I found this car on craigslist. I am wondering what you guys think about it, does it seem worth checking out? (I have never owned an RX7 before but I am looking to buy one, so I want to ask the advice of people experienced with these cars...)

1988 Supercharged Mazda RX-7 Convertible
5-speed Red Convertible Targa top, Cold AC, High perfomance Clutch Kit, Custom Dual Exhaust with Headers, Custom Roll Bar, Upgraded 16" tires and rims, 120K miles. Must Sell $5399 or Best Offer!




What I want to know is this: since it has a supercharger on it, what should I ask the owner about what has been done to the engine to handle the charger? (bigger injectors, etc?) What would be some red flags to watch out for when I check out this car?

Also, how much would you guys pay for this car?

 

general rule coupes are better than verts-stiffer body.
you can get a turbo charger coupe for 3k easy, but a turbo vert will run you atleast 5k]
so they are in the same ball park, id drive a turbo car first, then that one to notice the differences than make your choice.

btw rotarys are better run with a turbo charger IMHO high rpm engines ect. do your research you may prefer a turbo

 

how much is he asking? last poster was right turbo's are more efficient, and people are usually against the superchargers cause of expense, but if he's asking a reasonable price for the car then you might be getting a good deal

 

That much.

 

Find out which supercharger setup is being used. If it's the old Paxton setup it's probably worth it as long as the blower is in good shape and it has the updated brackets that don't crack. If it's something custom the you need to judge the quality of the work. If it's the Camden setup, you might want to search this forum for "camden problems", "camden idle", "camdon issues", etc. as the Camden kit has known issues.

 

hmm from what i'm reading it sounds like I'd be better off with a TII, especially if this car has a Camden kit on it. Either way I'll take a look at it...

 

So I looked at the car.

I have to say the interior and exterior are in BEAUTIFUL condition, definitely the cleanest 2nd Gen. that I have seen since I have been looking to buy an RX7. That's probably a good sign that it's been taken care of. Based on that alone, I am very interested in this car

My concern though is about the supercharged engine, so I would appreciate some help/advice about what to expect from a SCed 13B.
It has a Garret charger on it with a carb bolted on top (the EFI system has been taken out.) Is this standard proceedure when you put an SC kit on a rotary?

What about these "problems" I have read about regarding the Camden kits? Does this only apply to Camdens, or could these be potential problems with any SC? I tried doing some searches, but I couldn't find a clear answer...

Now my next question is this: This Super Charged RX-7 didn't have as much power and wasnt as "fast" as the BPU TIIs I have driven. Supposedly it's putting out about 200-210 HP, so that makes sense. How difficult would it be to squeeze more HPs out of a SC setup such as this, say if I wanted to get to 250+ HPs? I know I could change the pulley to make it run at a higher PSI, but what else can you do to make these things put out power?

Thanks in advanced for your help with these questions. I know that with the right searches I could find some info, but as I have said I have had trouble finding answers to these specific questions...

 

My supercharger gives me no promblems what so ever! i have a camdeon ive had it on for a few months no promblem what so ever! some people just dont know what to do i guess! i do have bigger injectors though which helps a bunch it calms the idle and makes it smoother! also u could add water injection to the setup and help the idle out more!

 

What about a carbed supercharger? What kinds of options are available to upgrade the power of a carbed setup?

 

It's cool... definitely an unusual setup. That said, I highly doubt it's owrth it to purchase this as your first FC. You're likely to have a lot of trouble finding help when you need it. I'd suggest buying a TII instead if you want to get power out of an FC.

 

Yeah that's kinda what I was thinking too. For some reason I dont like the idea of it being a carbed setup either. I guess i just feel like its a step backward to go from a EFI system to a carb, though admittedly I don't know what I am talking about...

 

yea i saw that on craigslist here in orlando ... i just dont think its worht the 5500 bucks

go buy a t2 and wap it into a vert .. then sell the donor car and your at around 3000

 

Yeah I've only been able to find one TII for sale around central FL, and for the price, I won't be able to afford to buy a 'vert as well.... So I guess I wont be driving a vert TII conversion.

BTW, how does $5,000 sound for a 87 TII with RB exhaust, intake, FCD, SAFCII, boost controller, performance clutch, all in good mechanical condition, but with a fairly warn interior and an exterior with some blemishes that needs a new paint job...? I am strongly considering this car, but then DREYKO says I should be able to get a TII for $3000. Is 5k too much??

Sorry to ask such silly noob questions, but I would really appreciate your advice. I have been craving an RX7 for a long time, and I just want to make sure that I will be happy with the first one that I buy.

 

For stupid people, yes. There seems to be a faction of people who think that carbs are somehow a good thing.

The Camden kits have (had?) major design issues with the intake manifold and several reports of the supercharger eating itself. I've been told these have been corrected but don't know for sure.

You're going to have a hard time making more power with the supercharger. A smaller pully will help if the blower is not already at maximum speed/efficiency.

 

Thanks for the info Aaron (and others). I've definitely decided against that supercharged vert, and I will be going with the TII that I mentioned. I would appriciate opinions on the TII though also.

Again, sorry if it seems like I am asking you to hold my hand through this decision process, it's just that I am buying my first RX7 so I want to make sure I get the right one.

 

supercharger? just do all the exhaust mods for an na and your good to go. i would assume the 5th and 6th ports arent functional or are taken out.

as far as a carb being bad? not really. its a matter of taste. some people prefer it.

go meth injection and up the boost!

 

Dont be afraid to drive for a deal (or even fly) I think you can find a better TII for less money somewhere on the forum or possibly auto trader.

 

superchargers are original. everyone mother's wants a TII..but how many of us can say i run a S.C yeah yeah less power but if all you want is 230ish to have fun with, a s.c is a great idea. Offer him less than what he's asking. ask how many miles are on the S.C and if its ever been rebuilt (run about 500 bucks) Search Trouble with "OverSpinning" the s.c pulley..common problem with Paxton setup. do more research, it all comes down to: do you like it, would you enjoy having it for 5k or so? Good luck keep us updated!

Aaron

 

when u start running over 10 or 12psi, u can add a intercooler or aftercooler w/e you want to call it but Go for a water-cooled one, better gains from that. upgrade primaries to 550s and secondaries to 720's. get a FD fuel pump and a smaller pulley=more psi. be careful overspinning then comes into play.

Aaron

 

I guess I'm just not liking the fact that the SC has a carb and no efi...
as far as finding a better valued TII, what would be a fair price for the TII I mentioned?