Body & paint finished - need advice
04-05-09, 06:59 PM
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Body & paint finished - need advice
Just wonderind what you guys think of my new paint job and wheel installation. Iam not sure if I should paint side mirrors to match colour of car or leave black.
Any suggestions for a suspension set up and some easy ways to increase power. I already have a Boral exhaust, Iam thinking about adding a header. Did anyone here add a header and see a decent power gain. Thanks for all of your suggestions
Any suggestions for a suspension set up and some easy ways to increase power. I already have a Boral exhaust, Iam thinking about adding a header. Did anyone here add a header and see a decent power gain. Thanks for all of your suggestions
04-05-09, 07:10 PM
#2
Just wonderind what you guys think of my new paint job and wheel installation. Iam not sure if I should paint side mirrors to match colour of car or leave black.
Any suggestions for a suspension set up and some easy ways to increase power. I already have a Boral exhaust, Iam thinking about adding a header. Did anyone here add a header and see a decent power gain. Thanks for all of your suggestions
Any suggestions for a suspension set up and some easy ways to increase power. I already have a Boral exhaust, Iam thinking about adding a header. Did anyone here add a header and see a decent power gain. Thanks for all of your suggestions
04-06-09, 09:03 AM
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Struggles with Idling
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Just wonderind what you guys think of my new paint job and wheel installation. Iam not sure if I should paint side mirrors to match colour of car or leave black.
Any suggestions for a suspension set up and some easy ways to increase power. I already have a Boral exhaust, Iam thinking about adding a header. Did anyone here add a header and see a decent power gain. Thanks for all of your suggestions
Any suggestions for a suspension set up and some easy ways to increase power. I already have a Boral exhaust, Iam thinking about adding a header. Did anyone here add a header and see a decent power gain. Thanks for all of your suggestions
+1 for leaving the side mirrors black.
I had a Racing Beat header on my first GSL-SE and it was quick. they claim about 5-8 hp gain I think (but check out their web site). on my current GSL-SE I have the factory exhaust manifold with a custom free flowing system without a meow. it's much louder than stock, but it's like 3 times faster than 3 clogged factory meows.
I'd like to put some Tokico Illumina's on the car, but I don't think I would be adjusting them enough to make it worth while, so I think I'll just go with the Tokico HP's instead. maybe some lowering springs too.
I took off my air pump, AC, got a cone filter and might install an electric fan. others have done ignition and spark changes and port and polished the intake passages too. a 1st gen with 130-150 hp driven at 110% is much more fun than a 400 hp 3rd gen beast that you can't drive to 50% of it's potential
but that's just the opinion from a guy who can't afford a 400 hp beast!! ha ha
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04-06-09, 09:30 AM
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More Mazdas than Sense
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I'm assuming since you have aftermarket wheels its a GSL-SE.
From what you have, if you want it to be faster, go back to 14" wheels, even at the same weight as what you have. It will be faster and ride/handle better.
For more power, a header is a good change. You could also try an S4 or S5 intake, with some port/polish work. Though you'd have to modify it to run 2 GSL-SE injectors. While you're in there, pineapple inserts on the aux ports.
From there, I would look at a light flywheel. The SE is pretty damned heavy! Also, a 12a trans has a shorter gear set, which would make the car quicker.
That's about it for bolt ons. You could try some of the ignition tricks (DLIDFIS, Transistor Trick, etc.), but that's more show than go. From here, you're looking at port work, engine swaps, forced induction, V-8 swaps, the sky is the limit. However, you will eventually get to the end of the road, and realize you were happier with it when it was stock and working properly.
From what you have, if you want it to be faster, go back to 14" wheels, even at the same weight as what you have. It will be faster and ride/handle better.
For more power, a header is a good change. You could also try an S4 or S5 intake, with some port/polish work. Though you'd have to modify it to run 2 GSL-SE injectors. While you're in there, pineapple inserts on the aux ports.
From there, I would look at a light flywheel. The SE is pretty damned heavy! Also, a 12a trans has a shorter gear set, which would make the car quicker.
That's about it for bolt ons. You could try some of the ignition tricks (DLIDFIS, Transistor Trick, etc.), but that's more show than go. From here, you're looking at port work, engine swaps, forced induction, V-8 swaps, the sky is the limit. However, you will eventually get to the end of the road, and realize you were happier with it when it was stock and working properly.
04-06-09, 03:01 PM
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Save the TII from a V8
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i love the colour.
leave the mirrors black, I would of also left the bumpers black as well.
As for wheels, get something with a ridiculous offset, deep dish and meshy or the classic wantanbe's rims.
For power, I would forget about beefing up the stock engine. Do a 13b REW swap.
leave the mirrors black, I would of also left the bumpers black as well.
As for wheels, get something with a ridiculous offset, deep dish and meshy or the classic wantanbe's rims.
For power, I would forget about beefing up the stock engine. Do a 13b REW swap.
04-06-09, 11:17 PM
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Former Rx7 *****
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wow a lot of old timers posting in this thread.
Personally I vote for black mirrors. LIke someone said earlier they match the door handles well and contrast the paint job. A light tint would also make it look cool too.
I like the wheels.
The upgrades I would think of is to convert the hubs over to 2nd gen. That way you can run the 2nd gen 4 pot front brakes, and larger rear rotors.
Ignore FEDs and his 14" nonsense. If you truely want speed then go for some old school panasports. 15x8 all the way around with a nice 245/XX/15 tires. Some Tokico Illuminas, Racing Beat springs. Racing Beat header. Racing Beat exhaust.
Fidanza aluminum flywheel with either the factory clutch or whatever stage 1 clutch from whatever company. Make sure you stick with a full face organic disc. Those puck clutches will have you cursing every single time you hit a traffic jam.
Beautiful car you got there.
Personally I vote for black mirrors. LIke someone said earlier they match the door handles well and contrast the paint job. A light tint would also make it look cool too.
I like the wheels.
The upgrades I would think of is to convert the hubs over to 2nd gen. That way you can run the 2nd gen 4 pot front brakes, and larger rear rotors.
Ignore FEDs and his 14" nonsense. If you truely want speed then go for some old school panasports. 15x8 all the way around with a nice 245/XX/15 tires. Some Tokico Illuminas, Racing Beat springs. Racing Beat header. Racing Beat exhaust.
Fidanza aluminum flywheel with either the factory clutch or whatever stage 1 clutch from whatever company. Make sure you stick with a full face organic disc. Those puck clutches will have you cursing every single time you hit a traffic jam.
Beautiful car you got there.
04-07-09, 09:47 AM
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Ignore FEDs and his 14" nonsense. If you truely want speed then go for some old school panasports. 15x8 all the way around with a nice 245/XX/15 tires. Some Tokico Illuminas, Racing Beat springs. Racing Beat header. Racing Beat exhaust.
Fidanza aluminum flywheel with either the factory clutch or whatever stage 1 clutch from whatever company. Make sure you stick with a full face organic disc. Those puck clutches will have you cursing every single time you hit a traffic jam.
Also, why are you advocating lowering the weight of 1 flywheel, while increasing the weight of 4 others, and simultaniously raising the centre of gravity and effing with the steering geometry?
Unlike you portly 2nd-genners, the first gen is about light weight and balance. Put too much into one area, and you ruin the rest of the car. We don't have the road hugging weight and suspension slop (sorry, "passive steering") to cover bad tuning choices.
Knock out as much weight as possible, get the full RB streetport system, ditch all the unecessary engine accessories, freshen the shocks, and put energy suspension bushings all around.
04-07-09, 09:52 AM
#15
How in the name of sweet merciful baby Leigh Adams is he going to get a 245 tire under a first gen? Magic?
Also, why are you advocating lowering the weight of 1 flywheel, while increasing the weight of 4 others, and simultaniously raising the centre of gravity and effing with the steering geometry?
Unlike you portly 2nd-genners, the first gen is about light weight and balance. Put too much into one area, and you ruin the rest of the car. We don't have the road hugging weight and suspension slop (sorry, "passive steering") to cover bad tuning choices.
Knock out as much weight as possible, get the full RB streetport system, ditch all the unecessary engine accessories, freshen the shocks, and put energy suspension bushings all around.
Also, why are you advocating lowering the weight of 1 flywheel, while increasing the weight of 4 others, and simultaniously raising the centre of gravity and effing with the steering geometry?
Unlike you portly 2nd-genners, the first gen is about light weight and balance. Put too much into one area, and you ruin the rest of the car. We don't have the road hugging weight and suspension slop (sorry, "passive steering") to cover bad tuning choices.
Knock out as much weight as possible, get the full RB streetport system, ditch all the unecessary engine accessories, freshen the shocks, and put energy suspension bushings all around.
04-09-09, 08:27 PM
#17
How in the name of sweet merciful baby Leigh Adams is he going to get a 245 tire under a first gen? Magic?
Also, why are you advocating lowering the weight of 1 flywheel, while increasing the weight of 4 others, and simultaniously raising the centre of gravity and effing with the steering geometry?
Unlike you portly 2nd-genners, the first gen is about light weight and balance. Put too much into one area, and you ruin the rest of the car. We don't have the road hugging weight and suspension slop (sorry, "passive steering") to cover bad tuning choices...
Also, why are you advocating lowering the weight of 1 flywheel, while increasing the weight of 4 others, and simultaniously raising the centre of gravity and effing with the steering geometry?
Unlike you portly 2nd-genners, the first gen is about light weight and balance. Put too much into one area, and you ruin the rest of the car. We don't have the road hugging weight and suspension slop (sorry, "passive steering") to cover bad tuning choices...
To the OP: That is a great looking FB, and another vote for leave the mirrors black. I don't even really like that colour, and I think the car looks terrific - and it does look kind of 80's authentic colour-wise, even though it's not. Crank up some Loverboy on the tape deck, and it's back to the 80's...
"portly 2nd genners"
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