2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

Any Suggestions for RWD winter driving?

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Old May 15, 2012 | 08:14 AM
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ME Any Suggestions for RWD winter driving?

I have a 1986 non turbo rx7 2+2. I was thinking studded tires but not sure do you have any suggestions? also I was thinking of upgrading my suspension could you check this website out and let me know what shocks you think I should get http://www.archiesoffroad.com/vendors.html and should I get off road tires?
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Old May 15, 2012 | 09:05 AM
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the archies off road is the closed mod shop to me
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Old May 15, 2012 | 10:43 AM
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snow tires help, and aside from that its all driver. you don't need shocks in the snow you don't have that much traction.
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Old May 15, 2012 | 11:34 AM
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Proper tires and a diff would make a huge difference. Been a while since I have messed with NA's but if I remember right you have an open diff on that car. Two wheel drive is WAY better than one wheel drive, if you have traction (tires) that is.


Originally Posted by gmpaul
I have a 1986 non turbo rx7 2+2. I was thinking studded tires but not sure do you have any suggestions? also I was thinking of upgrading my suspension could you check this website out and let me know what shocks you think I should get http://www.archiesoffroad.com/vendors.html and should I get off road tires?
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Old May 15, 2012 | 11:52 AM
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I put a set of blizzaks on 15 inch vert wheels on my FC in Minnesota and it was a hoot. It was a T2 with a stock LSD. The car went from being helpless with summer tires to a snow mobile with snow tires. lol.

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Old May 15, 2012 | 11:56 AM
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That car should have an LSD, it's got the GXL 5 lugs.
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Old May 15, 2012 | 12:09 PM
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Originally Posted by DaBrkddy
That car should have an LSD, it's got the GXL 5 lugs.
The sport model came with the same wheels as the GXL, so that's not definitive. Just look for the tag on the lsd or any of the fun tests to see if you have an lsd.
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Old May 15, 2012 | 12:10 PM
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Shows how much I remember about my NA days Question is, does the diff still work

Ive always wanted to see what my 7 would be like as an ice racer, my current car is too nice to venture out in the snow tho. All this talk makes me want to find a beater just for the fun of it.

Originally Posted by DaBrkddy
That car should have an LSD, it's got the GXL 5 lugs.
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Old May 15, 2012 | 02:18 PM
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rotary = minimal torque means its not to shabby in the winter with snow tires.
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Old May 15, 2012 | 03:01 PM
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Originally Posted by j9fd3s
snow tires help, and aside from that its all driver. you don't need shocks in the snow you don't have that much traction.
+1!

I drove 35mi each way to my girlfriend's house when the roads were iced over and didn't have much trouble... That was with cheapo Federal tires [siped] and stock suspension
Though it does get a little scary once in a while [one stretch of road the car wanted to turn randomly random directions on.. Just a slight touch of counter steer and kept on truck'n!]

Take it slow, gentle with the throttle, do not stop on an up hill and you should be golden. [Though I'd carry some chains to be safe..]
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Old Jun 3, 2012 | 03:10 PM
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Originally Posted by GregW
Proper tires and a diff would make a huge difference. Been a while since I have messed with NA's but if I remember right you have an open diff on that car. Two wheel drive is WAY better than one wheel drive, if you have traction (tires) that is.
whats a diff? and where can i buy it?
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Old Jun 3, 2012 | 03:11 PM
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Originally Posted by DaBrkddy
That car should have an LSD, it's got the GXL 5 lugs.
whats an lsd?
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Old Jun 3, 2012 | 03:13 PM
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sell your ******* car now
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Old Jun 3, 2012 | 04:59 PM
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Be nice barkz

A diff refers to a differential, the thing that splits the driveshaft into the halfshafts [which go into the rear wheel hubs..]

An LSD is a Limited Slip Differential. It makes it so that both wheels have to turn even when one doesn't have traction.

Also do NOT buy studded tires unless there's ice literally every day where you live... Otherwise you'll just help to ruin the road and I'll glare at you when you drive by
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Old Jun 3, 2012 | 05:25 PM
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Don't drive in the snow. It's just not that smart. Park it for the winter.
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Old Jun 3, 2012 | 07:06 PM
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Why is this question being brought up in May/Jun? Even in California.

If you're worried about driving in snow, get an older Audi that is all wheel drive. They're cheap and lots of fun!
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Old Jun 3, 2012 | 07:13 PM
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-Snow tires

-Don't be an *******

-Stay far away from everyone else. Especially SUV/truck drivers who think they're invincible in the snow

-Wash the undercarriage regularly. Road salt + moisture + car = rust.
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Old Jun 3, 2012 | 07:33 PM
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Originally Posted by AGreen
Why is this question being brought up in May/Jun? Even in California.
+1

Basically, get snow tires and drive like a grandma.
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Old Jun 3, 2012 | 07:50 PM
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go buy a 4X4

if you get a good one you can drag the 7 around behind it.

Last edited by RotaryEvolution; Jun 3, 2012 at 07:53 PM.
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Old Jun 3, 2012 | 08:26 PM
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buy a cheap audi or subaru, park the 7 for the winter... if you HAVE to drive it, take it easy. i was forced to drive mine in one storm and if you know how to drive youll be fine. love driving by suvs and jeeps in snowbanks while i just slide around the road on purpose. i drove my mk3 supra all year round too. just dont drive like an idiot and watch out for other drivers and youll be fine.
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Old Jun 4, 2012 | 02:03 AM
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Originally Posted by barkz
sell your ******* car now
Originally Posted by Derekcat
Be nice barkz

A diff refers to a differential, the thing that splits the driveshaft into the halfshafts [which go into the rear wheel hubs..]

An LSD is a Limited Slip Differential. It makes it so that both wheels have to turn even when one doesn't have traction.

Also do NOT buy studded tires unless there's ice literally every day where you live... Otherwise you'll just help to ruin the road and I'll glare at you when you drive by
-hey barkz #@$% you! no need to be an @$$hole this is my first rwd/rotary/mazda/rx7 so new to all this before this i drove a saturn so give me a fkn break asswipe!

derekat thnx for the info i have a better understanding better than trying to look up lsd on google lol.

@ everyone else Im not buying another car lol as for snow tires im thinking about it as for why i posted this now well if your from Maine you know cold weather/ snow starts somewhere after august. Also undercarriage wash sounds smart I like it was thinking about using like a bed liner spray on the metal frame under there or something for the winter like something that will peel off salt is really an issue up here in Maine they use alot of it.
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Old Jun 4, 2012 | 03:57 PM
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dont really need a bedliner spray. i used to use ATF (automatic transmission fluid) to undercoat cars. works great and can be removed easier than bedliner. should have kept the saturn for the winter. my rx has only seen snow once, it was fun but they slide out EASY! get yourself a nice set of snows and you should be fine. what part of maine are you from? im down here in NH. oh yeah one more thing *@#$ you too
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Old Jun 4, 2012 | 05:47 PM
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Originally Posted by gmpaul
Any Suggestions for RWD winter driving?
Only do donuts when you plan to do donuts.
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Old Jun 5, 2012 | 09:23 AM
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I don't know why this topic comes up time and time and time again. For one thing, it's in the FAQ (people do read the FAQ, right?). For another thing, there is nothing special at all about driving an FC in the winter. More than half the damn continent does it. Snow tires are a plus, and in slippery conditions just be smooth and conservative with the clutch, throttle and brake as you would with any vehicle. If you are nervous, practice in a vacant parking lot after a good snow storm.

The only problem with snow is the salt used to melt it. Rust is a major issue.
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Old Jun 5, 2012 | 09:34 AM
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Arrow

Originally Posted by Aaron Cake
I don't know why this topic comes up time and time and time again. For one thing, it's in the FAQ (people do read the FAQ, right?). For another thing, there is nothing special at all about driving an FC in the winter. More than half the damn continent does it. Snow tires are a plus, and in slippery conditions just be smooth and conservative with the clutch, throttle and brake as you would with any vehicle. If you are nervous, practice in a vacant parking lot after a good snow storm.

The only problem with snow is the salt used to melt it. Rust is a major issue.
people say use transmission fluid to coat it do you know a better way to avoid rust? rather than garaging for the winter?
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