FD Safe for Long Trip?
 

I plan on making a trip to Florida from Toronto (2000 km) and stay there for 1-2 months and then come back. I'd really like to bring my 7 with me. Is it safe to do so? I imagine it is if the engines in good shape. It's a street ported engine with some minor mods.

Is there anything I should be checking every x hours along the way? I assume bring oil and coolant just in case. I'll probably have to change the oil while im down there, so bring the filters already etc.

Any advice/suggestions would greatly be appreciated.

thewird

You should be fine if your FD is in good shape. I took my last one from PA to Georgia a few years back. No problems.

I'd consider checking and maybe changing the plugs before you go.

i drove between Northern MD and South Carolina a few times and mine made it fine.... just keep an eye on your water teps bc if they start to climb rappidly they will keep going up untill you pull over

What if i don't have a water temperature gage? Unless you mean the normal temperature gauge which i know is supposed to be horizontal.

thewird

When I bought mine in OH and drove it home to FL, everything was just fine. I'd def change your plugs before you go.... and bring along at least a qt of oil and some coolant, just incase! Also... make sure your spare tire is inflated and you have all the tools to change it.

Lots of good advice here. You should be fine---the more you cruise and the less you boost, the more your FD is like an FB, and those are known for running forever :)

Make sure you have the plastic undertray that bolts up under the engine bay. Without that, your temps will creep up on you on long highway trips. Also, not a bad idea to air the tires up to maybe 38-40 psi in order to get better gas mileage.

Don't forget a small fortune for fuel!

+1 to everything said here. Check all your fluids and tire pressure. Don't go boost crazy. I'm sure the temptation to top the car out will be there on a long empty straight stretch, but you have to decide if it's worth possibly blowing up.

The previous owner of my car said he's taken my car from Miami to Baltimore and back, no problems. Good luck :)

Ive done CA to VA in mine. No problems and averaged about 24mpg (no more than 5psi to accellerate and cruising at 80mph). Water, Oil, and basic tools are all you sould need. As long as she's in good shape she wont let you down. Also, change the plugs before the trip, and it couldnt hurt to change the oil both before and after (i was just being cautious).

Driving the RX7 long distances is no different than driving any other car long distances. You do all the same prep and just carry your AAA (or equivalent) card.

agreed. it's only a car...as much as I don't want to believe that...it is.

Nice, I'm glad that you guys say it should be a positive experience. Thank you for all your suggestions.

2000 km both ways on premium fuel is a fortune indeed :D

I've taken my car to 260 km (160 miles) /h before so the temptation shouldn't really be there ^_^. Especially on unknown roads.

thewird

Might be worth plotting out the rotary shops along the way just in case... last thing you want is something to happen and have no idea where to bring the car!

But I've traveled around with my FD w/o problem.

Also as long as your not bringing too much luggage hahahah

Just clothes basically.

thewird

i took my 85 gsl se up to the west coast and back 4100 km trip the only thing i did was take oil caa(canadian) card spare tire jack tools and coolant. Also took along some plug clearner my plug cleaner brush and my compression tester because my motor has 210 km on it...only thing i would recommend really doing is compression tester and do a fresh oil change before you leave also putting a can of lucas oil additive never hurt anything other then that have fun

I drove my baby 1200 kms interstate over the course of 12 hours and not a single problem.

Only thing was I drove at night and I also had the bonnet popped the whole way...yes I know its not very safe to do considering I was doing about 140km/h most the way but I didn't want to risk overheating in the middle of the Outback lol

Guys (and gals), responsible highway driving is the best and easiest thing on the car. Think about it:

Lower rpms (i.e. cruising)
Constant airflow for the radiator and oil cooler(s)

It doesn't get any better for a car than those conditions. As long as normal maintenance has been kept up to date, you shouldn't need to do any more than the following:

1. Check engine fluid levels (oil, coolant, power steering, windshield washer, etc)
2. Verify no fluid leaks
3. Check tire pressures
4. Check spare tire pressure if you have one (a flat spare tire is of no use)

Other than that, make sure you have a cell phone charger adapter for your car and have fun. It's same as any other vehicle going on a long trip.

ca to nj.. stopping for gas and a nap..
got on boost whenever appropriate.. :)

I usually run regular when on highway trips.... as long as you're not boosting it will be fine.

I've driven mine from STL to OH and back several times with no problems at all.

I can run on regular?

thewird

I wouldn't run on regular ever, but that's up to you. CLOSING THREAD....it's a freaking car and there are already several threads about this exact topic.

Your car was running hotter as a result of this, not cooler. Feel free to use the search function to see why.