Clutches and A/C - A few quick Questions
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From: Melbourne, Australia
Clutches and A/C - A few quick Questions
OK first things first. In australia we have RX7's in series. Series 4 (86-88), Series 5 (88-92)
OK - Will a series 5 Heavy Duty semi performance clutch fit on my series 4 (both manual and turbo)?
Are the A/C compressors the same on both models?
Is the clutch hard to change? I'm not a mechanic - i have changed the clutch in my old mazda 626 (FWD) but I'm a bit unsure about the 7.
Cheers
OK - Will a series 5 Heavy Duty semi performance clutch fit on my series 4 (both manual and turbo)?
Are the A/C compressors the same on both models?
Is the clutch hard to change? I'm not a mechanic - i have changed the clutch in my old mazda 626 (FWD) but I'm a bit unsure about the 7.
Cheers
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,052
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From: usa
The clutches will be the same. The FLYWHEELs are different weight/balanced though, so watch this if you get any aftermarket flywheels.
In mid 87 they changed a/c compressors from shitty SANDEN type to Nippondenso which was used from mid 87 up to 91(92 for you), so check and see, but it should work. They mount the same, but the connection for the A/C hoses is different between the 2, you have to use the compressor that came with the car. There is a sticker on the compressor saying either sanden or ND.
IF you have plento of basic metric tools(sockets, wrenches), good ramps adn jacks, a concrete floor and air tools like me, you can do the clutch in 3 hours flat, from drive in to drive out. My first rxclutch job took about 6 all told, because it was cold out, I was in my gravel driveway, and I had no air tools. Its not bad at all. The key is to get the center of the clutch disc aligned perfectly to the pilot bearing. Be sure to lube the pilot bearing(I dont replace them unless the one is bad, I just lube it up well never had one fail yet) and the input shaft on the tranny to avoid later problems. THe T2 tranny weighs about 95-105lb, so its no worse than most any other car you can do. Not quite as light as some FWD trannnies that you can lift with one arm, but not bad either.
Honestly the worst and dirtiest part of the whole ordeal is the freakin exhaust and guards. Thats the heaviest, most awkward, adn dirtiest part of all, and Istruggle alot with that.
Oh, and you pretty much need a swivel or at least a wobble 12mm socket for the slave cylinder mounting bolts, theyre at an angle to the firewall and you can strip them easy with a straight socket.
In mid 87 they changed a/c compressors from shitty SANDEN type to Nippondenso which was used from mid 87 up to 91(92 for you), so check and see, but it should work. They mount the same, but the connection for the A/C hoses is different between the 2, you have to use the compressor that came with the car. There is a sticker on the compressor saying either sanden or ND.
IF you have plento of basic metric tools(sockets, wrenches), good ramps adn jacks, a concrete floor and air tools like me, you can do the clutch in 3 hours flat, from drive in to drive out. My first rxclutch job took about 6 all told, because it was cold out, I was in my gravel driveway, and I had no air tools. Its not bad at all. The key is to get the center of the clutch disc aligned perfectly to the pilot bearing. Be sure to lube the pilot bearing(I dont replace them unless the one is bad, I just lube it up well never had one fail yet) and the input shaft on the tranny to avoid later problems. THe T2 tranny weighs about 95-105lb, so its no worse than most any other car you can do. Not quite as light as some FWD trannnies that you can lift with one arm, but not bad either.
Honestly the worst and dirtiest part of the whole ordeal is the freakin exhaust and guards. Thats the heaviest, most awkward, adn dirtiest part of all, and Istruggle alot with that.
Oh, and you pretty much need a swivel or at least a wobble 12mm socket for the slave cylinder mounting bolts, theyre at an angle to the firewall and you can strip them easy with a straight socket.
Thread Starter
Full Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 133
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From: Melbourne, Australia
Thanks for the useful info...
In regard to the A/C compressor - my car is an 88 model so does that mean that any A/C compressor from 88-92 is the same (Nippondenso) and can be interchanged or is it different again for s4 to s5?.
In regard to the A/C compressor - my car is an 88 model so does that mean that any A/C compressor from 88-92 is the same (Nippondenso) and can be interchanged or is it different again for s4 to s5?.
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,052
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From: usa
AFAIK they only used 2 compressors on all FCs..the sanden and ND. They should be indentical if theyre both ND's. IF you happen to have yours off, take a pic, send it to me, and Ill compare it with one I have on hand here.
