FD for Long Drives
#1
Faster
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
FD for Long Drives
Can anyone explain to me their experiences with the FD on 4.5 to 5.5 hour drives, roughly 330 miles, in terms of stress on the car, heat, reliability? Should this situation be avoided? Can it be undertook, just keep a close eye on heat and fluids?
I realize it may be uncomfortable, but am speaking from a mechanically "sound" point of view.
Typical Mods would include newly built motor w/ mild street port, rebuilt turbos, intake, dp, cb. roughly 280-300 Rwhp.
TIA......
I realize it may be uncomfortable, but am speaking from a mechanically "sound" point of view.
Typical Mods would include newly built motor w/ mild street port, rebuilt turbos, intake, dp, cb. roughly 280-300 Rwhp.
TIA......
#2
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When I bought mine I drove it 8 hours to get it home and it was fine. It was also in the low 90s that day. I am sure it depends on the car though. Mine has been pretty reliable so far with the exception of some sounds that I had to resolve.
#5
Uber Newb.
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: LSU - Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I did Houston to Baton Rouge and back to Houston yesterday. 550 miles give or take, and about 8 hours with the construction in between those two locations. Car did great, and I was comfortable except for the fact that I have no AC and it was at least 100° outside. I drank 7 litres of water that day and peed one time.
The car should have absolutely no problems unless your going to have them anyway. I used to be worried about driving long distances, until I realized this. If you have a problem, it's going to crop up, whether you're on a long trip, or just driving around town.
I guess you're buying a new car and driving it home? If so, just keep an eye on temps, and smell around occasionally for strange smells. That 330 mile drive is going to be less stressfull on the engine than 330 city miles.
How new is that motor?
The car should have absolutely no problems unless your going to have them anyway. I used to be worried about driving long distances, until I realized this. If you have a problem, it's going to crop up, whether you're on a long trip, or just driving around town.
I guess you're buying a new car and driving it home? If so, just keep an eye on temps, and smell around occasionally for strange smells. That 330 mile drive is going to be less stressfull on the engine than 330 city miles.
How new is that motor?
Last edited by DaedelGT; 08-07-03 at 10:57 AM.
Trending Topics
#8
Faster
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks all.
Mahjik - Thanks, I read that thread recently, guess I was too stubborn to realize my question had been answered.
Everyone else, Thanks. Exactly what I was looking for. Common sense told me this but I was worried since my mechanical knowledge regarding the rex consists of what I have read here on the forums (and sticky's), and what I learned from cracking the housing on my 82 1st gen, but I got 165K out of it!!! Only other mechanical knowledge consists of replacing the clutch on a 1988 nissan pickup..literally reading out of the book, i.e. step one remove transmission boot.
I am buying around october/november and am actively looking. The plan is (no surprise) buy one, have it built, drive it home. I live in Atlanta so the southern heat is intenese. I drive about 8-10 miles to from work daily and this will be my daily driver. 2 times a week I get caught (on the way home) in nearly stop and go traffic.
Also will be driving it down to Florida (Destin area) to visit family, about 3 times a summer (could always use the GF's exploder for this).
I'm planning on paying it off in 2 years, buying a primary car and then turning my rex into a toy...i.e. bring on the mods.
Long story short. I should have a small car payment for ~ 2 years, and a reliable (relatively speaking) daily driver during that time period. I realize the maintenance will be high in terms of time/$$. But it isn't anything I can't afford. And..I'm ready to get rid of the 2K maxima for something more fun!
Hoping to avoid a loan all together, using cash and credit. Small payment = CC payment.
Mahjik - Thanks, I read that thread recently, guess I was too stubborn to realize my question had been answered.
Everyone else, Thanks. Exactly what I was looking for. Common sense told me this but I was worried since my mechanical knowledge regarding the rex consists of what I have read here on the forums (and sticky's), and what I learned from cracking the housing on my 82 1st gen, but I got 165K out of it!!! Only other mechanical knowledge consists of replacing the clutch on a 1988 nissan pickup..literally reading out of the book, i.e. step one remove transmission boot.
I am buying around october/november and am actively looking. The plan is (no surprise) buy one, have it built, drive it home. I live in Atlanta so the southern heat is intenese. I drive about 8-10 miles to from work daily and this will be my daily driver. 2 times a week I get caught (on the way home) in nearly stop and go traffic.
Also will be driving it down to Florida (Destin area) to visit family, about 3 times a summer (could always use the GF's exploder for this).
I'm planning on paying it off in 2 years, buying a primary car and then turning my rex into a toy...i.e. bring on the mods.
Long story short. I should have a small car payment for ~ 2 years, and a reliable (relatively speaking) daily driver during that time period. I realize the maintenance will be high in terms of time/$$. But it isn't anything I can't afford. And..I'm ready to get rid of the 2K maxima for something more fun!
Hoping to avoid a loan all together, using cash and credit. Small payment = CC payment.
#9
The Power of 1.3
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Shrewsbury, Massachusetts
Posts: 2,837
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If it helps at all, I took a 5 hour ride to Itaca, NY from Mass, and it was great the whole ride out there. I also went on a 3-4 hour ride home from KDR, and again, it was awesome.
Heat should not be a problem as long as you're on the highway, sitting in traffic temps might climb a little, but as long as the whole cooling system is operating properly, it won't overheat.
Good luck with the car, post pics when you get it!
Heat should not be a problem as long as you're on the highway, sitting in traffic temps might climb a little, but as long as the whole cooling system is operating properly, it won't overheat.
Good luck with the car, post pics when you get it!
#11
Faster
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just what I like to hear Meiogirl.
I tend to agree with most and compare it to some boats I have owned. Boats can be finicky, the more you run them, the better they run (if all things are working properly). When they sit, they collect dust/moisture/rust/etc. and like our squeaky bones (or a hangover) take some time to work the kinks out.
I tend to agree with most and compare it to some boats I have owned. Boats can be finicky, the more you run them, the better they run (if all things are working properly). When they sit, they collect dust/moisture/rust/etc. and like our squeaky bones (or a hangover) take some time to work the kinks out.
#12
I have more fun than you.
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Sand Key/Clearwater Beach, Florida
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have driven my FD :
20+ hrs from Tampa to South Dakota and back.
6hrs or so Atlanta-Tampa numerous times
3-4 hrs Tampa to Miami/the Keys numerous times
I love my FD for long trips. I hate it in rain or snow with a passion but aside from that, it's great for long trips. My girlfriend can even stand it and I have substantial suspension and other mods .
Then again I'm pretty short....
David
20+ hrs from Tampa to South Dakota and back.
6hrs or so Atlanta-Tampa numerous times
3-4 hrs Tampa to Miami/the Keys numerous times
I love my FD for long trips. I hate it in rain or snow with a passion but aside from that, it's great for long trips. My girlfriend can even stand it and I have substantial suspension and other mods .
Then again I'm pretty short....
David
#13
STi Boxer power!
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 2,160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've taken mine on plenty of 6 hours round trip drives to Chicago and back. The only thing I ever have problems with is a stiff back and sore *** Really though, like the others said, as long as you check it over for problems before you take it you should be fine.
#15
apeiron
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 1,773
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i did a 800 mile trip just recently
From Houston to s padre back to houston...
about 7 hours of driving up, 14 hours total...
car ran great, was running the A/C the entire time
I was avg about 90 mph the whole way.
From Houston to s padre back to houston...
about 7 hours of driving up, 14 hours total...
car ran great, was running the A/C the entire time
I was avg about 90 mph the whole way.
#16
I love when things work
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 1,090
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mine's been on a few very long trips with the old engine. The new rebuilt engine...we've gone from Nashville -> Atlanta (4 hour ride) and it did just fine. Koyo radiator also helps keep her cool on the interstate. Just recently my dad took the 7 down to Dallas (9-10 hour ride) and he loved it and it did just fine.
#17
Full Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Irvine, CA
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just drove from LA to SF which is 400 miles and took me a little less than 6 hours.
I have about 3000 miles on a rebuilt engine street ported, rebuilt turbos, downpipe, catback, and intake.
Made it fine but the next morning after I got back my oil light came on and I just changed my oil since it was almost going to be due. I guess the 800+ miles really consumes a bit of oil.
I have about 3000 miles on a rebuilt engine street ported, rebuilt turbos, downpipe, catback, and intake.
Made it fine but the next morning after I got back my oil light came on and I just changed my oil since it was almost going to be due. I guess the 800+ miles really consumes a bit of oil.
#18
i'd think the car would actually like the long trip compared to a short trip. highway miles aren't very hard on a car. as long as the temps stay decent you'll be jsut fine (unless something is on the virge of breaking that will break during your trip but that goes for any car)
#19
Do it right, do it once
iTrader: (30)
Re: FD for Long Drives
Originally posted by FD_Newb_1974
Can anyone explain to me their experiences with the FD on 4.5 to 5.5 hour drives, roughly 330 miles, in terms of stress on the car, heat, reliability? Should this situation be avoided? Can it be undertook, just keep a close eye on heat and fluids?
I realize it may be uncomfortable, but am speaking from a mechanically "sound" point of view.
Typical Mods would include newly built motor w/ mild street port, rebuilt turbos, intake, dp, cb. roughly 280-300 Rwhp.
TIA......
Can anyone explain to me their experiences with the FD on 4.5 to 5.5 hour drives, roughly 330 miles, in terms of stress on the car, heat, reliability? Should this situation be avoided? Can it be undertook, just keep a close eye on heat and fluids?
I realize it may be uncomfortable, but am speaking from a mechanically "sound" point of view.
Typical Mods would include newly built motor w/ mild street port, rebuilt turbos, intake, dp, cb. roughly 280-300 Rwhp.
TIA......
#21
I love when things work
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 1,090
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by WANKEL POWER
What about long trips in extreme heat? like 105 degrees?
What about long trips in extreme heat? like 105 degrees?
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2001
Location: S.F. Bay Area, CA
Posts: 583
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I drove my FD from Northern California To Texas. 23 hour drive. I had my wife and my two small Italian greyhounds aboard. An hour and a half into the drive one of the dogs threw up. I went through the Arizona desert and there was no cooling issues.
The good thing about the FD is it's speed, I did the 23 hour drive in 18
The good thing about the FD is it's speed, I did the 23 hour drive in 18
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2001
Location: S.F. Bay Area, CA
Posts: 583
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I drove my FD from Northern California To Texas. 23 hour drive. I had my wife and my two small Italian greyhounds aboard. An hour and a half into the drive one of the dogs threw up. I went through the Arizona desert and there was no cooling issues.
The good thing about the FD is it's speed, I did the 23 hour drive in 18
The good thing about the FD is it's speed, I did the 23 hour drive in 18
#25
Rotary Freak
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 1,843
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I drove it 7 hours home from purhase, and back and forth to school when I'd come home to visit for a year (220mi each way), also on weekend trips of the same or greater distance. If you trust the car, knock on wood,
-BN
-BN