russmazda

Hey guys i just joined this forum, reason for doing so is that i am about to buy a 1986 rx7 from a buddy of mine for about 1500 and i just had some questions...none that he hasn't answered, but i just need a second opinion for security.

1) do rotor engines last really a long time..like much longer than 4cyl.? is 130000 too much
2) how do you like ur fc?
3) is it worth the money? fun to drive?
4) are there problems w/ the ignition, another friend of mine said that the rotory engines have a prolem w/ fludding(rx8)...

can yall please list some of the major probles i can expect or that you have encountered.

thanks a bunch

-Alex

Fcdrift05

1) 130,000 without a rebuild is probally bad
2)I love my TII
3)very fun to drive, well worth the money
4)if you look through the forum you will see some people do,I personally have a fuel cut switch in case and it works fine ususally dont need the fuel cut


Kevin

Fcdrift05

also you should look at the 2ns Gen FAQ it has some helpfull stuff in there

kevin

Kai

1) My first FC lasted to 146k miles before I sold it, still running fine. My current one is at 171k, running strong. Both on original, non-rebuilt engines.
2) I love it. I've driven a pile of different cars and my FC is still my favorite. (My daily driver Stealth doesn't even begin to compair, even though it has a load more torque)
3) YES.
4) No, unless the engine was abused or is about to die. I've never been unable to start my engine due to flooding.

russmazda

yeah man, but the previous owner bought a lot alot of new parts for the car, so it should be alright for the time being, but if i get it i'm probably gonna get a new engine for it and tranny for 1500 and just built it up and swap it in(hopefully)

-Alex

russmazda

awesome that helps me a good bit, i'm pretty damn sure me gonna get it now

0x0000FF

do it!!!! The FC is hella fun to drive; don't know about n/a but it's one of the most intense turbo cars i've had the pleasure of driving. insane fun.

Kai

A lightweight N/A (Base, Base/Luxury, Base/Sport) will keep up with a TII no problem. The TII is a porker compaired.

russmazda

while i got the questions going, what is the compression of a new rx7 engine (back in the day) cuz the one i'm considering buying has about 160, and i was told that the new engine has 160-162

1987RX7guy

iTrader: (3)

IIRC 120psi warm compression is just about perfect. I don't know how you got 160.

Kai

I thought 125 was about absolute perfect, but I guess it depends. I haven't heard of anyone mentioning over 125.

russmazda

hmm..that would suck if it was a scam...where do yall know this from...is it written in the manual for the car...or can i find this out somewhere online??

iceblue

1) do rotor engines last really a long time..like much longer than 4cyl.? is 130000 too much.

This is to vague b/c this depends all on the last owner how it was driven and most importantly how it was upkeep. I will list my experience with all my rotary’s.

151k blew side seal
141k blown coolant seal
165k blown coolant seal "turbo"
110k blew coolant seal friend over heated it.
210k still going strong 90psi on all rotors
44k runing stong and I rag it!


2) how do you like ur fc?

I love these cars they are a true passion in my heart and what keeps me going with them.

3) is it worth the money? fun to drive?

I think about this when I am always working on broken parts but in the end the hard work makes it even bettor. This upkeep repairs is all due b/c hey its a 16yr old car after everything is brought up to specs and repaired the car will treat you like new.

4) are there problems w/ the ignition, another friend of mine said that the rotary engines have a problem w/ flooding.

No issues with ignition but flooding can be another story and a FC that is in proper running condition will prolly not ever really flood on you.

(rx8)

No they fixed this in the rx8 I have 44k on mine not once flooded!

can yall please list some of the major problems i can expect or that you have encountered.

This depends on the upkeep. I recommended a full suspension bushing replacement if not done by other owner and front and rear assembly’s tie rod ends and ball joints b/c these can be disasterus failures. I recommend checking and replacing all sensors as needed and any mechanical parts needed like rear end if LSD or u-joints clutch and so on. After that a basic 70k tune up!

J-Rat

iTrader: (2)

Note: The factory Mazda OEM driveshafts from '83-on have non-replaceable U-joints -- you have to buy a new driveshaft if they wear out.

ddub

Technically that's what Mazda says... but if you search for u-joints someone found a place that carries ones that will fit. It is very difficult to replace the u-joints in the stock driveshaft, but it's been done and there's a semi how-to on the way to do it, and there's a part number and company to call to order the u-joints. I believe it was Audiofight or something that made the thread.

J-Rat

iTrader: (2)

I remember seeing it, but I would rather just get the mazdatrix propeller shaft with the removable u-joints in it. Not to mention that Audiofight may have found u-joints that fit, but were they of the right geometry?

ddub

The u-joints he got were under mazda rx7 from what I remember when I called to order mine.

And I agree, mtrix shaft is much better, I tried replacing my u-joints and failed... now I have a new mtrix shaft.

iceblue

http://www.arizonadrivelines.com/

Has replaceable joints for our car. Just call them and tell them you have a FC :-D
What you need to do to make your life allot easier is take it to a machine shop and have the old joint pressed out will save you from allot of headaches. Take a file or dremel and grind the burrs down from the old stacked u-joints. Pull the rubber sleeves off the new ujoints caps and slide them onto the new ujoint. Place the new ujoint inside the shaft and slide a cap in through the outside of the yoke onto the ujoint repeat 3 more times. Press these caps back into place to fully seat them onto the new ujoint. Screw in the zirt fitting and greas it up!

edit: I am not going to argue that ordering a mtrix shaft would not yield in a much bettor shaft and build. B/c obviously it WILL so if your down and got a few extra bux I will stamp it.

russmazda

awesome thanks alot

0x0000FF

I said Fun, not fast