So after a long hiatus from the rotary world, I'm thinking about building a track car, either a 1g or 2g. Which body and which model do you guys think would be best and why? The car will start as a car that I can drive to local events and Im sure wind up a full on track ****.


EDIT: I want to stick to NA as Ive been down the turbo road and dont want the headaches. Probably carbed as well

 

An s? or gs model. Fewest options = lightest cars.

 

Forgive me as i haven't had a 1g since my SE back in 94, but do both of those models have an open diff?

 

Yup. I'd say get an SA and do a GSL or GSL-SE diff rear end swap to get the LSD, in which you probably want huh? If you don't want the trouble then get the 84-85 GSL and gut it, you get the strong LSD, 12A (which is carb'd), and it is lighter than the -SE.

 

I say get what you can find that is rust free. Since your in Alabama this should really be no problem for you. Try to get the 84-85 GSL for the LSD advantage.

 

Sorry guys, but I would go with a 2nd gen. IRS, more aftermarket, and if it is a track car, it won't matter how many options from the factory it came with. When was the last time you saw race car drivers jammin to some tunes during a race? They strip everything.

 

I may have a line on an 84 GS, how hard is the rear end swap?

 

an 2nd gen se converted to carb would be pretty sick w/ a bridgeport. but if u do a first gen id find an s (no sunroof) and try n throw in a ford 8.8 for track abuse or find a 84-85 rearend, u could even build it up with miata internals so u could have cheaper lsd options. or u could find a 1st gen se cuz its got the big brakes big diff and big motor w/ a good compression ratio n theres actually some aftermarket parts for it

 

its EZ... the hardest part is bleading the brakes.

 

Definitely a Base model due to no sunroof. I'd do a 1st Gen personally because I feel it's a better drivers car. I'd use an S3 GSL rear end because the LSD is superior to the SE's with the big axles vs. the S2's small axles. Full Re-Speed coilovers and Rack and pinion. Big brake upgrade with good light wide wheels. I'd go 4 Port 13B if you want carbed and do whatever porting you want.

 

either one is fine, 1st or second gen.

imo you have to do more to a second gen before you take it to the track, they get all sloppy when they wear out.

they are also both good beginner cars, but the 1st gen will give you some bad habits, as its weird to drive compared to most other cars, due to the steering, and rear end

if you prep em to the IT kinda rules, they will both run similar lap times

 

now there's an intelligent answer , bravo

buy an RX-8 and do nothing

 

Conan.. what is best?

1st Gen looks
3rd Gen power
2nd Gen Seats..

Trainer.. Good...

 

lsd disc brakes would be a must to swap on a track car. Must difficult thing is setting up the handbrake imo

 

buy a used race car its always cheaper to buy a racecar than build one plenty of "it" cars out there or spec7 or pro 7.

 

Well I thought about buying a racecar, but I do want to be able to use it on the street for a while at first. Im looking for a project really, Im getting married and I need a retreat on the weekends!

Id like to start out doing a little autoX and the maybe take it out to Barber and do a few track days.

Im going to run a streetport 12a, as I want to be able to drive the car at its limit, and I think that would be enough power in a light car to do that with.

What carb do you guys think would be best with that app? I know VERY little about carbs as I have always had FI cars.

 

Lets take a step backwards, when you say track car what does that mean? Drag, Autocross, HPDE, door to door, dirt track, etc....these can all have impac t ie: offroad or dirt IRS is a big help but on black top a beam axle can be every bit as good and is simpler

 

As I said before, Im interested in starting out with a few autox events and then progressing to track days. I dont care about drag racing or any sort of dirt racing.

Im looking to build a simple, reliable (can I use that word here?) all around racer. That's why Im going carbed 1st gen

 

yeah really, we took an rx8 and an IT fc to the track, and i had no trouble keeping up with the fc, until the stock rx8 tires went away, and i'm not a good driver either.

the rx7's are good track cars, but the rx8 even stone stock and 800lbs heavier is better...

 

Yeah, but they are UGLY!

 

sterling carb ftw