cpt_gloval

iTrader: (1)

after i fix everything in the se, i'll have to decide where i want to go with the car.

i've got two paths in mind:

1. bone stock. keep the cats, air pump, AC, and PS on the car. make a nice little cruiser.

2. lightly modified. RB exhaust, plus whatever FREE go-fast mods i can manage (mostly just yanking the accessories).

is the full RB exhaust with header, presilencer, and muffler quiet enough to not worry about being pulled over every time i drive it? do the aux ports still work on the backpressure with the RB system?

Mills

iTrader: (1)

Survey says:

Yes and Yes!!

SAH-RX7

I have a soft spot for Stock. I am in the process of restoring mine back to original spec. Sure you guys who get 200hp + will smoke me! and thats cool.. (really cool!) but there is something about not messing with perfection. just my $.02.

thricerx7

okay you can do whatever u want with an SE cuz u got 135bhp stock and my gsl has 100bhp stock so i need all the power i can get. but i would go modified because its more fun.

LongDuck

How much money do you have? How comfortable do you want to be when you drive it? Are you the only driver, or will a GF/Wife also be driving the car?

These are all good questions when it comes to what modifications you're willing to live with on a daily basis. The SE is the best platform to begin modifying, since it has many of the features as stock that you would want to add to any other model of RX-7. With that in mind, find out how you intend to use the car, what kinds of road driving you do, and go from there.

There are certainly enough parts, and enough guys with experience here who can help you with some specific decisions. HTH,

elwood

iTrader: (1)

I have an SE -- well it is now anyway -- and I've tried lots of different mods. If I had a stock SE and didn't want to race it, here's what I'd do:

1) Get good high-pressure strut inserts and rear shocks
2) Add a big front swaybar
3) Toss the rear swaybar
4) Add an aftermarket exhaust (maybe)
5) Put on a good set of performance tires in the stock size or close to it
6) Toss the joystick in the center console and replace it with the bypass wiring and coin holder found on the
lower models (I think the joystick's a redundant pain in the backside)
7) Drive & Enjoy
8) Go to Step 7

cpt_gloval

iTrader: (1)

those are definitely good questions to axe.

i've got a couple hundred a month budgeted to throw at the car and keep it on the road. i'm putting aside a little fund for a fresher engine (215k is a lot even for a rotary )

as fas as comfort - well i stopped driving my '83 gsl because it was too uncomfortable to drive. i'm down for a stiff ride but not one that'll be overly jarring on washington (ROUGH) roads. i'm actually liking how the ride is stock, as far as comfy vs. firm.

and i am the only driver (occasionally i'll let a buddy take it for a spin, but not often).

the intended purpose for the car is ONLY fun. i have another commuter. my buddy and i both have little project cars, mine being the rx7, and his being a '75 914. conveniently, washington is full of mountains and thus mountain roads, plus the eastern half of the state is pretty much deserted. so we're planning a few weekends this summer to just go explore some roads.

after some thinking, i've decided to remove the AC and PS, get a RB exhaust system, and then yank the air pump. as far as suspension, i think i'll keep it close to stock spec. maybe get a set of KYBs and fresh springs on all four corners.

before that, though, i need to go change pretty much all the bushings and make sure all the suspension parts are working in good order. the car has a tendancy to get a little jumpy side-to-side when rebounding from a bump, and that can cause some problems.

is there anything specific i should read regarding the FB/SE's suspension? that's one thing i didn't really mess with when i had my GSL.

Brent_F

Well what I did/ am doing is getting my se road worthy, but adding better parts in most of the stuff I have to address. As you can tell I'm going the mod path this is because this is going to be my autox/ weekend fun car. For example the front struts were blown so I'm replaceing with Tokico HP's. Needed new brakes and rotors so I got factory replacement rotors with Hawk HP pads. My car already had the RB exhaust and to be honest I love it. The sound is wonderful and not too loud (until you step on it). There is a tad bit of droaning in the cockpit but that is most likely do to the great big hole in the passenger fender right next to the muffler. The shocks are going on next week and I imagine at that point this will be a pretty fast and fun package. The biggest decision I've faced is tire choice. There is no other element that will make a bigger difference. If your like me and currently running on Good Year (or similar all seasons) there are big gains to be found in this department. I'm going with Falkin Azenis' being that this will be a summer/autox car. If you want high performance with good streetablity I recomend the ES100 from Yokahama(best friend's SE). These will last at least a whole year whereas the Azenis will probably only last through the summer. I have two sets of wheels so I will leave the GY's on the current wheels and purhaps use them next winter. Personally I like the mod path. I can keep a clean car but I would much rather spend my time with a wrench than a rag so. I also don't like to cruise. So the appreance of the car only matters a little to me.

Basically this comes down to what you enjoy. I enjoy driving fast cars so I prepare accordingly. I've listed my parts as a suggestion for making improvement with not alot of green (100 for pads, 200 for shocks, 220-230 for the Azenis)

cpt_gloval

iTrader: (1)

my se actually has Toyo Proxes on all four corners, with a lot of tread left and they have pretty good dry grip; haven't had a chance to check the wet grip, but it won't matter much. the previous owner bought new tires about a month before the windshield wipers went out (which is why he stopped driving the car).

riofrio

Hey Brent, where in TN are you??

LongDuck

He stopped driving the car because the windshield wipers went out?!? What an IDIOT.

(My apologies if the prior owner is a relative or friend...)

RXTbone

I was going to stay stock - but then I figured, "Hell, the car's not going to be worth that much even in stock form". Whether that's the case or not, I decided to go with mods that improved performance without compromising a "stock" look - I've added RB springs and am about to install a RB exhaust system... beyond that, I may remove the emissions, but keep them in a box for the next buyer - just in case they want to give the earth back its 20 horsepower...

Honesty, though I'm approaching 40, it still get a kick out of eating a rice grinder now and again...

I go for the stock look - and keep my punch hidden

Brent_F

riofrio-Cookeville which is halfway to knoxville for you. Right on I-40.

Cpt-Proxes huh. T1-s I imagine. good tires kinda expensive though.

cpt_gloval

iTrader: (1)

naw. he just kind of had the car. wasn't much of an enthusiast. the car is up there in miles anyway. previous owner has an integra now.. with an auto haha.

his loss my gain. i'm not gonna call him an idiot for selling me a sweet car for $800.

MarkPerez

I would say keep it stock, i did.. keep it clean and sharp looking.. there is something about driving a clean and nice -SE.. i don't know.. they ride okay stock,and they do have that lo-end torque, so powers no problem. keep the engine and the EFI (smog) all in place, so when
the car acts up,,, and it will...it's easy to track down the problem... and when it's a nice car... lock the ****** to the curb, telephone pole,flagpole, something. cuz when there nice they seem to turn up missing.. I use a big ******* chain around the clutch pedal and through the steering wheel with 2 huge master locks.

KehoeAutomotive

Stock is mice as it is quiet and comfortable.

Exhaust is nice but it is noisy and stinky.

Perhaps a little of both? How about just a Cat back exhaust mod.

Still mostly stock but you'll pick up a small amount of HP.