More specifically, s4. n/a or t2? Not just for stock ability though, I want to know what your opinion is on the boosted or n/a applications. Which is easier to maintain? Modify?

yeah.. I had a much more elaborate idea I was trying to introduce here, too tired, forgot...

Long story short Pros&cons n/a v. boosted.

 

boosted...more power, sexy sounding

 

N/A = simpler, pretty much bulletproof (no..really...come and try to kill my S4 motor...if you can, beer's are on me). Cons are that they're slow compared to their boosed bretherin.

TII: Power, modability, I don't want to say they're unreliable, but you may run into more issues than an N/A. They're still pretty solid IMO, depending on how the previous owner treated it and you treat it.

Handling is fantastic on both.

fuel consumption....well, they're both worst than more powerful cars with more cylinders...but lining OPEC's wallets doesn't bug me when a car is as fun to drive as an RX-7 is

 

At Na Rx-7 Ftl
Na Rx-7 Ftw
Tii Rx-7 Ftmfw

jeez, I didn't realize that was all in caps... now I can fix it:

AT NA RX-7 FTL
NA RX-7 FTW
TII RX-7 FTMFW

 

Maintain: NA is easier and cheaper
Modify: T2 has more gadgets you can add on. This could be good or bad, depending on how you look at it.
Gas Mileage: NA gets only about 1 mpg better than the T2 for normal driving, but the T2 will really suck gas when racing, especially if highly modified for more boost.
Fuel: Both can use 87 octane if unmodified and in good shape, but the T2 requires higher octane if the boost level is raised.
Insurance: Usually equal for coupes regardless of engine, convertibles are more.
Racing: NA for road racing and autocross, T2 for drag racing.

 

Why do you say that? Broader power curve for tuned NA's or nice peaky power curve for high revving NA's? Something else? Just curious, especially since I'm basically two autocross events into my 'racing career', which I hope will last many seasons. I really love my TII...

 

Turbo, definately. If I were to choose an NA RX-7, it would be an FB.

 

There were turbo first gen's though...

 

Cant answer your question, but the FC's that are regularly down at hallet (http://www.hallettracing.net/) here in OK are all NA's.

 

Well, im glad to see that n/a isnt too looked down upon. 1 more question though-- do you trust a local machine shop to port your motor? Because I live in a not-so-big town with no rotary specialists. I live close to vegas but dont want to drive out there and wait out there forever.

 

I have owned both, and while they both maneuver well compared to other cars, the T2 felt like a pig compared to the NA. The main reason I suggested the NA for autocross and road racing is that you don't have to deal with turbo lag and nearly every prominent professional rotary-powered road race car has been an NA. I suggested the T2 for drag racing because it accelerates much faster than an NA, and those who like drag racing will probably not be happy with an NA. Sure, you can successfully road race a T2 and drag race an NA, but that is not the norm.

I miss my 84 RX-7 a lot, so I understand where you are coming from. I don't miss my 88 T2 as much, even though I liked it too.

 

I would rather just buy a ported motor and have it shipped to me, or send out the appropriate parts for professional porting. Getting your engine ported by a non-rotary machine shop is like going to a veterinarian to get a vasectomy.

 

Fun daily driver I'd buy an N/A.
Weekend or "fun" street car I'd buy a T2
For road racing and auto crossing I'd either get a track ready TII or a cheap N/A and work on the suspension, wheels, tires and brakes and get lots of seat time. Once all is tuned to perfection I'd swap in a rebuilt TII powertrain and do all preventive maintanence while everythings out.