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......

 

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.

 

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...hreadid=210487

 

I've taken mine on two 300+mile trips. It was fine

 

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?

 

A good running FD, or any car for that matter, will have no problem with a long drive.

 

the previous owner drove my car from Cary NC to California alot. Also, I take my car to Reno and LA from the bay area. Its a car, drive it.

 

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.

 

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!

 

Ive noticed that after the couple 2-4 hours trips done with my car....it actually ran better for the next day or so. i assume that has to do with burning all the crap out of the exhaust with a long drive.

 

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 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

 

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.

 

Le Mans Anyone?

 

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.

 

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.

 

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'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)

 

Freeway driving is very easy on the car. No worries at all. I sold a 93 R1 to a guy that drove it 2800 miles in the following 43hrs (across the country).

 

What about long trips in extreme heat? like 105 degrees?

 

The only differnce I notice in hot extreme heat, if you have A/C...it decreases the gas mileage slightly. However if you don't and you have windows down you'd better have water. On the car it isn't that hard I don't think...aftermarket radiator you should be just fine.

 

If you are driving at freeway speeds, the heat won't make much difference. The car will runs a few degrees warmer, but not a problem.

 

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

 

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

 

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