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So this is my 1985 GSL SE. What now?

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Old Jan 1, 2014 | 06:52 PM
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SC So this is my 1985 GSL SE. What now?

I've bought this RX7 for 6K$ and I have some ideas of what I want to do with it. I'm loving the car at the moment and it's hilarious because I'm not even going fast. (I feel like I'm doing 10-15 miles per hour more than I actually am)

1. New air filter as the one that is in it is awfully gross.
2. New seats and steering wheel because the wheel is way to big and I need to be lower because I am too big to comfortably drive it without rubbing against my knees.
3. Put an new exhaust on it. (I have looked at Racing Beat's one) And is doing one without a catalytic converter in it a good idea? Because I live in South Carolina, there are no vehicle inspections and it isn't illegal to not have one. Is it worth it?
4. Probably will want to put some newer brakes on it. (I have no idea what kind or even if it worth it)

So, what are the best things that I should do this car? I want to know what the everyone else thinks because this is the first car of this kind that I have ever owned. So I know nothing. Name:  IMG_0890.jpg
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Old Jan 1, 2014 | 09:10 PM
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nice. saw it on CL but too much for me. what part of SC?
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Old Jan 1, 2014 | 09:21 PM
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Originally Posted by rxtasy3
nice. saw it on CL but too much for me. what part of SC?
Upstate. Greenville area.


ON another note. This does not have power steering. Is there any advantage to this? I've seen that some people will remove the box and put in a box from a car with power steering and just run that like a manual. How hard would that be?
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Old Jan 1, 2014 | 09:26 PM
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P/S was an option that not many ppl opted for. i've seen very few with it. i have a wrecked one that does have it tho. best way to convert to manual is to swap in the manual steering box.
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Old Jan 3, 2014 | 04:17 PM
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congratulations on the car! looks beautiful.

Originally Posted by WalkerCaroll
3. Put an new exhaust on it. (I have looked at Racing Beat's one) And is doing one without a catalytic converter in it a good idea? Because I live in South Carolina, there are no vehicle inspections and it isn't illegal to not have one. Is it worth it?
Racing Beat's exhaust systems are by no means perfect, but i still believe them to be the absolute BEST bolt-on option for these cars. period! they release significant power that would otherwise be wasted. they are loud enough to make your body smile in all the right places, yet quiet enough not to draw the wrong kind of attention.

So, what are the best things that I should do this car? I want to know what the everyone else thinks because this is the first car of this kind that I have ever owned. So I know nothing.
i would say clean the car in and out. get it back to optimum condition and do what it was built to do ... DRIVE it! spend time with it. get to know it. modifications are always here and waiting if you later on choose to pursue them.
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Old Jan 3, 2014 | 05:45 PM
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THIS is the best advice you will EVER get.

From Diabolical1:I would say clean the car in and out. get it back to optimum condition and do what it was built to do ... DRIVE it! spend time with it. get to know it. modifications are always here and waiting if you later on choose to pursue them.

Myself..been there,done that.regretted a lot!..BUT still got the bug!
It's YOUR car,enjoy it.
It's JUST A CAR.(life comes first,not the car.)
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Old Jan 5, 2014 | 08:56 AM
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Hey good luck with the car. If you don't mind me asking did you by the car from a guy named burns? If so he's a sales rep at my work, really nice guy.
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Old Jan 6, 2014 | 01:07 AM
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Originally Posted by project7s
Hey good luck with the car. If you don't mind me asking did you by the car from a guy named burns? If so he's a sales rep at my work, really nice guy.
I think so. Was he a guy in his mid 40s or 50s? Lived out in Simpsonville I think. Nice guy but for whatever reason he used liquid gasket to seal the air filter on the outside and its all gunky. gross.
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Old Jan 6, 2014 | 02:09 AM
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I have an 85 SE also. Your's looks in great shape, but they can nickel and dime you to death. Things to check that often go bad on SE's with high mileage: Oil cooler - look for leaks. If your steering has lots of play you might need a new steering box, If you have any "Clunks" in the drive train while accelerating or backing off, check the Drive shaft. And check normal things like brakes, shocks and ball joints.
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Old Jan 6, 2014 | 08:10 PM
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New highflow K&N Air Filter!! First thing I've done so far
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Old Jan 7, 2014 | 09:13 PM
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So... today while I was driving my alternator belt completely snapped. Like the belt totally broke and every warning light came up on the dash so I drove it home and then went to my auto parts store in my other car to get a new belt and when I came home I quickly realized just how much damn work its gonna be to get to be able to put that damn belt on. Do I really have to remove the A/C belt and the Air Pump belt? Because I've removed the A/C belt pretty easily but the Air Pump belt is really difficult. Can anybody give me some tips/advice?
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Old Jan 10, 2014 | 08:42 PM
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leaving that belt off is fine but might as well remove the pump and the rest of the crap too.
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