Alright, I've read this board long enough to know that its the right place to come for opinions. Here's what I've got in the works, assuming the outcome of this post is positive. First I want to do a whole new suspension, I have decided on the Racing Beat 86-91 Suspension Kit. The kit includes four new springs and oversize sway bars for the front and rear. To compliment the kit I intend to order the KYB AGX shocks/struts. Next I'd like to replace most or all of the exhaust components. Right now I am planning on the CorkSport cat-back with the Bonez High Flow cat. I would like to run a header with those two components but I haven't been able to find one that would fit and hasn't had a barrage of negative feed-back (eg. pacesetter). That about wraps it up for now, any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Current ride- 1989 n/a w/rotorsports racing Stage III and a streetport. The motor only has about 20k miles on it.

 

Just get the car?
Have a good look under it.
You might already have some good suspension stuff.

The header is really important to allow that port job to work.
RB is best.
Can you loose the cats in NC? If so you will want a presilencer.

The links in my sig show my previous (budget) NA dual exhaust.

 

well with the suspension I would replace all your old bushings. on shox.com they have them for about 99 buck plus shipping. I am about to get those kyb agx shocks because everyone pretty much says they are the best. About your exhaust what you may want to do is look on like rx7.com or racingbeat.com (I'm sure you already have seeing as how your are getting racing beat 86-91 suspension kit). You might also want to go to corksport they also have exhaust components there however some of their stuff seems to be over priced. Anyways hope this helps a little. I'm more of a forced induction guy.

whoops you have already been to corksport to. lol, sorry didn't see that part.

 

I have had the car for around 4 years and am certian that it has no upgrades to the 180,000 mile suspension. It leaves much to be desired. As to the headers being nessasary to let the ports really breathe, I agree, however, as I need my cat to pass emmissions and the RB header is designed to work without one I find myself without an acceptable solution. Perhaps I've been misenformed about the length of the RB header but I don't think so. Does anyone know if maybe there is a hi-flow cat that fits btween the RB header and the standard cat-back bolt up point?

 

I had a Bonez High-flow main cat along with my RB header, and it fit fine. I had to weld a couple inches of extentions to each side, and flange it to bolt up.

About the suspension, you are definately on the right track. You can spend all you want on aftermarket parts, but if the bushings are all worn out, the car will still feel like ****.

You made a good choice on the suspension, but I will offer my suggestion if you dont mind. My Turbo2 was equipped with KYB adjustable struts (8-way rears and 4 way fronts), and RB springs. The handling was great, felt very tight and responsive, less body roll, great turn-in, etc.. I have nothing against that combination.

On my N/A, I went with Tokico HP struts and Tokico springs. This combination feels just as nice as the KYB/RB setup on my turbo2, but for considerably less cost. Unless you really need the adjustability of the KYBs (which honetly...most people dont) Id greatly recommend the tociko setup, just because of the money savings.

 

Rxmfn7, how big was the gap btween the header and the cat? Is it a gap and not a case of being too long? Do you think I could just have an exhust shop make a piece that bolts into the gap?

 

The main cat was something like 12" long, and the gap between the RB header and the Y-pipe was something along the line of 18" ( Im sure these measurements are off a little, its been a few years since I did it, but you get the idea).

 

Hey LameCarnivore...welcome to the forums. Seems a lot of NC guys have been popping up lately... around where in NC are you at?

 

I am currently living right near Topsail Island, but I'm new to the area. I am originally from Atlanta.

Does anyone out there know how big that gap actually is?