What do I Look for in an Older Rx-7
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Newbie
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
What do I Look for in an Older Rx-7
I'm looking to get a 1st Gen RX-7 over the winter and I was wondering what I should look for. I've had a few other spots cars, but never anything with a rotary engine before. Is there anything special to check for? I want to try some autocross and I heard this would be a good car. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
8krpm is not enough
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 422
Likes: 2
From: Upstate NY
I'd say at least a GSL, a GSL-SE if you can find it.
GSL came with LSD rear end, and solid rear discs, which makes it more desirable than the lower models.
the GSL-SE came with a LSD rear w/ ~4.09:1 gears, vented rear discs, revised rear suspension geometry to prevent binding, KYB suspension from the factory with revised spring rates and beefier dampers as well as the stout 13B 6 port fuel injected motor and a closer ratio tranny (to go with the new rear end gears). Oh yeah, and it came with 205/60R-14 V91 tires on 12 spoke rims.
Note: you CANNOT find V rated rubber in a 205-60 anymore. I'm running H rated at the moment (they suck ***) but am going to move up to either 205/55ZR-15 or 225/50ZR-15 tires on 15x7 rims as soon as I can afford to. I believe you can get some decent auto-x tires in 14" sizes that'll mostly fit your stock rims if you want to play the swap game like I plan on doing.
The other cool thing about the GSL-SE is the 4x4.5 bolt pattern, MUCH easier to find than the odd pattern of the GSL and below.
--matt
GSL came with LSD rear end, and solid rear discs, which makes it more desirable than the lower models.
the GSL-SE came with a LSD rear w/ ~4.09:1 gears, vented rear discs, revised rear suspension geometry to prevent binding, KYB suspension from the factory with revised spring rates and beefier dampers as well as the stout 13B 6 port fuel injected motor and a closer ratio tranny (to go with the new rear end gears). Oh yeah, and it came with 205/60R-14 V91 tires on 12 spoke rims.
Note: you CANNOT find V rated rubber in a 205-60 anymore. I'm running H rated at the moment (they suck ***) but am going to move up to either 205/55ZR-15 or 225/50ZR-15 tires on 15x7 rims as soon as I can afford to. I believe you can get some decent auto-x tires in 14" sizes that'll mostly fit your stock rims if you want to play the swap game like I plan on doing.
The other cool thing about the GSL-SE is the 4x4.5 bolt pattern, MUCH easier to find than the odd pattern of the GSL and below.
--matt
EliteHardcoreCannuckSquad
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,126
Likes: 4
From: Acton, Ontario, Canada
RUST!
Make sure to do a thourough rust inspection before putting down any cash. Common problem areas are in the wheel wells and under the carpets.
And of course you wanna get the engine looked at.
Make sure to do a thourough rust inspection before putting down any cash. Common problem areas are in the wheel wells and under the carpets.
And of course you wanna get the engine looked at.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
From: Central Ohio
First make sure you have a good, understanding, mature woman. If you're single, find a good, understanding counselor.
You're gonna need someone who you can be close to that will accept and support your pampering of your new little pony. Believe me, 1st gens are addictive, and once you start you won't be able to stop.
The other cowboys are correct in their responses. They're giving you the straight answers. Me, I'll talk to yuh about the emotional part. Look the car over real good. Take for a test drive, enough to run the temp guage into the warm. Somewhere, maybe a parking lot, pull over and just sit. Engine on or off makes no difference. No joke, buckaroo, talk to it, caress it, open the hood, and talk to it some more. Does she whisper back to yuh? Does she give yuh little daydreams, and visions?
Why all this? Because life with a Seven isn't like life with most vehicles. These little hosses have Souls, and picking out a Seven is like the beginning of a relationship. You'll know pretty quickly if you and her got it going on. If you don't feel it, don't get it. If you do feel it....Well, enough said.
I think there's a pretty active RX-7 Club in Pittsburgh, you might look into the club section of the forum. Questions are fine, and we look forward to welcoming you into the Cult.
Stetson in hand, and nodding sagely,
Denny, from the 'ol corncrib...
You're gonna need someone who you can be close to that will accept and support your pampering of your new little pony. Believe me, 1st gens are addictive, and once you start you won't be able to stop.
The other cowboys are correct in their responses. They're giving you the straight answers. Me, I'll talk to yuh about the emotional part. Look the car over real good. Take for a test drive, enough to run the temp guage into the warm. Somewhere, maybe a parking lot, pull over and just sit. Engine on or off makes no difference. No joke, buckaroo, talk to it, caress it, open the hood, and talk to it some more. Does she whisper back to yuh? Does she give yuh little daydreams, and visions?
Why all this? Because life with a Seven isn't like life with most vehicles. These little hosses have Souls, and picking out a Seven is like the beginning of a relationship. You'll know pretty quickly if you and her got it going on. If you don't feel it, don't get it. If you do feel it....Well, enough said.
I think there's a pretty active RX-7 Club in Pittsburgh, you might look into the club section of the forum. Questions are fine, and we look forward to welcoming you into the Cult.
Stetson in hand, and nodding sagely,
Denny, from the 'ol corncrib...
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 7,855
Likes: 517
From: Behind a workbench, repairing FC Electronics.
Originally posted by Denny
First make sure you have a good, understanding, mature woman. If you're single, find a good, understanding counselor.
You're gonna need someone who you can be close to that will accept and support your pampering of your new little pony. Believe me, 1st gens are addictive, and once you start you won't be able to stop.
The other cowboys are correct in their responses. They're giving you the straight answers. Me, I'll talk to yuh about the emotional part. Look the car over real good. Take for a test drive, enough to run the temp guage into the warm. Somewhere, maybe a parking lot, pull over and just sit. Engine on or off makes no difference. No joke, buckaroo, talk to it, caress it, open the hood, and talk to it some more. Does she whisper back to yuh? Does she give yuh little daydreams, and visions?
Why all this? Because life with a Seven isn't like life with most vehicles. These little hosses have Souls, and picking out a Seven is like the beginning of a relationship. You'll know pretty quickly if you and her got it going on. If you don't feel it, don't get it. If you do feel it....Well, enough said.
I think there's a pretty active RX-7 Club in Pittsburgh, you might look into the club section of the forum. Questions are fine, and we look forward to welcoming you into the Cult.
Stetson in hand, and nodding sagely,
Denny, from the 'ol corncrib...
First make sure you have a good, understanding, mature woman. If you're single, find a good, understanding counselor.
You're gonna need someone who you can be close to that will accept and support your pampering of your new little pony. Believe me, 1st gens are addictive, and once you start you won't be able to stop.
The other cowboys are correct in their responses. They're giving you the straight answers. Me, I'll talk to yuh about the emotional part. Look the car over real good. Take for a test drive, enough to run the temp guage into the warm. Somewhere, maybe a parking lot, pull over and just sit. Engine on or off makes no difference. No joke, buckaroo, talk to it, caress it, open the hood, and talk to it some more. Does she whisper back to yuh? Does she give yuh little daydreams, and visions?
Why all this? Because life with a Seven isn't like life with most vehicles. These little hosses have Souls, and picking out a Seven is like the beginning of a relationship. You'll know pretty quickly if you and her got it going on. If you don't feel it, don't get it. If you do feel it....Well, enough said.
I think there's a pretty active RX-7 Club in Pittsburgh, you might look into the club section of the forum. Questions are fine, and we look forward to welcoming you into the Cult.
Stetson in hand, and nodding sagely,
Denny, from the 'ol corncrib...
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