Astyr7

Hello, I purchased a 1988 Rx7 and am completely new to the car...I am just curious as to what other owners think I need to learn about my car, also what I need to do to increase performance and reliability?

Carzy Driver

give it a tune, change all the fluids front to rear.

Welcome!

Valkyrie

Replace everything that's broken or will brake eventually that hasn't already been replaced recently?

Maintenance and repair goes a LONG way with a 20 year-old sports car.

Also, change the oil and coolant and check everything that needs to be checked during a tuneup, such as the sensors, timing, plugs, belts, wheel bearings, suspension bushings... check for rust and have it fixed before it eats a whole the size of a football in your car's chassis...

Download and start reading the appropriate Factory Service Manuals, read the FAQ, and write down a list of all the problems you've noticed (like, are there any hesitations, idle problems, switches that don't work, strange noises, etc?).

Sideways7

iTrader: (7)

Welcome to the club!
First off, do the stuff listed here: http://www.aaroncake.net/RX-7/newowner.htm Next, read all of the stickies at the top of th 2nd gen section, especially the FAQ.

ericgrau

iTrader: (1)

As with any car, do all basic maintenance. If you're unsure of the car's history, do everything. A Haynes manual is helpful. If you want a free manual this forum's FAQ has a link to the FSM. Coolant, fuel filter and oil is especially important on a rotary.
Look at this forum's FAQ. Use the search tool for other specific problems.

Search "fuel pulsation dampener", "OEM thermostat"
If your temp gauge goes a little over half, pull over immediately. Overheating a rotary is very bad. Other than that and the tendancy for electrical stuff to go bad (mostly gauges), the RX-7 is pretty reliable. Rumors come from the 1993+ model.

Performance:
- handling: search "suspension", (suspension) "bushings", "tires", "wheels", "DTSS"
- more extreme handling (less practical): search "coil overs", "skirts" (or "body kit")
- power: Search "catalytic converter", "cat back", "cone intake", "cai", "vdi"
- more extreme power (less practical): search "street port", "SAFC2", "stand-alone ECU"

If I made a mistake or forgot something... somebody chime in.

ericgrau

iTrader: (1)

And it's good for power, but the 2nd gen N/A engine is already reliable. 3rd gen OTOH...

MaczPayne

iTrader: (5)

Anyways, treat this car as you would any other 20 year old car: tune up, replacing bad parts, etc. Drive it the way it should be driven. Don't baby it, but don't abuse it also.

Astyr7

thanks for the advice guys I will try to find out what kind of condition it is.

Icemark

V8 comments pruned. They have no place here in the 2nd gen RX-7 Technical section, but rather only belong in the Other Engines section of the board.

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

welcome! you'll learn a lot by reading here and doing the work on the car yourself. changing the fluids and keeping up on maitenance and repairs will go a long way!! dont be afraid to attempt some work on the car, it'll teach you a lot about the 7 and you'll appreciate the car that much more when the work you put in can be rewarded by an awesome car.

Sideways7

iTrader: (7)

I agree, doing work on the car is the best way to figure it out. Just get a good set of metric socket wrenches and combination wrenches. The main sizes you need are 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 17mm, and possibly 19mm (at least for my RB exhaust.) I have also used 8mm, 13mm, 15mm, and many other larger ones for stuff involved in rebuilding the car/engine, but they aren't needed for most work.

Astyr7

I know next to nothign about cars...I mean I know how to perform an oil change and all the basics...but how can you perform fluid dumps? Also does anyone know where I can download those manuals for the rx7? As for the whole v8 debacle...I couldnt agree more. I love what I understand of rotary engines they are outstanding...I mean if you want a v8 buy a mustang gt.

Tessai

I suggest you become very familiar with this thread...

https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/frequently-asked-questions-2nd-generation-rx-7-faq-fc-494667/

.

Sideways7

iTrader: (7)

Seriously, jsut sit down and read that entire thread. There is a link to the FSM in there as well. Also, its a good idea to get the Haynes manual, which you can order from any auto parts store.

pistonpoweredrx7

(not a rotary-powered one)

ericgrau

iTrader: (1)

If you can change the oil the other fluid changes won't be hard either. Except brake fluid. The Haynes manual recommends you just take it to a brake shop for that.