Cgotto6

iTrader: (8)

You just got the car like a week ago..So as far as im concerned you cant complain about the stock boost system for another year. Maybe then if your still having problems with it you should get a single. You havent done anything in terms of troubleshooting.

txturbogs

Cars are not investments, specially FD's!! I purchased an LS1 FD cnverted by Hinson and I can tell you that it makes me feel more at ease. I'm not worried about blowing the turbos (mine did along with the manifold), blowing the engine, overheating, etc.

I really haven't had the chance to test the car to its max, but I can say that I drove it around 1200 miles (average of 95MPH) back home and not one problem arose, not one!!I'm just glad the previous ownder kept it in clean tip-top condition.

alberto_mg

Yes, it does get tiring so plan your mods and repairs wisely and spend wisely. Don't feel like you got to keep modding and buying stuff b/c you keep reading about someone making an "improvement" or an "upgrade" here on the board.

I think we all have love/hate relationships with the FD. We hate spending money on it, but love playing and especially love driving it. It's still more reliable than my last BMW...

YoshiFD3S

iTrader: (19)

Wrong actually.

But it's at Mazcare right now, just had compression test done, good results.

They are wanting to take off the UIM and fix the vacuum-line nightmare under my hood.

I agree with the concept of fixing the problem by having it back the way it SHOULD be, then slowly go from there by "upgrading"..or what have you.

EXCUUUUUUUUUUUUSE me for not trying to rip apart the motor myself and just go by the advice of members on a forum. From the 14 years of shop experience Mazcare has had VS. forum members experience playing with/trouble-shooting FD's, I think the turn-around time and quality of work of Them VS. Me is more than worth the money. And at least they are willing to teach and explain everything to me too.

I can't see anyone disagreeing with "Pay a PROFESSIONAL to fix it, and have them tell you what was wrong." rather than "Try to fix it yourself. If it blows..Hey, just try something different next time." ...sorry but no.

I appreciate advice, tips, suggestions, etc, but seeing as how I AM a new FD owner, I'm not about to just try to do it all myself, f*ck it up, and hate myself later. I feel very confident in my choice to have a professional rotary-specialist shop explain my problems, fix my problems, and educate me at the same time.

P.S. Regarding the stock boost system. I think my complaints are justified, but in the end, if the problem is fixed, then there is no problem, and no complaints. Stock seq. twins is just fine for me, as long as they work. That's the point.

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

It sounds like they are a good, reputable shop. No worries there.

As for those of us who choose to struggle a little with the DIY approach, vs. taking to a shop and opening our wallets, there are two reason why I DIY:

1) I enjoy exploring and learning how these things work. While an engine rebuild is a risky thing to play with, the turbo control system really is not. As long as you have a functional boost gauge, you won't blow the motor by working with it. It's purposely designed to tend to not boost or underboost, so making a minor mistake is generally safe, and either way the first few times you WOT you simply watch the boost gauge to be sure you don't do something damaging. In the end, I know how to fix things, I know how it works, and I get it done with less capital $$. Most reliability projects with an FD don't involve "rip the motor apart", and are do-able for a hobbyist with a technical mind, hand tools, and a level of patience.

2) I don't have a shop close by, and my money is tight. While sports cars are money holes, that doesn't mean it's stupid to consider how to get the most value out of the money I throw in it. Although KD is only a 90min drive from me, it's still a major hassle to drop off the car and pick it up, and it's tough to get an appointment. So I can pull my UIM in about an hour, and the money I save on labor goes into buying newer/better parts that make sense to replace anyway. So for $1000 I get my injectors cleaned, and also get a new engine harness and OMP lines. Done at a shop, $1000 might take care of the injectors alone. I'm a salaried worker, so it's not like I can sit there and play the "what is my time worth to me?" game. I do it, and I enjoy doing it as a hobby. If an idea doesn't work, I don't get angry because I knew putting time into it was a risk I took. Usually my only loss is time.

If it blows... is maybe a risk when you do your own ECU tuning, or a non-stock engine rebuild. But FDs aren't meth labs. You just research the project fully, use all the documentation you can get (FSM, forum, sites), do it right, use good parts, and it works.

Dave

turbojeff

iTrader: (30)

I sold my CYM after building what was basically my *perfect* car. It was very nice, so nice that I couldn't drive it w/o worrying about it.

http://community.webshots.com/album/89560034SgoVwL

I invested the $$ in some property and immediately, put it up for sale and I'm currently in Escrow selling the property making a decent chunk of change after commission, taxes and expenses. For me it was totally worth selling the car.

I'm at a point in my life (married w/two young kids) where a boat or motorhome is more enjoyable for the entire family.

Think about your situation with the car and do what you think is best for you. Consider long term and short term.

rotorbrain

thats just about how i feel ATM, except i have a brand new son, and i wanna be able to pass my car on to him. . . thats something i see my dad wishing he couldve done all the time. i wanna be able to do just that for my son. . . unless he publicly denounces rotaries altogether.

mibad

Wait until he's at least 25!

turbojeff

iTrader: (30)

That is cool, you'll just have to live through about 8-12 yrs until he is capable of even helping you with it.

You could get a boat and pass memories of fishing on the weekends with him to.

My Dad has a 1970 Bug he bought new, it is still in good shape. He very much wants to pass it on to me, I just don't want it right now. It isn't like I'm going to drive it everyday and I don't want to leave it outside.

dubulup

^Can't believe you sold that car!! I'm sure your property is making you happier thru money...but come on, you put back seats in the CYM!!!

where's the old turbojeff that posted about hitting boost and pulling his child's head from the car seat from the G's??? (car seat facing the rear...) hahaha!!!

poss

iTrader: (5)

I can't believe you sold it either! That was a beautiful car.

dubulup

^just had to give some more props on that project!!

great work!

turbojeff

iTrader: (30)

I know, I know, trust me I can't believe it either. Especially when Road & Track had a CYM in it this month.

jpandes

Yeah, repairs and these cars are a never ending story... For me there is always something that I "need to", "want to", or "could do" to my FD. I just need to find the time and motivation to get my but in to the garage and get dirty.

I also recently got married 5 months ago and adopted a 3 mo. old puppy (kid w/ training wheels) three weeks ago. So, I haven't had much time to wrench on my car. I have spen a bunch of cash on new parts that are just wainting to be installed. Here are some of the projects on my list:

Re-tune my PFC to for 11.2-4 AFR's up to 15 PSI
Install my new Pillow-Ball bushings
Install Jimlab bushings
Install N-tech Brake rotor cooling ducts & hose
Install SS Brake Lines
Flush brake system with new fluid
Install new spark plug wires
Install my RIO KARMA 20 G MP3 Player to work with my exisiting system
Install an the extra set of H3 HID's that I have in some driving lights

Here are some other fixes that I should do someday:

Fix A/C
Replace partially clogged heater core
Paint interior plastic pieces
Chase down short in Stereo that keep blowing fuses
Fix passenger door panel/speaker grill ands stop it from rattling

... And the list goes on.

rynberg

Maybe this is just the bitter part of me, but I don't think anyone who has had their car for less than a year and/or has put less than five-figures into the car (above purchase price) should be posting in this thread!

I've dropped over $15k this year and still have work to do....

dubulup

^damn Gina $15k and you're still seq I got love for all my 1995 brothers...

I agree...to bitch in this thread you have to at least had your arm pits burned with fuel from changing the fuel filter AND/OR know what a blown engine sounds/drives like ALONG WITH being able to smell coolant in your own exhaust, haha

ehos

If it's too much cash, sell it. Buy a first gen for $500 and drive it till she blows.

I'm glad I 'worked my way up' from 1G, 2GNA, 2G Turbo and finally FD. It makes you appreciate the nuances of a great car.

There's nothing on the market (LHD) that you can buy for this price. (RHD you have more options like GTiR, GTR's etc)

rynberg

Haha, a fully rebuilt motor with new housings, 3mm seals, streetported; BNR Stage 3s, Zeal coilovers, Stoptech and 99 brakes, chromoly rollbar, and fuel/exhaust/ignition upgrades; plus labor, add up to a lot of money....All that and I still need to install the coilovers and rollbar (Turkey day weekend project) and get the car tuned (by Kan in Dec).

Hell after all that, I still have faded side mirrors.

RX7 8U

iTrader: (1)

I just spent $~1300 for new rotor housings and one motor mount from Mazdacomp. $505 each for rotor housings. ...and by the way price going up another $25 each in January! Rebuild kit with all new seals was another $1200+. Throw in a street port and it's pushing $3k for the rebuild and I'm doing all the labor! (except porting).

But, on the bright side I put 25k troublefree miles on it since I bought it almost 4 years ago. It hasn't been a big money sucker 'til now. I'm not going going hog wild with mods and this isn't a commuter so I expect many years of driving pleasure after the motor is in. My sympathies goes to guys who don't/can't do their own labor. I couldn't stomach paying $100 per hour labor to work on it. Doing it myself has been half the fun actually.

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

Hmm, that's not exactly what I consider maintenance....

rynberg

ACTUALLY......I needed the new motor and turbos, and my brakes were pretty much toast at 85k with many track events on them. Might as well upgrade while I'm replacing things.

True, the fuel/ignition/exhaust upgrades hardly can count as maintenance. Neither can the coilovers, but I'm sick of my progressive-rate lowering springs...and I'm insane.

However, I did many things during the rebuild that could be counted as maintenance -- cleaning the injectors, all new hoses, some new check valves and solenoids, etc. Not to mention all of the maintenance items over the last 4 years -- oil metering pump, ISC, water pump, FPR, FPD, ALL of the rear suspension bushings, etc. It adds up quickly.

Sgtblue

iTrader: (16)

Try a 15 year old daughter with her Learner's Permit who already knows the stock 0-60 times, skid pad and 1/4 mile ET numbers that MAZDA claimed for a stock FD. Of course, there's no way she's getting it now . But maybe when she get's her Masters, is still single and still likes to hang out with me at the car shows. Carrot and stick.

RE-Amemiya

Yep!!!! and as long as i have a job i don't mind at all.

GreenMean937

money money money..... i just pretend i never had the money and i got everything for free..... im only 19 and ive probably dumped around 12k in my car + plus the 17k the car cost (ill still be paying for the next 2 1/2 years for) by myself... my parents only bought me tires when i first got it everything else was paid by me (im very proud of this).... i got it when i was 17... blew it when i was 18 and took a year to buy all that was needed to be fast and reliable when i save a few more k's to do the sinle turbo thing it will be plenty fast.... i love that car and i think it was worth every penny.... ive worked hard very hard and its the only thing i think i would wasrte that much money on....... most of the work was done by me.. except the motor and instalation...so thats alot of money saved... the day i get a credit card.. **** just add a few more thousads and ill be done.....what next??? buy a new rx7 and start over....this is true love........... **** money it comes and goes...... my car will be with me till i die... ha ha or get deported wich ever comes first...

FormerPorscheGuy

I am an engineer.

I never get tired of playing with things that are built out of metal and have parts that move in circles.