go thru the trouble of installing the cheap shocks. This saves me from a "i shouldda, couldda" moment.

I'll know more about the loose steering once the car is up. Why don't i go do that now....

Jeff20B

iTrader: (13)

My white '83 has loose steering. It feels like all of it is in the steering box. I posted an edited procedure to tighten it somewhere around here. Here's an update: I think you'll need a 41mm socket instead of whatever the author recommends (tried his recommended size and it was wrong, and my box is totally stock so I don't know what he was smoking).