3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
Sponsored by:

Just got my first FD!!! Couple of questions for a Newbie

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-21-03, 09:51 PM
  #1  
Junior Member

Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Dallas
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Just got my first FD!!! Couple of questions for a Newbie

After doing a fair amout of research I decided to go ahead and get a 3rd gen.

It is a 1993 with 24k on the odo. Exterior and interior are a 9/10. Ended up paying 19k with a 2 year warranty. Noticed a couple of things and wanted some input.


Tried shifting from 3rd to 5th and 2nd to 4th and each time it grinds. Is this normal or a sign of a problem to come?? SHould I put some different tranny fluid in??

I want to go ahead and change to oil and Rotary Perfromance recommends 20w50. Any comments??

I have never owned a rotary and I noticed a peculiar smell after driving in my garage. It definatley doesn't smell like gas. Maybe just something I am not used to.

Also the when the AC is on there is a slight clunkity clunkity sound from under the car. I didnt notice this before b/c the place I bought the car from is off a major highway and it is not very loud?? Any idea what that might be??

I am probably just being a little **** as I know what I was getting into when I bought the car. Just want to maintain the car properly before anything major goes wrong.

Looking forward to learning alot from everyone on this board.

Thanks,

Kent
Old 08-21-03, 10:00 PM
  #2  
My Custom Title > Your's

 
COsborne's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 629
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
take it to gotham racing and have them give it a look... usually when I notice an irregular smell in the garage it is burned tire rubber
Old 08-21-03, 10:06 PM
  #3  
Lives on the Forum

 
rynberg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: San Lorenzo, California
Posts: 14,716
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
I would go ahead and perform the 60k mile service so you know where you stand. RP is one of the best shops in the country.

Your tranny issues may be fixed with new fluid but it sounds like your synchros are going out, which requires a tranny rebuild. Put that warranty to use!

Welcome to the club! There's a hell of a lot of good, knowledgable FD owners in your neck of the woods.
Old 08-21-03, 10:06 PM
  #4  
Junior Member

Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Dallas
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Does gotham racing have a website??
Old 08-21-03, 10:06 PM
  #5  
Rotary Enthusiast

iTrader: (5)
 
rfreeman27's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: MD
Posts: 1,197
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Isnt it bad to skip gears when shifting? thats how people bust their fifth gear syncro, by missing third really hard.
Old 08-21-03, 10:08 PM
  #6  
Junior Member

Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Dallas
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ok, won't try doing that anymore.
Old 08-21-03, 10:11 PM
  #7  
Racing is life!

iTrader: (2)
 
cpa7man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Grapevine, TX
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally posted by COsborne
take it to gotham racing and have them give it a look... usually when I notice an irregular smell in the garage it is burned tire rubber
Good idea, take it to Steve and the gang at Gotham. Or take it to RP both great shops.

Did you get the car at La Motorcars? If so what warranty are they selling these days.

Gotham is gothamracing.com RP is rx7.com .

I use 20/50 dino, will use 10/30 in winter.

Good luck with the new FD.
Old 08-21-03, 10:16 PM
  #8  
Racing is life!

iTrader: (2)
 
cpa7man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Grapevine, TX
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Re: Just got my first FD!!! Couple of questions for a Newbie

Originally posted by skent
I have never owned a rotary and I noticed a peculiar smell after driving in my garage. It definatley doesn't smell like gas. Maybe just something I am not used to.
For some reason the exhaust smells really bad in the FD, its worse with the HF cat. Not sure why?
Old 08-21-03, 10:21 PM
  #9  
Junior Member

Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Dallas
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Is there a local group of guys that get together or anything for drives or autocrossing??
Old 08-21-03, 10:25 PM
  #10  
Racing is life!

iTrader: (2)
 
cpa7man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Grapevine, TX
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally posted by skent
Is there a local group of guys that get together or anything for drives or autocrossing??
Check out the South forum. There is an event scheduled for Nov 1 at Motorsports Ranch. Read the thread and sign up.

A bunch of the guys meet most everynite of the week for if you like to drink your in luck.

Last edited by cpa7man; 08-21-03 at 10:31 PM.
Old 08-21-03, 10:34 PM
  #11  
Junior Member

Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Dallas
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Well I am drinking right now so ya I do enjoy a drink, where do they meet.
Old 08-21-03, 10:37 PM
  #12  
ZZzzzzz...PHshshshssshh

 
RX7-2JOCK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Washington State
Posts: 985
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Welcome to the club bro !! Got any pics of your new baby?
Old 08-21-03, 10:44 PM
  #13  
Junior Member

Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Dallas
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Not yet, should have them up by the weekend though. Black with red leather interior, touring edition.
Old 08-21-03, 10:47 PM
  #14  
Racing is life!

iTrader: (2)
 
cpa7man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Grapevine, TX
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Wednesday night at Cafe RPM in Irving, most every night somewhere in the DFW area. Look at the South Forum.......

Who did you get your FD from?
Old 08-21-03, 11:13 PM
  #15  
Junior Member

Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Dallas
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Lance at LA Motorcars
Old 08-22-03, 12:01 AM
  #16  
Call me gramps!

 
WaLieN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 2,334
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Re: Re: Just got my first FD!!! Couple of questions for a Newbie

Originally posted by cpa7man
For some reason the exhaust smells really bad in the FD, its worse with the HF cat. Not sure why?
I noticed that when I 1st got my FD earlier this week. I thought it was just the smells that emit when the motor breaks in... but I guess it's not just me.
Old 08-22-03, 12:34 AM
  #17  
Junior Member

 
Jeffee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: DFW,ATX- Texas
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hey does LA Motosports have a website by any chance... are they off 75 in dallas? im lookin into buyin a FD after i sell my DSM(just doesnt make enough power)... but message me on aim @ jeffee1223 if they have a site?
Old 08-22-03, 07:36 AM
  #18  
Racing is life!

iTrader: (2)
 
cpa7man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Grapevine, TX
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally posted by Jeffee
Hey does LA Motosports have a website by any chance... are they off 75 in dallas? im lookin into buyin a FD after i sell my DSM(just doesnt make enough power)... but message me on aim @ jeffee1223 if they have a site?
lamotorcars.com. Lance knows his FD's, just do your homework on the warranty. Caveat emptor.
Old 08-22-03, 10:05 AM
  #19  
Don't worry be happy...

iTrader: (1)
 
Montego's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 6,846
Received 787 Likes on 463 Posts
Congratulations!!!

BTW warranties are golden for these vehicles. MAKE SURE YOU DON'T DO ANYTHING TO VOID IT. My service contract paid itself 3 fold on my fd I think they threw a party when my contract ended.

Old 08-22-03, 12:50 PM
  #20  
Rotary Freak

 
jpandes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 2,236
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally posted by montego
Congratulations!!!

BTW warranties are golden for these vehicles. MAKE SURE YOU DON'T DO ANYTHING TO VOID IT. My service contract paid itself 3 fold on my fd I think they threw a party when my contract ended.
I second that...

ALL COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY: New motor, turbos, (3) water pumps, 5th gear synchro, motor mounts... the list goes on...

Make sure that you have ALL the service records for the car. You need to be able to prove that you have changed the oil at least every 3-5k miles.

Welcome aboard! And the nightmare begins....j/k
Old 08-22-03, 03:03 PM
  #21  
Senior Member

 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 725
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Which warranty did you get because the one that I received from Lance is going throough financial difficulties and is not active right now. Hopefully it will get back up and running very soon.
Old 08-22-03, 04:01 PM
  #22  
It's Mr. bling 2 you

 
RX-7racer88's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: dallas tx
Posts: 1,414
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yeah if ya still need some one to look at your car for the dallas area. Talk to either Steve at gotham or Chris at RP. Both of them know alot about FDs. Oh by the way is that the origanl black on your FD. Just wandering bc a black on red is rare.
Old 08-22-03, 06:39 PM
  #23  
Grumpy Lurker

 
twinturboteddy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: LA
Posts: 462
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally posted by skent
Not yet, should have them up by the weekend though. Black with red leather interior, touring edition.
WhoA those are really rare.

I'd honestly say somewhere around only 10 of those red interior black exterior exists.
Old 08-22-03, 08:10 PM
  #24  
Junior Member

Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Dallas
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Anyway I can tell what the color code is by the VIN number??
Old 08-22-03, 11:44 PM
  #25  
I need more black paint..

iTrader: (3)
 
talljosh85's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Redlands CA
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'm not sure about 1993, but my black 1994's color code is PZ, its a black on tan touring. If you ever decide to change interior color, let me know, I will buy the lot. Also, on the driver side door ledge (?) there should be a little sticker with curb weight, gvwr, and color code should be there too. I can't remember how to tell color from the vin. You could try the vin check area, look around and see what another black 93 has. Good luck, and have fun with your new car and welcome to the forum. Josh


Quick Reply: Just got my first FD!!! Couple of questions for a Newbie



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:29 PM.