MazdaSpeed94

OK guys... I'm buying a 94 RX-7 twin turbo in a couple weeks from my neighbor. It's the blue/green pearl color (name?) and has roughly 66,000 miles on original motor. I can't pass this up because he's really giving me an awesome deal. Or so I believe. He wants to sell it to me for $10,500 and is in great shape excpet for a small ding on both sides of the car (very small). It's got a 3" downpipe, removed one of the catalitic converters (there's 2?), dropped an inch or so with Tokico shocks on all 4 corners. The only thing was that before I could buy it he had to fix an idle problem. All of the vacuum lines were checked and as of a year ago they were all zip tied tight. Everything runs fine, spools up quick, great interstate driving, quiet, smooth.. it just idles up to like 1500-2000 rpms and down to 700 or so back and forth back and forth when it is at an idle. He was told it was the IAC sensor so he got it replaced ($485) and it does the exact same thing. Now he's saying if I still wanna buy it broke he'll sell it to me for $9,800. What do ya'll think I should do and what do ya'll think the problem is? Thanks in advance!

scratchjunkie

that is a sweet deal. i think he could easily get 15-16k here in cali. is it a 5 speed? is your neighbor on these boards?

MazdaSpeed94

Yes it is a 5-speed with a high performance clutch and short throw shifter kit. Sorry no he's not. He's like 30 something and fishes a lot haha.

Sprockett

Color is Montego Blue

MazdaSpeed94

Thanks man...

I mean the guy put puts the car everywhere and hardly ever runs it hard at all. Never races it. Never been on the track or anything. It's just a little sports car to him. That's why I need it to put it to it's full potential

BTW.. I'm 24 and currently own a 97 Integra GS-R that I'm selling to another guy. Ive put a lot of work into it and only running 14's. It's time to move up to bigger and better things....

MazdaSpeed94

Can anyone help me?

Domestic513

That is a very very good deal. 66k on original motor would be the only thing to concern me. Check for smoke coming out the exhuast at start up. Check for very strong smells of cooland after it;s up to normal operating temps. This things could indaicate a new motor is needed within 5-10k miles, depending on how bad they are. But since he has never raced it or taken it to the track then you should be good. Hopefully he just took care of it like changeing the oil, done the 60k maintence, etc. Other then that is sounds like a kick *** deal. Just read everything on this board that you can. These cars are no means going to be like your integra. Yearly maintence is going to be higher, gas is going to higher, etc. Just read and read what you can is about the best advice that I can give. Good luck keep us updated.

Domestic513

repost oops.

MazdaSpeed94

Ok but what about the idle problem.. as stated in my first post? What am I getting myself into? Especially since he changed that $500 sensor and it did nothing to fix it. The guy lives right across the street from me.. I always see it pull in and out. No smoke, no smells. Just a badass car all around except for the idle problem.. and for $9,800 I think I should get it and fix the problem. Like I said.. once you get going everything is fine and runs like a bat outta hell.

MazdaSpeed94

Could it be something as simple as a vacuum line?

OneBadRx7

It could be....I would have the ISC solenoid checked out, its under the upper intake manifold. It stands for "idle speed control solenoid". Does this car have a boost gauge?? If so what are the boost readings at WOT and the vacuum numbers at idle? Tell him to go get a compression check and add it to the $9800, it would be well worth it for you if you dont have the means to stick a new engine in it anytime soon. It should only cost around $100 or so at any Mazda dealership. Other than that make sure there isnt an exhaust leak or anything and you should be good to go. Hope this helps.

MazdaSpeed94

No boost guage but he told me its pushing like 8psi which he said is in the owners manual. He says it spools up just like when he bought it new. So would this ISC solenoid be anything near what he said he got replaced? The Idle Air Control Sensor?

OneBadRx7

Well I dunno, as far as I know there the thing under the UIM is a solenoid, not a sensor, it sure looks like a solenoid to me. Anyways, its supposed to boost in a 10-8-10 pattern. It should boost to 10 on the first turbo then around 4500k or so the second turbo will come on line and the boost should dip a little to 8psi then shoot back upto to 10. That is the proper stock boosting of a healthy RX7. If the only mod done to the car performance wise is a downpipe then it should be right around the 10-8-10, its not until you open up the intake and exhaust more that the boost will increase.

OneBadRx7

Oh and if he doesnt have a boost gauge there is no way he can accurately tell you what the car is boosting at and if thinks 8 is stock then maybe he doesnt know too much about these cars afterall which could be a bad thing.

MazdaSpeed94

He never mentioned anything about the 10-8-10 pattern. But from what he says it still boosts as much as when he got it. So I don't know. But I will definately ask him if it was underneath the intake manifold and if it was a solenoid or a sensor. When I find out I will post it on here. Probably be tomorrow or something.

OneBadRx7

He never mentioned it because he has no idea what boost should be, besides reading a manual, which he was wrong about anyways. I take it he bought the car new? I wouldnt even worry about the idle IF you have him get a compression check and it turns out ok. The idle can be fixed just make sure the engine is good to go. Tell him you will give him $9925 if he gets a compression check done and it turns out good.

OneBadRx7

If its a good motor its too good of a deal to pass up.

MazdaSpeed94

That's what I thought too... so just make sure the compression is perfect and the motor is good? Then where would I go about diagnosing the idle problem? Bring it to just any Mazda dealership?

MazdaSpeed94

Here is the list of mods again to summarize everything and tell me if this guy is getting his money or am I just one lucky bastard to be able to buy it for $9,800.

94 RX-7 Twin Turbo
Montego Blue
66XXX miles on original motor
Factory wheels with high performance tires
Outside totally stock
Tinted windows
Small ding on drivers door and on pass. quarter panel
Paint looks good and shiney no scratches hardly
Interior 9 out of 10 (worn spots on tan leather)
Lowered an inch with 3-way adjustable Tokico shocks
Engine bay is clean
3" downpipe
Removed one of the cats
K&N filter
High performance clutch (very grabby)
Short throw shifter kit
Idles up and down though

MazdaSpeed94

Ok he said it was the Idle Air Control sensor that got changed out with a brand new one from Mazda. But it didnt solve the problem. I looked at it and it is closer to the firewall then the intake manifold but it is kinda underneath it. About 2.5" long going parrallel to the firewall. It is visible leaning over the drivers side fender. But he did say (because we couldn't see) that there are 4 or 5 solenoids directly underneath the intake manifold. So I am assuming that the ISC (Idle Speed Control) solenoid is one of them? And that might be the problem?

ilike2eatricers

sounds like a pretty good deal even at the price hes offering with the idle problem. make sure to be ready for the committment. Hope things work out in the end for you if you do get it.

MazdaSpeed94

Thanks man.. still debating if it's gonna happen or not because of the idle problem.

MazdaSpeed94

OneBadRx7

Well where are you located? If you are going to pass it up I know someone that will buy it from him as is for $9800 providing the engine has good compression, let me know,

Steve

MazdaSpeed94

Chances are.. I'm not gonna pass it up... it's too good of a price. I even think I can get him down to $9,500. But if I don't buy it.. there's someone else in line from what he said. I am in the deep south.. southwest Louisiana. Closest track: Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, TX