Project:"beat all honda rice burners at school"
01-12-04, 02:22 PM
#26
Take your time! You've had it for four days, and though you've probably "researched" quite a bit, you should definitely get your car running perfect stock before upgrading. Here's a good set of things to do first:
Change all of these before anything:
- Oil (use non-synthetic. This is a holy war on this forum, but suffice it to say, it's safe to stick to non-syn and it's also easier on the wallet) and Oil Filter. Many people on the forum use *only* the Mazda brand oil filter, for various reasons, but it usually doesn't really matter as long as you avoid FRAM like the plague.
- Coolant System Flush and Refill
- Thermostat and Gasket
- Air Filter (Get a K&N and an oiling kit), Fuel Filter
- Transmission and Rear Differential Fluid. For Tranny, RedLine MT-90 is the absolute BEST you can get. For rear diff, go do the local NAPA/Canadian Tire whatever and get Synthetic 75w90 gear oil. House brand, whatever, it works well.
- Spark Plugs, Plug Wires, Distributor Cap and Rotor (NGK Spark Plugs ONLY!! Accept no substitute! BR8EQs are standard fare)
Get a carburetor Rebuild. Rx7Carl and Sterling rebuild them on here for a good price, and their work is top notch. It'll solve a lot of powerloss and troubleshooting problems.
Speaking of troubleshooting problems, do Rx7Carl and Pratch's Rat's Nest Removal Tutorial. Get some new vacuum hose and an ACV block-off plate, and remove that rat's nest. It'll solve alot of vacuum-leak tracking later.
Once your car is running all nice with those things, your first mods should be simple starters:
- DLIDFIS is a good way to smooth out the firing of the engine and is just a great all-around ignition mod
- Electric Fan replacement for the stock Mechanical one. The Mechanical one robs a couple hp, and over the years the fan clutch has probably gone anyway
- New/Better fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator and high-quality fuel pressure guage.
---end of simple "get it running" stuff---
Then work on higher hp mods for stock engines:
- RB Exhaust System (should be the FIRST investment. Stock exhaust chokes any intake mods, including better carbs and turbos)
- Clutch components and lightened flywheel
- Porting
- Turbos
And don't forget, every straight ends in a corner, if you wanna lose the hondas in corners, upgrade suspension:
- KYB GR-2 Gas shocks and struts are relatively inexpensive but extremely good replacements for stock
- Racing Beat Springs are awesome
- Polyurethane or Polygraphite bushings reduce give, and help cornering.
And if you get your turbo-ready rebuilt engine, your car will be awesome. Even better, you could skip the turbo for now and get a streetported engine. Or do a TII swap.
Whatever you end up doing, start with the simple stuff up top, and move along. Spend some more time on the forum and figure out what you truly have as a vision for your car.
My goal is exactly the same as yours. I'm a 19 year old College student who started working on his rex 2 years ago. It needed a bit more work then, 'cause it wasn't running, but it'll be on the road in May. And the main vision I have for mine is 150-175ish horsepower mildly-rebuilt engine with rebuilt carb and RB exhaust that can beat the local civics while still purring like a kitten and looking beautifully stock. Later on I might do a TII swap... I dunno yet.
Best Of Luck, have fun and feel free to ask questions. Almost anything I mentioned above is searchable, and always do a search before asking questions. You may not find the answer you need, but you will find some information that will help you ask a more educated question. PM me if you need anything, I'm always here to help.
Jon
Change all of these before anything:
- Oil (use non-synthetic. This is a holy war on this forum, but suffice it to say, it's safe to stick to non-syn and it's also easier on the wallet) and Oil Filter. Many people on the forum use *only* the Mazda brand oil filter, for various reasons, but it usually doesn't really matter as long as you avoid FRAM like the plague.
- Coolant System Flush and Refill
- Thermostat and Gasket
- Air Filter (Get a K&N and an oiling kit), Fuel Filter
- Transmission and Rear Differential Fluid. For Tranny, RedLine MT-90 is the absolute BEST you can get. For rear diff, go do the local NAPA/Canadian Tire whatever and get Synthetic 75w90 gear oil. House brand, whatever, it works well.
- Spark Plugs, Plug Wires, Distributor Cap and Rotor (NGK Spark Plugs ONLY!! Accept no substitute! BR8EQs are standard fare)
Get a carburetor Rebuild. Rx7Carl and Sterling rebuild them on here for a good price, and their work is top notch. It'll solve a lot of powerloss and troubleshooting problems.
Speaking of troubleshooting problems, do Rx7Carl and Pratch's Rat's Nest Removal Tutorial. Get some new vacuum hose and an ACV block-off plate, and remove that rat's nest. It'll solve alot of vacuum-leak tracking later.
Once your car is running all nice with those things, your first mods should be simple starters:
- DLIDFIS is a good way to smooth out the firing of the engine and is just a great all-around ignition mod
- Electric Fan replacement for the stock Mechanical one. The Mechanical one robs a couple hp, and over the years the fan clutch has probably gone anyway
- New/Better fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator and high-quality fuel pressure guage.
---end of simple "get it running" stuff---
Then work on higher hp mods for stock engines:
- RB Exhaust System (should be the FIRST investment. Stock exhaust chokes any intake mods, including better carbs and turbos)
- Clutch components and lightened flywheel
- Porting
- Turbos
And don't forget, every straight ends in a corner, if you wanna lose the hondas in corners, upgrade suspension:
- KYB GR-2 Gas shocks and struts are relatively inexpensive but extremely good replacements for stock
- Racing Beat Springs are awesome
- Polyurethane or Polygraphite bushings reduce give, and help cornering.
And if you get your turbo-ready rebuilt engine, your car will be awesome. Even better, you could skip the turbo for now and get a streetported engine. Or do a TII swap.
Whatever you end up doing, start with the simple stuff up top, and move along. Spend some more time on the forum and figure out what you truly have as a vision for your car.
My goal is exactly the same as yours. I'm a 19 year old College student who started working on his rex 2 years ago. It needed a bit more work then, 'cause it wasn't running, but it'll be on the road in May. And the main vision I have for mine is 150-175ish horsepower mildly-rebuilt engine with rebuilt carb and RB exhaust that can beat the local civics while still purring like a kitten and looking beautifully stock. Later on I might do a TII swap... I dunno yet.
Best Of Luck, have fun and feel free to ask questions. Almost anything I mentioned above is searchable, and always do a search before asking questions. You may not find the answer you need, but you will find some information that will help you ask a more educated question. PM me if you need anything, I'm always here to help.
Jon
01-12-04, 02:30 PM
#27
Oh, and check your brakes.... I re-did my entire brake system and it cost $1200, parts only, all my labour. These cars aren't cheap, but they're alot of fun.
My biggest tips:
1. Take your time. Research everything, ask questions here and think about what you're doing before you do it.
2. Don't cheap out on ANYTHING. It will *always* bite you in the long run. If your master clutch cylinder (for instance) fails, get one from Victoria British, Mazdatrix or your local parts store. Don't go used. And don't skip on things like fluids, filters, gaskets.... Everything adds up, but don't take shortcuts. You'll thank yourself later.
go to www.victoriabritish.com and sign up for their free catalogue, it's delivered seasonly and has many parts you'll need.
www.mazdatrix.com has alot of parts, and everything's listed online, they're a good resource
www.racingbeat.com has some AWESOME stuff. DO NOT cheap out on exhaust. Regular old exhaust systems cannot stand the heat of the rotary engine, and make too much damn noise (though some people like the noise, god knows why
). They'll never stand up. Use Racing Beat's exhaust system for exhaust upgrades.
For general information on the rotary engine check out www.rotaryengineillustrated.com
and www.howstuffworks.com (search for rotary engine)
Oh.. and GET A SHOP MANUAL. Heynes is good, Chiltons sucks. The Factory one is expensive and hard to find, but is a really good one to have, WITH the heynes too. I guarantee you the Heynes manual will be the best 20$ you ever spend on this car.
And of course, keep posting here!
Jon
My biggest tips:
1. Take your time. Research everything, ask questions here and think about what you're doing before you do it.
2. Don't cheap out on ANYTHING. It will *always* bite you in the long run. If your master clutch cylinder (for instance) fails, get one from Victoria British, Mazdatrix or your local parts store. Don't go used. And don't skip on things like fluids, filters, gaskets.... Everything adds up, but don't take shortcuts. You'll thank yourself later.
go to www.victoriabritish.com and sign up for their free catalogue, it's delivered seasonly and has many parts you'll need.
www.mazdatrix.com has alot of parts, and everything's listed online, they're a good resource
www.racingbeat.com has some AWESOME stuff. DO NOT cheap out on exhaust. Regular old exhaust systems cannot stand the heat of the rotary engine, and make too much damn noise (though some people like the noise, god knows why
). They'll never stand up. Use Racing Beat's exhaust system for exhaust upgrades.For general information on the rotary engine check out www.rotaryengineillustrated.com
and www.howstuffworks.com (search for rotary engine)
Oh.. and GET A SHOP MANUAL. Heynes is good, Chiltons sucks. The Factory one is expensive and hard to find, but is a really good one to have, WITH the heynes too. I guarantee you the Heynes manual will be the best 20$ you ever spend on this car.
And of course, keep posting here!
Jon
Last edited by vipernicus42; 01-12-04 at 02:39 PM.
01-12-04, 03:03 PM
#28
Oh,
and if you ever use the word "****" on this forum again, we'll not only flame the **** out of you, but I'll ask the mods to delete your thread. This one probably should have been deleted, but consider yourself warned. We're not hard on swearing as long as you keep it under control, but derogitory (sp?) terms, especially of that type, are just not acceptable.
Sorry to sound like a hard-*** (no pun intended), but there's just no place here for that.
Jon
and if you ever use the word "****" on this forum again, we'll not only flame the **** out of you, but I'll ask the mods to delete your thread. This one probably should have been deleted, but consider yourself warned. We're not hard on swearing as long as you keep it under control, but derogitory (sp?) terms, especially of that type, are just not acceptable.
Sorry to sound like a hard-*** (no pun intended), but there's just no place here for that.
Jon
01-12-04, 05:07 PM
#29
FD > FB > FC
Originally posted by vipernicus42
Oh,
and if you ever use the word "****" on this forum again, we'll not only flame the **** out of you, but I'll ask the mods to delete your thread. This one probably should have been deleted, but consider yourself warned. We're not hard on swearing as long as you keep it under control, but derogitory (sp?) terms, especially of that type, are just not acceptable.
Sorry to sound like a hard-*** (no pun intended), but there's just no place here for that.
Jon
Oh,
and if you ever use the word "****" on this forum again, we'll not only flame the **** out of you, but I'll ask the mods to delete your thread. This one probably should have been deleted, but consider yourself warned. We're not hard on swearing as long as you keep it under control, but derogitory (sp?) terms, especially of that type, are just not acceptable.
Sorry to sound like a hard-*** (no pun intended), but there's just no place here for that.
Jon
01-12-04, 05:23 PM
#30
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: warner robins, Georgia
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ok guys im not a dumbass...first off the interior smelled so bad i couldnt drive it with the windows up...and second i was thinking about doin the twin turbo swap..which would have a computer...just cuz im 15 doesnt mean i have no clue whats going on...and for the typos and short spelling...my bad...i was just in a hurry
vipernicus42 and Ludicrous thanks for giving me the real answers to this post...y cant all yall look past the little stuff and just help me out...and if u want to tell me things about how im acting...try doing it nice...i really look up to all yall but wutever
vipernicus42 and Ludicrous thanks for giving me the real answers to this post...y cant all yall look past the little stuff and just help me out...and if u want to tell me things about how im acting...try doing it nice...i really look up to all yall but wutever
01-12-04, 05:34 PM
#31
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: las vegas NV
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
yeah I'm only 15 too but I've had my car for a few months and have been researching everything related rx related ,but everything on my 81' gsl works and it runs perfect .I have more info but it might make you jealous so I,ll leave it out. I too hate thoose dam honda fools that put on some autozone parts and think they have a porsche.
01-12-04, 05:36 PM
#32
FD > FB > FC
U said origionally you were going to do a blowthrough carb turbo setup from rotary shack. That doesnt have a computer man.
I'm not ragging on ya because your 15 either. I'm 18, started my 7 when I was 16. And I'm telling you man keep it simple, there is so much you dont know yet. As for the twin turbo, you really have no idea what your getting yourslef into there. People like directfreak dumped over 10K into their SINGLE turbo swap. Its just too expensive man.
When I was 16, I was making about half what you were, and it still took me forever because of money. What you want is simplicity, and as you grow in knowledge then go with a turbo. Get a carb on there, do the exhaust, and DLIDFIS. That will give you plenty of power to stomp on the hondas.
Honestly man, have you ever seen a pic of a twin turbo first gen? ever? I've seen one, mabey too. Theres a reason why there are so few.
I'm not ragging on ya because your 15 either. I'm 18, started my 7 when I was 16. And I'm telling you man keep it simple, there is so much you dont know yet. As for the twin turbo, you really have no idea what your getting yourslef into there. People like directfreak dumped over 10K into their SINGLE turbo swap. Its just too expensive man.
When I was 16, I was making about half what you were, and it still took me forever because of money. What you want is simplicity, and as you grow in knowledge then go with a turbo. Get a carb on there, do the exhaust, and DLIDFIS. That will give you plenty of power to stomp on the hondas.
Honestly man, have you ever seen a pic of a twin turbo first gen? ever? I've seen one, mabey too. Theres a reason why there are so few.
01-12-04, 05:40 PM
#34
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: N/A
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by vipernicus42
Oh.. and GET A SHOP MANUAL. Heynes is good, Chiltons sucks. The Factory one is expensive and hard to find, but is a really good one to have, WITH the heynes too. I guarantee you the Heynes manual will be the best 20$ you ever spend on this car.
And of course, keep posting here!
Jon
Oh.. and GET A SHOP MANUAL. Heynes is good, Chiltons sucks. The Factory one is expensive and hard to find, but is a really good one to have, WITH the heynes too. I guarantee you the Heynes manual will be the best 20$ you ever spend on this car.
And of course, keep posting here!
Jon
01-12-04, 05:58 PM
#37
Registered Offender
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by 82transam
yea thats good advice, don't drive like an idiot, you might wanna just get the car going and slowly work up to more power, better suspension etc instead of doing everything all at once. good luck
off topic, quagmire: what kind of kit is that on your silver car? any more pics of it? looks good.
yea thats good advice, don't drive like an idiot, you might wanna just get the car going and slowly work up to more power, better suspension etc instead of doing everything all at once. good luck
off topic, quagmire: what kind of kit is that on your silver car? any more pics of it? looks good.
now that its back from the shop i can start going over it.. ill post up some pics for ya. i also plan on molding the kit to the body so it looks like one piece.
01-12-04, 06:16 PM
#41
Drive it like u stole it
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Stockton, CA
Posts: 660
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've heard that you can find the FSM online, in downloadable PDF format, etc., but have been too lazy & uninspired to look for it.
As for the Haynes, it's great & definately worth the minor investment - even an idiot like me can do stuff, using the Haynes.
And don't get all offended by the stuff said here. You'll learn that everyone here will take potshots at everyone else, but will help you also.
I have the K&N Filter, I thought it was a good investment. I've also changed out the exhaust to RB header & muffler - both have worked great for me. The only other real change I've made has been replacing the shocks - put in Koni's not long ago, definately stiffened up the ride & changed the handling.
Work off the KISS theory - Keep it Simple, Stupid. Once you get it running really well, you may not want to do all those other mods you talked about.
As for the Haynes, it's great & definately worth the minor investment - even an idiot like me can do stuff, using the Haynes.
And don't get all offended by the stuff said here. You'll learn that everyone here will take potshots at everyone else, but will help you also.
I have the K&N Filter, I thought it was a good investment. I've also changed out the exhaust to RB header & muffler - both have worked great for me. The only other real change I've made has been replacing the shocks - put in Koni's not long ago, definately stiffened up the ride & changed the handling.
Work off the KISS theory - Keep it Simple, Stupid. Once you get it running really well, you may not want to do all those other mods you talked about.
Last edited by Ludicrous; 01-12-04 at 06:28 PM.
01-12-04, 06:42 PM
#42
Here are some of the links to online FSMs:
1979-1980 http://www.wankel.net/~krwright/cars/rx7/80_manual.html
1984-1985
http://www.wankel.net/~krwright/cars/rx7/85_manual.html
1986-1988
http://www.teamfc3s.org/main/factory...ual/1986_1988/
1989-1991
http://www.teamfc3s.org/main/factory...ual/1989_1991/
Sorry, I don't have one for 1981-1983 off hand. Hope this helps.
Kent
1979-1980 http://www.wankel.net/~krwright/cars/rx7/80_manual.html
1984-1985
http://www.wankel.net/~krwright/cars/rx7/85_manual.html
1986-1988
http://www.teamfc3s.org/main/factory...ual/1986_1988/
1989-1991
http://www.teamfc3s.org/main/factory...ual/1989_1991/
Sorry, I don't have one for 1981-1983 off hand. Hope this helps.
Kent
01-12-04, 06:44 PM
#43
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: las vegas NV
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
that is true the people here are helpful and once you get it running you might not want all that stuff . get a rb exhaust and holley setup and you'll be pretty satisfied maybe some springs . just wait you'll change you mind a about a 1000 times before you decide on your exact setup .
01-12-04, 06:59 PM
#44
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: warner robins, Georgia
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
and a second thing...a crack head (yea he really was he is known in Perry) rebuild my engine...so its not lookin like a long term engine at the moment...and for whoever said i cant put a twin turbo in my 7....i have a complete metal shop with cnc machines and everything...i can make my own engine if i wanted to...i think i can make that fit...and i cant believe that most of the post in this are about the title...not even to do with what i was saying....just help me..theres no point in telling me wut right and whats wrong with the title of this thread...and gettin back to the subject...i might be able to post pics tonight...gota load the cam stuff on my computer...so ill try posting again later
01-12-04, 08:23 PM
#45
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: warner robins, Georgia
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ok heres an actual question in which no one can complain...just answer....if i get the 12a turbo...my trans will bolt up no problem right...and do i need to make a bigger drive shaft?? (i believe i have 2 1/2 inch drive shaft and that the t II have a 3) and are there any other main things i HAVE to have to get the 12a turbo in and running?
01-12-04, 08:42 PM
#46
Well, i'm assuming you have a 12a in your car right now, in which case yes the 12a tranny will bolt up. You dont have to do anything to the driveshaft because, well, you dont need to (couldnt think of a reason there, but why WOULD you?).
W/ uprades and mods, you could get a 12at up to about 240hp i've heard.
W/ uprades and mods, you could get a 12at up to about 240hp i've heard.
01-12-04, 08:46 PM
#47
and check out www.corksport.com for 12at engines if you're really that serious.
I've been an rx-7 enthusiast for about 4 years, (i'm 20 now), and only in the last year have i felt confident enough w/ the rx7 (i'm on my 2nd one) to do something as large scale as an engine swap.
However, before my first rx-7, i had never touched a car under the hood to begin with.
In all honesty, the movie "fast and the furious" is what got me into tuning cars. It was just a daily driver before that.
I've been an rx-7 enthusiast for about 4 years, (i'm 20 now), and only in the last year have i felt confident enough w/ the rx7 (i'm on my 2nd one) to do something as large scale as an engine swap.
However, before my first rx-7, i had never touched a car under the hood to begin with.
In all honesty, the movie "fast and the furious" is what got me into tuning cars. It was just a daily driver before that.
01-12-04, 10:07 PM
#48
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: warner robins, Georgia
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"In all honesty, the movie "fast and the furious" is what got me into tuning cars. It was just a daily driver before that."
I watched them both yesterday...it actually isnt that ricer...i mean supras arnt rice and skylines arnt rice...plus that red rx7 was to nice
but yea i asked about the drive shaft becuz i read on here somewhere that if u had a turbo the stock drive shaft wouldnt hold up...
but thanks for the link to man...and pics WILL be up tomorrow...sorry about all the delays i spent all day today with my g/f so i had no time
I watched them both yesterday...it actually isnt that ricer...i mean supras arnt rice and skylines arnt rice...plus that red rx7 was to nice
but yea i asked about the drive shaft becuz i read on here somewhere that if u had a turbo the stock drive shaft wouldnt hold up...
but thanks for the link to man...and pics WILL be up tomorrow...sorry about all the delays i spent all day today with my g/f so i had no time
01-12-04, 10:12 PM
#49
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Cloud Nine & Peak of God
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lets knock Honda they made some great cars. I once had a 92 NSX which really went better than 99% of RX-7s. Think 165mph as stock! One of my staff has a CRX with 1.8 turbo, a great car.
I have seen just as many ricer rexs as I have seen Hondas hooligans.
Treat their drivers with respect, but earn theirs by beating them on the track.
Out of interest I built my first car out of spare parts at 12. Never could get it our myself registered as road worthy but several police tried it out on forest roads where a 800lb car does interesting things!
I have seen just as many ricer rexs as I have seen Hondas hooligans.
Treat their drivers with respect, but earn theirs by beating them on the track.
Out of interest I built my first car out of spare parts at 12. Never could get it our myself registered as road worthy but several police tried it out on forest roads where a 800lb car does interesting things!
Last edited by fitzwarryne; 01-12-04 at 10:26 PM.
01-12-04, 10:19 PM
#50
Some parts of the movies are ricy, others arent, we'll just leave it at that, we don't need anymore fast and the furious discussions on this board.
As for the earlier comments reguarding your age etc are somewhat valid. I think you'll find a good amount of the people on this forum are high school/collage age (I'm 19) and many of us got our cars when were were 15/16/17 and all talked like you, "I'm gonna do this, this and this and its gonna have this amount of power and pull 1g on the skidpad" etc etc, all kids talk like that, but the reality is that for all of us, it took time to get things in the works.
It took me over a year to collect all the parts nessesary for my suspension project. And because of the way my money got used for various bills etc, it took me 2 years to finally get enough to put a Racing Beat exhaust on my car. You have to remember, not all of your money can be devoted to your car, unless your parents spoil you horribly that is.
Just bear this in mind, and heed the advice your getting here, especially what vipernicus said, that was a nicely detailed post IMO.
Anyway, good luck with it.
As for the earlier comments reguarding your age etc are somewhat valid. I think you'll find a good amount of the people on this forum are high school/collage age (I'm 19) and many of us got our cars when were were 15/16/17 and all talked like you, "I'm gonna do this, this and this and its gonna have this amount of power and pull 1g on the skidpad" etc etc, all kids talk like that, but the reality is that for all of us, it took time to get things in the works.
It took me over a year to collect all the parts nessesary for my suspension project. And because of the way my money got used for various bills etc, it took me 2 years to finally get enough to put a Racing Beat exhaust on my car. You have to remember, not all of your money can be devoted to your car, unless your parents spoil you horribly that is.
Just bear this in mind, and heed the advice your getting here, especially what vipernicus said, that was a nicely detailed post IMO.
Anyway, good luck with it.