How many of you have autocrossed your 1st Gen? I've never autocrossed before but the 1st Gen seems like it would be a damn good contender. yes? Does anyone have any advise on running a car like this? TIA

 

mine is slow but i had a rusted tank that kept clogging the fuel filters. they can be quick. you will probably want to run street prepared as stock is just to slow. plus if you've done anything to your car you will automatically be bumped into it. the car tends to be tail happy. lsd is very good as i have problems spinning my inside tire on tight corners. get a smaller steering wheel as the steering is a workout and you look like you're drowning trying to get the thing to slalom, etc. its a ton of fun, slow or not. you should just go out and mingle with the other drivers, make some friends, and get some pointers. the second one you'll know more but it will take a while to get good at. any other questions feel free to ask.

 

Ditto on jeremy. This is the only car I have ever autocrossed since 88'! Like jeremy said just go out and get seat time. The first time out is a little tough, dont get frustrated. Once you learn the cones and what they mean, you will be a contender in a rx. Warning.....this is very addicting!

 

I wish I had that warning when I started last year!!!! I do more autocrossing than sleeping now.

My advice is the same as the others, just go to an event and run, you won't regret it. If you do, you weren't ment for the Rx-7 . Go run, have fun, and don't kill any cones.

Ryan

 

definitely go for it. i autoxed a stock 95 vette last two years (300hp, adjustable shocks) and the 84 gsl-se this year with some suspension mods, and judging by everyone elses times, the seven is faster, or quicker. it is definitely a blast!!! and if you're going to do any mods, go for race tires first, then suspension. those will be the biggest improvements on the autox course.

nationally, it seems like the honda crx beats out our first gen sevens, but regionally, and just for fun, they are great!!!! and competitive. at our last autox, the avg times were about a 35, and i nearly got a 33flat. i was about a 1.5 off a guy in a 200+hp 1100lb caterham seven that regularly gets ftd. i just wish we had more events in our region!!

 

it's a blast. I think it's a good idea to open up a thread, so we can post up the tips we have on how to mod the car to be autox ready.

One major tip: IF THE CAR IS LOWERED, REMOVE THE REAR SWAY-BAR, you won't believe how much sooner you can apply the power down. TRUST ME

 

Thanks for the advise guys! I'm definitely do'n it now! My setup right now is gonna stand with stock sway bars, Eibach springs, Tokico non-adjustable shocks and stock 13" rims and tires. What do ya think? Some 15" rims and low-profile tires are in the plans next after my wallet feels better. As far as tires go.... does anyone have recommendations? Should I grab a cheap pair of rims, slap some "race tires" on 'em and use them exclusively for autox? Thanks again!

L8r

 

Yes, get race tires!!!

This is only my 2nd season AutoXing, and my 1st running my rex. At my first race of the season, I was still waiting on my race tires. Next race it was a totally different ballgame with the R1's mounted.

In my region, Miatas are the main threat in CSP, oh and my buddy's ITS prepped 2nd gen he typically wins the class by almost 2 sec. Oh well, he promised me a co-drive for pit crewing with him this season

But race tires or not, go out and have fun. Rx-7s LOVE AutoXing!! and it'll help you learn your car better.

 

About the 15inch rims, I would recomend you keep the 13's if you go into the R compound tires, the sidewall is stiff enough and the bigger rim just makes the tires more expensive, so if the R compound tire of your choice is made in 13, stick with them to save you cash on the rims and tires.


List of R-compounds in order of stick
(general concensus in my area from best to worst)
Fell free to comment about this list I am always looking to find the best price/stick ratio.


Hoosier Autocrosser
Khumo Victoracer (This is what im getting next)
Toyo Ra-1 (My current tires)
Yokohama A-032r
Hankook(sp?) Z2000

Street tires

Falken Asenis etc...

 

Will you be running the Khumo's on 13" rims? Tirerack does not have a 70 series Khumo Victoracer, all they have are 205/60VR13's in Full Tread, Shaved 4/32nds and Heat Cycled. Geesh... what do it all mean? TIA

 

Actually, I will be running them other on 14's (stock GSL-SE rims, they weigh 12bls each), or some old 15 inch rims I have (not because they are 15 inch but because the rim is wider).

So I dont have much experience with the 13 inch's availability I did not think it would be a problem, in that case you might need to get a rim that would allow better brand selection.

But, perhaps someone here can confirm this but the 205/60/13's should fit on the stock rims and not rub. (this is what I I have been told but never tried it so beware)

"IF" this tire actually fits, its your best bet cost wise (unless you can get other rims cheap). The smaller diameter tire will give you a nice advantage in solo II for acceleration and "shorter" gearing.

 

TireRack's website is a good place to start for an explanation. For your first time using real R-compound tires I suggest you get the Kumhos heat cycled - you'll get much longer and more consistent use out of them.

Don't worry about the sidewall height - as long as the tire diameter ends up being shorter, as Montraler said, it will work to your advantage on the auto-x course.

Good luck!

 

it's fun fun fun.

i've got a couple friends to go out - one in a '80 chevette and another in an '80 scirocco.

they keep going and they don't even drive an rx-7!

 

205/60-13's do fit the stock rims with no problems or rubbing on course. CrazyJoe12A and I are both running BFG Comp T/A R-1's with me having Eibach springs and Koni's in my SA and him having RB Springs and Koni's in his FB and neither of us have had a problem. They actually give more fender clearance than my 205/50-15 Nittos on the Panasports.

 

CrazyJoe12a standing between his car and mine at the Lexington AutoX before last. His may not be the prettiest 7 out there yet, but it runs well. In fact, he managed to beat me at that event. (He did already have his race tires though, while I ran the Nittos)

 

you actually compared with a car on racetires?!?!?!?! thats comparing apples to oanges. anyway, where did you get the number and class decals? i want to get away from the shoepolish

 

oh yeah, here are some of my auptx pics. http://webpages.charter.net/patryn/rally.htm

 

James, what size (diameter, width, offset) Panasports are those? How much is your car lowered and are you having any rubbing issues? I'm looking at getting a set for racing and want to know what the limits are.

TIA!

 

This is my second year autoxing in Denver. I have found that a very inexpensive way to purchase race rubber is from the local SCCA Spec7 racers. They run Khumo v700s and I have had great luck buying their used tires (not enough rubber left for a road race but plenty for autox). I usually get 5-6 events on these tires before the cords show. For $50 plus mounting...it's a great deal. The difference between street and race rubber is amazing.
Mike

 

Oh.....I run a stock 84 GSL in the E-Stock class. I can't beat the Miata or MR2 but I continue to close the gap in times. Was 6 seconds...now 3.

 

I just bought a strip of white magnet at a store called Fast Signs, then printed out the numbers and letters and traced and cut. Then got some spray paint.

And yeah my car isn't really very pretty Kinda embarrasing being gridded next to James' freshly painted rex. Oh well, I like to spend my money first on making it run good, then on making it look good

At least its gonna look good under the hood...I'm swapping the motor cause I lost a side seal, and the new motor is getting cleaned up and alittle bit of paint, I'll post some pics when I get it done.

 

how much? a lady at work does this for a second job and she wanted 50. screw that, i'll use tape. its not about how pretty your car is, otherwise its a ricer show. mine suffers from bad oxidation if you couldn't tell from the pics. the other 7 there is a 79 rusted and stripped with little interior, crusty white paint, and race tires. hella quick, yo.

 

Jeremy, if you want, I have some magnet leftover. I would be more than happy to make you a set. Just tell my your number and class designation and I will get right on it.

jzr, the Panasports are 15"X7". I am unsure of the offset, but as I recall it is the same as stock. I am currently running 205/50-15 Nitto 450's and have been very pleased with them. The Eibach spring kit I have drops the car 1" in the front 0.8" in the rear if I remember correctly. I have only caught one fender in the tires so far. The drivers front got snagged backing out of a steep sloped driveway onto a level road with the wheels turned to full lock. I curled the inner fender lips up after that and have had no further problems. Hope the info helps ya.

 

hell, yeh man. 13csp. as soon as i become financially stable again, hahahahahaha, i'll be up to join you guys with my friend shane.

 

Joe, you trying to say my car doesn't run good? It seemed fine last night going out to the lot. Honestly, when the tires chirp like that going into 3rd, it doesn't mean anything is wrong with the car.