Well, the truth is that I don't currently own one YET.. I am basically car hunting and had a few questions .
I currently own a modded '95 probe gt (which btw has fd3s wheels hehe). Not a bad car and has some good potential in the right hands. My plans this spring were to build a fairly powerful NA motor, looking for around 250hp. There are no problems building the motor up necessarily but quite frankly I'm just getting tired of the car and I want something new. Probes/mx6/family have fairly weak trannies at the mount points, engine's can't hold power unless built(which I intended to do), and I want some rwd powa! Ok enough of that...
The questions are:
How are the stock rx7 transmissions holding up? Any weak areas?
How about the rear end differential?
Now I havn't seen an rx7 up close really in person, so I was also wondering, are the engine bays clearances very tight? Let me tell you I changed a water pump and timing belt not long ago on the PGT and it was a PITA working with about 1-2in of space alongside of the engine. I am by far no newbie mechanic, so I can take on about any task put in front of me. Thanks for the help - Kyle

 

1. Search more, post less. All of the questions you asked, they have been asked over and over again by other people. The answers haven't changed in the past 4 years. The first place to start would be the "FAQ for 3rd Gen" thread, it has a big 'buyers guide / newbie question' section: https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/faq-3rd-gen-other-useful-links-68640/

2. I personally haven't heard of any transmission problems except an occasional worn 5th-gear synchro. The rear differential will sometimes be a weak point in drag racing applications, and it's possible to swap in a beefier unit from the FC3S turbo (88-91).

3. Engine bays are plenty cramped, but manageable if you've got patience.

Good luck,
-s-

 

Thanks, I will check out the FAQs
I don't plan to drag the car, just mostly to toy around with as a hobby for street-driven use only. I don't plan to have monster hp, probably aiming for 300-400whp.

 

3-400 whp is is pretty decent actually, especially closer to the 400 whp range. Alot of us OWNERS are trying to get to that point. lol don't lie about being an owner, even if you don't own one we'll answer most of your questions

 

Stock tranny is awesome, it pretty much last forever. However, the 5th gear syncho issue will most likely only happen once on an FD.

Rear end can take a lot of abuse, and it's not really too common to replace the unit. However, if you are really into drag racing and launch the car very hard with a heavily modded FD then it would be a good idea to replace the unit.

Hell yeah, if it's stock. However, after adding a few basic mods it's pretty easy to get to anything in the engine bay.

Also, getting 300 RWHP is a joke for an FD. All you need is a few basic mods. Stock twin turbos can hit low 11 seconds with basic mods. Good luck on finding an FD.

 

300+whp in this car is verging into monster territory, if you ask me. This car, bone stock, is damned fast, don't let anyone convince you otherwise.

-s-

 

If you wanna get technical, the FD tranny is apparently only good for about 600 - 650 ft-lbs of torque, which is around where 20bfd3s broke his lol. That is the first and only case I've ever heard of someone breakin an FD tranny from pure power tho - ie, not psycho launches (I'm sure there are others, just haven't heard of 'em)

On the flip side, our good friend Rikki (Don'tBeARikki) destroyed his brand spankin new RX-8 tranny the first month he had the car, after doing a 9K rpm launch

 

my car makes 330rwhp and it is DAMN fast imo, but I don't drive it hard very often, some people probably drive hard so much they "get used to it" so to speak

 

Drive it like you stole it...always

 

I'm used to my car, and it's still damned fast. I realize this anytime I drive something else.

-s-

 

Yes... the car can take a lot of abuse..... however make sure when you install all the good intakes.. exhausts... downpipes... and stuff make sure (sure sure sure) you have enough fuel power to support the factors... rotary engines are very vurneralble to heat..... and low fuel and more air always creats more heat~~~

 

The reason the 5th gear syncr's go out is force shifting to third (and missing the 3rd gear) most people manage to get it into 5th. gear but it wrecks the 5th gear syncro unless you get lucky.