Ive been looking for a project car to purchase and to modify throughout my senior year which is coming up, and i have decided to get a generation 2 RX-7, but im undecided which look for/buy. I would like to know which Rx-7's through the years 86-89 are the best, pros and cons, turbo or n/a? Please enllighten me in my search. I have to say RX-7's seem like one of the most fun cars to have and fix up that i have seen, especially in the process learn about the rotary engine, compared to cylinders. Im looking to spend between 2000 to 2500 dollars on purchasing the car initially then putting money in to it throughout as time goes by, i really want to get a car that can beat out a crx-wiht a b16, and a supra at my school. I would really appreciate your opinion on what kind of car i should get for a project.

 

you can beat a b16 CRX in a modded non-turbo 2g rx7... maybe even the supra if its nonturbo.

also, they made the 2nd gen rx7 from 86-91. the series5's (89-91) are a little more "wanted" and are overall just newer, nicer, a little faster, etc. but also cost more.

 

What are the advatages of the RX-7 turbos compared to the non-trubo RX-7 are the turbos just generally a little faster? Pros and cons for both?

 

The turbos are faster and have more horsepower potential.

 

and the turbos are not as reliable. you can ream the **** out of a nonturbo rx7 for like atleast 150k miles and it will be fine...

 

But do the turbos wear out the engine faster then a n/a,? And are generally all models of RX-7's good, are there no so-called bad models, as in they all have potential and are pretty fast.

 

Most of the parts on the S4 and S5 are interchangable so if you got an 88 you can put S5 parts on it.

 

yeah the turbo engines generally dont last as long as the nonturbo engines.
however they dont have even close to the same power potential.

 

When i get a RX-7 im only going to spend, 2k to 2.5k, would it be worth it to get the engine rebuilt right off the bat so i know i have a good engine in there to work with, because for 2k it wont be in the greatest shape.

 

that was a really stupid question i just asked, what i left out was that, all the RX-7's ive taken a look at, there engines have been need of some serious repair.

 

yes it would be a very good idea to have the engine rebuilt right when you get it and go through the correct break-in procedure right when you get the car. if you can afford it of course..

 

Around how much does it cost to rebuild and engine?

 

kevin landers (rotaryresurrection on this forum) offers rebuilds starting as low as $1,000.

 

We should all mention the common problems with the FC.
1, S4 cracking plastics
2, Sunroof not working well
3, Bad solder joints
4, Bad wiring in general
5, Some parts can be costly
6, Very difficult to work on (with emissions stuff)
7, Somewhat poor fuel ecomomy
8, Bad clearcoat (red cars only)
9, Not many rotary mechanics out there.

Someone please add to these. No I'm not trying to talk you out of one of these, I just hope that you know you're way around a garage. This is not a car that you can just take anywhere to work on. The Wankel is a totally diffrent animal.

 

But thats what attracts me to it in some ways, not that many people know about it, i want a car that not many people have, i tired of everyone having civics, accords, camaros, and especially mustangs. By the way what does "FC" stand for? You said "problems withe the FC"

 

I'd say get a Turbo Rx-7. I my '91 looks hella pimp wit its custom paint an all, but the power is not satisfying even tho I can take Integra GSRs. I say go grab a shell and buy a TII engine. My car is dead rite now, but I gots the money to buy an engine right now. I am jus tryin to find a US spec engine. if not, im going JDM TII. I know it will be more than worth it. People arent impressed unless u got the top model. But N/As do pretty good.

 

What does FC stand for, i know its a new person question?

 

FC is mazda's designation for a 2nd gen rx7. first gens were FB's, 2nd gens FC's, third gens were FD's. if you want a fast car get a turbo dont even think of messing with n/a's. n/a's are fun, light, and can be quick but wont get past 14's in the quarter mile. for me high, mid, low 14's are fine im not so interested in big hp numbers but if i was building a nice car to drag with the big boys go with a turbo.