1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Loss of power?

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Old Jul 1, 2008 | 06:38 PM
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Loss of power?

ok, so i bought this 1983 rx7 today, and i know basically nothing about them, i was kind of dissapointed by the power, but it was sitting for 5 years so its expected, it has 109k original, pleas help me out on what i need to know(basics)and what can i do to get more power...aka an upgrade that will drastically change the power thanks for the help

109,000 ORIGINAL miles on everything, completely stock








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Old Jul 1, 2008 | 06:39 PM
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Old Jul 1, 2008 | 06:41 PM
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welcome, and congrats it looks great anyways, hit the fAQ page and use the search function, there's plenty of threads with hp gains and stuff like that, good luck.
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Old Jul 1, 2008 | 06:44 PM
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thank you for the warm welcome and pleasent compliments...
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Old Jul 1, 2008 | 07:51 PM
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Keep us posted on your progress. I am thinking of buying a first gen. I had a brand new one when they first came out, 1983 GS. I have been staying glued to the forum to keep up with what goes wrong with these old buggies and what you guys do to keep them in good running order.

Thanks!!!!
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Old Jul 1, 2008 | 08:08 PM
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good buy

congrats,
i bought my first gen about a month ago and i thought it was lazy too since it had been parked too. i did an oil change replace the carb with a webber 45ida and racing beat headers and 2.25'' piping and she flies now.
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Old Jul 1, 2008 | 08:35 PM
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when I bought both of my 1st gens,

The secondaries teeter-totter was backwards so the eng. was running off of the primaries only, resulting in slow acceleration through all RPM

Hook them up, and you'll feel the powerband around 4k and it'll give you a little push into your seat.
after driving a long time on primaries alone.. the secondaries make the car feel like a bat out of hell
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Old Jul 1, 2008 | 10:53 PM
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I assume Wisconsin doesn't require emissions testing, right? If you're not looking to keep it original, get rid of all that emissions crap. Doesn't really add much power unless your cats are clogged, but it will reduce headaches later on and make your engine bay look cleaner to boot.

Next thing to do is think about your goals for the car. How much power are you looking for? How much do you have to spend? How much mechanical ability do you have?

Anything you do requires an exhaust upgrade. Racing Beat is the only company left that makes a decent bolt-on system, but they are pricey. Piecing together a custom system can be a better option. Naturally if you want to go turbo your exhaust needs are very different.

After exhaust, you'll need to look into the intake side of things. If you're staying with carbs, Sterling makes a nice one that will work with your stock intake manifold. The Weber 48 IDA is another popular choice. A 500 CFM Edelbrock Thunder Series is a good budget carb. Racing Beat has an intake manifold for Holley/Edelbrock carbs (Edelbrocks need a 1" spacer, I believe). They also have 48 IDAs and manifolds for them.

If you're looking for even more power, the TII swap is well-documented and makes turbo+EFI far easier.
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Old Jul 1, 2008 | 11:03 PM
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Welcome to the Club.

Your question of course is one of the most asked a long with the , "Can I turbo my car". :-)
All of this information can be found on this site.
The FAQ forum has these links in it as well as the Archives.
Please read up on these things and if you still have more questions about a particular subject "After" you have done lots of reading then feel free to find a related thread on the subject and bump it up with your question. :-)

Here are a couple of good threads to get you started.

Upgrading your 7.
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...hreadid=217446


Commonly asked as to where can I get parts?
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-gen-archive-71/good-bad-ugly-performance-parts-suppliers-480076/


What to look at on your new 7.
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-gen-archive-71/other-what-look-when-buying-just-after-you-purchased-your-rx-7-a-601804/



Good HP thread on your engine.
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-gen-archive-71/engine-easiest-way-make-hp-stock-12a-686989/
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Old Jul 2, 2008 | 09:01 AM
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Low power may be because of the "teeter totter" being incorrect.

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...=teeter+totter
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Old Jul 2, 2008 | 11:32 AM
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Loss of Power can also be as simple as a fuel filter.

Just because you hear hoof beats, don’t start looking for unicorns
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Old Jul 2, 2008 | 11:35 AM
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Another member of the club. Start with the fuel filter.

As far as power, I'd say learn the ins and outs of what you have, before what you want.
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Old Jul 2, 2008 | 12:08 PM
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Nice car but how did the P.O. put dents in both sides of the car but leave the front valence looking like new?!?
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Old Jul 6, 2008 | 02:34 PM
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From: Wisconsin
thanks for all the support guys, it is going in on tuesday for lube, oil, and filter along with new plugs (high flow) and wires. i will also see if they can engage the secondaries...as for the dents dont really know exact stats but he said the rear was rubbed up against another cars tire, and the front i have no clue...i really want a 2nd gen tII so i might sell this one in the rear future, already it is improving on overall driving, it was 5 year old gas also so it needs to get worked through...i might keep it though if it improves even more with the listed above items.
also i am the second owner of this car...i ev en have the reciept from when it was dropped off in 1983 at the original owner house and the inspectioin sheet to follow
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