new to racing, good autoX set ups for an 85 first gen?
 

Recently picked up an 85 first gen. What are good autoX set up's for it? Where should I start with mods? Thanks!

There are several very good threads on this subject in the 1st gen tech section. Most of us are looking to www.re-speed.com for suspension and performance parts.

Take a look at the equipment in my signature line, and watch some videos if you like. Feel free to shoot me a PM if you have any specific quesions. Always happy to help someone get started in this great sport. :)



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I am also kind of looking at the same thing. I have raced in autocross a little already but with front wheel drive honda's. I have not raced this rx7 yet and I have no idea how it will handle around these turns and if it will oversteer real bad or not. But so far I have been told to pretty much start with a holley carburetor, and manifold. Then get a higher flow fuel pump, new exhaust system, new plugs and wires and as far as I know that's all unless you have the money for turbo. (Unfortunately not all of us are rich enough for a good turbo lol.) But, of course that is just all things to get you more power. With autocross I would figure suspension would be more of a need than power. I have heard that the tokico Illumina struts are good to get along with the racingbeat springs. I have not personally gotten them yet, but I plan to and many people say that they like them.

the illumina's are good, i'd skip the racing beat springs though, and just go right to coil overs.

the RB springs are basically too close to stock for racing.

skip the holley too, they do not work in turns.

I started out with Racing Beat springs and swaybars. Within a year they were up for sale. Respeed is the only way to go in my opinion...

And yeah, skip the power for now and concentrate on suspension. Strip everything you don't need from the engine bay (assuming you are racing in CSP, otherwise you wouldn't be interested in suspension mods, right?). Exhaust should also be high on your list. Skip the Holley carb, you won't get the responsiveness you need from it. You'd be better off just stripping the stock carb and doing the mechanical secondaries mod.

Ah I never realized that respeed had coilovers then that is also what I will have to add on my list lol.

First: it's probably not going to oversteer at all, with stock suspension it'll probably still understeer :)

second, before you start throwing parts at the car, you need to pick which class you want to compete in... or else you'll end up in a class with crazy cars you can't possibly compete against and then it won't be fun...

Get a good set of rubber and go have fun. Get some seat time in the car. Tires, brakes and suspension are your friends.

If you do anything to the engine, get an exhaust (header and pipes) to start. Nothing more.

Learn the car and enjoy it. As your skill progresses in this car, then increase power output. In that order.

Listen to this guy. :)

Athough, personally, I prefer to start out on cheap tires. Learning on race rubber is not recommended because it will tend to "hide" the mistakes that you are making. Some of todays "good" street tires are nearly as sticky.

perhaps I should clarify!

Instead of saying good rubber, i should have said "Quality" rubber. True: R-Comps or anything with a treadwear less than 400 is going to hide inconsistencies.

Start with a summer tire that actually has a mileage warranty. Most tires in the "sticky when hot" category don't sport a mileage warranty.

One more comment that i can make about beginning autocross, is that fear the dry, embrace the wet track! Your learning curve will be huge with a wet circuit as you will learn the feeling when the car is on the edge a lot faster and will be more apparent. You will learn to be smooth and consistent with steering, braking and power application.

Werd! Wet courses FTW!

One move opinion.... listen if you want, you've probably already gone whatever route you're going.

IF the only reason you're modifying the car is to autocross, don't change anything that'll move you out of stock class to start with. Start with shocks (the stock ones are probably blown anyway), replace bushings (I'd recommend against poly in the rear, but I LOVE poly in the front end), replace or rebuild brake calipers, etc. Replace sway bar end links. Ball joints. Tie rod ends. Things like that will make as big a difference as the springs, carb, etc. that bump you to higher classes.

Careful with replacing brake pads with stickier compounds, I had to add a brake bias adjuster after going to Hawk HP+ pads, the increased stickiness took me before the knee in the proportioning valve, and my rears locked up too quick! Just a lesson in unintended consequences for me, I guess.

I started autocross with the car bone stock (it was pretty slow, especially with me driving) I've got RE-Speed coilovers all round (300#/150#), tokico illuminas, RE-Speed swaybar in the front, stock one with new end links in the rear,

After racing on $45.00 tires for the last 7 years, I finally ordered some sticky Hankooks this week. Now its going to be a whole new ball game. :)