Hey guys and gals. I have been on the forum for a while and have owned both second and third gen RX-7s.

Right now my daily driver is a '06 M3 which is a great car. However, I quickly realized that the occasional track and autocross expense will quickly spiral out of control. I have had a Miata too which was a weekend toy, but I sold that. I'm currently thinking of getting a late 13b first gen as a cheap toy to work on and something that I can take to track days and the occasional autocross and drive to work on occasion.

I know you guys have thoughts on the matter and plenty of experience, so please speak up! Thanks!

 

First gens seem to do pretty well at autoXing, but I'd say your best bet would be a miata.

 

I agree, I have both a fb autox/track car and a miata autox/track car, miatas are a lot easier to work on. However, the fb is more of a steer with the throttle kind of car which is more fun, just not necessary as fast. The FB suffers from solid rear axle and vague steering...

 

Miata autocrosses much faster. A ported & geared rotary makes a lot of cheap, reliable horsepower. No cylinder head rebuilds. FB's are hard to find in junkyards, Miatae not so much. And Spec Miata used tires/wheels/etc parts are abound.

 

Yeah, autocrossing parts and miatas are all over the place.

But like, if you are looking for more than a race car I personally prefer the FB. It has more of a classic look, and is more original. In ten years I think the FB will be a much more desireable car.

 

Go with the FB for something a little more unique.

 

Hell yeah an fb makes a good autocrosser!

Look at the expense of upgrading to a nice suspension system. I don't know what it costs to modify a Miata, but I bet its a lot more than for an fb. Going through Respeed, you can do coilovers/shocks/swaybars for under a grand.

And as far as how they do against Miatas? Well, my last race I was on Sumitomo sub $50.00 tires facing off against a highly modified Miata on race rubber. Yes, he beat me, but only by 2/10ths of a second. If we had had matching rubber, it wouldn't have been a fair fight.

Check out the link to videos in my signature if you want to see the car in action. I am very happy with my setup, and I certainly don't have Miata envy. lol.

.

 

I'm not sure I'm remotely maita-competitive yet, but at the original question at my last autocross I placed in the upper half out of 60 cars in my class. This was my first autocross, I had no suspension mods, and I was on BFGoodrich All Seasons. BTW, my class was SI, which is an 'anything goes' class, so several of the cars in my class were really decked. So yeah, they can be competitive in autocrossing, they look classic and they are unique.

 

Here is a thread on a project I am currently working on. https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/project-cheap-autocrosser-829405/

I have currently less than $1000 in the whole operation and it is a total blast to drive.

My first event out I did get beat by a Miata.....but I was posting faster times than any 350Z, faster than most Subaru WRX's, and Mitsu Evo's.

I still have a lot of learning to do with this car and since I should be getting my Sterling carb this week, I hope my carb issues will be over.

 

"thinking of getting a late 13b first gen as a cheap toy to work on and something that I can take to track days and the occasional autocross and drive to work on occasion."

if you get a 12A engine, you can easily (cage, shocks, swaybars, springs) mod the car to run in SCCA's "Spec 7" class and go wheel to wheel racing very cheaply... There is probably no cheaper way to go club racing. Still a fun car for track days, too!

 

Thanks guys. I have modified 7s before and I realize that the costs can quickly spiral out of control at least with FCs and FDs. I am not trying to go that route, but would rather purchase a car that is nicely done that someone else has put the time and money into--call me cheap (and I don't have a garage).

There are lots of track events around here, so I'm not too worried about staying in a particular class or club as I'm not trying to compete nationally or anything, just have fun. I want a fast and already well modified car or a clean completly stock.

Obviously not stock, but I was looking at this one: https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-rx-7-1979-1985-vehicles-109/fs-clean-84-gsl-se-cartec-turbo-kit-839451/

Any thoughts?

 

Oh yeah, I lover roteries and the classic loof of the FB. I prefer it as a car to the Miata even though parts are slightly more expensive. Almost anything will be cheaper than puting the M3 into a wall.

 

I dig that car. Seems to be a good deal for the amount of work that has been done. The exterior is a bit over the top for me, but it seems to be very legit car that has been done up right.

 

I saw that one down at Deal's Gap. Very clean car. As stated by Kentetsu, a properly prepaired and well driven Fb can beat out a Miata for less money.

 

BTW-what autocross tracks are you at where you have walls to hit?

There are tons of verrrry nice cars in my local autosports cars. Like 911 Turbos, decked M3s and race prepped Lotus's. There is less chance of wrecking your car at these events than driving down highway.

 

True, but every now and then there are venues that have light poles or concrete barricades around. The course is usually setup so you run a minimal risk of hitting those objects no matter how you spin or slide, but there is still risk. I spun at the West Michigan autocross two weeks ago and though I haven't seen the video yet, I've been told I came rather close to hitting a pole.

 

No, I'm not worried about crashing at an autocross--maybe a little concerned about the cost of tires for the 19" CZP wheels, but not crashing it. My larger concern is track events going wheel-to-wheel and greatly increasing my chance of an offroad event or sliding into a wall. Besides, I don't want any paint chips or other markings on the BMW as it is prestine with no scratches or chips. Plus, all of the parts are stupid expensive.

 

I want and I saw that one above, and, lets just say it needs a lot of work. Still looking guys!

 

Here's a fully prepped car that is a proven performer (I still have bruises on my buttocks):

https://www.rx7club.com//showthread.php?t=794534

 

Looks like a great car, but the price is still too high for needing an engine rebuild.

 

Mikeric, did you call David about the one he has here in Houston? Looks to be a keeper!

 

I sent him an email requesting more info about the engine etc. I have not heard back from him yet. Looks like a great car and exactly what I'm looking for.

 

I might have a guy here who can deliver that car to you.....fly one way and drive that baby back!!!

 

A good place to look for a prepped RX7 for track and autox is www.improvedtouring.com. Well built 12A RX7's come up for sale on a regular basis. No they are not as fast as a Miata in most cases but they are fun to drive (I have one) and typically are quicker down the straights. Reliability is excellent and these cars live to be driven hard with no consequences. Cpmpared to a Miata they are bullet proof.

Not allot of 13B racecars are built for IT racing - they are not competitive with the FC's they are classed with. Also the stock front brake rotor/hub on a GSLSE are prone to failure in racing conditions. Okay for Autox.....just not for hard core racing.

 

Why would they not be competitive with an FC? Same engine, less weight. Im currently looking at a very clean, stock 85 13B. Beside refreshing parts, no major performance modifications have been done and there is no rust with only 107k miles.