Hello guys!
i tried to search but i didnt find what i needed or iam maybe a bad searcher :p

Anyway my problem is i got a kinda "stock" Rx7 fd 1992. i got 3" exhaust catback and knightsports ecu.

i wanna start doing track with the car and mainly doing that.

so what do i need to upgrade "first" so i can start racing.

I was thinking better brakepads, brake fluid, R888 tires, and coilovers for a start ?
Do i need Apexi power fc and a FMIC ?

also do u guys know any good coilovers that is fully adjustable height bump etc ?
Thx guys !

//Anders

 

Hi Anders,

Assuming your car is in good operating condition (no leaks, no clunks, no blown dampers, boosts properly) I would do two things:

1) High performance brake pads and new rotors if necessary. They don't have to be dedicated race pads at this point, but something good enough to make it through your first few events without fading. Flush your fluid with a high quality product as well.

2) Cooling. If you don't have at least factory dual oil coolers, start there. An upgraded radiator and SMIC will also help. If you don't have water and oil temperature gauges, get those and pay attention to what's happening to your car on the track.

If you're just starting out, you don't need more power, upgraded suspension, or race tires. The limiting factor will be your skill and it will take many track days before you really need to upgrade those things. A highly modified car will just be a crutch for a new driver. You really want to learn to extract 100% of what you've got before you start upgrading. A stock-ish FD is a perfect platform to learn on and it will grow with you as you advance.

Good luck and most importantly have fun!

 

This sounds like an awesome plan Anders. What kind of racing do you have in mind?

I would start with reliability modifications. Get an upgraded radiator and downpipe, check the vacuum lines, do a coolant flush, an oil change, and transmission and differential fluid change. I'd recommend a few gauges to keep an eye on your vitals (coolant temp, boost and vacuum, wideband air to fuel)

I'd recommend skipping the FMIC for a v-mount or stock mount intercooler as you'll get better airflow to your radiator (I had a monster HKS FMIC that I used to do track days with, and I'd only be able to last 3/4s of my sessions before my coolant temps would start to shoot up - there could be better intercooler core options now that might flow more air through)

Get a good set of brake pads with a brake fluid refresh, and a good set of tires. I would recommend starting with a harder tire (180 treadwear+ like the Direzza or AD08Rs) before getting something soft like the R888, you could learn more about the car and your driving style on a harder tire where you'll get more feedback from them. You won't be as fast but you'll get a good education and save some money getting more life out of the harder tire while you get comfortable on track

I am not too familiar with the Knightsport ECU system, but if you can get a good safe tune out of it you shouldn't have to get a Power FC

As for coilovers, there are several great options across the board all depending on how much you want to spend.

Get your car reliable enough to run on track and don't worry too much about going fast at first - that will come in time. Have fun with it and upgrade things as you go


Good luck!

 

Thx for ur answers both of u !

Zumspeed: my racing will be trackdays for a start ive have done a few trackdays before with my fwd car but nothing to much so i "know" a little bit about it.

I had an Rx 7 before a 99spec with PFC i never drove it on track but when it was hot like 25-30 degrees outside i had an intake temp 60+ degrees. so i guess running with stock mount intercooler i will get to high temp on track ?

 

Zum is spot on, your first and primary focus should be quality track time. That means a sound car that you can push for a full session all day without worrying.

Read 'good quality brake fluid' to mean high temp capable, not just your off the shelf stuff. There are options for trackable street brakes which will suit your needs for now, but you probably wont need them for a few track days unless your local track has massive brake zones.

Worry about 'upgrades' after you have the ability to say 'I want the car to react this way in these situations instead of that way.' Then determine the adjustment you want to make.

 

Hi!
well its winter soon here so i was thinking of doing some upgrades so i dont have to do it when the summes comes ;d thats why i htought of good coilovers cuz they will be neeeded later anyway hehe.

but i read alot of the intake temp is a danger when u go that high 60+ degrees ? i mean stock intercooler cant take track ?

 

Unfortunately I don't have any IAT feedback with a stock mount, I've never run one

I'd say get your car sorted enough and safe enough as is for a track day, get out there and see how it runs

We can bench race what you need all day, but you'll never actually know until you get out there and get some more experience. I've had some track days that didn't end as well as I wanted, but the main thing is that you learn from them and take it back to the garage to make yourself and your car better for next time


Let's see some pics of what your working with

 

i will get some pics

1 thing ive heard ppl say here in sweden is that if u put on for example FMIC 3" exhauist u need to tune the car, with example PFC its right ye ?

 

60 degree intake temps will eventually lead to detonation and a blown engine. A v mount is a must for any decent amount of track use in my opinion. Any stock mount intercooler will heat soak. A front mount will restrict airflow to the radiator. I would ditch the Knightsports ecu. It is just a chipped stock ecu and there is no way of knowing exactly what it is tuned for. Get a power fc, adaptronic, or haltech and get a professional tune. You can set any of these to pull timing if intake or coolant temps get past a certain point, which will protect the motor on the track. Rotaries rely a lot on oil cooling so dual coolers is a must. Sakebomb sells the best setup you can get currently.