2stroke1971

I inherited an FB from my son. IT was his first car and I did the mechanical work to it when he got it, and during the year that he drove it every day. Its a bit rough, high mileage...I have a feeling it could use a rebuild but it runs well, and it will burn the tires off if I want it to.

Ive been driving it about once a month, while trying to shore up some issues...Ive got the steering box adjusted nicely now, I removed some of the rats nest and now it idles well, no more stumble...point is, Ive been working on it a little at a time--that seems to be the only way I can ever get anything done. Im a working man, 5 kids, etc...hard for me to put out any amount of cash at one time. Reason I say this is, I know I can buy a MUCH better FB than mine for around $2500, but I will never have that amount to play with, so if I can get something cheap and chip away at it little by little, thats how I get my toys.

Well, I have the chance to get a 1989 RX7 cheap...It does not run, its been sitting for about 8 years....that would mean I would have to get rid of my FB, and who knows what shape the engine is on the 89. If it needs a full rebuild, it might take me a year to get to that.

My little FB is just about to the point where I can take it out and just enjoy it..most of my rides so far have been test rides for the work Ive been doing, etc.

I just dont know which way to go. I live in a row house, no garage, no yard i can get a car into. If I had a garage I would get the '89, and I wouldnt care if it took me two years to go though it. I would have to drag the 89 home, and put historic tags on it, at which point it could sit out on the street alright.....

I mean I can work out the logistics of getting this '89 just fine. I just dont know. I like my FB, its like driving a giant old go cart. I think the 89 would be much faster, but maybe a different vibe....and the thing is I worry I would be getting rid of an almost ready car for a whole new set of headaches and such.....

Man I wish I had a garage or something. Have some of you driven 1st gens and 2nd gens? WOuld the 2nd gen just blow my socks off and make me not care about getting rid of the FB...? Then again, its not gonna blow my socks off if it needs a $1400 rebuild kit......for me that would present a signifigant problem.

I guess I could buy it, take the time to assess it, and then get rid of it if it seems like a boat anchor, and not get rid of the FB until I see what this one is like.....

much easier with my hyperactive mind to just not deal with it at all and keep plugging away at my little FB.

Siraniko

iTrader: (13)

Keep the FB as there is more potential to it than a FC

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

FCs suck (unless they donate 13B engines), keep the 1st gen!

project7s

iTrader: (5)

I would keep the fb, they look a lot better imo. If it's more power you want just put a 13b in your current fb. The fb is also lighter than a fc so if both had the same motor the fb would still be faster.
Plus your this close to having your car drivable, why turn your back on it now?

Jeff20B

iTrader: (13)

There's so much EFI crap that wears from normal use in an FC (TPS) that are getting harder or more expensive to find, and there's stuff that goes bad from sitting, too. They are way more complicated to work on and require a different approach than what you're accustomed to. I'd say a garage is a must for the amount of work it would take to bring it back to life.

The FC wasn't even supposed to be an RX-7 originally. The Miata was going to be the 1st gen's successor but Mazda had problems in the '80s and just went with the FC. The car is a compromise (hence the FD's true sports car crap they tried to do in the early 90s lol). The FCs are bigger, heavier, harder to work on, parts more expensive, and all the electronics are made to a lower standard and tend to go bad much easier than they do in a 1st gen; Mazda began experimenting with "planned obsolescence" in the '80s along with other manufacturers; Honda was the first from my understanding. The GSL-SE seems to last longer than the FC even though they are kinda similar, but the GSL-SE has a few early attempts at planned obsolescence that I was able to deal with on mine by deleting them. Everything else from an earlier model like the blinker circuit, wiper rack etc are fine or were easily brought back to life.

Stay away from the FC. From what you described about your situation, the FB is the perfect car. Well, it's the perfect car even if you had a garage.

j9fd3s should see this soon. He has lots of FB, FC and FD experience and he's going to say what we've all been saying. Stick with the FB.

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

i already told him SA > FB > FC > FD....

your timeline is incorrect, the FC, project P747, started june of 1981, the miata, P729 starts the end of 1983. P729 was also front wheel drive until 1986...

Jeff20B

iTrader: (13)

Thanks for the correction.

Cookboy

iTrader: (10)

The FB is a way better driving experience than the fc. The Fb is very much like an Rx7, where the fc is very much like something more 'piggish'. Based on autocross experience 20 + years ago.

DivinDriver

iTrader: (15)

If the OP had had an SA, the question would have never even come up...

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

at the dealership we used to refer to the FC as a "boat anchor"

2stroke1971

Thanks guys!

Yeah, the thing is, I pass the FC inquestion on the way to work every day. I've always admired it, and since it's just been sitting there for a number of years, Ive often thought of knocking on the door and offering to buy it. Then the other day there was a for sale sign on it, and that's what set me off.

MY FB is the devil I know at least. I know every issue and gremlin it has. The worst thing left on it is some rust underneath, nothing I can't patch up in fact Ive already fabbed up some of the panels.

I spent 80 percent of today not caring about the FC...part of it's appeal is the idea of "getting a deal"...also as I said, thats the way I tend to operate, get something cheap and run down and bring it back. Ive done it with a boat and several motorcycles, etc...

lol thats another thing, I have a couple vintage MX bikes that I race and they all need attention this winter!

Ahhhhhh I hope it sells soon, it will be a sort of relief if it's gone!

DreamInRotary

iTrader: (49)

Yeah, you'll enjoy the FB much more. Only thing I like better in the FC's is the R&P steering and IRS.

And those 13b engines they so generously donate

2stroke1971

What is it that makes the SA better? Just wondering.....maybe I can take a cue and revert something?

Jeff20B

iTrader: (13)

Do you like 30 pound flywheels? Points ignition? Externally regulated alternator?

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

Sure the 79 has all of that but the 80 as electronic ignition and internally regulated
alternator.

SAs have:

- better interior
- less weight than most FBs and certainly the FC
- better bumpers that a can take a beating and not show it
- no stoopid squealing relay behind the battery
- waffles
- FMOC, no beehives
- first generation of the first gens - timeless design
- plaid interiors on some

Siraniko

iTrader: (13)

Best answer

13x

Amen Brother DD

LOL was actually the dealerships that told me the correct name was Ford Exploder

they just are lol

well ...

simply done right, drivers car ... I'm not bias thou lol

Jeff20B

iTrader: (13)

Of course those '79 parts can be upgraded to better FB parts. I won't tell anyone.

13x

umm April's dizzy is sitting on a shelf lol

May still uses hers

2stroke1971

Hmmmm. As for things that the earlier ones have that mine does not...

Thermal Reactor. That just sounds cool. "Turbo? heh!! Ive got a THERMAL REACTOR up in here.

Just wait until I hook up my smog pump supercharger.

The FC Im looking at seems to be pretty neat though. GTU but NOT the "S"....scooped hood though (aluminum as I understand it) , no sunroof etc....

Qingdao

iTrader: (3)

FWD MX-5? That's just wrong.


I've driven an FC... nothing special. I've never driven a 12A powered FB or SA so I can't comment, but 13B powered SA/FBs are pretty damn cool. And if you can get over the axle hop and sloppy steering * on the first gen they are pretty fun to drive.

*tight steerage components and a tight steering box make a load of difference.

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

yes! we were watching a Zr1 vette at the track the other weekend, and the comment was "must be boring". its fast, but there is no competition, and so he's just driving around on a sunday...

the SA is actually slightly heavier than an early FB, there is 80lbs of bumpers and nuclear reactors that came off the car for the 81 model year.

certainly both are much lighter than any FC

like any great car though, the greatness is hard to measure, the SA has a directness about it that is unique. i also like how the controls are all so light and balanced, it just feels good. the FC might have performed better than the SA/FB in every way you can measure, but it feels numb.

the SA to FB jump is pretty small, and mostly is the "retro-future" thing the SA has, its like a 70's italian car from 2010 or something. the FB is totally from 1981.