I'm buying the RX7 here in the next week or so. And I can't wait. Granted the Firebird is quick as hell, and the Miata handles like no one will believe. But I've finally been able to source myself a car without pistons. I'd like to ask for some advice from all of you. The car has 184,000 miles and seems to be really solid. What mods should I do to it. I've got a friend at work who used to work for mazdatrix, so I'm pretty set up. But you guys all have similar cars to this one so all advice is welcome.

 

If the motor is orginal you might wanna consider rebuilding it.

 

Welcome. What year & what model are you getting?

 

The 7's a 1985 GSL-SE it's really solid, the motor is orginal, but I'm just gonna nurse it for now. Need a good daily driver.

 

TUR-BO, TUR-BO, TUR-BO!!!


Sorry, just watched Animal House the other day... I keep thinking TO-GA, TO-GA, TO-GA!!


Seriously, though, turbo it.

 

The SE's have a good reputation for the performance that they offer to the driver. Along with this comes some of the complexity of an EFI system compared to carbs, and also that there is a lot more going on with a '6'-port 13B EFI system than a similar 12A engine available in all other models.

The SE's were only made in 84 and 85 and accounted for a relatively small proportion of sales for Mazda (in the States, anyway). They were built as a final tribute to the 1st Generation cars, and displayed some of the front-line technology that would become commonplace in the 2nd Generation engine layout - including '6'-port induction, and fuel injection that would be improved upon for 2nd Gen drivers.

Some differences that you have as an SE owner follow;

1) Obviously, the fuel-injected 13B engine which generates 135hp stock (133lb/ft torque), uprated from the 12A engine
2) vented brake rotors, front and rear (all other rear-disk cars had solid rears, not vented disks all round)
3) 14" wheels, standard (14x5.5 fitted with 205/60/14 originally Pirelli P6's)
4) front and rear stabilizer bars, standard
5) higher rate springs, front and rear, standard, accounting for a slightly lower ride height
6) Limited Slip Differential (LSD), standard
7) lighted driver side keyhole (little known fact...)- this comes on when you lift the door handle
8) cruise control and most other interior amenities, standard
9) 13.5 gallon fuel tank
10) Clarion AM/FM/Cassette stereo with graphic equalizer

These were some of the highpoints of the 84/85 SE's, and there may be others that I'm sure to miss. My SE has 171k miles and still runs great. Most SE owners will run into issues with idle speed, surging, erratic idle, stuck '6'-port sleeves, clogged fuel filters, etc., but the added performance that you get is worth some extra maintenance.

Enjoy owning your SE, and in future posts, please be sure to put SE in your subject line to ensure that the others of us chime in to help you out,

 

I just purchased my first RX-7 1st generation. 1985 GS 5 speed. I was looking at the forum here a couple days ago and found a blog that someone posted about the highbeam not working. I followed the steps and fixed mine and now I am street legal. Thanks for the help, hope to continue talking to you guy's and asking for help on a few things in the future.