Thinking about getting FB
 

Hi all, I joined last year to ask this question as I was going to sell my car to get a weekend car and then a cheap daily, but went ahead and traded it in to a dealer (kind of regret that right now)

Anyway, I was going to ask this when I joined, because I've been debating on an FB or a Miata. I kind of know Miatas (I've owned a 1990 for 2 years, and a 2012 for 2 years before I traded the NC for my 2013 Mazdaspeed 3), and I know they are cheap to run and maintain, but ever since I had a junker FB 4 or 5 years ago (had to get rid of it like 3 months after I got it), I've been dying to get another one (preferably not a junker. The thing is, I don't know much about them.

In a few months, I'm going to see how much I get back from taxes, and see if I can get a loan to try to get me a car that I don't have to fully care about, since it's older and easier and cheaper to repair (and probably have it be my daily so I can keep the miles down on the other one). I'm still so torn between Miata and an FB. The FB is my dream (I don't know why I have such a kink for the first gens). The main thing keeping me from going the RX7 route, is I know nothing. I have a few questions about them, but I don't know where or what to search for them, so I'm hoping this is the right place.

Firstly, I'm going to eventually swap a Turbo II engine into it. The only concern, is that since the FB came with a 12A and a 13B, I don't know which I should look for that would make it easier for me to do it. Part of me says that if I find a GSL-SE, it'll be easier since it has the 13B in it, yet I don't want to assume and just jump into it to find out that the 12A would have been better. This isn't going to happen for another couple years at least, but I'd still like to know for sure.

Second, if I want to slam it and daily it on Tarmacs, what all would I have to do? Obviously don't want to slam it and put it on Tarmacs, but I'm not sure what the suspension of the FB is like. Does it have leaf springs? If so, how difficult (and how expensive) would it be to put it on coilovers? What would be the cheaper route to take to lower it, without compromising performance and comfort? I'd love to bag it, but that's way out of my price range.

These are the main ones, I had one or two more but my damn memory is terrible.

Again, sorry if this isn't the right place, gotta love new members! I hope that if you all convince me, that I don't have to drive too far out of state to find one.

Thanks, all! -jD

Unless you have some other source for collateral, banks will not give a loan on an RX-7. They're just too old. This bring up another question you have to ask yourself, If something goes wrong with the RX-7, will you have the funds to repair it?

and having a 2nd car(DD) is an absolute must when owning an rx7, regardless of generation. although when my DD is down for whatever reason, the 7 starts up every time and takes me wherever i want to go regardless how long it's been sitting in the driveway.

:headscratch: um, what is a Tarmacs?

really the Rx7 and the NA/NB Miata are kind of cut from the same cloth. Rx7 is strut front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension, so it uses coil springs all the way around.

compared to the miata, its the same trans, same diff. Miata obviously uses a piston engine, comparatively its complicated and the power band is peaky. Rotary makes much more power per dollar, and its actually cheaper to build.

12A and 13B are kind of like 1.6 and 1.8 Miata engines, swapping to either is not really a big deal

Slammed Tarmacs?

Dunno I did it for years. Then I got my back up car a 72' VW. :lol:

OP get a Miata. My wife had one a few years ago and they are really fun. They are just like a slow FB that you never have to tinker with. All you'll have to do is regular maintenance. And you don't need a second mortgage to get one in primo condition.

There is little difference between the 12A and 13B. I just find it easier to source parts for a 13B, but maybe I'm looking in the wrong places, or maybe there are just lots of hopeless case FCs in my area.

To answer your question about suspension. The FB uses coil spring rear suspension. There is a company making a rear coilovers conversion kit, but I personally don't see the advantage over old fashioned higher rate shorter springs.

oh, don't get me wrong, i drove the fb every day for many yrs as it was my only ride after loosing my 808 in '05 in which the engine was in long before i bought the 7 to replace it. then decided i wanted something else to drive every day to keep mileage down on the 7, keep it for just weekends and annual trips to dgrr. i'm just saying it might be better for some to have another mode of transportation as only a select few of us have the expertise to keep these things consistently running.

It's a Haggard Garage thing. They say to slam the car and put it on Fifteen52 Tarmacs.

I also know banks won't let me get a loan for an RX7, but I was thinking of going to a local place and getting a personal loan (I think I can get one up to $1,500).

I would get a Miata, but I know I'd go and turn it into a drift car. With the 7 I wouldn't do that (maybe go to an event or two, but not beat on it like I would the Miata).

I'm still indecisive (I'll probably see what there is when I get my returns), but it makes me feel better knowing there's not a difference with the 12A and 13B regarding swaps. I think the main thing keeping me from the 12A is I've never owned a carbureted vehicle before haha

I would suggest reading the FSM front to back first to get an understanding of how the car is put together. Most of what you are saying seems silly but the 1st gen suspension works very well unless you want a full on track car. Even then bushings and springs would be most of what you need.