Need Help

[metal_sean_head]

Hey guys i've got a 1989 FXGT AE92 with a big port red top Done 175kms.
Its in pretty good condition for its age. Fixing up little bit of rust in near future. Paint in average condition but im not to fussed on that,

So in the future im looking to end up having a streetable car which will also be entered into trackdays and such. Might get a cheap run around car and make this weekend/track hack car.

So my question lies within the engine department.

In your opinion would i be better off in the long long run to keep the red top and mildly modify it for performance even due to the high kms and risk it exploding in my face.

Or drop in say a 20v and mildy mod it.

So in the long long run would it be better to start fresh with a nice newer engine and mod it or just mod the red top and see what happens.? is really the question i need answering or advice in relation too.

Oh or start with a different car altogether. prefer not to as timmy is quite centimental too me but if worse comes to worse i might have to.

bear in mind i will be doing the other aspects. suspension, brakes etc

Anyway thanks in advance for the help guys( and girls)

(oh and moderators if this is in the wrong section im sorry. Wasn't sure if it should be in Tech or not.)

[Bling]

First of all don't focus on the power side of things. Get the suspension and brakes sorted first. Depending on the condition of what you have this might mean... new shocks, stiffer springs, new rotors, better pads, new brake fluid etc etc. No point going fast if you can't go around corners or stop when needed. So if it was mean i'd just change all the fluids and slowly work on getting it handling well and stopping well. Then get some track time under your belt before worrying about power. As extra power is pointless if you can't make use of it. You have locally members that race their FXGT's all the time, so they must be a good starting point. Pretty sure all models are covered too, ae82, ae92 and ae101.

my2c

[metal_sean_head]

Yeah i had this in mind. I was just thinking engine side for the relatively distant future.

Thanks for the advice.

[metal_sean_head]

So decent shock and spring combo rather than coilovers. I guess its an issue of cost really.

In the car at the moment i have KYB shocks and lowered springs ( not sure on brand)

[Bling]

I can't really comment on coilovers vs normal setups. But if its going to be on the road too, you can't adjust the height anyway (as well as needing a cert) so normal setup will be cheaper to start with at least. Just see how it goes now then make improvements in the areas needed.

Adjustable (and non adjustable) sway bars are also a good thing to change. Whiteline probably do something for your car with will improve its handling a lot. Others will be able to give more specific advice on that though.

[B1NZ]

At 175000km's your redtop 4age has just been run in Mine has 261000km's on it and still going (Very smoky but still going) and has had 9 careful teenage male drivers before me
For the last 5 years I have ringed the nuts off it in motorsport events, as others have said - start with suspension and brakes, also a whiteline adjustable rear sway bar is good bang for buck and removed the factory understeer issues

[metal_sean_head]

yeah was thinking sway bars. Also do rear strut braces do alot? ive got a factory front one which im inclined to upgrade. And also for the front one, am i correct in saying one which goes from the strut towers to the firewall are better?

I guess my main question was should i modify my red top now? with usual bits, exhaust, intake? or do everything else sorta first and then see where my engines at. i just don't want it to blow up after doing a spending a bit on it, replace it and have to do it again. you know? might be un avoidable though

[B1NZ]

yeah was thinking sway bars. Also do rear strut braces do alot? ive got a factory front one which im inclined to upgrade. And also for the front one, am i correct in saying one which goes from the strut towers to the firewall are better?

I guess my main question was should i modify my red top now? with usual bits, exhaust, intake? or do everything else sorta first and then see where my engines at. i just don't want it to blow up after doing a spending a bit on it, replace it and have to do it again. you know? might be un avoidable though

I have a permanent strut brace (Roll Cage) so I couldnt tell you weather they are worth it, I'm assuming they are pretty things mostly designed to take your money, If you are handy with a welder you could probably make a better one using steel.

MYy FXGT has a factory front brace that goes from the strut towers to the firewall, Im sure its just as good if not better than an aftermarket one that just goes accross the struts.

[metal_sean_head]

Yeah i have a factory one from towers to firewall. Yeah might look into sway bars.

[metal_sean_head]

Just had a quick google search. Found a forum and the guys reckon a rear sway bar improves handling alot but if you put a thicker than standard sway bar on a front wheel drive car it tends to understeer more.

Anyon know if this is this true?

[AE82 FXGT]

Generally the thicker the front sway bar the more understeer, and the thicker the rear sway bar the more oversteer.

Similar principle applies to making your chassis more rigid. Make the rear more rigid will eliminate understeer etc.

[metal_sean_head]

So to eliminate or reduce understeer in a front wheel drive car. A thicker aftermarket rear sway bar will do the job. ish

[Dell'Orto]

also a whiteline adjustable rear sway bar is good bang for buck and removed the factory understeer issues

You could do worse than read the posts in your thread...

[metal_sean_head]

also a whiteline adjustable rear sway bar is good bang for buck and removed the factory understeer issues

You could do worse than read the posts in your thread...

Whoops sorry.

[Santa'sBoostinSleigh]

if you want a fun car, for occasional use on the track id say spend your money on:

decent shocks + springs
new fluids all around - gearbox, power steering, brake fluid
new fuel filter, spark plugs
new reasonable brake pads all round
whiteline adjustable rear sway bar
bang in a few urethane bushes about the place, check engine/gearbox mounts also
standard front strut brace is fine
exhaust, say 2 1/4", resonator and decent (read: non cannon) muffler
air intake
1L oil catch can
and a set of sticky tires on 15" rims for playing on the track
possibly look at doing cambelt, idlers etc, waterpump for reliability and piece of mind and a thinner head gasket while youre at it for that little bit more compression/power

your motor should keep running for bloody ages, as long as you keep it watered and oiled

then maybe you could also look at a race harness also for track days for added safety
the FXGT seats are pretty good at holding you in place when on the track

[metal_sean_head]

Wow thanks. Thats a great list .

[Santa'sBoostinSleigh]

once youve learnt how to really drive it, then look at power options
or, look at getting a purpose built car, or one already built with more power (either factory or modified)

no point driving something that is fcuked, or not looked after which will quickly become fcuked once you put it on the track