new user requiring guidance
07-21-04, 06:52 AM
#1
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new user requiring guidance
Hi there,
i currently drive a scooby wrx in the uk. have done a fair bit of modding to get to over 300 bhp and i love the car to bits.
i need some info about the series 3 rx7 concerning purchasing and what to look for and pay here in the UK.
i also will need a fair bit of convincing that the rx7 is the right choice for me and that it is worth givinvg up the scoob for!
i would ideally like to buy on that has been modified already to a reasonable level.
i am running 350 bhp approx in the scoob and this would need to be bettered. my car wieghs 1280kgs and the rx7 i believe is around the low1200kgs so the power to weight is similar.
whats sensible for a reliable everyday car powerwise? i am thinking along the lines of 350 bhp upwards.
any advice gratefully received,
cheers,
Weava
i currently drive a scooby wrx in the uk. have done a fair bit of modding to get to over 300 bhp and i love the car to bits.
i need some info about the series 3 rx7 concerning purchasing and what to look for and pay here in the UK.
i also will need a fair bit of convincing that the rx7 is the right choice for me and that it is worth givinvg up the scoob for!
i would ideally like to buy on that has been modified already to a reasonable level.
i am running 350 bhp approx in the scoob and this would need to be bettered. my car wieghs 1280kgs and the rx7 i believe is around the low1200kgs so the power to weight is similar.
whats sensible for a reliable everyday car powerwise? i am thinking along the lines of 350 bhp upwards.
any advice gratefully received,
cheers,
Weava
07-21-04, 07:09 AM
#2
350 hp at the wheels can be a daily driver, but starts compromising reliability a bit. If you're diligent tho shouldn't be a major problem. Many people here will suggest you buy one more stock and slowly add the mods since 350 is a lot of power for these light cars. Maybe looking for a car with PFC, intake, downpipe, cat-back, midpipe or hi-flow cat, injectors&fuel upgrades, and intercooler already in won't get you 350 right away, but will take a lot of the wallet sting out of getting there.
Lotsa posts in this forum with advice on considering ownership - use the search button and get cozy with it.
Dunno about prices, but you buggers over the pond can get later models than the 93-95s. So you will see a different price structure. Good thing is your GBP has been killing in the world market and so maybe it's a little cheaper for you now.
Dave
Lotsa posts in this forum with advice on considering ownership - use the search button and get cozy with it.
Dunno about prices, but you buggers over the pond can get later models than the 93-95s. So you will see a different price structure. Good thing is your GBP has been killing in the world market and so maybe it's a little cheaper for you now.
Dave
Last edited by dgeesaman; 07-21-04 at 07:11 AM.
07-21-04, 08:00 AM
#3
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Thankyou dave,
you are right about the GBP helping us ATM.
one thing i was not familiar with in your post was the meaning of "PFC"
i would be looking for a model that had a front mounted intercooler and injector upgrades, along with fuel pump etc. of course the exhaust system would probably be fitted along with filter etc to a car of this ilk.
i don't know what the rx7 is like to map with the std ecu? do most people go for an ecu upgrade?
i will search elsewhere on this forum also, but thanks for your help.
Weava
you are right about the GBP helping us ATM.
one thing i was not familiar with in your post was the meaning of "PFC"
i would be looking for a model that had a front mounted intercooler and injector upgrades, along with fuel pump etc. of course the exhaust system would probably be fitted along with filter etc to a car of this ilk.
i don't know what the rx7 is like to map with the std ecu? do most people go for an ecu upgrade?
i will search elsewhere on this forum also, but thanks for your help.
Weava
07-21-04, 08:17 AM
#4
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You will find the RX-7 needs to be driven slower and more carefully than the WRX in bad weather.
Getting a stock car to 350hp will require $4000+ USD. Any moderately/heavily modified car requires fuel upgrades/ECU upgrade (APEX PFC/Haltech/Microtech) and proper tuning. So if you find one without it, be wary, always get a compression test. You will also probably need to find out where the UK rotary gurus are. Your best source of info will be your fellow countrymen, check out the regional forums here and start contacting a few. You can also find a few UK RX-7 clubs. These people should be able help you greatly. Find out where they meet, go to at least one meeting first, make friends, and find out who can help you assess any used car you want to look at.
Getting a stock car to 350hp will require $4000+ USD. Any moderately/heavily modified car requires fuel upgrades/ECU upgrade (APEX PFC/Haltech/Microtech) and proper tuning. So if you find one without it, be wary, always get a compression test. You will also probably need to find out where the UK rotary gurus are. Your best source of info will be your fellow countrymen, check out the regional forums here and start contacting a few. You can also find a few UK RX-7 clubs. These people should be able help you greatly. Find out where they meet, go to at least one meeting first, make friends, and find out who can help you assess any used car you want to look at.
Last edited by PVerdieck; 07-21-04 at 08:27 AM.
07-21-04, 11:32 AM
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You will find the RX-7 needs to be driven slower and more carefully than the WRX in bad weather.
i have had experience of rear drivers, which is primarily one of the reasons i want one. not being funny, but do the rx7's oversteer nicely!
07-21-04, 02:07 PM
#6
PFC = Apex'i Power FC (programmable engine management computer), it's the most popular ECU among 3rd-Gen RX-7's, because it can control the oil injectors and it uses the factory harness for an easy install.
I had a MY2000 Impreza 2.5RS (165hp), and the suspension design of the RX-7 (much less unsprung weight, better quality and geometry), plus the lower center of gravity, combined with a better front/rear weight balance, make the RX-7 handle better as long as the surface conditions are nice. It oversteers plenty, though that's highly driver-dependent in any car that handles well. You can also induce understeer, but it's not nearly as extreme as my Suby had. You might be happy to hear that the RX-7 has adjustable caster (castor?) from the factory.
In my neck of the woods, the Subaru community has more members and a slightly better online presence, but I found that there is a TON of technical information avaliable in the Mazda community. I've been attempting to compile a good FAQ / useful links page here: https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=306900
There are a few links there with 'buyer guide' sort of info. Check it out.
The thing I miss most about my Scooby is the growling boxer engine sound. The RX-7 sounds wimpy in comparison. But I much prefer the looks and cabin setup of the Mazda. And the RX-7's aerodynamics are worlds better than the Subaru, it's a very noticeable difference at high speeds.
Personally I don't recommend buying a modified car.
-s-
I had a MY2000 Impreza 2.5RS (165hp), and the suspension design of the RX-7 (much less unsprung weight, better quality and geometry), plus the lower center of gravity, combined with a better front/rear weight balance, make the RX-7 handle better as long as the surface conditions are nice. It oversteers plenty, though that's highly driver-dependent in any car that handles well. You can also induce understeer, but it's not nearly as extreme as my Suby had. You might be happy to hear that the RX-7 has adjustable caster (castor?) from the factory.
In my neck of the woods, the Subaru community has more members and a slightly better online presence, but I found that there is a TON of technical information avaliable in the Mazda community. I've been attempting to compile a good FAQ / useful links page here: https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=306900
There are a few links there with 'buyer guide' sort of info. Check it out.
The thing I miss most about my Scooby is the growling boxer engine sound. The RX-7 sounds wimpy in comparison. But I much prefer the looks and cabin setup of the Mazda. And the RX-7's aerodynamics are worlds better than the Subaru, it's a very noticeable difference at high speeds.
Personally I don't recommend buying a modified car.
-s-