Hey guys, I haven't had a first gen for many many years, (11) But I saw a very very clean 85 RX-7 GSL for sale and it was so nice I really would like it....
BUT...While it started right up, I was expecting much more power considering it had the full Mazda Trix exhaust complete with header.
Do the pre-silencers on these have wool packing inside them? It was the kind that ran 2 seprate tubes after the header, Can you remove the steel wool for better flow? It seemed as quiet as stock.
The owner said it hadn't been ran much if at all all winter.
It looked like the fuel filter was old and the plugs needed changing...
Or could the carb be kinda clogged? Old gas?
Could that explain the lack of power?
It didn't smoke and was smooth during & going up the gears, just not near the power I expected and I don't want to buy it if thats all the power this one has...It has just 112k miles...Any help or imput is great. Thanks much!

 

Any idea's guys?

 

would the guy let you do a compression test? That's what I would do.... that'll give you a good answer. It could just be the fuel filter being clogged and the plugs needing replacement though.

 

yeah, compression test. If that checks out changed the plugs and gas, then the filter. You could even check the air filter. Maybe a rat crawled in there during the winter and died

 

The 85GSL I bought last year was like that. I put new plugs, wires, cap, air filter, etc. Even got a new cat (not installed yet), but the best thing was the MMO treatment

B

 

secondaries not opening or something?

 

Could it be that it's an 18 year old car, with over 100k miles, that only had 101hp to begin with?

 

What car have you been driving for the past 11 years? Maybe you were just expecting too much.

 

Our race car was like that. Cut out CAT's, new plugs and dizzy later and it ran like new.

The car I bought for my swap had faulty secondaries. Felt like an 80 hp beast. So slow I wanted to pound me head with a hammer every time I drove it.

The thing with these cars is that there is 50 things it could be, some minor, some not. Probably it's not the motor if it's been so well maintained.

 

Thanks much for the imput guys.
Yes a compression test is a great idea. I have owned 2 1st gens in the past and my buddy has one now, so I am well awhere of what they should be able to do. And this puppy isn't close to what it should be. Feels like a Geo Metro...UGH! ha ha...

With this Mazda Trix exhaust, I expected it to be much louder (And powerful) does anyone else have that setup? (With 2 beside each other presilencers)
I am wondering if the steel wool can be taken out of the pre silencers to improve flow?
The secondaries not being up to par might also be a possibility...Along with a full tuneup. Could the orig. fuel pump be weak?
He should be fine with a compression test.
Bliffle: On the MMO treatment, did you put it in the oil, gas tank, run it through the carb? Squirt it in the spark plug holes? All of the above?
Thanks again guys!

 

gas tank is the best method for MMO treatment... nice and slow clean... no fouling of plugs.

 

Thanks, interesting! Its better then a concentrated carb cleaner?

 

At first this 85 was a dog. I started with 2oz per tank, then 4, then 8. After a month it was running almost as good as my 83.

I think it's a good idea to go slow to avoid big chunks of carbon in the works.

I have the mazdatrix muffler only, and it sounds great.

B

 

OK, cool, I am going to take another look at this one and see whats up with it. It sure is very sharp & clean!Thanks for all your imput guys!