Completely n00b racer here!
 

I drove my mostly stock 85 SE to the closest track (160 miles away). What a blast! I was impressed with my cars ability to stay with many newer cars w/similarily noob racers, but want to do better.

I'd like to do a few things to the car, but don't know where to start. My brakes suck-they just don't feel very good compared to newer cars, and I need to lower it-especially in the rear.

Are there any big brake kits for my car? I think it would be cool to have the 5-lug pattern and use my convertible wheels for racing, and have my current (heavy) 16" American Racing wheels/tires for the street. Or should I use the original 14" wheels that came with the car for racing? Will better rotors, pads, and lines make my brakes feel much better or should I be looking for something more complete (vacuum booster-calipers)?

I have the Tokico HP's on the car now (non adjustable)-what springs would be best for my car? Keep in mind it's a daily driver-I'd like to improve the handling as much as possible but keep the ride from being too harsh for daily use.

As far as power, I'm wondering if anyone's fashioned a wet-shot nitrous system to one of these cars-I have the stock engine and fuel system, with an S4 intake manifold and throttle body on it. I don't want to get too wild, and I think this would be the most bang for the buck without getting too invasive-but WTF do I know? I know these "kits" are seldom complete, and I don't live near any metro area for easy help.

Any advice from more experienced minds is very appreciated, thanks!

What are your current brake pads? Street/strip pads (Hawk HPS or so) will help brake feel & fade somewhat. Stainless steel brake lines will help pedal feel (as well as being safer - new stainless steel lines vs 20 year old rubber lines).

I'm sure people have put nitrous on your car... why would you really want to do that though? It's a "quick shot" of power. I'd personally spend the money on intake/exhaust stuff.

-=Russ=-

Thanks-right now my brake pedal feels quite a bit harder than it used too, though the car brakes the same-maybe I have vacuum booster problems?

I've removed the emissions, replaced the stock intake and throttle body with an S4 one (had pineapple racing sleeve inserts...inserted as well), and already have a full Mazdatrix/Racing Beat exhaust system on the car. I'm not aware of any more intake/exhaust mods that could be done other than going to an S5 intake instead of an S4.

I'd like the nitrous to come on at WOT while racing only, I probably wouldn't need to use it the rest of the time.