NeedARotary

I was looking at buying a 86-86 n/a rx7 with 112,000 miles on it.
I wanted to know how dependable are they?

Can you make good power with a n/a setup or is it better to find one with a turbo or put a turbo on the n/a engine.

Thanks in advance for all your help!

DCmina

Get a compression test to see if the engine's good.
They're pretty reliable if you take care of them.

N/As don't make much power. 170rwhp should be about the max a streetable n/a could make.

NeedARotary

what should the compression be at? I'm not to sure how to test the compression on a rotary either. any advice on how to do so?

vaughnc

yeah the "piston" checkers don't work / arent' accurate. The mazda dealership has the correct one that works with rotaries. A few rotary mechanics might have them as well.

I've heard of 86-88's going 250-300K miles. It's all about the previous owner, their maintenance & upkeed, and if they REVVED the heck out of the engine like they're suppose to. (granny = bad).

170rwhp (190 bhp) is about right. The turbo version is the car to get if you want to make MASSIVE HP. It's a great "tuners" car.

Note the 89-91 NAs make more OEM HP. If this is your first rx-7, you might consider getting the convertible (slightly slower but fun with the top down), GTU-S (rare, but better gearing & suspension), GXL (luxury model) or the Turbo II.

Here's a welcome package for you

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hey welcome to the forum.

The best thing about the rx-7s is the car is 100% designed as a TRUE sports car - not a

"sports coupe" or "sports sendan."

The Turbo II is a SUPERCAR and is the tuners DREAM CAR. Mazda designed the car with 450HP in mind but detuned to 200/180 ft-lbs torque. What that means is you can GO NUTS designing a porsche killer for little $$$.

The rotary engine is PERFECT for a sports car. Mazda designed the rx-7 to take 130% advantage of it. That means you get lightweight HIGH OUTPUT performance, UNLIMITED REVING (there's nothing to break), small engine means sweet aerodynamics = low drag. Handlign is the BEST part of the rotary experience. The chassis has rear steer like some porsches, so you can kick some serious butt around the corners. The car handles & drives so well - it inspires you to push the car beyond what you think it's capable of

Best of all, the rx-7s have an international following from tuners, manufacturers, and enthusiest. That means you have a wide selection of performance upgrades, accessories, bodykits, coffeytable books, toy models, and knowlegable people.

a few pictures:

vaughnc

BonsaiRX7

vaughn, you inspire me

NeedARotary

wow....that was the best orgasm I have ever had!!

Nice pics, I think the model I've been looking at is a gtu, I know I have seen those letters on it, not so sure about the gtu-s. going to take a test drive in it tomorrow.

Thanks for all the info you rotary guys are great!!!!!

vaughnc

I believe the GTU has a better suspension than the base model. It's a good comprimise between power & price, but you might find a GXL for the same price as well.

Icemark

Only in 88, the 89-90 GTU was the strippy base model.