Hey all,
I just bought a '93 RX-7. Has a new motor new tranny. Alllllll stock. Obviously I want to do the basic mods but I am not sure which ones to do. I'm going to keep the twins, not do anything to exotic, and being as I am 21 and in college and this is a toy car I cant afford to screw up the AFR or something and make it go Boom. (I think thats the noise they make when they blow... never messed with a rotarty) I am used to large displacement V8s so I am not going to attempt to tune it or anything.. That all is going to get done at a shop. I live in Dallas but am in the Lubbock area. I suppose I will need to trailer to Dallas to get it tuned once I do all the mods. The list of things that I want to do so far are:

Silicone Vacum Hoses (just for reliability)
Intake
Exhaust (which is the best quiet one?)
Intercooler (friend offered me a ARC SMIC race one... worth it or get a different one?)
Downpinpe (doesnt this increase turbo longevity?)
Piggyback Computer (PFS one any good? Found a good deal on one.)

Now I am the pinacle of noobiness here so please dont flame me and call me a fucktard. And I dont want to hear from that kid with the stickers and the RX8. He scares me. I cant afford another motor. Are there any basic "safe" mods that I need to do for reliability or basic power that I have left off? Thanks all for the help. Glad a forum like this exists to help me out. Hit me up on AIM @ shibydevil if its easier to discuss stuff that way. Thanks again.

Ryan

 

Don't forget to replace the AST

 

gauges should be your very first mod if you don't already have them, and then possibly a radiator after the ast.

 

and the radiator

EDIT: was beat to it

 

First off, congrats and welcome to the forum. Check out the stickies at the top for good info for new owners.

You seem to have already done some research, very good. Keep along that path and don't be afraid to ask questions, lord knows I've asked my share already after only 2 months of ownership.

Try to use the search feature as much as you can, you'll find 9 times out of 10 someone else has already had the same problem you're having and the fix is in a thread here somewhere.

I'd check all your coolant hoses and probably do a flush with fresh distilled water and new antifreeze. Also a bottle of Redline water wetter.

Install a boost gauge and water temperature gauge ASAP, and as apex sideway said, replace that POS plastic AST.

 

Do a search there are many threads on this, but this is what I suggest

Racing beat cat back is a very quiet exaust system
change the radiator to a koya or fluidyne
downpipe
any aftermarket intercooler is better than stock the ARC is an OK intercooler unless you want to make crazy HP
and like aoex sideway said dont forget to replace the AST

 

http://www.rx7.org/Robinette/reliabiltiy.htm

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...threadid=28002

^^read those

As for the exhaust, if you really want a quiet one that looks kind of subdued, go for he Racing Beat Duals or single. They look great and sound even better.

As for what apex sideway's said, replacing the ast is a must.

 

Oh, and post some pics of your new car!

 

Unless the radiator end tanks are cracked and you're not having boost issues, then the radiator and vacuum lines are *not* mandatory to replace.

For starters, and at a minimum, I'd recommend a boost and water temp. gauge, a downpipe, and either the fan mod or Miata Thermoswitch. Also, as mentioned, replacing the stock plastic AST or bypassing it is a good idea.

Congrats on the buy and welcome to the board.

 

Piggyback Computer? NO

 

About the rats nest: If its not broke DONT FIX IT!
Exhaust: I love the sound of my racing beat dual tip, I want to add a midpipe but I'm hesitant because I love how it sounds now.

If your getting an ECU, dont get the PFC because everyone has it, or the XXX system because its the most reliable or the ZZZ system because its cheapest, get the one your local tuner tunes. Unless you WANT to drive across a state or a few states to get your ecu tuned right.

Watch your temps and let it warm up/cool off before starting/shutting off and you'll be fine.
-Ben

 

Why not? "montego" is running one (HKS F-CON) on his car.

 

yeah why no piggy back? Lots of people on here seem to like them.

 

sorry but what is an ast?

 

AST = Air Separator Tank

The stock AST is made out of plastic and over time, heat from a hot engine bay makes them brittle and they leak. In a worst case scenario, it will break and you'll lose alot of coolant, causing the engine to overheat. They're usually bypassed or replaced with an aftermarket unit made of aluminum.

 

Do you have any links to a good aftermarket AST?

 

http://www.rx7store.net/index.asp?Pa...S&Category=353

 

Alot of company's make them, but the main difference is if its polished or not. Its pretty much your choice.

 

Here's some info on bypassing the AST:

http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/c...imination.html

The only one I've found so far is:

http://www.wgtautodevelopments.co.uk/ast.htm

But then I am looking for places in the UK (and I'm a noobie too)

 

From my experience I'd get the gauges first. I never replaced my stock ast, just keep an eye on it and try to keep the car's temp down, wasn't TOO hard for me but a big PITA. Good luck.

-Dan