I know someone here can help me out.

I'm trying to decide between a last gen Supra or Rx7. My delima is that I prefer the RX7 styling over the Supra, however... I hear so many horror stories about the Rotary engine reliability. Granted this car will not be my daily driver, but another addition to my list of "project cars". Nevertheless, I don't want a piece of junk!

Could someone shead some light on this for me? Every ad I view, the motor has just been replaced (or something of that nature). What's the deal here? can I pretty much expect this car to die after "X" number of miles, or is there a "special need" that this car has in order to keep it operational.

If it's simply that this vehicle requires a little more attention on the service side, that's no problem. If it's a case where the engine will fail regardlessly... then that's a problem.

Help me out, fellas.

Thanks,

 

The reason you see all the "Engine Replaced" rx-7 is because the rotory is high output "1.3l makes the same
hp as a V8"

Rotorys are reliable if you maintain them...

I do suggest that you do research and learn about rotory befour you buy one because if you dont you'll
run into problems...

The average life of a rotory engine is about 100k miles
if you mod it...

 

Well here's my take,if you are not mechanicaly inclined it is very hard to work on an RX7 but if you have a lot of patience like all of us you will get a hang of these cars,you are right supra is very reliable cars but personally I don't like the looks and weight of it that's why I bought my 93 Rx7.

 

I hate this!! Ok, the rotory engine is not that unreliable. It is very vuneralbe to detination but thats pretty much it. If you know what you are doing and do the proper things to keep it maintained, upgraded, etc. then you will fine. If you think that you can just throw and exahust, intake, pulleys, etc on there without upgrading the ecu then you will have one dead 7 b4 you know it. Just learn and then act. It will save you money and you will get that FD you always wanted

 

oh, and stock crap breaks....you will crack the stock plastic ast, then you will run too hot and blow a coolant seal. You will crack the stock plastic radiator endtanks and then the same thing.
Sorry but heat is another problem. Trust me, if you take care of it then it will treat you good and the engine will last ~100k miles. Most last around 70k but you can stretch it pretty well.

 

do a search please............

 

Yep yep

Do a search for RELIABILITY or RELIABLE and you will get a couple of dozen threads.

 

I'm getting some great feedback here.

I'd like to first explain that I of course want to mod this car. Secondly, I never make substantial power upgrades without upgrading fuel management, suspension, air flow, etc. as well.

So, is the 13B motor extremely sensitive in that the slightest mods (intake and exhaust) would call for an ECU replacement? I intend to do more than this, but an answer to this question would give me a feel as to "how careful" I need to be. To lay it on the line, I intend to get the Greddy T88 turbo kit the moment I get the car. I need suggestions on fuel management systems... stand-alones, no piggy-backs, and exhaust upgrades. Also... what are the BEST reliability mods I can make and where on the web can I purchase WHATEVER is needed (cooling, oiling upgrades)?

Lastly, is there any internal strengthening that needs to take place? I'm used to building your standard crank/piston motor for supercharged/turbo applications... but not the rotary. From what I've learned at rotaryengineillustrated.com this morning, there's no much inside to replace.

I'll continue to search the web as well as this site for more info.

Thanks,

 

Searching will definately answer your questions.

You could always send that t88 my way, I'll take good care of it for you

 

Ok, First, get a new radiator. Fluidyne is nice. Downpipe, midpipes are both great reliability mods, which increse power also. For an exhaust get a Blitz Nurspec or a Apexi N1. EMS standalone I would go with either AEM or PowerFC

 

GREAT!! how about the AST's I keep hearing about? Who sells the upgraded, aluminum ones with the proper PSI caps?

Thanks,

 

M2performance I beleive has a kit to fix that problem
www.m2performance.com

 

Arggh. Another potential buyer that wants to just dump a T-88 in the car. Going single either requires a ton of experience and knowledge on FDs or trusting a tuner to do it all for you. I don't know your experience with other high hp cars but just strapping a T-88 to the car and going out to drive it will likely result in a crash. You need to do a hell of a lot more research. Search through the single turbo section of this forum. Even though I don't have personal experience, I can tell you that with a T-88, the car will be virtually unstreetable. You will have very little power below 4000 rpm and then it will just explode with little progressivity. If you're just turning the car into a dragster, that's fine, but if you actually want it streetable, you are going to want a smaller turbo. BTW, even a smaller single turbo is capable of well over 400 rwhp. This is the equivalent of atleast 500 rwhp for most other heavier and less aerodynamic cars.

 

This car won't be a daily driver. Sure, every once in a while I'll take it out on the street, but not for the sake of street racing. All racing will be on the drag strip. That's currently what I use my 96 GSR and 92 CIVIC for.

As for the characteristics of the T88 turbo... I'm very familiar with it... well... the T78 at least. My friend who owns a performance shop here has a T78 driven Supra that we recently tuned-out on the dyno. Believe me... I've experienced the power surge beyond 4krpm. This is why I've trying to decide between the Supra and RX7. I prefer the RX7 because of the styling, but was uncertain about reliability. It's my friend that wants me to get a Supra so that we'll have 3 in out car club. I like to be different, however.

Besides, my job requires that I travel a lot. I drive very responsibly and therefor would only be cruising IF I take this car out for anything other than going to the track. I need my license and I wouldn't risk it for anything

 

I guess it comes down to philosophy. There are much better cars to use for drag racing than an FD. I still don't understand why people take one of the best balanced sports cars ever made and turn it into a drag racer. Who the **** cares about styling at the strip anyway? Since it looks like you're fairly wealthy, judging by the number of cars in your sig, why ruin an FD just for a dragger. Buy an FD for driving. Go buy a stripped Z-28 and prep it out for your drag queen.

 

When in this post did I imply that I wanted to strip the car for drag use only? I don't own a dedicated dragger and don't want to. This is why I care about styling. Just because I drag my cars once in a while doesn't mean I want an all-out dragger.

Since you've noticed my sig (and I'm not wealthy), I'm sure you've also noticed that I don't own a "Japanese muscle car". Well... I want one now.

Lets put it this way. I care about styling whether the car is to be driven on the track or the street. Nothing I own is dedicated to the track.... I'm not dedicated to the track. I like streetable cars that can substitute as weekend racers, or allow me to rip someone on the highway just for a short burst.

 

Get a supra ...

 

hehehe
Jason sells just about everything at the cheapest price however there are some up and coming stores such as rotormotorsports taht will beat his price if you ask. Inventories are about the same....I recommend the T78 or even the T04S which is what I am thinking of going with. Also, if you care about styling, why do you own a beetle???

 

I would also doubt his styling sense with the 2001 RAV4 ???

j/k seriously though ... The supra will better suit your needs, and will be more reliable.

 

Hahahahaha. My very first car was a Beetle (I'm 30). I loved that car... then it was totaled. When the new Beetle was released, I had to have one. When the turbo was released, I traded it for the turbo. In all honesty, I like the Beetle styling... for what it is, that is.

Besides, my wife always wanted a Beetle as well. It was also my way of forcing her to learn to drive a stick shift

 

Sweet.. makin the girl learn how 2 drive stick.. Half the people if sat down in the car i drive would look at me like im an idiot.. LOL.. Well first off it seems that you dont have very much experience with a 7. So i would reckcomend(sp?) you hold off on the T-88.. First off you say you arent wealthy so unless you have 10+k layin around you cant afford to get the T-88 realible anyways.. Second if you want a car that your just gona strap on a big snail then get the supra. It handles boost better, and doesnt require a ecm to get 400-500+ hp. The only disadvantage is its fugly, cost more, and is heavier. Just my .02 worth....

 

Maybe my definition of wealthy is different from those who have commented in this post. Let's just say, I'm comfortable with the $210k I make per year (between my day job and personal business). However, that isn't being wealthy... in my opinion But... $10k lying around (as you put it)... I actually have more than. So T88 and all of the supporting equipment is no object (and what I want).

So tell me... what's your ideal Rx7 setup... provided you wanted max power and still be street legal (not necessarily streetable ).

 

Why be so hard on him? I say let him get the FD so he can help the rest of us that want to make upgrades like his. OH yeah, why eat cheeseburgers when you can get your fill of broccoli. (who cares if he wants to drag his car).

 

Thanks, btardell!!

I know no one here knows me since I'm a newbie. Most of my time has been spent a clubsi.com, honda-acura.net, and vwvortex.com. But those that do know me also know that I'm GOOD for practically giving away performance mods that I wasn't happy with.

For instance, I recently bought a JG Engine Dynamics 35+ PSI block and cylinder head for my 92 CIVIC, Drag genIII Turbo kit, Hondata stand-alone, Integra Type-R Full 4-wheel suspension, Integra Type-R seats, exhaust, and MUCH MUCH more to make my CIVIC fast (and it is, for what it is). As a result of the recent performance changes, I sold the two week old j-spec DOHC VTEC motor (b16a long-block) for $500.00. The 1 week old Jackson Racing supercharger for $1,000, my Mugen chipped p30 ECU for $75, and so on.

These were good prices for parts that weren't in use very long. All this to say, I'm sure I'll go through the same cylce with the Rx7. Trying one setup, being disappointed, trashing the old and in with the new.

So... y'all help me out and some deals (I'm sure) will come out of it for someone. Just don't mislead me

 

genyosai,

If reliability is a concern, then you should get the Supra. If you want the FD because you like the styling, then get the FD.

If you want reliability, stick with the Civics. Sorry, I'm not trying to be a butthead, but, heck, it's a sports car.

Personally I don't care if you drag the car, AutoX, street race or just keep it stock. It's your money do as you you please.

What you should do though is spend some time searching this forum and checking out the various archives like the following link:

http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/

Be sure to check out the FAQ section about buying and reliability mods from the above link.

However, as I said before, if reliability is a concern, then don't get a FD. Doesn't matter how many people don't or do have problems with their cars, each one is different. You may get one and have problems all the time, or have no problems at all.

Good luck on your decision...