Classic Drift

I wanted to start a post of my Limited Edition 1979 RX-7 project.
I picked her up about a month ago. I plan on going over the whole car
and replacing any bad parts, I want to get a rear disk brake conversion kit, I cant
stand drum brakes. Then I was thinking about getting the racing beat full suspension kit. At this point im going to switch from restoration and start a
drift project. I was thinking a welded differential and since my engine only has 88,000 miles on it im going to keep the 12A for a while and stick on a single turbo. After that Vanity will take over and ill get a paint job and some rims
So far all I have done is an oil change, engine detail, Tokico shocks, Flowmaster muffler. (Temp. fix because the guy I bought it from took off the muffler and left
it like that). Spark plugs and wires are on there way. Is there any tips/advice
you guys can give me on what I should think about doing next being as this car
was sitting for a while before I bought it?

7aull

iTrader: (2)

Change EVERY fluid in the car!!
Change out cooling hoses (including HEATER hoses! These fail w/o warning, taking motor with it), get rad pulled, chem dunked and flushed. Rotaries VERY fussy about cooling system being up to snuff.
Change fuel filter (in front of driver-side rear tire) - yearly.
And be prepared to take some grief about moding a very desirable limited production RX7!
For most of us, clean, unmolested SA (1979-80 year) RX7s are a bit like the Holy Grail. Add your owning one of 3000 Limited's ever made and your desire to.... well, you get my drift. FWIW every mod you make more or less starts chipping away at the value of the car.
Sorry. Don't mean to lecture. Its your car. Your the guy walking out and looking at it in the driveway, so what ever floats your boat!
Would be great if (*ahem*) the New Paint was the same as the original, and keep those alloy wheels handy! They are unique to that car - the NEXT owner will thank you!! (=$$)
Enjoy and welcome
Stu Aull
Bone-Stock 80GS
(ok, RX8 seats, racing beat exhaust...)
Alaska

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

beautiful car. Stu hit the nail on the haed. i wont beat around the bush. do not bastardize that car. it is a rare and enjoyable car in stock form. the only modification i personally can see justifying is a RB exhaust and maybe a k&n air filter.. and i say RB exhaust because most SA exhaust parts are near impossible to find and the RB setup is light years ahead of any home made exhaust.

lilbluescout63

iTrader: (-1)

i think its moor he has 1 of 1200 in that color was that car made in 79 i woud likt to find line tickets on the 3000 whats on the limited not on ls? was ls leftovers?cars that came out it be intresting to find what # in line my coldy was. but butyahh what he said keep her true to stock or if you dont dont .only thing i have done was make a new radio cover from wood tell i find a cd player that will fit in the top slot . might change out the back and put the box bins from my parts 85 in it they shouda had it all the time . still will kep the orig . will be leathering whats not leather sunvisors.and croming whats not crome myself.it dont mater shell still look good.whair did that big elbo cushin comefrom myns not that thick

DivinDriver

iTrader: (15)

Sweet looking ride. Im a "stock" fan for the SA's too, but I won't nag ya. Much.

One thing nobody else mentioned so far - - it's very rare to find a 79 with the dash in that nice condition, they usually split near the vents. Keep a sunshiied in the window when you're not driving it, or get a cloth cover, to help preserve it.

If you do decide to swap out the exhaust... DON'T cut or throw away the existing parts. They are hard to find, and there are often people here (self included) that may buy them for restoration projects, if they are in good condition.

If you're into preserving the value of car, keep it as stock as you can. If you're just looking for a -7 to use as a modification base, consider asking around to see if anyone would like to swap you a newer unit for the limited. Newer 1st gens are easier to mod, anyway.

My 2c. Have fun, whatever you do. They're great cars.

Classic Drift

Thanks alot guys I totally understand about keeping her stock,
I will be keeping any original parts That I replace, The one thing im not
worried about is dropping the value of the car. I've never been a person that cared to much about money, but one thing I do love are cars, I was sad when
I lost my first car and it was only a Chvy Beretta threes no way I can sell this car.
I've already had a few offers but im taking this one to the grave with me.
But out of respect for my seven and all seven fans ever ware keeping her mostly stock would be the right thing to do. Thaks again for the advice im going to go change the fuel filter and go buy new fulids. Wait so you guys think I should keep the drum brakes? I will be keeping the Beat Black paint I really like it, I never really wanted to change the overall look of the car I just want her to be as fast and as she looks.

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

i would keep the drum brakes. more so for the originality of the car. stopping distances are not improved much when switching over to the disc drake rear end. disc brake rear ends lock up under hard braking. you do get a firmer pedal feel. i have an 80 Leather Sport, one of 500 in Solar Gold and i recently replaced the original brake pads..i was sad to do that because of the car's originality.

Classic Drift

[QUOTE=whair did that big elbo cushin comefrom myns not that thick[/QUOTE]

I took it apart its not stock (pic attached). The original owner only drove it on Sundays, and he wanted to take his kids with him so he built in two mini back
seats (pic attached) I really need to do something about this, any suggestions?
I really want to find out why half the time at a start my car will misfire until
4000+rpms. With every part I switch out it seems to get a little better, Im hoping the 8MM wires and the new NGK plugs that are coming will help out. I switched out the fuel filter and flushed the radiator. It did help, but still wants to misfire. I feel like rebuilding the carb would be a good thing to do but I don’t have to much exp. with carbs. I would like to thank you guys for your advice im going to keep her stock, I might get an RB exhaust, but when she’s running good I love the deep sound she makes with the stock exhaust and the Flow Master muffler.

Classic Drift

Hey 7aull,

I was in Anchorage from sept08- june09, I was thinking the other day if there were any 1st gen 7's in Alaska..Your car looks amazing for being in Fairbanks, ever
do any snow drifting?

ourxseven

iTrader: (1)

Nice to see another LE and in GREAT SHAPE .

if interested here is a link to my similar LE build thread https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...dition+project

It hard to keep them all stock as you get going , but hopefully , thats what yopu'll try and do with this one ... good luck

7aull

iTrader: (2)

Thanks - she's tucked away for the winter - and if you thought Anchorage was cold - Fairbanks is worse! rotary engines and -40 don't get along too well in the long run...

(but its a dry cold...)

Re- back "seats": Stock SA's came with a sheet metal form that just bolts in under the carpet. 10 min swap in job out of any dead 1979-80 RX7 will do.

Backfires you describe are normal UNTIL CAR WARMS UP - if it persists maybe carb is set too rich or an emission valve is stuck. All of which goes away with the racing beat exhaust swap out. Again, urge you to PULL rad and have completely chem-flushed - get the 30 yrs of goo outta there! Likewise brake and clutch fluid - its all basically corrosive crap eating your car out from the inside.
Glad to hear you want to keep it close to stock.

Don't know much about Flomaster mufflers, but the RB system is legendary as the best sounding - plus, unless the Flomaster was built to rotary spec, it, like most other
"standard" mufflers, fail fairly quickly due to rotaries ferocious heat...

Also, if your new to rotaries: OIL! chg every 3K miles and remember these engines USE oil as they go. Depending on condition of engine, it will got thru a quart every 300-1000 miles!! So check regularly to figure out where your is on consumption. Castrol GTX seems to be very popular with most of us - don't waste yer $$ on synth.


lost to learn but Great people here will help you as you go-

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

Classic Drift

Im going to be completely honest with you I didn’t know too much about
how touchy these cars can be, when I picked her up it didn’t have a muffler on it
and it was louder then my last 240sx with a straight pipe on it. When
I installed the flow master she sounded/ran great. After a couple weeks
it started to come back. Sounds like I wasted $100 on a pos. I should prob order the RB Muffler soon. Can I get your guys thoughts on the matter cause if that muffler is the prob I would like to have that switched out asap.

Classic Drift

I checked out your car when I was searching around, you did an amazing
job. I was woundering what to do about the chrome accent molding,
you came up with a really good idea im going to have to do the same.thx

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

Racing Beat is the way to go for exhaust components/systems for the RX-7. hands down the best system on the market. here are a cpuple of pics of the RB muffler on my 85 S. i have a complete RB SP exhaust on the car but this should give you an idea of what to expect of of the looks of the RB muffler.

DivinDriver

iTrader: (15)

RB exhaust is primo.

Don't blame flowmaster - - blame whoever sold you one for a rotary. Our exhaust temps run as high as 1700, 1800 deg. & will melt glass packing and lightweight steel wool quickly. Burns chrome right off the outside of the headers, quickly.

ourxseven

iTrader: (1)

I can't tell from the picture if you have the stock stereo system . If so does your cassette player work ?

Classic Drift

1) All Stock
2) No

Classic Drift

I wasnt aware that RB had a full exhaust kit, how much?

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

here's racing beat's description from their page (www.racingbeat.com):

"Street Port Exhaust System
1979-85 12A
Part Number: 16422
Retail Price: $959.00

1979-85 RX-7 (12A engines)
Street Port Complete Exhaust System*

Our Racing Beat-designed, "Long Primary" Street Port Complete Exhaust System is designed for all Street Ported 1979-85 RX-7s. Designed specifically for a ported rotary engine, this exhaust system will provide the maximum power output possible from an aftermarket exhaust system. Offered as a packaged set, this kit consists of a Road Race Header Front Section, the Street Port Center Section, and a high flow Power Pulse Main muffler.

The Long Primary system typically adds 5% or more horsepower over a Short Primary system on a street ported engine, especially at higher RPMs. This system can also be used on non-ported engines with good results. It is strictly bolt-on, with no welding required. These complete “bolt-on” systems come complete with all required mounting hardware and gaskets. Since this is intended for racing applications, there is no provision for an oxygen sensor on this system.

*Legal in California only for racing vehicles, which may never be used upon a highway.
What does this mean? Visit this link regarding Frequently Asked Questions About Emission Laws And Regulations."

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

here's the RB header on my car:



and the only other pic i have of the RB sp system on my car:

Classic Drift

Thats a really nice set up RB makes, But I would like to pass smog so im just going to buy the muffler. Now that I plan on keeping this car mostly stock, and have relized how amazing RX-7s are I want to get another one to mod.

Classic Drift

I just ordered the Racing Beat muffler, I cant wait!

boyee

iTrader: (3)

^^^ i like how youre thinking! you have a very and rare nice first gen.
keepin it original and immaculate condition down to the factory stereo even if the cassette player doesnt work will get so much respect since it is so beautiful! it will be a blast in the past to drive around in for sure!
good luck and hope to meet you sometime! i'm from norcal like you are so keep a lookout on the west regional section for meets and events!

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

glad to hear that you are keeping the car mostly stock. that is something that you will not regret in the long run. the value of the car and the meaningfullness will be preserved. keep us updated on your progress and let us know how the muffler fits and sounds!

Classic Drift

(Before and after pic's). I will take more this weekend.
It runs and sounds so much better, this is exactly what she needed.
There’s only a slight hesitation if you try and take off under 4000rpms,
other then that she runs great. I finally took her to the redline today and
was I happily surprised how nice she chirped/jumped into 2nd.
Im pretty sure my idle needs to be adjusted alittle, I average about 500rpms
at idle. There’s also a pretty bad oil leak, and it needs all new brakes.
Can you guys give me any advise on oil leaks?