for me its gotta be exhuast, flywheel, wheel/tires. it totally changes the car

 

I have owned 8 of these 1st gen RX-7s, since 1983, and have done some mods on virtually all of them - lowering and other suspension mods, porting, exhaust etc. The most bang for the buck in terms of fun to drive is the light flywheel. And making two of them into convertibles was very satisfying, if you consider that an upgrade.

But the most satisfying performance upgrade I have ever done is the Ford V8 and big brake conversion in my 84 GSL.

 

Having just finished getting these hinge plates done and powdercoated...



...so I can run Furious with a glass lid...



...I'd have to place it up there, too....it really does change things. We all need at least 30 minutes in the sun so our bodies can generate natural Vitamin D, so the 46 minute back and forth from work just became a healthy drive when the sun is out.

 

Thanks - real PITA to install without modding car - totally diff arrangement meant lots of measuring and hacking on the seats. Brand new - $300 off ebay (outfit converting their new -8 to a race car). In FL - of course! - shipping to Alaska was nearly $500
;p
I'm "mostly" an absolute fanatic about the original OEM SA -look but these seats just can't be beat - the "rotor" headrests are just too cool.

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

i love everything ive done, but ive been VERY satisfied with the respeed big break upgrade. it allowed me to get a great set of wheels which allows me to have wider tires. i love all my suspension work, illuminas, RB sway bar, eibach springs.

my favorite "mod" was when i figured out what my spark knock issue was from and fixed my engine from being 180* out!!

 

The S5 13BT swap completely changed the car and I love it, but I have to say simply changing out the worn out, original suspension for tockico shocks, eibach springs, energy suspension bushings, as well as new ball joints and tie rods was one of the best upgrades I did to the car originally. More recently the RE-speed rack and pinion kits I installed on both cars have been a blast to drive, having no steering play is a good thing

 

Putting an SE transmission with tall 5th gear in my 83.

 

street ported 13bt swap...

 

i'm a little late on this one, but i love this one right here! i first got into the rx7 scene wanting an FC, my parents had a super clean low mileage n/a s5, but i ran into my SA by happenstance, picked it up used for a grand, not the cheapest deal ever, but worth every penny. i've never looked for or desired to have an FC.

I'd have to say, even though i haven't gotten to drive it yet, still waiting on struts, doing the 13b swap, lsd rear swap, RB spring change, kyb strut addition all at the same time after driving it the last time 100 percent bone stock, not one mod to the engine, exhaust or suspension. i'm very excited, should be the weekend this weekend.

 

Mine is boring:

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-gen-archive-71/shifter-how-reinstall-shifter-shift-boots-748879/

Replacing the shifter boots... it made the car so quiet inside it was like a new car So satisfying to restore all that rubber.

And also replacing my CPU and having all the electrics magically start to work, only to find gremlins in the alarm system electrics!

Changing the oil is also quite satisfying

 

Dave, you are an easy guy to please!
Hear you on joy of just fitting new bits to the car tho!! Felt the same way when I replaced all the weatherstripping!
To the Simple Pleasures, Mate -!
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

Here's what I can think of, listed from least favorite to most, Letterman style:

10-MSD direct fire - Noticed no difference at all, it's a fine upgrade, but I'd put money in alot of other places first.

9-Limited slip diff/rear disks - Nice to have and did help grip a bit, but it increase understeer a bit and the braking distance doesn't change much. I'd do it again, but it's benefit to me is minimal.

8-Turbo II seats - I like these alot, they're really comfy and hold you in nicely

7-RB front strut bar - noticed a difference in steering response right away, which I didn't expect at all

6-Expensive paint job (dent removal, rust removal, paint inside engine bay, doors, ect, mirror finish) - the car is gorgeous and I get asked about it a lot, but it keeps me from driving it as much as i would if i didn't care as much about getting dings or scratches

5-Momo steering wheel and shift **** - I love the feel of both, much better in size and material than original

3-fuel injection with Haltech S5 dynamic intake - nice idle, nice even acceleration, car starts and runs well in any weather, gas mileage is decent. It took a very long time to tune it in (over two years of tinkering and there's still spots that I adjust here and there), I did it myself in my free time.

4-S5 13b street port swap/custom exhaust w/catalytic converter and RB muffler - car moves like a scalded cat, it's amazing what a little more torque will do. It's a little loud for my taste, but you can still hear the radio.

2-Tokico blues/RB springs/RB sways/urethane bushings all around/195/60/14 wheels and tires - for me, it's handling first, then power. I lumped all this stuff together because everything works so well with everything else. The car corners dead flat, response to steering is immediate, grip is pretty good, the rear end can be pushed out but it can also be controlled, communication from the chassis is excellent.

1-CP Racing Rack and Pinion steering - bar none, the best upgrade I've done. I've driven this car since the mid-80s, the stock steering was tight, but it would never compare to R&P for feedback and feeling. It's amazing to be able to actually feel the front tires scrubbing, something the stock system and even most power assisted racks can't really do. this one is definitely my favorite even though the company was miserable to deal with.

 

I'm surprised you didn't get good results from the MSD system. I've never tried that route myself, but when I installed the Transistor Trick ignition system, performance went through the roof. Not bad for under $75.00!

 

unplugging the open door buzzer.

 

12a to 13b

 

Putting in new shocks and springs, totally transformed the car.

 

I've gotta agree on the light flywheel. Makes these cars so much more fun to drive.

 

Full RB Exhaust, worked and sounded wonders better than the PO's flexpipe rig he made.

 

Wait until it's time to do the brakes. Then I'm thinking this item will go "down" the list you've made...

 

First person I have heard to praise that setup.

 

Not sure what you mean. Replacing the pads instead of shoes? No big deal.


Whatever other folks were looking for in a rack and pinion doesn't seem to be the same as what I am. I was looking for it to liven up the car, which is exactly what it does, in spades. The closest thing that I can compare it to is the manual rack in a mid-70s 911.


It probably depends on how run down the ignition system was that you're replacing. My stock system seemed to have been in good shape.

 

Most satisfying for me was the blower scoop! https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/blower-scoop-776482/ I love the double takes I get when people look over at the car.

 

It's also interesting how people ask questions trying to figure out why the scoop is off to the side instead of in the middle when they assume it has a V8.

 

If you're actually saying you can replace the springs, shoes and set up the star just as quickly as popping a bolt and replacing pads, I call

 

Sure, it takes a little longer to do the shoes than the pads, but neither is exactly brain surgery.