rhscare

Hello all you 2nd gen guys. Ive been reseaching getting a 3rd gen for quite some time now but the 2nds are starting to appeal to me more and more. I appologize in advance because Im sure alot of these questions have been asked before, but I just moved and my internet access is very limited so I dont get much time to search the archives.

Basically, from all your expereience, if you could pick a certaing year and model, what would it be. Im trying to learn ad much as I can about the 2nd gens and any info you guys could provide would be great. I would be intereted in a turbo for the vehicle so any advice would be great. What kinda numbers can you expect from the vehicle. I know these are all kinda broad but I really do appretiate in any info you can give me. Thanks again!!!

WAYNE88N/A

If you love RX-7's then you can't go wrong with any of 'em... LET THE FLAMING BEGIN!!!LOL

rhscare

Jee thanks lol. Im just thinking the 3rd gen may be outa my price range for the moment and Id like to at leat get into a 7. So I could have fun with the 2nd gen and still have it if the FD becomes affordable. hey best of both worlds right?

1987RX7guy

iTrader: (3)

Here is what I would pick if I had all the money and opportunities in the world.

85 GSL-SE
85 FB 12a
88TII
87 Sport
GTUs(any year I guess)
88 Vert
and lastly a 93 R1


Santiago

zbrown

what ever you do dont get an automatic, you will be dissappointed. Trust me i know, but i have fixed my mistake.

tie pilot

first of all, study the differences between Series 4 and Series 5 FCs. The differences are subtle but many, as I am learning myself. S4 ran from 1986-1988, S5 from 1989-1992. learning about the differences in these two types of 2nd gen. RX-7s may help you narrow down your decision quite a bit.

my personal tastes lean towards goodies (like in the GXL: leather, power options, etc.) as you can add performance parts to any car, but it's not easy to find a black leather interior if you want to upgrade the looks of your car.

p.s. if were shopping for FDs, I expect you would find the s5 FC more appealing. a lot of the new details in Series 5 were cosmetic and helped make the car look cooler, more modern. s5 also had more power, etc. but... finding an s5 turbo is next to impossible, if I understand correctly. maybe not. I dunno. good luck

go thru the FAQ and go to Icemarks website and Aaron Cake's website. priceless information there.

3RotorRocket

Welcome to the Club.Get a FC3S before you get a FD3S it will give you like an intro to the engine and how these cars work.The good thing is they can be made just as fast as FDs but just in a sleeper and cheaper state of mind.Good luck bro hope all goes well.

- Aaron -

MisterMatt

if I had it to do over again...I wouldn't get an automatic...I have a series 5 (1989) convertible...convertibles are sweet...they really are all-weather convertibles (by that, I mean, I can drive top-down in the winter months here in Texas because they don't let in a lot of cold air with the windows up and the heat on), but I would like to have a turbo charged fc...my other choice would be to find a nice GTU...they're sweet too...just my two cents

h20scorpio

well, really depends on what you want...
I'll be good with all of them, given that they were well-maintained.
Shin

rhscare

Thanks for the info guys. Really helpfull. My question is do the TII's, run into the same reliability problems that the FD's do? I always heard that the FC were more reliable but I always figured that was due to being N/A. Is it worth trying to find a TII, or just add a turbo later. I would probably upgrade the stock unit on the turbo version anyways. As far as interior comforts go, the seats would be replaced anyways. Power windows would be nice, but I could live without it . The main thing is Ive been waiting for a project car for quite a few years now, and thanks to living in Alaska, it wasnt q good idea. The FD's are great but its looking like I may not be able to keep up with the costs just yet. I like the FC cause hey, at least its not a damn honda. I want something different and I figure why not stay with the 7? I like 4rotorrockets advice on getting the FC first either way. It makes since.

My worry, well more of a question, is what kind of power can you get out of them on a reasonable budget? What is the difference between as far as blocks between the FC and they FD. I see they are both 1.3 so are they the same? Also, a side note, if anyone has a page that links to some cool body kits for the FC that would be nice too. My brain is only full of FD pages. lol. Thanks again guys. I know alot of this stuff is basic but Im having to use a library computer and dont get much time on. Otherwise I would spend alot more time on the search function. So thanks again.

SpeedFreak03

Well if I could pick any FC I would choose an S5 TurboII, or a S5 vert and drop a rebuilt J-Spec streetported TurboII drivetrain with a TD04 and other goodies . Since you want a turbo car, start out with a TurboII, it is expensive and really hard to turbo an NA. I really don't know much about FDs so I can't compare them with FCs. If I had the money, I really don't know if I would go with an FD, FCs are just so much fun! I had an 87 GXL which was a piece of **** (previous owner really beat on it and didnt take care of it but I got it for really cheap and it ran good) but I had so much fun in that car, I knew I would eventually own another FC. So go with a TurboII and have fun!

Big D drifter

You can always get a free broken n/a FC, fix the engine and have fun with that!

hondahater

iTrader: (2)

get an fb with an s5 tII swap!! AHHHHH dreams!

YakATK

I'd suggest getting an S5 if you can. S5 TII would be the definate choice if you ask me. The TII's are amazing cars. Can be made really fast if thats what you want to get into, and they handle great as do all FC's.

NA's are also tons of fun. I had an S5 NA as my first rx7, still have it actually but its for sale. They are lots of fun, can drive the **** out of those cars and just have a blast in them. I still love my NA but cannot afford to keep it along with the TII.

If your getting your first rx7 and don't know jack squat about rotary engines then the NA is a way easier cheaper route to go if your still learning, but it has its limitations for being really fast and still streetable.

Choice is yours in the end, but I'd suggest any FC you find that is in good shape and is a good buy grab it. They're great fun no matter what you get, so find the one you want in good shape and grab it.

later
-Justin

AREITU

I'm in the same dillema. I can bust my *** and buy a very good condition, not-running 3rd Gen for (relatively) dirt cheap from my friend's neighbor and then spend a lot of money getting it just to run again...

Or I can talk to one of my other friends who has an S5 TII. It's evne got the special edition Momo steering wheel and a J-spec engine with about 50,000mi on it. I know everything that's wrong with it and he'd be willing to sell it to me for a very low price...

I'd have to get the body work out of the way (a mild togue accident. One of my friends' cousins works at a body shop), repair some bits of the wiring harness (exposed wires and connector ends;it was like that when he bought it). Chassis has 130,000mi and needs new suspension, bushings, etc...

I know the FD like the back of my hand, or at least as much as I can from readin gevery bit of information I could get my hands on (RobRobinette, Scuderani, this forum) and I know what I'd be getting into. I'm just wondering if it's worth the climb for a 3rd gen.
The FC howoever, I'm familar enough to be comfortable with it...

What do you guys think?

Edit: I forgot to mention, my friend's ABS unit died so he put in a bypass kit from Mazdaspeed or something, and he has an HKS twin plate clutch in it. The rest of the car is basically stock.

rhscare

Wow you guys are great. Im starting to find that the FC crowd seems a little more willing to help with out being smartasses. I think I will keep my eye out for a S5 T2. Im not a "racer", but if it came down to it I'd like to be able to embarass these embarassing hondas and mitsu's that are roming around. Thats why Im just curious as to the power that you can acheive from these cars.

Oh another question, are the engine blocks between the FD and FC the same? The reason I ask is I am wondering where to look for performance parts? Can I use some of the same parts from the FD tuner pages, or are there FC specialty guys out there? If anyone has a link to some nice FC parts that would be great. Also, Ive searched google and cant seem to find any pages selling nice body kits for the FC. Ive seen nice photos but where can I get them? Thanks again!!!