sup...im looking into buying a 93 FD with 27,000 original miles on it. i havent been able to contact the guy so i dont really know what he has done to it. im pretty much a noob to engines in general, so i couldnt understand a lot of the things i read in the "buying a used rx-7" webpage. i was wondering if you guys could help me and tell me what i should do when i meet up with this guy?

 

We can help you by directing you away from a turbo RX-7(All 93-95's and some 86-91's). These cars are not well suited to anyone without much experience in engines, let alone rotaries. If you want to get into rotaries, I'd suggest an older generation non-turbo RX-7. Although I think you'd be best off with a completely different car. The guides to buying a used RX-7 are not very advanced or over the head technicals.

 

if you dont know alot about engines, especially the rotary, an RX7 will be difficult and very frustrating for you, since most mechanics wont touch a rotary with a ten foot pole. Most owners turn their own wrench, because its cheaper, and they know what they are doing. It would be beneficial for you to start out with a inline 4 cylinder engine, and learn the mechanics of things. Plus, a 4cyl non turbo engine doesnt have the power to kill newer drivers in some situations. Just know what youre getting into, its alot more than you think.

 

On the other hand, theres really no better way to learn than by diving in. Just think how easy piston engines will seem once you know the rotary. This isn't to say that you should pull your engine on day one, but work cautiously and with help whenever possible. There are quite a few FDs in Hawaii, so there might be someone close by willing to help a newb.

I was pretty much a newb to cars when I got my FD, I had put an exhaust and a short shifter in my last car, but that was about it. The FD has taught me volumes, but theres still tons to learn.

 

Welcome to the board! What Island are you on? Town? There are quite a few knowledgeable rotor heads out here in the islands. PM me and we can talk some more. And I agree with 911GT2. Sometimes there is no better way to learn. (and sometimes there are) But a honda can kill yopu just the same as a Rex can. Just got to be careful!

 

only 27k miles makes this car very valuable among other FD's.
What are your plans for the car? Daily driver? Store it as a classic? Plan on doing "Power" modifications or "Reliability" modifications?
Since you know very little about the car, no matter what your plans are for the car, you must find a mechanic that KNOWS FD's. The best way is to meet-and-great from the other Hawaii people. like BigIslandSevens.
Good Luck!

 

I recently made the transition to a rotary engine myself, and although the layout and major components are very different (and the potential problems as well), much of the same knowledge applies as for piston engine cars. It just takes time to familiarize yourself with the rotary - there are a lot of interesting websites out there that cover the basics of the rotary engine, if you are interested in learning:

http://www.rotaryengineillustrated.com/

Another one that *was* quite good, but seems to be offline at the moment, was:
http://www.monito.com/wankel

I found that once I had grasped the fundamental concepts of the rotary engine, and familiarized myself with the major components and their locations, the intimidation factor all but disappeared. Then spending a little time under the hood exploring and identifying things (with the help of the service manual, of course) gave me the jumpstart I needed to begin actually doing minor work on the motor (nothing internal, just subsystems). In addition to this experience, I read the service manual descriptions of how the subsystems work (particularly turbo control) to gain a "big picture" understanding of it. Over the following months, I learned more about the motor in my RX7 than I ever had about the engine in any previous car I had owned, and now it is just as natural (if not more so!) for me to work on the rotary as for any piston engine. Once you gain that fundamental understanding of the rotary engine, you realize how incredible it really is, and the motivating interest should take off from there!

So much more elegant a design than the piston engine...

 

the most important thing to learn is the basic physics and workings of an internal combustion engine....then expand on those theories with details of the specific engine in question........theory is key to understanding......

 

While I agree with this 100%, I don't think a light weight, high power turbo car is the place to be learning about cars.

 

Learning about the mechanics of a car, and learning the personality of how a car drives are 2 different issues.

IMO......

 

talk to the local guys around you dude. hopefully they will steer you in the right direction.

 

I think the FD RX7 is a great car to learn with, as far as driving goes. It is a very well-balanced chassis, and in almost any circumstances, it behaves very predictably. And that is really the most desirable characteristic for someone who is inexperienced as a driver, but wants to learn to really explore their limits.

Of course, it must be said that taking on that task with any rear-wheel-drive car is going to be more difficult than it would be with any other drivetrain configuration. It's like the cost of entry is higher with an FD than it would be with, say, a Honda. But there's no reason to fear the FD in particular due to its weight or output.

Now as for learning the mechanics of an internal combustion engine, maybe the FD isn't the easiest place to start. As a matter of fact, I would guess that it is one of the most difficult. But that's not to say that it's impossible! I think anyone has the basic capability to develop a complete understanding of the rotary engine. It's really about how motivated you are...

 

I have to agree with you on that. Because you could read and read and it could never compare to first hand experience with the car. And at some point or another your going to have, to have a starting point. And what better way to learn than by owning the car.

I'm new to the turbo rotaries myself but the basic idea of rotaries seems to be a lot less complex than other piston type vehicles, and from what I hear you can practically disable the engine with your damn bare hands.

Although from others experience with the fd it does seem a risky deal and a bit discomforting, but what the hell you got to face challenges at one point or another.

 

First, Welcom to the Forum.

I also say tere is no better way to learn. I have been working on cars for a long time, most have been v8s and a couple of years ago I got into the imports. I bought my FD 7 months ago and had no prior knowlage about rotories and very little abot turbos. If your going to learn how to work on your car at this point it dosent matter if it rotory or piston since you now nothing to begin with ether way you have to learn the mechanics every on this forum had no experiane at working on a RX-7 at one time. In my opinion the rotory is easier becuse you have alot fewer moving parts and the desighn is actualy very basic.

I just recomend you take your time when doing work on it if you think you wont be doing work it you now need to consider a different car even with only 27k.

Also you need to decide if you are ready to commit to you FD, kind of like a marrige, if you dont think you will like mechanics you need to think of a different car.

If you the FD have fun with it its a great car just dont kill youself.