Brand Spanking New Owner of a RX7
03-25-06, 10:25 PM
#1
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Location: Knoxville, TN
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Brand Spanking New Owner of a RX7
After 3 years of saying "welcome to McDonalds, can I take your order please?" I finally raised enough money to buy a FC3S. The reason why I’m writing this is to ask members that have had a car this long what would be the best way to eliminate (or control the engine from overheating, as well as taking care of the car, itself (aside from the obvious), also where I could buy some reasonably (or not) mods for the car (drifting).
03-25-06, 10:35 PM
#2
congratulations bro...well if you want better cooling theres many companys that make direct fit alum. radiators...like fluidyne,koyo,
then if you want to go custom...summit,griffin...etc
for now just stay with the stock shroud and pulley fan...because you wont notice a diffrence with the e-fan set up
do a full tune up, make sure the car is running right
then do aftermarket mods, for drifting theres alot of ways to start
here are some pointers
LSD- limited slip diff
coilovers or lowering springs with aftermarket struts
good brakes front and rear
good or new clutch prefer aftermarket but the stock will do if your engine is all stock
wide open parking lot or track...note: prefer track --less chance of you hitting someone,getting tickets or wrecking your 7
good luck and dont mind some of the forum guys as for they are always grumpy and drunk half the time so make sure you use the search button for better advice and tips
welcome to the club
then if you want to go custom...summit,griffin...etc
for now just stay with the stock shroud and pulley fan...because you wont notice a diffrence with the e-fan set up
do a full tune up, make sure the car is running right
then do aftermarket mods, for drifting theres alot of ways to start
here are some pointers
LSD- limited slip diff
coilovers or lowering springs with aftermarket struts
good brakes front and rear
good or new clutch prefer aftermarket but the stock will do if your engine is all stock
wide open parking lot or track...note: prefer track --less chance of you hitting someone,getting tickets or wrecking your 7
good luck and dont mind some of the forum guys as for they are always grumpy and drunk half the time so make sure you use the search button for better advice and tips
welcome to the club
03-25-06, 11:59 PM
#3
Being a grumpy owner here, I might like to add a few tips also.
It sounds like this is your first rx7. First thing on the list for you in my opinion is to get to know the car. Learn it's handling characteristics. Drive it hard, drive it slow, begin to learn the personality of these cars. Once you are accustomed to the feel of the car, then start hitting the upgrades.
Since you want to drift, I'd recommend DTSS eliminator bushings for your car to eliminate the rear steer.
I second that idea of finding an empty lot or a race track. Way too many people wreck their cars drifting where they should not be doing it.
I can't stress this enough, but learn how the car handles, you'll feel better that you did.
It sounds like this is your first rx7. First thing on the list for you in my opinion is to get to know the car. Learn it's handling characteristics. Drive it hard, drive it slow, begin to learn the personality of these cars. Once you are accustomed to the feel of the car, then start hitting the upgrades.
Since you want to drift, I'd recommend DTSS eliminator bushings for your car to eliminate the rear steer.
I second that idea of finding an empty lot or a race track. Way too many people wreck their cars drifting where they should not be doing it.
I can't stress this enough, but learn how the car handles, you'll feel better that you did.
03-26-06, 12:01 AM
#4
Welcome to the east TN rx7 owners club 
Dont tell me youre going to be gay and try and drift your rx-7 with a ground thumping 150hp.
Seriously, if the car is well maintained then there should be no overheating issues. Flush the coolant, put in a mazda OEM thermostat, replace the soft hoses in the engine bay, be sure the undertray is on the front of the car and that there are no obstructions to the oil cooler and radiator. Be sure your belts are in good shape and tight, and if your fan and shroud are good you won't ever have any problems.
As for power, you didnt mention if you are turbo or NA. Most people start with intake, exhaust, emissions removal, and the mod paths from there change depending on model.
Dont tell me youre going to be gay and try and drift your rx-7 with a ground thumping 150hp.
Seriously, if the car is well maintained then there should be no overheating issues. Flush the coolant, put in a mazda OEM thermostat, replace the soft hoses in the engine bay, be sure the undertray is on the front of the car and that there are no obstructions to the oil cooler and radiator. Be sure your belts are in good shape and tight, and if your fan and shroud are good you won't ever have any problems.
As for power, you didnt mention if you are turbo or NA. Most people start with intake, exhaust, emissions removal, and the mod paths from there change depending on model.
03-26-06, 12:31 AM
#7
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Welcome bro,
Idk if your looking to get a turbo or NA fc. Since ive only owned turbo ones, thats all i can help with.
Cooling will not be an issue if you get a koyo radiator. I bought mine NEW off ebay buyitnow for $249, the only thing is that i had to salvage the mounting brackets from the old rad since the koyo doesnt have any, not a hard fix though. I am also running a taurus Efan which works fantastically, BUT is a big electricall load, and if you have an s4 alt it will be too much.
Your realy going to have to get a car, and find out all its problems before we can really help you though mate. You have to go into this aware, that fc's are old, and most of them are tired. Its a love hate relation, get used to it. Respect her, and she will respect you.
The first night i got my new fc, i tried to drift it on the street, and put it on a curb. Now that ive had my car for a few months, and have had alot of seat time, i can connect most of the local Touge spot...on stock suspension. Fc's are a great handling car, and your gonna love it.
Idk if your looking to get a turbo or NA fc. Since ive only owned turbo ones, thats all i can help with.
Cooling will not be an issue if you get a koyo radiator. I bought mine NEW off ebay buyitnow for $249, the only thing is that i had to salvage the mounting brackets from the old rad since the koyo doesnt have any, not a hard fix though. I am also running a taurus Efan which works fantastically, BUT is a big electricall load, and if you have an s4 alt it will be too much.
Your realy going to have to get a car, and find out all its problems before we can really help you though mate. You have to go into this aware, that fc's are old, and most of them are tired. Its a love hate relation, get used to it. Respect her, and she will respect you.
The first night i got my new fc, i tried to drift it on the street, and put it on a curb. Now that ive had my car for a few months, and have had alot of seat time, i can connect most of the local Touge spot...on stock suspension. Fc's are a great handling car, and your gonna love it.
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03-26-06, 12:11 PM
#9
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yea, like most people have stated. Do a full tune-up before you even think about modding your car. Make sure it is running and idling good. For mods, I would go intake and exhaust as the first mods. But if you have a turbo, and upgrading to full exhaust, you will need to port the wastegate, get a better fuel pump and get a boost controller and dont boost more than 10psi on the stock top mount intercooler. If your really gonna be going into drifting, which is not an easy task and requires a lot of practice, studying, and skill, then go after suspensions right away. Eibach, Racing Beat, KYB, Mazdaspeed, HKS, Greddy, etc. all have products for the FC. Oh yea, but before you do any mods, drive the car for a bit stock first. Get the hang of driving the FC and find out where its limits are at and how it functions. The FC is a good handling car and can drift really well, but it is harder to maintain a good slide in control than any ae86 or 240sx or miata. But if you learn how to control it, it will do some awesome drifts. Remember, drifting takes time, practice, skill, technique, and MONEY! Be sure to read a lot and watch instuctional videos. It helps out a lot. Get a hold of the "drift bible". The drift king Tsuchiya explains it the best.
03-26-06, 12:31 PM
#10
Another member of the east TN club here with a little tip that I wish I knew when I got my FC.
On 86-88 models 1/4 way up the temp gague is normal. 1/2 way up is really close to overheating.
On 89-91 models 1/2 way up is normal.
Rotaries don't take overheating well at all, if you run it a bit too hot you may pop a coolant seal.
On 86-88 models 1/4 way up the temp gague is normal. 1/2 way up is really close to overheating.
On 89-91 models 1/2 way up is normal.
Rotaries don't take overheating well at all, if you run it a bit too hot you may pop a coolant seal.
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