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Originally Posted by Andrew7dg
. I like the RX-7 with rotory engines with 50/50 weight and I think it would be a good car to start out with.
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Remember this, not all RX7s have 50/50 weight distribution, and it's not ideal ANYHOW. it's just an even number, but you want a slight rearward bias.
The N/A early sports weighed just under 2600 lbs, and teh Turbo II wighed just over 2800 lbs. That's a 200+ lb differnce and it's all ahead of the firewall. So they both can't have 50/50 weight distribution...
Personally, I prefer the earlier cars. The power difference isn't critical for autocross (though an early Sport with 145 hp will be quicker than a later GTU with 165 hp, and almost as quick as a 185 hp early TII), but the lighter weight means less mass to hustle through the slaloms. What you're looking for is the better suspension and brakes. And fewer options (the sunroof adds weight way up high, for example). Don't start witha 4 lug car (teh base versions have 4 lug wheels). And when looking at a 5 lug car, look for 4 piston finned aluminum front calipers. That tells you it's got the same suspension as the turbo, with the best brakes and swaybars, and heavier duty components. Lastly, look for a limited slip diff, and the aluminum hood. ther was no rhyme or reason for the way Mazda equipped some cars with steel hoods and some with aluminum hoods. But the aluminum hood shaves of a LOT of weight off the nose.