2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

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Old Mar 28, 2019 | 09:41 PM
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Needs to know basis

Hello im getting into a 87’ rx7 Fc and its a non turbo any recommend upgrades to do 1st (im doing a full build and will be looking for a new 13b any places to get one from?)
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Old Mar 29, 2019 | 04:21 AM
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How can you intelligently discuss "upgrading" a car you don't even have yet?
What flaws do you think it has?
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Old Mar 29, 2019 | 05:34 AM
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Consider making the car reliable in every aspect before you start modding the car. You may enjoy it and not have to install a different engine. Often times engines come up for sale here on the forum.
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Old Mar 29, 2019 | 08:54 AM
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I need to swap a new motor in it and im talking about drivetrain wise and suspension, i saw that alot of people said that N/A parts were worse than the TII parts and a 1.8 rear end is better too
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Old Mar 29, 2019 | 11:10 AM
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From: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
Originally Posted by Brundun702
I need to swap a new motor in it and im talking about drivetrain wise and suspension, i saw that alot of people said that N/A parts were worse than the TII parts and a 1.8 rear end is better too
1.8? keep reading.

the car is pretty fun stock, but its 30 years old, so it will need a going over to even get it correct

Foxed.ca - Mazda RX-7 Manuals
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Old Mar 30, 2019 | 05:57 PM
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Originally Posted by j9fd3s
1.8? keep reading.

the car is pretty fun stock, but its 30 years old, so it will need a going over to even get it correct

Foxed.ca - Mazda RX-7 Manuals
yeah i was told about the rear end swaping to a 1.8 and i wanna make it a little fun car to play as in a street build and i read that Na parts wont take as nuch of a beating as TII
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Old Mar 30, 2019 | 10:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Brundun702
yeah i was told about the rear end swaping to a 1.8 and i wanna make it a little fun car to play as in a street build and i read that Na parts wont take as nuch of a beating as TII
Are they talking about swapping the torsen LSD from the 1.8L Miata? If so it may not be necessary. If this '87 you're getting is a GXL or IIRC a GTU it already has a clutch type LSD. Unless you just specifically want a torsen style diff you could rebuild the clutch pack in the one that's in it and be good to go.

Also the Miata diff only fits the n/a.

Last edited by Dak; Mar 30, 2019 at 10:41 PM.
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Old Mar 31, 2019 | 05:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Dak
Are they talking about swapping the torsen LSD from the 1.8L Miata? If so it may not be necessary. If this '87 you're getting is a GXL or IIRC a GTU it already has a clutch type LSD. Unless you just specifically want a torsen style diff you could rebuild the clutch pack in the one that's in it and be good to go.

Also the Miata diff only fits the n/a.
I'd love to have the torsen in my 90 GTU. I am slowly awaiting the day a nice Clutch LSD shows up around me for sale.

-M
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Old Mar 31, 2019 | 07:27 PM
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You are not privy to this information, you're still on a need to know basis. Buy an Rx-7.
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Old Mar 31, 2019 | 11:07 PM
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Does the 87 s4 have front upper control arms btw and anyone have a good link to lower control arms with the hardware for the rx7
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Old Mar 31, 2019 | 11:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Brundun702
Does the 87 s4 have front upper control arms btw and anyone have a good link to lower control arms with the hardware for the rx7
No the 87 doesn't have upper control arms, and there is an old saying that I think applies here. "You're counting your chickens before they hatch". If I understand correctly you don't have an Rx7 yet. Here's another saying, "you're putting your cart before the horse".
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Old Apr 1, 2019 | 12:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Relisys190
I'd love to have the torsen in my 90 GTU. I am slowly awaiting the day a nice Clutch LSD shows up around me for sale.

-M
I too would like to get a torsen, but I wouldn't pass up a clutch one if I got a good deal on it.
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Old Apr 1, 2019 | 10:03 AM
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Originally Posted by Dak
No the 87 doesn't have upper control arms, and there is an old saying that I think applies here. "You're counting your chickens before they hatch". If I understand correctly you don't have an Rx7 yet. Here's another saying, "you're putting your cart before the horse".
i already have it lol thats why im on the form
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Old Apr 1, 2019 | 01:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Brundun702
i already have it lol thats why im on the form
I guess I misunderstood since you never made that clear. Your first post says:

Originally Posted by Brundun702
Hello im getting into a 87’ rx7 Fc and its a non turbo any recommend upgrades to do 1st (im doing a full build and will be looking for a new 13b any places to get one from?)
Which implies you don't yet own it. If you've since took possession of it. Congratulations. Now go through it and figure out what it needs to be drivable/reliable before throwing a bunch of mods at it. Drive it a bit and see what areas you fell need improvement. If the engine is toast that may change the plan a bit. Rotary Resurrection has rebuilds for sale sometimes. Still places around to get parts to rebuild yourself.
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Old Apr 1, 2019 | 01:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Dak
I too would like to get a torsen, but I wouldn't pass up a clutch one if I got a good deal on it.
I tend to hoard LSD and also limited slip differentials.

Have a Torsen with my 4.33 gears and the clutch type on the shelf for future use if anything happens.
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Old Apr 1, 2019 | 04:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Dak
I guess I misunderstood since you never made that clear. Your first post says:



Which implies you don't yet own it. If you've since took possession of it. Congratulations. Now go through it and figure out what it needs to be drivable/reliable before throwing a bunch of mods at it. Drive it a bit and see what areas you fell need improvement. If the engine is toast that may change the plan a bit. Rotary Resurrection has rebuilds for sale sometimes. Still places around to get parts to rebuild yourself.
i need lower control arms thats why if any one has a link to then it very appreciated
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Old Apr 1, 2019 | 05:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Brundun702
i need lower control arms thats why if any one has a link to then it very appreciated
Are you sure? Why do you think you need lower control arms? Does it need ball joints? If so the '87 ball joints are replaceable unlike the S5(89-92) ones. All the bushings are available as well. Unless you have damaged both arms you should be able to rebuild them. Mazdatrix.com has the OEM parts.https://www.mazdatrix.com/product/ba...t-86-88-lower/
https://www.mazdatrix.com/product/su...-92-f-lca-set/
Rockauto.com has aftermarket ones and aftermarket lower control arms. Mazdatrix only sell complete S5 arms. https://www.mazdatrix.com/product/co...t-89-92-right/
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Old Apr 1, 2019 | 06:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Dak
Are you sure? Why do you think you need lower control arms? Does it need ball joints? If so the '87 ball joints are replaceable unlike the S5(89-92) ones. All the bushings are available as well. Unless you have damaged both arms you should be able to rebuild them. Mazdatrix.com has the OEM parts.https://www.mazdatrix.com/product/ba...t-86-88-lower/
https://www.mazdatrix.com/product/su...-92-f-lca-set/
Rockauto.com has aftermarket ones and aftermarket lower control arms. Mazdatrix only sell complete S5 arms. https://www.mazdatrix.com/product/co...t-89-92-right/
do you know if miata arms work
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Old Apr 1, 2019 | 08:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Brundun702
do you know if miata arms work
They will not. Go to Rockauto.com and look both up. A picture is worth 1000 words. You haven't said what is wrong with yours.
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Old Apr 1, 2019 | 08:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Dak
They will not. Go to Rockauto.com and look both up. A picture is worth 1000 words. You haven't said what is wrong with yours.
sorry i forgot they where cracked in half ince i pulled the wheels off and the other one was cut on the join to pull off ig i got this car from some kid and he said it was stuck so he cut it
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Old Apr 1, 2019 | 08:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Dak
They will not. Go to Rockauto.com and look both up. A picture is worth 1000 words. You haven't said what is wrong with yours.
also i ordered parts for my z32 from rock auto and majority of the parts were broken
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Old Apr 1, 2019 | 08:23 PM
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S4 and S5 control arms are geometrically identical but the S4 arms (which you would normally get for your car anyway) have replaceable ball joints, the S5's do not and the entire arm must be replaced if/when the ball joint goes.
I have a set of S4 arms squirreled away for just such an eventuality.
That would also be the logical time to replace the bushings, since it could all be prepped ahead of time and swapped out quickly.

Not that "swapping out quickly" seems like it will an issue for you anyway, as moronified as your car seems to be.
Cutting off parts that are bolted on (like your ball joint) is hardly a sign of a thoughtful mechanic. Too bad you inherited his stupidity, I'd be leery of everything on that vehicle.
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Old Apr 1, 2019 | 08:29 PM
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Originally Posted by clokker
S4 and S5 control arms are geometrically identical but the S4 arms (which you would normally get for your car anyway) have replaceable ball joints, the S5's do not and the entire arm must be replaced if/when the ball joint goes.
I have a set of S4 arms squirreled away for just such an eventuality.
That would also be the logical time to replace the bushings, since it could all be prepped ahead of time and swapped out quickly.


Not that "swapping out quickly" seems like it will an issue for you anyway, as moronified as your car seems to be.
Cutting off parts that are bolted on (like your ball joint) is hardly a sign of a thoughtful mechanic. Too bad you inherited his stupidity, I'd be leery of everything on that vehicle.
i dont know if i read this right but it seem to me like you dont like helping people with out giving an rude vibe but i could be totally wrong and everything on the body was actually in really good conditions since the fact that the car was in the east coast before and there is minimum rust on the body and other parts and the fact that i Only need control arms as of now and when i mean cut the ball joint i ment from where it mounts to the arms
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Old Apr 1, 2019 | 09:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Brundun702
also i ordered parts for my z32 from rock auto and majority of the parts were broken
I've had good luck for the most part.

Originally Posted by Brundun702
i dont know if i read this right but it seem to me like you dont like helping people with out giving an rude vibe but i could be totally wrong and everything on the body was actually in really good conditions since the fact that the car was in the east coast before and there is minimum rust on the body and other parts and the fact that i Only need control arms as of now and when i mean cut the ball joint i ment from where it mounts to the arms
I saw nothing wrong with his comment. I think and clokker can correct me if I'm wrong. He was not calling you stupid. He is saying your car was moronified by the stupidity of the previous owner.
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Old Apr 1, 2019 | 09:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Dak
I've had good luck for the most part.



I saw nothing wrong with his comment. I think and clokker can correct me if I'm wrong. He was not calling you stupid. He is saying your car was moronified by the stupidity of the previous owner.
i know i could be wrong on my part and let me apologize ahead in case i am
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