Ok on the 21st of this month I'm going to spend spring break in Arizona, I live in Chicago about 1,800 miles one way .... do you think the rx7 will make it there without problems?

The only concerns I have are that if the engine isnt fully warmed up and I get on it it will smoke alot but right after its warmed up there are no issues. Also the rear end is very load (sounds like a lifted truck rolling down the road) unless I jerk the car to the left or to the right then it gets quiet for a second, I'm thinking the diff is low on oil so I will change that today.

Anyone have suggestions for the long haul to improve chances of not getting stranded in the dunes. (besides taking a different car)

Scott

 

i have the same problem. but i think as long as you didnt WOT on the open spaces on the way there ithink you might be alright.

 

what part of az??

 

I'm going to go to phoenix then stay in Gilbert for most of the time. I want to go to Flagstaff and go snowboarding and need to know a good place to rent an atv that is near a place to ride the rx7 wont be towing no atv around lol

 

Might be a better option just to rent a car!

 

I've made several cross country trips in 2nd gens, 2000+ mile trips. From your side of the world( winter wasteland) to Arizona..

 

why dont you just wait 3 minutes for the car to warm up?

 

Take it to a mechanic that you know and ask them if it will make it(chassis wise)

 

nice. im out in gilbert theres snow in flagstaff?

 

there are plenty of places near gilbert to rent atv's you wont have any problem

 

If you honestly have to ask, I don't think you should make the trip. Unless you absolutely had to, I'd leave it home until you can get it sorted it out. I'd changed the fluid in the rear diff, with the proper grade and viscosity required. See if that makes the noise go away.

 

I hope theres snow my uncle said 2 hour drive up to the mountains in flagstaff and you can snowboard in your short sleeve shirt.

I will change diff fluid and do a compression check and post the results. I would fly out there and then rent a car but you must be 21 to rent.... Plus I think the drive there will be half the fun.

 

I would change your oil and diff fluids. If I'm going on a trip exceeding 1000 miles round trip, I change my oil out. But if I just changed the oil 300 miles ago I dont worry about it. Just take it easy when you drive, you will be surpised how far you can go on a tank if you use a light foot.

 

I drove from St.Louis to New Mexico, and t was a lovely time. My '87 does wonderful on the highways, and speeds very well through Kansas, plus i got better gas mileage than my uncles van, so that was nice. the only problem i had was a bad vibration in the front end, but halfway through the drive i inspected the tires and they needed to be rotated. nothing likt a roadside tire rotation job. the vibration was gone and we had a good time. i say if the fluid fixes the noise go for it.

 

I say go for it, but get that differential fluid changed first

 

across America ....more like part of the way through it. I went from Seattle WA to Wilmington NC a 3282 mile trip in my 1988 Turbo II loaded to the brim with all my cloths, TV 26' , all my game systems, and my white cat(who was shedding at the time, and I just recently got all the hair out).....that was across America and it went really well no problems at all. All I can say is how safe do you feel driving the car all day long, also if you don't do this already keep about 4 quarts of oil on you, a gallon of coolant, a fire extinguisher handy, and your usual tools of the trade.

Good luck with the trip

marty

 

Well, Ive done a few drives from Massachusetts to Florida (1,400 miles) in my '87
NA with no troubles, but I tend to be fussy with prepping the car for the trip to
avoid (preventable) suprises. I suggest the following;


Fresh oil change and filter (Castrol GTX 10-40/Purolator.
Dump the pumpkin fluid and add a good quailty synthetic (Royal-Purple/Red-line).
Check/Top off tranny fluid.
Check belts and hoses.
Inspect and top off brake/coolant levels.
Check tire pressure/wear.
Make sure you have air in spare tire and a jack or, pick up a can of "Fix-a-Flat".
Bring basic tools for emeg. repairs, X-tra 1-2 qts oil, set of spare fuses.
Check into a AAA membership, or have a friend or family member add you on to their account for your trip.

Talk very nicely to your "baby" during the trip...i'm sure you have a nickname for her...good luck and have a nice vacation.

 

bring as many tools as you can. Hell, bring jackstands and a small jack if you can manage it.

 

There are a lot of us in Tucson/Phoenix. Assuming the car makes it, he will be in good hands.

 

yup, thats what i did. as well as brought all kinds of fluids and tools just in case.