just bought my first rx7
its an 82 (12a) i think
this is actually my first car and i don't know what i should do to it (upgrades)
i dunno where to start.
any suggestions?

 

i went suspension first

 

was it like cheap and easy?

 

wat r u planing to do with the car? i rather have the car handle the power mods if i did go that way. i wouldnt drive my car if i had 20 year old suspension.
it wasnt cheap or easy. i dont think going power would be cheap n easy either.

 

i did exhaust first thing on all of my RX's.

 

Depends on the condition of the car. Unless they're already perfect, start with the brakes...

 

First thing to do is the 30/60k maintenance listed in the owners manual. That includes changing ALL fluids, a full tune up and checking the brakes, suspension, drivetrain and electrical. Once you've performed the work, confirmed all is good, then sit down and decide uses/goals for the car.

Since you live in the land of CARB, your performance choices are severly limited engine/hp wise. That leaves suspension and brakes.

Welcome to the forum. In my sig are links to the online FSM, carb manual and other rotary related reading. Download what ever you need and start reading. Be sure to visit the FAQ thread at the beginning of this section.
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Cheap is not a word that should be related to car, especially an RX-7. Take your time, do it right.

 

The power is adequate for the weight of the car, building the best handling car you can is a lofty challenge. As someone stated above, getting through all the 30k/60k maintenance items should keep you busy for a while. I would imagine that every bushing and boot on the suspension and steering will need attention if they're all original. Read the FAQ as well, it'll answer most preliminary questions.

 

ok

that is a scary comment..


care to elaborate on what expenses should be expected for a new owner?

 

ill just say i spend more on my car then my girlfriend hahahah

 

yeah i think i'll start with the suspension

 

but the transmission definitely needs new fluid

 

I made sure everything was up to par first, than did exhaust/intake and fuel system.

 

Let's say that for every problem you fix you will find a new one; and if not you'll find something else you want to add... as explained in this simple formula:

Buy Rx7+Notice stuff wrong+fix things+make car great= you're broke!

Oh and I agree with Trochoid, start on the complete service of your 7 and then try and make it more comfortable I'd say. Like if you have rotting carpets and bad seats, with cracked plastic and stuff, take the time to go out and get replacement carpet and some cleaner and maybe some parts from junkyards and make teh car look nice.

But if you want performance... then I'd say start with the muffler and exhuast, that will probably end up being the cheapest if you don't go too overboard. Then suspension and what ever else?

 

yeah +1 on the full service on the car..i mean everything changed..air filter, coolant, oil, oil filter, spark plug's, spark plug wire's, cap and rotor on the dizzy, make sure your fan clutch is good, tranny fluid and diff fluid...did i miss anything?
i would get the car in top running shape..then i would go with the reliability mods..witch you can find here. and i would repair the obvious things that need to be repaired or the previous owner pointed out to you asap..

:AA:

 

anyone know what kind of tranny fluid goes into an 82 gs 5 speed manual transmission?
a couple of ppl told me ATF but i am pretty sure its gear oil (like80-90)

 

Since you're asking the question, that tells me you haven't downloaded your copy of the FSM yet. Sec. 7, p. 2 is where you will find your answer.

I have every 1st gen FSM in hard copy, except for 81 and 84. I rarely open any of them except the 85 edition since it's the most comprehensive of them.

 

yup change all the fluids!
thats what i did to both of mine.

 

tranny fluid belongs in an automatic. you want gear oil. download the fsm and make trochoid feel like he help someone today. If you don't do it for yourself, do it for him.

 

Best upgrade? If you haven't already, take an advanced driving class. Contact your local SCCA chapter if you don't know where you can take a good class. I don't mean a "driving experience". Those are just thrill rides. Take a class that will teach you car control. These skills are not only for safety, but for fun as well. No sense in putting a race-quality suspension on your Rx7 or tweaking another 3 hp out of the engine with a fancy air intake if you don't have the skills to get 100% out of a bone-stock car. No offense, few of us do have those skills; watch a good driving instructor throw a street car around a road course on skinny all-seasons, or better yet try to keep up with him. Humble is a good place to start driving. Best $500-$1000 you'll ever spend.

 

Go to the 1st gen FAQ page. The "What should I do first" question has been answered in spades there.

 

Get your factory service manual. Read it over from cover to cover. Then read it again before you do any job. http://rx7.foxed.ca

 

TURBO 12A



Sorry.... Had to do it...

 

After freshening up all the fluids and while you are looking for a used RB exhaust, replace your crappy aluminum battery cables. It cost <20$ and it smoothed my idle out a surprising amount.