Hi there. I'm new to the RX-7 and the rotary so I apologize if this is a noob question. Anyways, I own an 1986 RX-7 GXL N/A and my problem is that my car's Y-pipe glows smoking red (literally, I have smoke flowing from underneath my car) and the interior floorboard by the Y-pipe of the car is ridiculously hot. I also have a deadly backfire problem and the car threatens to die under 3000rpm. I think I have an idea of what the last 2 problems are from reading other forums, but input about those would also be appreciated, as i think they may be related to the first. Thank you for your consideration.

 

That is definitely not normal. Your exhaust shouldnt even be glowing if it is stock.

 

retarded timing?

 

Check all the ignition and fuel injection stuff, it sounds like you might be running quite rich, in which case it could be burning in the exhaust, causing that heat.

Maybe start with getting the injectors cleaned, if they're dirty maybe they're sticking open and allowing too much fuel. Also, replace the O2 sensor, that could help.

 

It is more than likely clogged.

 

1. cat clogged?
2. did you remove the ACV?
3. is it running super rich or super lean?

do you still have the cat on the car?

 

Glowing exhaust on the RX-7 is almost always caused by excess fuel. A tune up (including injector cleaning as already mentioned) is the best first step in fixing it.

 

Well, the timing was left how I got the car, so I'm not aware of any retardation or advancing of the timing. There's been too much snow lately to check the cat for clogging (yes, it's still there), I haven't touched the ACV and I'm not sure as to the A/F its running. Lastly, I had to tweak the throttle cable so that the car idles at 1300-2100 (on it's own) just so it wouldn't die off, so could that have something to do with the problems?

 

^^Yeah that could have something to do with it. That is most likely what is causing your excessive backfiring.

 

Check compression. It you got it to idle its probably not blown, but it sure sounds alot like a car on 1 rotor.

 

Thank you for the input guys, I'm actually going to check out the car today to see what's going on and what not, so I'll post the results, both good and bad, and see where to go from there. But the idle bounces from 1300-2100 so yeah, same thing.

P.S. - A 650~cc rotary sounds pretty pimp, but I'm guessing that it's not, so I won't go there.

 

Well, 3 days later, I find that I have a dead alternator, and clogged injectors, now cleaned. Thing is, that didn't wholey solve the problem and I'm not sure which lines are vacuum lines in the FC so I don't know where to start searching for the leak (to fix the idle problem). I also lately found that my clutch is gone to **** so we'll see where that ends up. But yeah, just giving the update, so spit at me any comments.

 

replace your OLD catalytic converter

 

yes, "replace" your cat. Unless you have to pass emissions. I took off my exhaust when I got my car and looked inside all 3 cats to find that not only were they POS!!!! but they were also broken and clogged. Felt sorry for my car But yea, turn down the fuel some, it's the screw behind the airbox. Has a R and L on it, Rich and Lean. I usually keep mine a little rich to where I can smell the gas from the exhaust. Lets me know I'm not to lean.