Alright so i just bought an 85 RX-7 carburerated and it is completly stock what mods can i make with a budget of about 700 that will really help on the track?

 

upgrade all bushings-- $150 or so
remove rear sway bar-- free
install FC coil-- $20
cut holes in your filter housing so it can breath better-- free
good fluids in tranny and rearend-- $30
make sure your rotors are good
get good brake bads-- $100(if its 4 wheel disc) $50 if not
tokico illuminas-- $375
front coil overs--$200
front camber plates---$175

a little over, but you get the idea

 

Best thing to do, is good brake pads, and tires. Along with checking everything over really well. That will show you anything that needs attention. There's not much you can do to a car, and remain in the stock class.
If you are new to autocross, the best upgrade you can make, is seat time.

 

I would say the "infamous driver mod" is what I would concentrate on.

 

I think the SCCA allows adjustable struts, catback exhaust, and rims and tires as long as they're stock size. When I autocrossed my 2nd gen in July, I was in the same class as Miata's and they were running almost as fast as the Lotus Elise's because of those upgrades (about 10 seconds faster than me, and I'm not the best driver). My mechanic said that threre is no reason my 2nd gen shouldn't be able to keep up with or outperform Miata's, which is the car to beat in E-Stock. I would imagine that a 1st gen would be even better with those mods.

 

If you are new to autocross (and I have no idea if you are), then I would suggest that you focus on basic tune-up items, brakes, and lots and lots of cleaning.

Check out www.re-speed.com when you get time. They are a great source for performance parts...

 

Miata had been the best car for ES or CSP for many years now, a FB or FC is just not as good as they are.

 

1) $300 http://autocross.com/evolution/modul...ticle&artid=4"
2) $500 Tires. Falken Azeni RT-615 http://www.falkentire.com/main.htm or Hoosier but does not fit in budget
3) $75 Mazda Gen 1 Setup Manual http://www.gforceengineering.net/products.htm

 

I knew Miatas were good... I just assumed that a lot of people don't race RX-7's because they aren't as common as Miatas. Stock for stock, is the Miata really that much better?

 

The miatas are monsters... After making all of my upgrades, I can now put the fear of God into some of them, but only if they are on street tires (like me). Once they strap on the race rubber, they are gone!

 

I agree! I use to make fun of Miatas and now I respect them after seeing some good ones in action. Plus they rule CSP too.

 

I would keep the rear sway bar on unless he is planning on doing Drags.

 

It's hard to look cool in a Miata, except at the track. Miata's rule E stock and CSP, and the 99 up Miatas ruled C stock till the Solestice came out, I don't recall which Street Prepared class the 99 up Miata is placed in.
A couple weeks ago, there was a 2 day autox in which I ran both days. Day 1 had 3 1st gen's for CSP, my 12A car, and a pair of SE's. 1 SE had 2 drivers sharing the car. I took 2nd. Day 2 had 2 1st gen's, and a Miata in CSP. The same SE that took 1st the day before wound up .5 seconds behind the Miata, with me being just barely .5 seconds behind. Both of those guys have more seat time than I do, but my main shortcoming was the lack of an LSD. I bought an LSD over the weekend. Dunno if I can have it ready for next weekends 2 day events, but I'm gonna try.
The fastest time of the day is almost always a stock 99 Miata on R comps here, it usually even beats the 20B powered Miata on race tires.
A decent Miata, in the hands of a skilled driver, is a thing of beauty on the AutoX course.

 

I know how insane they can be... like I said, they were almost beating the Elise's. But if 1st gens weigh about the same as Miata's, why aren't they as good? I know that the suspension is 20 years older, but with light wheels, slicks, struts and a catback I would think it would be about even with a Miata that has the same ups.

Super_pacman: Sorry for getting so off topic. If it were me, I would do tires(extremely important), and shocks/struts. If you're not racing in stock class, then maybe some springs, bushings, and sway bars. It might be a little over your budget, but I think Racing Beat still has the spring/sway bar combo for about $400.

 

the reason Miatas are THE autox car for CSP is because people know it works. Racers simply do what works. its easier.

LAME!!!!!

the Rx7 I co drive is an 85 Rx7 13b se is competitive with all but the best of them and its STOCK! it has used shocks, mis matched springs, a stock 200k motor, still passes smog. all it has is ME and some 13x7 wheels and Dot-R tires.

Follow auto x next season and you are likely to see some news about an 85 rx7.
Im not expecting to win nationals with a new car but I bet Itll get noticed.

A miata isnt better, just differnt.

 

The solid rear axle is what set us back form a miata. A Miata has independent suspension all the way around so this is why this car is so good in autox.

 

Between the IRS and the rack & pinion steering, it's damned hard to compete against a Miata with a 1st gen. They have similar power to weight, and weight distribution but the suspension and steering are far more suited to the tight corners, than that of a 1st gen rx7.
The fact that far more options exist for upgrading/improving the Miata suspension also makes it an uphill battle.
Granted, a 2nd gen has the IRS and R&P, but it has a size disadvantage.
Being able to dial in caster, camber and toe on the rear also gives the Miata an upper hand. Lower center of gravity even goes to the Miata, since you can easily lower the clotch top.
Building a 1st gen using all the steering and suspension of a Miata, and the Miata still has an upper hand.
I knew this before I bought my 1st gen, and even planned to autox with it. I still prefer my FB over a Miata. At the end of the day, I drive my FB home, and don't try to hide my face, like I would in a Miata.

 

As soon as my fathers Miata comes out of the shop I should post some vids of him and I having a hoot driving around. He still thinks he can take me

 

a 13b rx7 can make alot more power than a miata under CSP rules.
the weight is the same.
the miata chassis is floppy in general, especially when compared to the rx7
the rx7 has bigger brakes

the rear axel can be adjusted somewhat for toe and camber.

Unfortunately the miata can run bigger better shocks.

 

miata is floppy??? Iv'e owned both (99 Miata, 84GSL)

i dont know what you mean by floppy... the RX-7 doesnt have the PPF like the miata (the structure that mounts the rear diff to the output of the Transmission... how can that be "floppy"???

but teh 7 is much cooler still... and since the miata is sitting next to my 7... (miata is wrecked now) the 7 is MUCH cooler.. (maybe it will be a GSL 1.8 soon..)

 

im co driving a miata at my next event, Ill post back with my thoughts.
ive never driven a track prepared miata before.

 

No matter what, a fully prepped Miata will always beat a fully prepped RX-7 given drivers of equal skill. The chassis of the RX-7 is simply too old and antiquated to compete with the world-class Miata chassis.

I've seen Miatas with stock power and only minimal suspension upgrades smoke off cars with twice and three times the power. They handle that well.

 

I still disagree.
the 1st gen rx7 can compete with the early miatas on the race track.

racing is the biggest bandwangon. when something works, everyone gets on it.
Miata did well, everyone got a miata, s2000 did well everyone got an s2000,
solstice did well, everyone got a solstice.

a stock 84-85 rx7 pulls within .05g's on the skidpad as the 99+ miata and solstice on much smaller crappier tires than the new sports cars come with.

 

Have you beat a prepped miata in CSP? If someone can come close to beating a miata in CSP with a 1st gen, then i would agree with you. Every year in the national championship, a 1st gen would be there and it would not come close.

 

I beat miatas that are better prepared in that the 1st gen I co drive.
I have event results to prove it.
I come within 3-5 seconds of fully prepared national level cars.

the 1st gen is a junk yard beater with nothing more than springs and shocks.

time sheets are included.
CSP section. Vince russel's miata on event 3 is fully prepared I believe he said he finishes around 7th at national events.

all the miatas im beating have upgraded suspension, dot r tires yadda yadda.
they are equally prepared or better than what im driving.