Roadster & RX7

Hi.
I just traded a 1994 Acura Integra w/ 215,000mi for a 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage 87,000mi (Dad's replacement car) and a 1989 Mazda RX7 Turbo II with 125,000 mi, but the engine is blown, but the mechanic I traded with is putting in a new engine (I believe it is rebuilt) from the local Mazda dealership. All the RX7 needed was an intercooler (Bought a used one on eBay about 2 weeks ago for $47.00)

I am new to the Rotary, but I own a 1995 Mazda Miata (My Miata's Homepage).

I was wondering how the RX7 compares to the handling of a suspension modded Miata. Performance wise, stock, what does this car compare to? (American cars? Japanese Cars? etc.)

The reason I have some of these questions is that I have not been able to drive the car. The mechanic is a well trusted friend of a friend, he installed a new motor in my Miata and did a fantastic job. He is waiting for the reman from mazda.

I want to eventually modify the RX7, but I don't know what brands I should use. I want a turbo timer (apexi?), and exhaust (rb?), and some kind of intake (mariah?). My goals, well I don't know, but my limitations are that I would like to stay with the stock turbo, and intercooler. Once those break, then I will fix them. But I want parts that would be good for what I have, and if I eventually upgrade. I am not willing to do internal work at this time (Too expensive!!) But I would like some pretty neat electronics, that are easy to use & tune. I also have done some research and I see I need to rewire my fuel pump and probaly upgrade to a 255 one. Also, porting the wastegate, and premixing. Does all of this sound about right? Am I forgetting anything?

Thats about it. Sorry my post is so scatterbrained, I have been reading and searching through this forum for a couple of hours, and learning so much stuff. You guys are a wealth of knowledge!!!!

vipers

iTrader: (8)

your t2 will knock the doors off of your miata...... they are 2 totally different driving experiences... you wont want to get out of your t2 when she is running right!!! your really close on the upgrades........ heres a few more you might want to get
-fuel cut defensor..... (factory set a limit of 8.5 lbs. of boost, and will cut fuel to the rear rotor when it reaches that limit) (this device will fool the ecu into thinking its only at that level)
-boost controller
-rtek 1.7 chip
-720cc secondary injectors

these upgrades plus the exhaust and intake should get you to about 260-270 whp if tuned correctly..... at i think about 10-12 lbs of boost..... (someone correct me if im wrong)

another thing to remember.... stock turbo cannot handle more than 14 lbs. of boost!!!!!! if your boost guage reaches 14-15 lbs.... let off immediatly!!! a good "streetable" level would be between 8-10, and sometimes 12lbs. when at the track!!! happy motoring!!!

YearsOfDecay

look dude.......

Calm down.... have some dip.......

Welcom to the club....

First... Your TII is going to feel like a bathtub on rollerskates compared to the miata if you had suspension work done to the miata.. Its a Heavier car. But with Racing Beat sway bars, a good set of shocks and some springs (your choice.. some people like Racing Beat some Like Eibachs)... it'll impress you!!

your going to find that the stock turbo and IC are the major limiting factors in getting more power out of the TII... With the stock IC being a major bottleneck because it heatsoaks while you are stopped..

So far as electronics.. as soon as you open up the exhaust you are going to need three things.. a Walbro 255 fuel pump, an FCD and at least an apexi SAFCII to put some more fuel in...

Keep nosing around and searching threads.... you just stepped into a whole different world with a rotary powered car!!

Roadster & RX7

Rock on guys. Thanks for the quick replies.

Innovation

iTrader: (1)

All, I can say is

Roadster & RX7

I just looked up the RTek 1.7, It looks as though it is only offered for the S4s. Would a SAFCII & FCD be just as good? I only see disabling of the AWS, and the Flood Clear to be worth trying to get the RTek 1.7.

RylAssassin

Welcome to one of the most informative automotive websights on the net.

Good choice on your vehicles (2 mazda's hehe) youll be very happy with the results if your smart and do research before modding.

While the only miata ive ever driven was the mazdaspeed version (im deprived) i can only say that through experience and reseatch an Rx7 and a Miata are very diffrent.
The miata to me feels more nimble and tighter turning than the Rx7, but the Rx7 (TII) feels more powerfull. As far as handling there both really great, i mean i own a modded TII with factory suspension and it still corners great. I plan on upgrading the sus soon as it is one of the best mods to do. But the power diffrence is pretty big. I mean even the turbo edition miata felt a lot slower than my TII. Thats also because with very slight modifications you can get a lot of power out of TII's.
Intake, exaust, and fuel mods will take you into 13's with a good running TII. Then going stand-alone (ECU), upgrading turbo, and IC you can get even crazier.

But more than just quickness and handling there is a sense of attachment with these cars. Somthing about just the drive and whole feel of the car make these cars an obsession. Youll find a lot of love in here with our cars and this is what makes this forum what it is and how its so good at getting info. While there are some ppl that havent had a good experience with these cars theres more that love them for what they are.
Good luck.

Roadster & RX7

I think I like these forums better than others. This one was recommended to me by a guy at a party last Saturday. This has atleast twice the members of the others!! And searching through all of the posts, I am finding a lot of stuff out. I think my mods are going to be something like so:

Stage 1: Fix the thermo wax pellet, Turbo Timer, Port wastegate.
Stage 2: Suspension, wheels & tires
Stage 3: Fuel pump (+rewire), filter, 720cc inj, AFC, RB exhaust, exhaust hanger kit, FCD, acv/egr removal (see what else I can remove too), block off plates, new 02 sensor, CF dual gauge pod (FC3S.org), boost gauge, a/f gauge, get AFC tuned properly
Stage 4: Super AVC-R, HKS SSQV b.o.v., mariah intake

Any suggestions, or stuff i should add in any particular stages?

Parastie

The only thing I would change is the O2 sensor. If it's still the original then it needs to be changed. Also, plugs and wires tend to go out a little faster then normal cars and much faster when you start doing mods. If you haven't done any of the normal maintance replacements (which includes that O2 sensor!) now is as good a time as any.

Replace the easy stuff now so you know what you can expect with good mods.

Roadster & RX7

OK. I'll move the o2 sensor to stage 1, and i'll get some wires & plugs. Anything else?

rotaryjunky

If you get an electronic boost controller, it will have a fcd built in. I think a good manual boost controller and a seperate fcd is just fine. Now, once you go fmic, you'll want a bigger turbo to make use of it and then you'll have huge high rpm power at the cost of drivability. Stick with the basic stuff (exhaust, fcd, and walpro) and focus on getting the car to run properly. For suspension, I have only put new shocks on it and switched to 17 inch wheels. I find this to be a good compromise for me as I am old. Enjoy the car. For me, my favorite car is always the one I am driving (except the alltrac unless in deep snow).

Roadster & RX7

What's a good manual boost controller? I'm not familar with this upgrade. I just thought if you wanted to control boost, you would need an external wastegate, or a boost controller. (Sorry I sound like such a noob!) Please tell me about a manual boost controller.

Parastie

The boost controller adjust how much pressure the wastegate sees. Technically, you do not need an external boost controller unless you're planning on going above 15PSI, then i'd at least consider it.

The difference between manual and electric boost controllers is simple; a manual one is a mearly a screw valve of some sort that you put between the wastegate at the boost line it is connected too. By adjusting the screw you change (actually lessen) how much boost the wastegate "sees".

The problem with a manual one is you really have no idea what you're setting it to until you run the car. An electric one can adjust on the fly because it has a readout of the boost or follows what your boost sensor sees.

Also, you can NEVER adjust the boost controller to give less boost, only more.

Roadster & RX7

So if I wanted to boost up to 12 psi and thats as high as I would want it to go, what should I do? (thanks again)

rotaryjunky

If you get an electronic boost controller, it will have a fcd built in. I think a good manual boost controller and a seperate fcd is just fine. Now, once you go fmic, you'll want a bigger turbo to make use of it and then you'll have huge high rpm power at the cost of drivability. Stick with the basic stuff (exhaust, fcd, and walpro) and focus on getting the car to run properly. For suspension, I have only put new shocks on it and switched to 17 inch wheels. I find this to be a good compromise for me as I am old. Enjoy the car. For me, my favorite car is always the one I am driving (except the alltrac unless in deep snow).

rotaryjunky

What wheels do you have?

Roadster & RX7

The RX7 has the stock 16x7 "mesh style" ones. The Miata has Rota Circuit 8s in a "Royal Bronze"

13b4me

16x7 mesh? Infini wheels?

Vert wheels are 15's...

*edit*
Nevermind I'm a dumbass...
Stock S5 TII mesh... lol

***EDIT AGAIN***
I just realized this is my 1000th post... w00t!!!

WonkoTheSane

iTrader: (2)

Roadster & Rx7 - Just wanted to let you know you're not the only 7/Miata owner here

I can't help you with the turbo questions, and you seem to be well on the way for your maintenance schedual, so i'll let you know what I think about the difference in handling:

The miata definatly handles a lot tighter than the 7 over here.. to be fair, though, my 7 is just starting to get the much needed suspension upgrades, while the Miata has better shocks, springs, chassis stiffening, sway bars, etc.. the 7 only has shocks/springs. I honestly think that Dad's 1st gen handles a lot more like the Miata than my 2nd gen. But the 2nd gen has much more power, and it's N/A. I've never had the chance to drive a Turbo rotary, but I'd love one They're both great cars, and I know you'll have way too much fun with both of them.

Welcome to the club

Roadster & RX7

Cool. Thanks again for the replies. I like this community