Greetings,

I just picked up a 1990 Mazda RX7 Convertible. I never paid much attention to the cars over the years but now that I own one I have a few questions that someone who is passionate about the car would be able to answer.

1. Do all the convertible models come with a Targa Top or was that an option?

2. It has an automatic transmission. Are they compatible with any other Mazda cars? Has anyone taken out an automatic and installed a 5 speed? Is it worth the effort?

3. It has 124K miles, Is there anything out of the ordinary I should keep an eye on?

4. I have on owners or service manual. What is a good warm climate engine oil and trans fluid?

5. Is there any known issues with the Pioneer AM FM CD Cassette Players

Thanks for any info
~Todd

 

1. The convertibles all had the same top. It's a hard top / rag top design.

2. Many people have swapped out their automatic transmissions for the manual version. There are lots of threads in the 2nd gen section with info you can search through. There's probably a link or two in the FAQ, as well.

3. Rotaries that are taken care of, especially NA rotaries, can often last beyond 200k miles. Just look for typical maintenance related issues.

4. Download the FSM (factory service manual) from the FAQ at the top of the section. In short, 10W-40 or 20W-50 & 90W gear oil.

5. Don't know, most people remove the stock stereo.

 

If you want a copy of the S5 Owner's Manual, there's a link in the thread below.

https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/1990-owners-manual-773442/

The CD player will skip pretty easily, especially when going over bumps. I think burning the CD at the lowest speed possible helps.

 

Found the problem with the CD player, someone must have pulled out a custom radio and just bolted the OEM one back in without connecting any of the wires. I plugged everything back in and it works.

Except for the speakers in the head rests.

The factory woofers work sporadically.

I put on 200 miles today and the car is very fun to drive.

Thanks for the link on the owners manual.

~Todd

 

just got an 87 turbo II sick car

 

Congratulations on your 1st FC.
There is a second amp for the headrest speakers. It is under the back cover behind the driver's seat, where coupes have the storage bins. When whomever switched the stock radio in and out, they may have cut the wires anywhere between the deck/switch/amp/speakers.

I'd recommend a 60k fluid change/tune-up.
From Mr. Icemark's FAQ:
It is also listed in the Owner's Manual. General Maintenence, I believe.
Here's a quick list of fluids:
https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-gen-archive-72/tune-up-fluid-guide-440412/

The best advice I can think of is to keep reading these threads.
They cover everything!
Aloha,
~j

 

And after what I went thru today, I'd also recommend replacing every rubber hose on the car, if you can afford it time and money wise.
Fuel
Radiator
Heater
Vacuume
P/S
A/C
Brakes
whatimiss?
~j

 

very expensive!!! as i found owt!!!

 

The 60K Service sounds like a good idea. Although I pulled the air cleaner out and found the filter and housing clean. The airbox was so clean inside you could eat off the surface.

It also apears someone replaced the Tires, (Bridgestone Potenza G 009's) belts (Mazda) and hoses before the car got put up.

I really enjoy driving this car, but, the car sat for about 2 years and idled fine when I picked it up. I have now put on 400 miles in the last 7 days and the idle is steadily deteriorating. It idled smooth as glass at first, now it's more like a:

bzzzzz pop bzzzzz pop bzzzzz pop bzzzzz pop.

It does this in both park or drive.

When I start it up in the morning it is very eratic. It goes up and down between 1500 and about 2500 RPM for the first 20 seconds before it starts to smooth out.

The car accelerates and cruises fine. The car has averaged about 19-20 MPG.

When I get more time I plan to search the forums for solutions.

~Todd

 

Did you properly service the car after starting it up the first time? If not, all kinds of problems have no resulted. Chiefly among them is that trash has been spread through the fuel system.

http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/unstore.htm

The fuel pickup sock and filter should be replaced, and the injectors professionally serviced.

Replacing the vacuum lines isn't very hard. Just buy a universal silicone vacuum line kit from an auto parts store and then replace the lines one by one manually. Takes about an hour.