Design flaws.
12-12-03, 05:25 PM
#1
trainwreck
Thread Starter
Design flaws.
Other than the front end of the RX-7 forcing air below the car does anyone know of any other design flaws in the 7 that can or should be fixed through modification?
12-12-03, 07:41 PM
#4
Rotary Enthusiast
Originally posted by rx7wannabeowner
why would you want to drink in your rex?
why would you want to drink in your rex?
The other major flaw is the worm gear steering. Maybe the rear end also. There are fixes for both.
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12-12-03, 07:57 PM
#9
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The rear suspension design..
Maybe not a flaw because it works well when stock, but I sure as hell dont like it..
Why didnt they use a panhard like the corolla gt-s
Maybe not a flaw because it works well when stock, but I sure as hell dont like it..
Why didnt they use a panhard like the corolla gt-s
mine has no flaws
12-12-03, 11:47 PM
#14
Senior Member
A few to think about. Design flaws:
- Rear suspension as noted. The geometry issues cam be addressed through various means, but having 250 lbs of unsprung weight is a bit more difficult. IRS would be nice.
- The storage bin rust issue as noted on other threads. Inexcusable.
- Recirculating ball steering as noted. No easy permanent fix. I would be curious about the impact to geometry for CP Racing Rack and Pinion setup on lowered cars. Particularly as it relates to ackerman.
- Window regulators. The shaft for the crank goes bad because there is no bushing in the door panel.
- Fuel pump volume and pressure. On the 12a cars, it can't keep up at sustained high RPM or wide open throttle.
- On the 84-85 cars, the stereo surround. They all break!
- The rear hatch carpet, and much of the interior materials is poor quality. It starts fading after a few years.
- Outside door handle / latch design. You can break into most 1st gens by lifting the handle and inserting a screwdriver in the opening.
- The oil cooler design on the 83 - 85 cars. Tendency to leak and is generally not very effective.
- Storage bin hinges. They all go bad.
- Idler arm is weak, and the bushing disintegrates under heavy driving.
I am careful to differentiate between design flaws and weak points. For example, the foam in the seats and the visors crumbles, but I credit that to old technology...then again, maybe it was just cheap to begin with.
- Rear suspension as noted. The geometry issues cam be addressed through various means, but having 250 lbs of unsprung weight is a bit more difficult. IRS would be nice.
- The storage bin rust issue as noted on other threads. Inexcusable.
- Recirculating ball steering as noted. No easy permanent fix. I would be curious about the impact to geometry for CP Racing Rack and Pinion setup on lowered cars. Particularly as it relates to ackerman.
- Window regulators. The shaft for the crank goes bad because there is no bushing in the door panel.
- Fuel pump volume and pressure. On the 12a cars, it can't keep up at sustained high RPM or wide open throttle.
- On the 84-85 cars, the stereo surround. They all break!
- The rear hatch carpet, and much of the interior materials is poor quality. It starts fading after a few years.
- Outside door handle / latch design. You can break into most 1st gens by lifting the handle and inserting a screwdriver in the opening.
- The oil cooler design on the 83 - 85 cars. Tendency to leak and is generally not very effective.
- Storage bin hinges. They all go bad.
- Idler arm is weak, and the bushing disintegrates under heavy driving.
I am careful to differentiate between design flaws and weak points. For example, the foam in the seats and the visors crumbles, but I credit that to old technology...then again, maybe it was just cheap to begin with.
12-12-03, 11:50 PM
#15
love the braaaap
I say the bolt pattern on the wheels, the steering box, and that goddam rear defroster and wiper assembly. Its a freeking nightmare. The defroster tabs fall off. You have to order special hatch struts. Mazda must have been smokin the crazy **** when they designed this part. 
The foam might just crumble because it is old. Age does do that.
The foam might just crumble because it is old. Age does do that.
Last edited by 85rotarypower; 12-12-03 at 11:53 PM.
12-13-03, 12:33 AM
#16
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Do You guys even drive those antiquated pieces of ****
1 The Roof it too close to your head with a helmet on You run the risk of breaking your neck
2 The mirrors are too far back on the doors can't see A Dag On thing outa them
3 massive oversteer on a stock set up
Other than that small stuff I love my car
1 The Roof it too close to your head with a helmet on You run the risk of breaking your neck
2 The mirrors are too far back on the doors can't see A Dag On thing outa them
3 massive oversteer on a stock set up
Other than that small stuff I love my car
12-13-03, 10:57 AM
#20
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stock seats are junk. Mine fell apart after 3 years, 22,000 miles. Were rebuilt in 1982 and still look good.Oversteer! After driving an MGBGT for 3 years, the RX not well balanced,harder to drive near the limit. Front struts! Expensive to replace,and time consuming. Poor brakes on 1979.
12-13-03, 11:27 AM
#21
trainwreck
Thread Starter
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Directfreak
No, I use them to keep my nutz warm.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I thought thats what the vents below the steering column were for...thats definately a strong point. My nuts are always warm in that car
Originally posted by Directfreak
No, I use them to keep my nutz warm.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I thought thats what the vents below the steering column were for...thats definately a strong point. My nuts are always warm in that car
12-13-03, 02:16 PM
#22
Originally posted by 31rx7
A few to think about. Design flaws:
- The oil cooler design on the 83 - 85 cars. Tendency to leak and is generally not very effective.
A few to think about. Design flaws:
- The oil cooler design on the 83 - 85 cars. Tendency to leak and is generally not very effective.
12-13-03, 05:46 PM
#23
Senior Member
Wankelguy - "That's because it was never intended as an oil cooler, but rather an oil heater."
I must say this is the first time I have heard that.
Given that this setup replaced the oil cooler on the 79 - 82 cars, I am a bit skeptical. At the same time, I do understand the need to keep the oil at a working temperature, and certainly this device does that once the engine is at its working temperature.
However, I understood it to be designed primarily as a cooler. Please explain.
I must say this is the first time I have heard that.
Given that this setup replaced the oil cooler on the 79 - 82 cars, I am a bit skeptical. At the same time, I do understand the need to keep the oil at a working temperature, and certainly this device does that once the engine is at its working temperature.
However, I understood it to be designed primarily as a cooler. Please explain.
12-13-03, 06:27 PM
#24
Rotary Enthusiast
Interesting what some people see as flaws, but they are not to everyone. I was ok with the seats, wheels, series 3 stereo surround (never broke or cracked one), mirrors, and headroom. It has more headroom than a lot of cars and more than my FD.
The fuel pump isn't that bad maybe some are better than others. I've used them even with carb'ed 13B's.
With the panhard bar and tri link I think it is ok not having IRS. A lot of other drivers will say that also.
I'll have the CP racing R&P steering this spring and tell you how it is.
You don't need a screwdriver to unlock the doors a paper clip or stiff bit of wire works.
The lack of cupholder is what we in computers call a "feature" and was more of a marketing decision. I would appreciate if it had one though.
Other weaknesses:
the weak hinge on the console. Those break easily esp on the s1 and s2.
The window frame is not very solidly attached to the door and can bend. It can be fixed if you weld in reinforcements.
The fuel pump isn't that bad maybe some are better than others. I've used them even with carb'ed 13B's.
With the panhard bar and tri link I think it is ok not having IRS. A lot of other drivers will say that also.
I'll have the CP racing R&P steering this spring and tell you how it is.
You don't need a screwdriver to unlock the doors a paper clip or stiff bit of wire works.
The lack of cupholder is what we in computers call a "feature" and was more of a marketing decision. I would appreciate if it had one though.
Other weaknesses:
the weak hinge on the console. Those break easily esp on the s1 and s2.
The window frame is not very solidly attached to the door and can bend. It can be fixed if you weld in reinforcements.
