RX-7 Pros & Cons?

[Ghost of Duluth]

Agreed, the guy that just got mine saturday is doing an LT1 swap in it. The LT1 comes in a little heavier due to the cast block but basically halves the cost of the swap. The V8 swaps are the bomb. I wanted to do one myself but got tired of waiting to do it.

I ended up almost dying in the hospital due to a doctor accidentally cutting my external iliac artery, and I almost bled to death.

Yea man I remember this. I signed a petition for you if I remember correctly, send me a pm and let me know how that went.

[f8ldzz]

Originally posted by SidewaysGts
ENgine is moutned furtherb ack and lower for better weight distribution for example, the chassis has been much better designed and thus is much more rigid. the advantages are numerous- but as mentioned these advantages come with an obvious price.

Not really true...
If this is the case, it's insignificant - both engine mounting and static weight distribution.
For the most part, 99.99999% of the people in here cannot tell the difference.
The FD does come with that PPF system that, when it's working, is stiffer than the FC.
BUT, the stock PPF commonly cracks, which makes it more of a liability than an asset.

[SidewaysGts]

And, what exactly isnt really true?

[rotormotorrev]

Yes I agree, 3rd gen is too much $ all around. Between myself, my brother and my dad, we have three 2nd gen RX-7's, (fc3s) all of them are n/a, and a fourth that overheats, (probably bad seals) so we use it for parts for the other three. As far as cost effective wise, I cant think of ANYTHING cheaper. My dad paid 300 for his, and our automatic parts car. Mine, we picked up for 200, because of a broken window. My brother paid 1000 for his, and thats still a good deal.

I say this out of no disrespect to 240's, Supras, Corollas, Celicas, or third gens.

All im saying is my Friend had a Celica Supra and blew the moter, then he got a MK3, and blew the motor in that also. Also in my town, there is also a severe shortage of 86's, maybe one hatchback and two gts notchbacks.

Basically, unless your really set on getting a 3rd gen, or really hate the look of 2nd gens, I agree that they are very cheap, reliable, starter cars for drifting.

[f8ldzz]

Originally posted by SidewaysGts
And, what exactly isnt really true?

That it's not stiffer...
Most FD owners don't even know their FD's have cracked PPF's.
The front sway bar mounts tend to crack.
Most FD owners don't know their front sway bar mounts are cracked either.

In fact, most of the FD's running around have bad turbos.
A typical FC turbo would beat your typical FD nowadays due to the bad turbos.
There is "on paper" and there is reality.

[SidewaysGts]

Might wanna go look into those chassis differences again.

[ArchangelX]

Originally posted by f8ldzz
That it's not stiffer...
Most FD owners don't even know their FD's have cracked PPF's.
The front sway bar mounts tend to crack.
Most FD owners don't know their front sway bar mounts are cracked either.

In fact, most of the FD's running around have bad turbos.
A typical FC turbo would beat your typical FD nowadays due to the bad turbos.
There is "on paper" and there is reality.

Anyone that's a proper RX-7 owner will have already done their homework and will have already inspected/fixed the stock weaknesses of their FD. I've already checked my sway bar mounts, and I do it every single time the car is up for maintenance. Every reliability mod was done as well, and anyone that's a 7 owner will most likely repeat that the first thing to be done when modding is to complete all of the "reliability" mods.

My turbos have over 100,000 miles on them, and were inspected at 98,000...they were perfectly acceptable, with no play in the shafts, no oil leaks, and no hairline fractures or possible problems noted.

A large amount of the "terror-hype" surround the FD is unjustified...and pure rumor and speculation. I've seen it time, and time again on countless message boards, whereas one person deems themselves fit to parlay their "knowledgeable info" on the huge amount of problems related to the FD3S. Most of it's just BS that's been spread around like they're jumping on a bandwagon.

Even with a blown motor, I have little fears of getting it fixed and running it on the track.

[Raziel]

Originally posted by f8ldzz
That it's not stiffer...
Most FD owners don't even know their FD's have cracked PPF's.
The front sway bar mounts tend to crack.
Most FD owners don't know their front sway bar mounts are cracked either.

In fact, most of the FD's running around have bad turbos.
A typical FC turbo would beat your typical FD nowadays due to the bad turbos.
There is "on paper" and there is reality.

Thats true my FD is running on bad turbos and has broken sway bar mounts. haha also has bad bushings and bad 5th gear.

[f8ldzz]

Originally posted by ArchangelX
Anyone that's a proper RX-7 owner will have already done their homework and will have already inspected/fixed the stock weaknesses of their FD. I've already checked my sway bar mounts, and I do it every single time the car is up for maintenance. Every reliability mod was done as well, and anyone that's a 7 owner will most likely repeat that the first thing to be done when modding is to complete all of the "reliability" mods.

See, you're right, but this just doesn't translate into real world representation.
The majority of FD's *I* have come across are in very poor shape.
Your example looks like it's the exception rather than the rule.

My turbos have over 100,000 miles on them, and were inspected at 98,000...they were perfectly acceptable, with no play in the shafts, no oil leaks, and no hairline fractures or possible problems noted.

Again, exception rather than the rule.
Most of the FD owners consensus is you're lucky your turbos last to 80,000 miles.
I've heard of turbos failing at a lowly 15,000 miles.
And, I've also heard of turbos still spinning at over 150,000 miles.
Ever heard of an average?
Your experience is definitely above average!

A large amount of the "terror-hype" surround the FD is unjustified...and pure rumor and speculation. I've seen it time, and time again on countless message boards, whereas one person deems themselves fit to parlay their "knowledgeable info" on the huge amount of problems related to the FD3S. Most of it's just BS that's been spread around like they're jumping on a bandwagon.

Oh, either you're the FD master in the islands, or you're living in you're own reality.
After almost 10 years on the "big list", I've seen it all with those FD's.
I think I can clearly state this: the FC is a lot less headaches than an FD, period.

Average engine life - 60,000 miles
Blown turbos
numerous vacuum intake leaks due to hoses (36 total?) popping off
dead solenoids
Stock AST splitting
indequate cooling on moderately modified engines due to intake stealing airflow from the radiator
"3 mod rule" or else you kill your motor on a stock ECU
Engine mounts failing - these things costs several hundred dollars EACH; one side is like ~$500!
Coils failing cause Mazda decided to mount them on the engine - heat AND vibration!
Rear diffs and Torsen LSD's exploding from drag racing
Interior peeling - Mazda TSB
Paint peeling - Mazda TSB
Interior panels cracking
Door handles breaking
Door locks getting jammed due to the keyhole covers getting loose
Headlight covers cracking and flying off
2nd gear to 5th gear misshifts that blow 5th gear
I've already mentioned the PPF and front sway bar mounts cracking...
This list goes on...

I call that a pain-in-the-ass...

[Ghost of Duluth]

Man that sounds like the horror story I was living for over a year with my second one. My first one was the exact opposite. But you are right. As I have said before, you can have fun and enjoy an FD as long as you either A. spend a butt ton of money or B. do a V8 swap which is also a butt ton of money for an LS1, the LT1 is cheaper by about half because of engine price.

Anyone can say what they want, the FD is a princess car that can take little abuse. When it runs right it is a beast and a thing of beauty, when it runs wrong, it is your worst nightmare. Much like Marriage.

[chuaboi36]

Originally posted by Ghost of Duluth
Man that sounds like the horror story I was living for over a year with my second one. My first one was the exact opposite. But you are right. As I have said before, you can have fun and enjoy an FD as long as you either A. spend a butt ton of money or B. do a V8 swap which is also a butt ton of money for an LS1, the LT1 is cheaper by about half because of engine price.

Anyone can say what they want, the FD is a princess car that can take little abuse. When it runs right it is a beast and a thing of beauty, when it runs wrong, it is your worst nightmare. Much like Marriage.

haha hey thats a pretty good comparison
i was wondering with the 2nd gen FC, how reliable are they? love how they look and love everything about them
looking for NA to save on gas and problems haha
yep yep i'm cheap what can i say?

[SidewaysGts]

Na fc = very reliable.

[theflatlander]

buying a an rx-7 to save on gas now thats pretty funny.

[BroInTheKnow]

I think the best car you can get for drifting would be the Toyota Corolla with a 4AG motor in it. Put some dual side draft carbs with a nice 20 valve setup and you'll smoke the competition.

[Octagon]

Funny how few of you mention the 1st gen RX-7's. They make the FC's look like prima-donnas.

I know of many NASA and SCCA Spec 7 (that's an all 1st gen RX7 spec road racing class) racers that put more than a hundred hours on their 12A's and never have a complaint. It's a surprisingly torquey engine (for a rotary) and responds well to a Weber DGV or Holley two barrel carb upgrade and a Racing Beat exhaust system. The suspension is nothing fancy, but is durable as all h*ll (which is why a lot of 1st gens end up as rally cars) and offers up good handling with sensible tuning.

I almost bought a first gen RX7 as a daily driver, and if I had another chance I probably would buy it this time around. D*mn good car, the 1st gen. Don't worry about FD's or FC's. Get yourself into a good old SA22C.