tsp159

I suppose this isn't the best way to start off on a new forum, but as a newbie I'll be flamed for anything so what the hell. (I did search!)

Would a 2g RX7 make a good Auto-X car with occasional track usage? It would not be a daily driver for the most part. I've researched my options based on my own personal criteria. RWD, Japanese, cheap, fairly easy to modify (if not maintain). I looked into Supras but those are too heavy for autocross. The Nissan 240 is a good option, but I can't find any for a reasonable price here (drift kids love em). I don't intend to do any sort of drifting per say, but it would probably get some kind of abuse during the "fun runs" part of the autocross.

I currently own a 2001 Accord LX which I autocross, but the whole "four doors, four cylinders, family sedan" platform is quickly showing its limitations. Is the FC a good choice? Thank you for answering a question I'm sure gets asked a great deal or seems like a dumb one. The more info you guys can give, the better!

krazykoncepts

2g is a little low but can be done....with a budget that low i would be afraid to go turbo though....

gsracer

If you're trying to be competitive and win within your scca classes, then the fc is not the car for you. If you just want to have a fun lightweight rwd sports car to through around every now and then, then of course they can do that quite nicely.

- Matt (fellow aggie)

tsp159

Yeah, being in an overweight, underpowered sedan really doesn't do much for competitiveness. I'd probably be buying it for my own personal enjoyment.

I'd like to have a turbo, but all things considered it would probably not be economically feasible. I'm not in a huge rush to buy, just weighing my options.

SonicRaT

iTrader: (6)

The FC gets classed so shitty it sucks. The damn AWD turbo's getting a better handicap than us! Though I still generally take 3rd in my stock class car (or, rather, WAS) out of a group of about 40. It's pretty hard to compete unless you dump an insane ammount in just to do every mod 'legal' for the class and everything that you can 'get away' with, even then the handicap just kills us.

rs_1101

didnt an fc just snag second in touring class at the last scca event? .. i was reading something about it in sport compact car.

SureShot

Another bang-for-the-buck autocross platform is the MR2.

I just started an MG Midget project.

hondahater

iTrader: (2)

my friend autox's his miata and you can get those things pretty damn cheap and they handle like they're on rails

sub9lulu

iTrader: (7)

2g ?
do the grassroot $2005 challenge !!!
its difficult ...

SonicRaT

iTrader: (6)

I should've entered my sport into the challenge. With the money I 'recouped' via their rules, I only have $1575 into the car, it's got a full suspension set and runs 11s. All I would need are tires!

owen is fat

I actually built my FC to be an autox/trackschool beast but it sure wont be "competitive" because in Emod, although I should be getting fast times for a daily driver / Emod car... there arent any EM dd's where I live unless its another LS1FC.

My friend Paul has a non-turbo 1987 FC and its fast as hell but it sure has not been cheap. He dropped in a fresh rebuild, ported and straight exhaust so its loud as hell on the street... add in $$ for suspension and seats and bushings, new brakes and alignment and engine tuning and its a lot of money, close to $10 grand so far. Ive driven it and its hella fast but nowhere near as "easy" to drive as a lightweight Miata. You could run an FC on the cheap but all you need is one engine seal to go then youre S.O.L. and looking at a several thousand dollar rebuild.

I would guess when he states "2g" that he meant a SECOND GEN rx7... the FC... right? Well, anyhow, for autox and occasional trackschools, I would suggest a Miata over the FC. the Miata is a more reliable, very easy to learn on and incredibly nimble if you strip it down or find a lightweight model. Oh yeah, its light weight is easier on parts (brakes, tires, etc) and their smaller wheels/tires are cheaper and more plentiful. Its still easy to mod into a superbly handling car if you get serious and make it barely street legal or a trailer queen... they even potential to be powerful machines with somewhat inexpensive turbo and supercharger kits. I'd like to find a $1500 '90-'93 lightweight Miata, gut the interior as much as possible for solo2-CSP and swap in a built 1.8 liter motor from a '94+ Miata, driving on 13x9 wheels with 255's at all four corners. Thats some serious fun with around 180hp in an 1800 pound rwd car, the local Miata with that setup is commonly 1st to 10th fastest of the entire 200 entrants.

SonicRaT

iTrader: (6)

Several thousand dollar rebuild? Need any more done? I'll glady take that much to rebuild it for you! Christ, a typical rebuild should be about ~1k or less. Miata's may weigh less and handle better, but they've got no go at all, which is why on a decent sized course they don't do very well unless someone dumps an assload of money into it, which then throws it out of category. I hate SCCA's handicap system.

therotaryrocket

well 2nd gen rx7 should be good, i've never raced a fc but I raced a fb 1st gen and it was a lot of fun and I didn't do too bad especially since it wasn't my 1st generation RX-7.

BraveBlueMice

I auto-xed my FC all last summer. I couldn't pull down any decent times with it, but our club's treasurer said I couldn't drive worth shot, so he took it through the cones on a fun run, and pulled down FTD with it. Guess I can't complain.

Auto-x is mostly about the driver, and the car's setup. I'd reccomend it, a big upgrade from that other thing...

jkrueger

iTrader: (2)

I bought a 87 TII for an autocross/track car and it has been a complete blast. The car is so fast and hanles well. I've had a lot of fun it it. It is very modified (gutted, street port, 3" turbo back, AL flywheel, quartermaster clutch, KN fliter, FMIC, Griffen Radiator, Megasquirt fuel controll, koni coil overs, front and rear sway bars, 15" wheels with slicks, etc...) I've come within a couple of seconds of fast time of the day out of 50 cars. I can hold my own against most cars in my class. I don't autocross for trying to win, I do it to drive hard and do the best I can. There probaly are better cars out there to autocross with but the RX-7 sure is a lot of fun!

JC

tsp159

I suppose a Miata might be more up my alley then? That's what most of the guys in the club say, so maybe I should just give in and find a cheapo Miata. Thanks for the input guys!

gsracer

What is your realistic budget? If you do anything more than just autox I think you will be infinitely times happier with the FC. However, if it's a stricly autox'd car and nothing else the miata will be a good purchase.

BDoty311

You got anymore pics of your FC?

therotaryrocket

im about to start autocrossing my turbo II this year, I rode in a 300 horsepower turbo miata around the autox track and it was fast but not as fun as an rx7.

twistedriver

I just started autoxing too but other than the fact that i suck i feel that the car is a little heavy in it stock form. Maybe a first gen is a good opinion for you. THe shocks and stuff is cheaper and they are all over the junkyards. Everytime i see a first gen in the yard i wish i have one. I mean i would find so many good condition first gen in the junkyard is not even funny. If i am not wrong there are still a good number of people racing first gen in both autox and track. Doesn't the first gen have better power vs weight ration over the miata?

rs_1101

its not really a heavy car.. do you have a gxl?

tsp159

It probably wouldn't be 100% autocross, since I'd be buying the car not only for racing but also for looks. I figure my budget would be ~$4000.

owen is fat

thats relative of course, but I dont think the FC is "light". Well, sure you can strip it down but its nowhere near the lightness of some fwd hondas, rwd toyotas (ae86) or even FB's. sure you can strip it down but its not lightweight really, unless youre comparing it to Camaros and AWD subarus... even then most FC's weigh the same as an AWD Impreza.

Actually the one thing the FC has going for it to be a good autocross car is that you can pickup an FC in ok condition with a blown motor for somewhere around $500. Now that leaves a lot of money to spend on mods and maintenance, especially if you find a rebuilt motor for cheap. I was surprised at how few FC's Ive seen autocrossing over the past 5 years locally but now that I know they have some reliability problems and TII's are still pricey, it doesnt surprise me with all of the other chooices out there... Miatas, older/rwd Corollas, FB's, 944's, mustangs, swapped hondas and 240sx's, etc.

Exeacute24

I am sum-what in the same boat...
I bought my fc-na about 6 months ago, I enrolled into auto shop at my school, and got it runing good the previous owner did not take care of it..

But now my problem is while I am rebuilding I am having trouble finding the rules to what I can and cant do to it for SCCA auto-x I figer it would be a good starting point for me to get my RWD skills down... I just left the Civic world I needed something diffrent. I here allot of pro's and con's but this car will be my race car... AND your right ther has been to few FC's autocrossing over the last few years.. I wish we could do something about that hint hint...

jhammons01

Owen......I don't mean to be an *** but 3k for a rebuild???? I am wondering about all the other things you say after that comment. I spent $877 on my parts and that is a full rebuild. If you have a good motor that blows a seal I am sure you don't need all the parts I needed for my 92k 13 year old dried out motor.

Aggie, you need to talk to Dave Lemon at Mazdatrix. That guy really races and he could choose any Mazda to drive yet he drives an FC. And he holds the fastest lap Record at Buttonwillow Raceway. He laughs everytime as he boasts about how he spends 7k on a car and it runs as fast and as well the other brands that had 40k sunk into them.

You ned to look into Pro7 class with SCCA.

The FC is not going to give you a lot of pure raw HP but your not drag racing. The FC is excellent in its stock form for cornering.......which is where your driving skills are all so important. your hear all the time abou this guy or that FC passing Vipers easily on the track.

My FC (a stock vert) has not found a corner yet.