4giglz

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Hi all

Are there any 1 gen owners within a few hundred miles of Peoria, IL?

I bought a 1983 GS that is in pieces. The origional owner was trying to build a Spec 7 racer, went to a race before the car was completed, and decided those guys run into each other too much. He built a Porsche 944 Turbo instead. The RX-7 came with some fun stuff and a decent collection of tools and books. I later picked up a 1984 GLS that is a basket case for some of the parts and a point of reference to put the good one together again. Sooo...

Here's the dilema. I don't plan on racing the car aside from an occasional Auto-X or two, and want a fun DD or weekend toy. I have never actually driven a 12a powered car before, and have no real point of reference as to how they drive. I therefore don't know how far to go with the mods to get something I will enjoy driving (I am not into drag racing). I have driven a 1984 GSL-SE that was an all origional, low mileage car in a good state of repair. My wife commented on how little power it had, but that it was still fun to drive. I currently drive a 2002 Protege ES with the addition of the Mazdaspeed suspension, short shifter and light 17" wheels with summer compound tires. It is fun, and I have no plans to get rid of the car, ever. I however don't want to end up with a RX-7 that is a period correct modded (current most appealing plan) car that cost a bunch to build and is less fun to drive than the Protege. Kinda defeats the purpose. Any suggestions?

Anyone in the area with 1st gens willing to take me for a drive (regardless of the level of mods, from stock to insane)? I am willing to travel a bit for the experience if necessary, within reason.

Your opinions are greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

IanS

iTrader: (4)

The one thing that you need to know is that your 3rd gen protege is a completely different car than an FB. It took me a long time to get used to my 7 (weekend car) compared to my 01 protege LX 2.0. I would normally be up for the chance to meet a new person however my car is currently down for an engine rebuild with Ito streetport (much more aggressive than a Racing Beat street port). I would be able to help you get started putting it together sometime since I am currently at a stand still on my project.

4giglz

Thanks for the offer of help, but I am still trying to figure out what the plan is for the car. Will probably be a while before I get started. I did assume the FB would be different to drive than the Protege. I am actually looking forward to it. I do enjoy the Protege quite a bit, but have never really warmed up to front wheel drive. It just doesn't feel right on the auto-x course. I learned to drive competitively in a V-8 powered, rear wheel drive vehicle, and have never gotten the hang of the different dynamics of FWD.

I see in your list of mods a large number of parts I currently have, or would strongly consider getting. I am a fan of Racing Beat. Overall, are you happy with the stuff you have on the car (specifically the suspension pieces)? What kind of power and gas mileage did you get with the RB street port/exhaust, and the Nikki?

Thanks for the input!

Kentetsu

If you can wait until spring, then hit me up. You can come up for a race in southwestern Michigan and have a good time with us. We usually have a few 1st gens at each race...

IanS

iTrader: (4)

I am very happy with the racing beat products. The springs actually lifted the front about 1/2 inch and the back almost 3/4. Thats how sagged and crappy the stock springs were after 20 years. Also I have driven cars with stock clutches, and I gotta say that a heavier duty one is a must. Also get a light steel flywheel if you are in there. Its what I am going to put on along with the engine rebuild.

My Protege actually steps out sometimes (mainly gravel but it has happened on pavement a couple times). I got Eibach Pro springs and a P5 strut bar. Made a huge difference.

4giglz

Kentesu, that sounds like fun! I have been through Holland a couple of times on the way to Marinatha. I think it is close to Grand Rapids. Picked blueberries with my better half just north of there the last couple of years on vacation. Nice area. How far from there?

IanS, kinda funny the "lowering" springs would raise the car. I have read that elsewhere in the forum as well. No getting around time and gravity I suppose. I have pretty well gotten the Protege tuned to handle fairly neutral. I picked up a full set of springs and struts, as well as the front anti-sway bar from a wrecked 19K mile mazdaspeed car (and a shifter from a MP3) from Mazmart in Georgia. I kept the AWR 21.5mm rear adjustible anti-sway bar, because the mazdaspeed one requires the rear subframe to be changed to use it. I also got a good deal on a set of 17x7 Einki RPO3 wheels and Dunlop DZ101 tires, and got a decent alignment. I also use the P5 strut bar. Just curious, do you like the Eibachs? Ride and handle well? Did you change the struts when you did the springs?

IanS

iTrader: (4)

I really do like the Eibachs on the protege. I still have the stock struts, not really sure how much better it would be if I changed them to aftermarket better ones. The stock ones arent blown yet form what I can tell and I put the springs on when the car had 30K miles, so I didnt see any real reason to change the struts while I was in there.

Has your HVAC switch gone bad yet? I can get my AC working if I put it in between the numbers with the dial, except 1 which always works. Also if you happen to know of any in a junkyard I need a new gauge cluster so I can transplant the coolant temp gauge over to mine. I kinda sorta broke the needle off... oops.

4giglz

I got about 70 thousand out of my origional struts, and the passenger front started to leak. It started to ride harsh as well. That's when I changed to the Mazdaspeed assembly (only paid $100 more for the spring/strut assemblies, anti-sway bars, and shifter than what a set of replacement struts would cost). If you check out the Racing Beat website, and read through the development process for the making of the MP3, there is a good artical about how they had Tokico valve the "blue" struts to work with their springs on a Protege.

I haven't had any problems with the switches at all. For the gauge cluster, and anything else you need through a salvage yard, I have had great luck with Mazmart. Contact Paul Thomas at paul@mazmart.com or call him at 1-800-221-5156. He seems to know everything Mazda related, regardless of car, and is a pretty nice guy to boot. All they do is Mazda.

IanS

iTrader: (4)

Sweet, you are the man. Thanks for the info.