What to upgrade/replace/add?
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What to upgrade/replace/add?
I have an 88' GXL NA. NOT a daily driver. EDIT: Also thought it was important to mention, I am the DIY kinda guy. This is our project car And I would prefer to do everything myself, even if that means cracking a egg yolks.
I am having so much trouble getting my priorities straight on what to replace/upgrade/add to the engine and it's driving me nuts. Looking for some suggestions on what I should be working on and in some kind of order. Electrical system and coolant flush are happening tonight. Fixed breaks last weekend. The car seems to be in good shape but I want to do a few more on ramp pulls before I can tell if there is anything wrong with the suspension.
My fiance also said that when the back passenger tire's camber was a little weird since it stuck out. I attributed to an optical illusion while she was following me since one of the tail pipes is a bit lower than the other. But this may be an actual problem. It doesn't look funny when it's parked. Maybe the AAS is broke, I'll need to talk a look at that too. Any suggestions on repairing the AAS computer if it isn't working correctly? I am very skilled with a soldering iron
We are also thinking of doing a street port and rebuilding the engine. The 3rd gear syncro is bad and I don't know where to get a new one. I would like to replace it if I can find a place that sells new syncros.
Car has a new radiator, new belts, and hoses, all replaced by previous owner.
So to summarize, these are the things that *may* need fixes or what not:
Rear suspension, tire camber/caster/toe
Street port
Engine rebuild (what rebuild package should we be looking at?)
Fuel injectors?
Spark plugs?
AAS computer/switches
After market turbo (fabrication etc, I still need to do more research on this)
3rd gear syncro
I'd really appreciate the help organizing my jumbled excited thoughts. If you have any suggestions I would also love to hear those Thanks guys!
I am having so much trouble getting my priorities straight on what to replace/upgrade/add to the engine and it's driving me nuts. Looking for some suggestions on what I should be working on and in some kind of order. Electrical system and coolant flush are happening tonight. Fixed breaks last weekend. The car seems to be in good shape but I want to do a few more on ramp pulls before I can tell if there is anything wrong with the suspension.
My fiance also said that when the back passenger tire's camber was a little weird since it stuck out. I attributed to an optical illusion while she was following me since one of the tail pipes is a bit lower than the other. But this may be an actual problem. It doesn't look funny when it's parked. Maybe the AAS is broke, I'll need to talk a look at that too. Any suggestions on repairing the AAS computer if it isn't working correctly? I am very skilled with a soldering iron
We are also thinking of doing a street port and rebuilding the engine. The 3rd gear syncro is bad and I don't know where to get a new one. I would like to replace it if I can find a place that sells new syncros.
Car has a new radiator, new belts, and hoses, all replaced by previous owner.
So to summarize, these are the things that *may* need fixes or what not:
Rear suspension, tire camber/caster/toe
Street port
Engine rebuild (what rebuild package should we be looking at?)
Fuel injectors?
Spark plugs?
AAS computer/switches
After market turbo (fabrication etc, I still need to do more research on this)
3rd gear syncro
I'd really appreciate the help organizing my jumbled excited thoughts. If you have any suggestions I would also love to hear those Thanks guys!
Last edited by shadowghost21; 08-23-11 at 02:42 PM.
#2
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best overall upgrade for the car would be all the suspension bushings. they are probably torn and degraded by this time. your car will feel like a million bucks with new suspension. after its all installed, then take it to an alignment shop and at that time, you can have your rear camber checked.
#3
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Personally I always like to start with suspension repairs/upgrades.
Things I would check/replace
Motor Mounts
Transmission Center Mount
DTSS
Control Arm Bushings
Front Diff Mount
Struts
Brakes
After that there are a few small things like the shifter boot that I would check over. Once the car is in good shape as far as handling goes, I then focus on changes that gear the car more towards my final build goals.
Things I would check/replace
Motor Mounts
Transmission Center Mount
DTSS
Control Arm Bushings
Front Diff Mount
Struts
Brakes
After that there are a few small things like the shifter boot that I would check over. Once the car is in good shape as far as handling goes, I then focus on changes that gear the car more towards my final build goals.
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AAS does not control camber. Broken AAS will not cause camber problems, only the damping rates of the shocks...
AAS shocks have an adjustment **** controlled by a motor. They have three settings: normal, stiff, and extra stiff. In Normal mode, the shocks are all normal, but the fronts go to stiff when you hit the brakes hard and the rears go stiff when you accelerate hard... When in Sport mode the shocks are in stiff and go to extra stiff in the same conditions.
No aftermarket shocks are available that are compatible with the AAS motors. Most people delete the AAS when the shocks go.
If you're dead set on keeping the AAS, you can figure out how to adapt the motors to Tokico Illumnas or KYB AGX shocks... Or you can rebuild the factory units.
To replace the synchro, you'll need to dismantle the ENTIRE transmission. You'd do well to replace all the other synchros, all bearings, and other items while you're in there. IE a complete overhaul.
I have a few links in the miata transmission swap thread. I believe it's in the Archive. If it isn't I'm going to search for it and put it in there. They describe what's needed to partially pull apart the transmission.
AAS shocks have an adjustment **** controlled by a motor. They have three settings: normal, stiff, and extra stiff. In Normal mode, the shocks are all normal, but the fronts go to stiff when you hit the brakes hard and the rears go stiff when you accelerate hard... When in Sport mode the shocks are in stiff and go to extra stiff in the same conditions.
No aftermarket shocks are available that are compatible with the AAS motors. Most people delete the AAS when the shocks go.
If you're dead set on keeping the AAS, you can figure out how to adapt the motors to Tokico Illumnas or KYB AGX shocks... Or you can rebuild the factory units.
To replace the synchro, you'll need to dismantle the ENTIRE transmission. You'd do well to replace all the other synchros, all bearings, and other items while you're in there. IE a complete overhaul.
I have a few links in the miata transmission swap thread. I believe it's in the Archive. If it isn't I'm going to search for it and put it in there. They describe what's needed to partially pull apart the transmission.
#6
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AAS does not control camber. Broken AAS will not cause camber problems, only the damping rates of the shocks...
AAS shocks have an adjustment **** controlled by a motor. They have three settings: normal, stiff, and extra stiff. In Normal mode, the shocks are all normal, but the fronts go to stiff when you hit the brakes hard and the rears go stiff when you accelerate hard... When in Sport mode the shocks are in stiff and go to extra stiff in the same conditions.
No aftermarket shocks are available that are compatible with the AAS motors. Most people delete the AAS when the shocks go.
If you're dead set on keeping the AAS, you can figure out how to adapt the motors to Tokico Illumnas or KYB AGX shocks... Or you can rebuild the factory units.
To replace the synchro, you'll need to dismantle the ENTIRE transmission. You'd do well to replace all the other synchros, all bearings, and other items while you're in there. IE a complete overhaul.
I have a few links in the miata transmission swap thread. I believe it's in the Archive. If it isn't I'm going to search for it and put it in there. They describe what's needed to partially pull apart the transmission.
AAS shocks have an adjustment **** controlled by a motor. They have three settings: normal, stiff, and extra stiff. In Normal mode, the shocks are all normal, but the fronts go to stiff when you hit the brakes hard and the rears go stiff when you accelerate hard... When in Sport mode the shocks are in stiff and go to extra stiff in the same conditions.
No aftermarket shocks are available that are compatible with the AAS motors. Most people delete the AAS when the shocks go.
If you're dead set on keeping the AAS, you can figure out how to adapt the motors to Tokico Illumnas or KYB AGX shocks... Or you can rebuild the factory units.
To replace the synchro, you'll need to dismantle the ENTIRE transmission. You'd do well to replace all the other synchros, all bearings, and other items while you're in there. IE a complete overhaul.
I have a few links in the miata transmission swap thread. I believe it's in the Archive. If it isn't I'm going to search for it and put it in there. They describe what's needed to partially pull apart the transmission.
I figured as much with the transmission and honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way Should be fun, I just need to find replacement parts. As far as the shocks go thanks for the info about the camber. I'll need to look into that myself, it might be that rear wheel steer thing they built into the car.
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Not sure if the compression is bad. Engine sounds nice. The porting was a down the road sorta thing. We have also been looking at the TII engine+trany swap. Need to find one first Glad I am getting all this input. I'm going to be headed out in a few hours to replace the coolant which is gross!
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#8
rotors excite me
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I can't speak for the Tokico Illumina's, but the KYB AGX shocks would be a special challenge to rig to adjust remotely. You have to push the valve switch down at least 1/8" before you can turn it. Maybe they'd turn if you forced it, but I know there's supposed to be a catch so it doesn't accidentally adjust itself on the road, so if you applied force to it you would risk breaking them. It's something you'd have to consider if you were thinking about engineering such a system.
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I figured as much with the transmission and honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way Should be fun, I just need to find replacement parts. As far as the shocks go thanks for the info about the camber. I'll need to look into that myself, it might be that rear wheel steer thing they built into the car.
Rear camber is adjustable on these cars with a link in the center part of the suspension. It adjusts both sides at the same time. If the adjustment doesn't work, look for chassis (wreck) damage.
Not sure if the compression is bad. Engine sounds nice. The porting was a down the road sorta thing. We have also been looking at the TII engine+trany swap. Need to find one first Glad I am getting all this input. I'm going to be headed out in a few hours to replace the coolant which is gross!
I'll leave boost to my truck that runs over 20 PSI stock and that will probably only need a head gasket and studs if I push over 30 PSI... Versus rotor housings that will get scraped up by failed rotor housings.
I can't speak for the Tokico Illumina's, but the KYB AGX shocks would be a special challenge to rig to adjust remotely. You have to push the valve switch down at least 1/8" before you can turn it. Maybe they'd turn if you forced it, but I know there's supposed to be a catch so it doesn't accidentally adjust itself on the road, so if you applied force to it you would risk breaking them. It's something you'd have to consider if you were thinking about engineering such a system.
I personally will get out and adjust my Ohlins coilovers... If I could figure out what settings work for what. I think I bought more suspension that I can handle.
#11
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Not sure if the compression is bad. Engine sounds nice. The porting was a down the road sorta thing. We have also been looking at the TII engine+trany swap. Need to find one first Glad I am getting all this input. I'm going to be headed out in a few hours to replace the coolant which is gross!
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Enjoy your na and get used to your car since there is nothing wrong with it. You can buy a t2 engine and tear it down to be rebuilt and customized to your liking. By the time that engine is all set, enough time should pass (unless your rich) where you will be ready to part with your na, or your compression has parted with you. I can't see tossing a good engine right off the rippa.
#15
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Racing Beat's normal Turbo catback exhaust can be used on an NA, so if you're undecided you could use it. Their REV TII exhaust could be adapted to NA cats or a presilencer [I don't think it normally bolts up though].
I think all the other exhausts I know of [Apexi N1, Borla] are generic Turbo/NA
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None of the stock exhaust should be retained..
Racing Beat's normal Turbo catback exhaust can be used on an NA, so if you're undecided you could use it. Their REV TII exhaust could be adapted to NA cats or a presilencer [I don't think it normally bolts up though].
I think all the other exhausts I know of [Apexi N1, Borla] are generic Turbo/NA
Racing Beat's normal Turbo catback exhaust can be used on an NA, so if you're undecided you could use it. Their REV TII exhaust could be adapted to NA cats or a presilencer [I don't think it normally bolts up though].
I think all the other exhausts I know of [Apexi N1, Borla] are generic Turbo/NA
And it's not *if* we do a swap, it's *when* When my fiance came home last night she told me she had been looking around for TII engines and transmissions. Found some pretty nice j-spec models for a good price, only problem, I want one in town. Shipping is a nightmare at that weight lol. And we might be able to get a decent amount of money back for the running in good shape NA engine we have.
We defiantly want the car to look nice, I'll be doing a paint job when we get the tII hood and spoiler so I make sure that everything is the same shade of white
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With the turbo hood and some racing stripes I think it adds about 20hp.
Still waiting to see if anyone knows where to get new transmission parts...
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lol That's what I hear. I found a nice write up on no pistons on how to get them out with a hydraulic press. So I might be making a trip to harbor freight, or trying the bolt washer method which I hear is a double pain.
There was something else that I read that involved going to a place that has a press and asking them to pop them out for you and put the new ones in. Said it cost them a few bucks but they didn't need to buy a press.
There was something else that I read that involved going to a place that has a press and asking them to pop them out for you and put the new ones in. Said it cost them a few bucks but they didn't need to buy a press.