I have a problem that's limiting my speeds to less than 130 MPH, the air pressure in the rear of the car wants to blow the hatch open. The hatch begins to vibrate and begins a banging noise when I have both windows down at 125 (easily noticeable in the rear view mirror). It has this problem with only one window open, but it begins at about 60 MPH, and cracking the other window lets the pressure out okay at those (highway) speeds. Most track days require that the windows be open, and I'm tired of lifting at 130 and letting the corvettes go because my hatch may fly open. Is there an adjustment to get the hatch closed tighter, an unobtrusive place to put a hole to let the pressure out, or a device like the vettes have that opens the hatch about an inch while still being latched? The car is street driven and I'm looking for a solution that no one will notice or won't violate any safety rules. Any ideas?

 

Try doing what some of the D1 FDs do, put hood pins on the rear hatch so that it stays down.

 

weird. i have had my R1 up to 170mph twice with the windows down and not noticed a problem at all.......

 

My hatch has started doing the same thing. It's due to the hinges being worn out and having excessive play, at least in my case. I just ordered two hinges and gaskets. They're only $23 or so each from Mazda Motorsports, so Malloy probably has them for $26 each or so.

 

wow i've never even noticed things like that can happen, i guess imma look at mines again wen i hit those speeds

 

Same, but I did notice the air pressure in the car wanting to blow my ears apart.

 

Wouldn't a rear wing solve that?

 

Now thats a good call!!

 

I've had my R2 up to 170MPH once with the windows up without any problems whatsoever except some vibs from the steering wheel. Didn't notice any pressure..

 

I think hes talking air inside the cab, so wing would do no good here.

 

He's talking about windows down.

I've had the same...but it's held. But when I'm going that fast I roll up the windows anyway. Don't need that kinda drag.

 

Bingo.

Mine did it at certain speeds. 60-75mph, then it backed off a bit, then came back at around 125 or so.

 

Hatch trys to blow open due to wind pressure inside car... wing creates downforce... wing attached to hatch... downforce on wing prevents hatch from trying to blow open... install a wing... solution.

 

It may still shudder though. Mine does.

 

At 170 mph, a house foundation will shudder... ever been in a tornado?

 

I've had my car over 160 many times and never noticed any problems with the hatch. My car has the stock R1 wing but I have no idea if that really matters or not.

There's supposed to be a vent in the trunk area isn't there?

 

Mine never did once the first few years I owned the car, including during blasts to 150+ with the windows down. It started doing it last year. There is a lot of play in the hinges. Hopefully replacing the hinges fixes the problem.

I do not have a rear wing.

 

I think hes talking air inside the cab, so wing would do no good here.

 

Played football in an almost typhoon. That count?

 

Perhaps the lack of a rear wing put stress on the hinges and caused them to loosen/weaken over time.

 

Double post or reiteration...

 

Wing's not going to help??
I think you might be thinking that wings are for "show" only purpose.
They do serve a purpose in most cars.. Including FDs.
Like HDP pointed out.. and maybe you are thinking of 1st or 2nd gens.. but on an FD, the wing acturally sits on top of the hatch! So, it will definitely help keeping the hatch down.

If problem doesn't solve by adding R1/R2 Spoiler, than I suggest getting the 99 spec wing. Its heavier and adjustable.

 

Thanks for all the input, it's been an enjoyable read. I just put a spec 99 chin spoiler on and have thought of putting an R1 spoiler on the back, I really wanted new Koni's this year though. I'll check the hinges and see if they're loose, sounds cheep and quick (try the simple stuff first). It's good to know someone else has seen this, no other RX7 owner I know personally has this annoyance.

 

Your right!! I do think wings are only for show...Or maybe not....Just joking.

Yea I thought about this right after I posted that comment yesterday. It would help to put a wing on there, but I kinda see that as covering up the problem rather than fixing it the right way. If people are sayin that they have had their cars up past 130 with out problems with their hatch...Why shouldnt his? Im thinking its the hinges, so just replace those and see what happens.

Sorry for the double post too. I dont know what happened, I wasnt being a dick or anything.

 

Those guys are also running lightweight versions of our hatch without the stock locking mechanisms that were originally on the car. Theyre most likely using a carbon fiber hatch with a plexi glass window.