Making my rx7 track worthy
 

Hello, i live in new orleans and we just recently had a motorsports complex built, only half the track is done but when complete it will be the largest track in america at 5.5 miles. The first half is open and they have scheduled races and open track days. I would like to beef up my 7 to take it out. Its an 85 GSL, the only mod is rats nest removal. When i get home i am going to upgrade the sway bars, struts and shocks. Put a new RB header on and do away with the air pump as well. It currently has straight pipe from headers to muffler. Also need better rear tires as the ones i bought the car with, though in good condition, are cheap and cant maintain traction on a wet road with the lightest of acceleration from a stop. I have yet to check the brake pads, when they need changing ill also change the rotors, so would like a recomendation to good rotors as well. the shocks and struts im getting are tokiko blues and the sway bar kits come from atkins rotory as well as the headers. A recomendation to good tires would be appreciated, and any other input as well. Dont want to turbo or do any porting just yet, would prefer be close to stock engine. Zoe (my 7) is already really quick through turns.

The GSL-SE hub/diff swap would be a good upgrade for the 4 wheel discs.

Tires are pretty much open to debate. I like RA1's for mixed street/track use without having to change out.

Before you go for more power, first upgrades should be for safety and reliability. Roll bar with harness? If you're not competing, you can usually buy used harnesses from people who compete. There is nothing wrong with them, but they have a 5 year expiration so racers have to swap them to keep the inspectors happy.

Then brakes, and a nut and bolt inspection of everything on the car. Inspect hubs, brake/fuel lines, suspension bushings, etc. You don't want to learn the hard way like a lot of us have that you need to inspect front to back/top to bottom, and then again.

I had a HPDE weekend ruined by something as simple as too much water, and not enough antifreeze. The mostly water mix froze over night, and I had hose burst on track as pressure built up and coolant couldn't circulate. Nothing is more embarrassing than sitting on the side of the track waiting for the truck to come get you as you sit next to a puddle you left and cause a red/yellow flag. Then have to spend the next 2 hours tracking down a new hose and waiting for the radiator to thaw enough so you can add more antifreeze.

It came stock with the lsd and 4 disk brakes (got the original window sticker).

I wouldnt compete. Just when they have an open track day or open autox. Handling and power go hand in hand, dont need awesome power and no traction. ideally the handling set up im looking for is quick and responsive with the slightest over steer, so if it were to engage into a powerslide i could hold it or easily correct it quickly.

On a budget: Koni adj w/GC, Stainless brake lines, HAWK/EBC brake pads, Tires. Get the car corner balanced and have a blast... upgrade as you driver skill out grows your car.

Edit

Really need new tires but want to keep the stock wheels. having a lot of trouble finding size 13 tires, after all my searches, everyone used to recommend the htr 200's. well they are discontinued and replaced by htr4, an all season touring tire. the best i could find other than the competion style like ra1's were some federal formoza, doesnt look bad and has an h speed rating. its a daily driver so i need tires that wont get me killed on a wet highway.

What makes you want to keep stock wheels? If the cars only going to be used for AutoX why not have a "race" set of wheels and tires? 15x8^2 with some 205/50's? This way you have the best of both worlds.

Its not only for autox, i would just like to run it around the track when i can, put it in its natural environment. I guess the logical thing would be to have a set of wheels and tires specifically for track. But i like the original look of the car, a sleeper indeed. Plus these crummy new orleans roads are horrible for a car this low. So theres no place i can actually open her up without feeling like im on a wooden roller coaster.

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