Reliability/Performance Balance
 

I recently purchased a 95 rx-7 with 100 miles on a rebuilt motor. It is not my daily driver. I plan on putting less than 5,000 miles a year and will be doing about 8 track days a year.

I now have a dp, cb, and I will be installing a profec b to keep the boost at 10psi. I have new silicone hoses installed for vacuum lines, an aluminum ast tank, upgraded brake pads and brake fluid, as well as boost and water temp gauges. I am buying an upgraded radiator also.

I understand the stock intercooler is not very effective, but i would like to know what is more reliable for the track. Which do you guys think would be more reliable:

My fd with my current mods at 10psi,

Or,

My fd with an upgraded intercooler, cold air intake and some sort of fuel controller (power fc or replacement ecu) running at 12psi.

Mainly, I want to know that the stock intercooler is safe enough for 10psi at the track, and I will be happy with staying with it. If using the stock intercooler will greatly increase my chances of blowing my engine, I'll upgrade the intercooler, but due to the cost (considering i may also need a power fc plus tuning) i think i would have to raise the boost to at least 12psi to feel that i have gotten my money's worth.

Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

I say you ugrade ic , cai , and fuel controller. B/c the stock tt's get wicked hot. I would suggest a single t conversion unless you dont want to spend much money. There are very effective right up's on reliability mods and IC , Intake , and fuel controller are good ones to have. Its kinda funny saying these are reliability when they increase you boost but it amazingly is.

an intercooler is a good upgrade to keep everything running cooler... but you will make more hp which inevidably causes more wear... its a toss up.

plus the intercooler, ecu and intake are gonna run you around 2200$

From someone who actually GOES to the track....

get a better intercooler and only run 10 psi. The upgraded SMIC will have less pressure drop, meaning your turbos will work easier, lowering your water, oil, and intake temps. I highly suggest doing this for the track, at least on hot days.

I also highly suggest an oil cooler upgrade -- either get the passenger side cooler from an R1/R2 car or purchase an aftermarket upgrade (like Crooked Willow Racing or Rotary Extreme).

Do a search for "road rac* upgrades" in the 3rd gen section and you will learn a lot. PM me if you have questions. Some of the knowledgable guys that track their car a lot here are Ptrhahn, CrispyRX7, and SleepR1.