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?

 

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

Welcome!

 

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?).

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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/

.

 

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.

 

(not a rotary-powered one)

 

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.