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So im finally putting together a build thread for my 1985 GSL.
My goals for the car are pretty simple. I want it to look good, and perform better. I also am trying to have it ready for DGRR '17 in some form, if not finished product.
The car started out very simple, a survivor car from the northeast that I got when I was 16. It had around 68k miles on it, great compression, and very well cared for.
It was very stock when I got it, but I made few upgrades right away. I installed 15x7 Rota RB wheels and a neat mariah hatch I found in a junkyard to make it mine. I daily drove the car for 4 years this way.
I started tinkering with the engine around this time, and tried several different intake configurations before I decided the only thing I really liked was the factory carburetor.
I followed some threads here on the forums and built a hogged out version of a 1974 Nikki, and it was literally the most rewarding thing I had ever done in my life. The added torque and horsepower quickly broke my transmission mounts, and I also managed to blow the rear shocks horsing around with the snappy mechanical secondaries.
It was at this time I retired it from daily driving.
Now that it was just a toy, I decided I wanted more performance, and my wheels and tires from years of daily driving were completely worn out. I decided to upgrade to stickier rubber, and lighter wheels with plans to turbocharge the 12A after body and paint was done.
Here it is from that point:
If anyone could help me out with the wacky picture sizing going on in this thread, id appreciate it. they wont post unless in 366x202 or 2000x1124 format, and then only SOME will post in 2000x1124....
Last edited by wankel=awesome; 10-07-16 at 09:21 AM.
I found that even with the very sticky summer tires, that the handling was much improved. The car was a totally different animal with the added grip. I only had a slight rubbing issue on the front to worry about, which led me to the next project: Fender flares
I was full steam ahead on this modification, and I thought it looked great. That is until a forum member set me on to a widebody that was for sale in Southern Ohio...
The price was right, so I drove 8 hours to find it. It looked great!
Edit: I have no idea whats going on with the picture sizes guys, but you get the idea!
Last edited by wankel=awesome; 10-07-16 at 09:05 AM.
Reason: fubar
I got the widebody home, and I started pondering the install. I found out it wouldnt be as hard as it looked to do, so I dove right in on it.
Not before having massive second thoughts on keeping the body original though, as it had really grown on me from the years of ownership.
I thought it looked amazing at this point, but just needed a good paint job and care taken to the banged up body panels. In the end though, I decided the widebody was worth the venture.
Last edited by wankel=awesome; 10-07-16 at 09:06 AM.
It was at this point I started the body work. I got it moved into the shop for the winter and started toiling away...
The kit was an old CP racing widebody, and it had been a spare kit for a racing car outside of Akron ohio. It was fitted with 1/4 turn fasteners for the rear fenders, and this helped clench my method of bolting the fenders on, rather than molding them to the body. You can see in the pictures here just how small a set of 16x8 wheels can look on an Rx7 with this kit.
Last edited by wankel=awesome; 10-07-16 at 09:23 AM.
After the initial fitment was complete, I decided to start looking for the wheels to fill the massive wells. I had some success with an au vendor for a set of wheels designed for the new BRZ, but had them machined for 4x114.3 to fit the cars GSL-SE running gear.
They are 16x9 and 16x10.5 but actually measured a little larger in person.
I also found this set of mirrors at a great price, and decided they were needed as well haha.
Looks good! This will be a fun thread to follow. I admire your determination to jump right in a get going. I like your workshop / garage! Where's the "jealous" button on this forum...
I'm interested to see what they look like when fitted!
Have fun with your build aye!
Yea, it's a hell of a project. I have a bit of a Lamborghini story myself after working for Lucra Cars and not liking their design intentions for the vehicle. I'm building a more functional car with REAL luxury and similar real world figures for 1/10th the price.
If I didn't love my power mirrors so much on this car, I'd totally copy you on those for my car. It'd take away from the luxury design aspect of my build too, so can't do that.
Yea, it's a hell of a project. I have a bit of a Lamborghini story myself after working for Lucra Cars and not liking their design intentions for the vehicle. I'm building a more functional car with REAL luxury and similar real world figures for 1/10th the price.
If I didn't love my power mirrors so much on this car, I'd totally copy you on those for my car. It'd take away from the luxury design aspect of my build too, so can't do that.
They can be installed either way... Mine have a very sharp convex turn at the triangular part of the mirror, and turned thst way it allows you to see a full view of everything from what's directly behind you, to what's sitting on the shoulder next to the road.
I like being able to see that way, and it makes the car much easier to park..
10-07-16, 08:46 AM
It'd take away from the luxury design aspect of my build too, so can't do that. 
