541racing

Hello,

Can you guys help me with a few questions?

I own a 97 Miata with FM II turbo on it. Run around 15 PSI of boost, fun car and very quick.

But I have always wanted a RX-7. I am looking to high mileage TII or N/A car and rip everything out of it and build it back up. Its going to be long project, but I plan to do all the work myself. I want it to be a nice daily driver with some pick up. (well to start out with... I get the mod bug pretty bad)

What year cars should I look at. What is good price for a high mileage car in need of some work.

I am willing to replace the motor. I plan to do the body work and paint the car.

With mild bolt ons how much HP can TII lay down?

How much boost can a stock 13B take?


Thanks for your help guys.

vaughnc

541racing,

That sounds like a cool project.

You've got allot of options here. I've always wanted to turn an rx-7 convertible into a Turbo II convertible myself. Mazda didn't sell the savanna turbo II convertible in the US, but that hasn't stopped allot of people from making their own There's also a 10th Aniversery Turbo II that makes a sweet classic car.

Even more exiting - there are a TON of bodykits available including a $15,000 mazda authorized conversion by mariah motorsports that makes the car look, feel, and drive like an italian supercar. (I've included a pic at the end). You have the ability to make your rx look very unique or keep the classic look as well.

I think the FC3S Gen II rx-7s have more options and aftermarket performance upgrades than the miata's do. The turbo II has just about unlimited performance options. Not only can the 13B motor support 450HP or more reliabily, but you also have a 20B 3 rotor engine option for even more performance.

If you want it as a daily driver and still keep decent fuel economy, then I'd recommend taking the Turbo II motor and maxing the stock fuel system's output, slightly larger fuel injectors, front mount intercooler, etc... That should put you around 250-280HP and maby 8.5-10PSI of boost without running lean. That should also keep the costs down a bit.

The 13B rotary engine can take 8.5-15PSI easily if you're careful and don't run the engine lean. A mild street port will help as well and won't kill streetability. I'd also recommend looking at the metal or ceramic Apex seals if your planning to crank the boost.

1988 Savanna Turbo II convertible - imported


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My 1992 FC3S Turbo II rx-7


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Here's the Mariah conversion with the 3 rotor 20B engine. Notice the Top Mount intercooler has been replaced with a front mount version.


Here's the same mariah kit on a converitble.

vaughnc

I can also post some more bodykit pictures if you'd like.

Let me know if you'd like to see more.

Here's a sweet engine bay with the top mount intercooler replaced with a front mount one.

541racing

Cool looking cars. I don't want a vert though. I don't plan to ever get rid of the Miata. So I don't really need another convertable.

The reason looking at the TII is the soild driveline. I am at the point of with the miata I will start to break stuff if I push it anymore. The Miata is the 250 rwhp point right now.

I am looking to start small with the project at first. I want a clean looking car no rust. Small dings are ok. I plan to do all the body work myself. If I can't find the right car with a runing motor. I will drop a new rebuilt engine in it. Maybe upgrade the turbo and fuel system. Put in a nice performance clutch. That will hold me over till summer.

Later I would plan on using some sort of aftermarket engine management. I like the the TEC II.

I think the over all goal is 300-350 rwhp and nice smooth car.

I am looking at painting it yellow, midnight blue, or black. The black would match the Miata.

I plan to hang around this forum so I can pick up more info.


Thanks

VetteKiller

good ideas, wish I had money and paitence

m_snoby

Hi 541racing,
I am about to do the same exact thing that you are wanting to do. Let me tell you what I have found through spending a few months on this forum.

There are 2 types of turbos to look at the 88 Rx7 turbo and the 89 and later models. The reason that I don't include the 87 turbo in the list is because it doesn't have power steering.

• You will end up paying about 2K more for a 89 -91 car verse a 88 model
• The 88 RX7 has a mechanical Oil pump which some people believe to be superior to the Electrical one included on the post 89 version
• The 89 and later models have a slightly different look to them in the body package.
• The 89 and later models have automatic seatbelts... ugh
• the 89 and later have a gun style shifter
• The 89 and later have high compression in the engine, so you can't run as much boost as you can on the 88 model.
• The turbo is more efficient in the 89 and later models, this really isn't an issue if you decide to replace the turbo.

This is the information that I have picked up reading the forum, if I'm wrong on any of this stuff guys please correct me.

JerryLH3

iTrader: (11)

Hey 541, sounds like a fun project.

TII's make great project cars and are often overlooked in favor of the 3rd gens. 300-350 rwhp is a very realistic goal and will make a hell of a bad *** street car.

The 89-91's already have more power out of the box and look a little cleaner. Consequently, you would pay a little more for them upfront. The major hassle I have with the 89+ is the automatic seat belts. These things SUCK. I have had a few problems with mine in the past few months and I have decided to disable them and just buckle both belts. UGH!

And I would go with Midnight blue. There was actually color in 1991 called brave blue. I believe it was only available on the n/a's and it looked great!! You'd just have to find the color code for it.

88GTU

The '87 Turbo 2 I have sitting out in my garage most definately does have power steering.

-Matt

'88 GTU
'87 T-II

m_snoby

My bad, what I should have said is that there are some 87 turbo's that do not have powersteering, and to avoid that problem just look at 88 RX-7's and later, because all of those models do have power steering.

I apologize for the error.

vaughnc

You should note the automatic seatbelts have a LIFETIME warentee through mazda. So if they're giving you problems - no charge to fix

The rx7 disables power steering above a certain speed for improved handling, but I think they all have power steering.

The turbo II drivetrain (transmission, drive axel, etc..) can handle 300-450 HP, so that's a big plus and why starting with a turbo II (vs a GTU, GTU-S, GXL, SE, etc..) is better.

I hear above 450 HP is where frame re-inforcement is necessary.

m_snoby

My cousin's 87 turbo2 does not have power steering. I have actually posted this question to the forum before and have been told that it was an option in 87, but then became standard equipment 88 and later.

GTR

iTrader: (6)

im think really hard to sell my rx7.

- its a 88 T2. with a blown seal. lost compression in the rear rotor.
- interior is still good. actually.. pretty good.
- custom z3 fenders
- sanded down already with primer. just needs paint.
- white was the color before and i was sanding everything down to repaint it black.
- mods: Gforce ECU w/ FCD, 2.5 downpipe 2.5 midpipe, Dual OBX mufflers.
- boost gauge, strut bar, intake. tell me if you're interested. make me an offer.

i'm thinking really hard if i should give up my 7

vaughnc

Why don't you wait until the rx-8 comes out and then decide

541racing

Well I really don't care for PS. I like the feel of a manual rack.

I guess I am going to be looking at 86-88 TII. More money I save on price of the car, more cash I can spend on mods. Like I said, its going to be a long term project. I want to do everything right.

What does rebuilt motor run anyway?