Questions on a Canadian FD3
 

Hi, I live in Canada.
There is a 93 FD in the Toronto area for sale at 17900 (15560 US). The car has 61250 miles on it (original engine). From the pictures, it looks incredibly good, clean, well kept, stock with the exception of the downpipe.
I am going to see this car next week, but I need some advice. Based on your experience (personal and in the forum), what life expectancy would this engine have? I understand and am aware of the complexity of the factors that affect engine life, so I am not expecting an exact number. I just want to know on an average how far this unit would take me before I'll have to rebuild. If this is of any help, the car has been religiously serviced at Mazdee in Pickering (specialized shop) for the last 5 years. The next question would be, what kind of checking would be appropriate to do to at least cover all the basics to diagnose the quality of the engine? I know about boost gage and compression check, I would like to know what numbers we'd be looking for and also, if there is anything else in terms of diagnosing, that you feel would be good to verify.
Thank you in advance,
Giovanni

Check here for compression testing information:

http://www.rotaryresurrection.com/3r...ion_check.html

The compression test will let you know the expectancy of the motor.

Thank you.
Anything else (boost, vacuum... I have been studying these cars for a year, but I am not an owner yet and I don't have day to day expertise...)?

Well if the car has an Apexi Power FC installed you can check vacuum at idle from the commander and it gives a good indication of compression. Also, for people looking Mazdees is basically, a Pettit distributor and they race Mazda's on a local level. 17,500 is real cheap for a Canadian FD, but really expensive for a VGA US FD in Canada.

If the car is stock aside from a downpipe, then a boost and vacuum should resemble this:

http://www.fd3s.net/boost_test.html

Here's information about test driving one:

http://rx7.voodoobox.net/infofaq/bguide3g/bguide3g.html

Well, guys, I appreciate your help.
It is nice to see that there are people willing to give you a hand, even though they don't know you.
OK, I'm finished with the chick feely stuff, but I meant it:)
Dradon hi, how's it going? Long time no speak!
I am sorry, but I didn't understand what you meant with "VGA US FD in Canada".
If this is a stupid question, bear with me...
As far as the car goes, I believe it's a CDN FD, but I cannot say for sure.
Giovanni

whell depends how the engine is.. i bought my car with 69k original miles.. and it only had a downpipe and an exhust.. and its my daily driver and its been pretty good couple of repairs and maintiance but i have 79k miles on it now.. lol and for a daily driver iv had the car almost 2 years now or it mite be 2 years

Some more help, pleaaase....
 

Hi, I have some more info on the car I started this thread for.
I saw it starting up from cold this morning (20 F or less outside).
The car started right up, gave a puff of white smoke (lasted for about 2 seconds), then it quickly faded away to what seemed to be simply the color of the exhaust gases when it's 20 F outside.
I was standing right beside the exhaust and did not smell anything strange, only typical exhaust smell.
The car is at a specialized shop (the owner of the shop is selling it) and he said the compression numbers are in the 95s, but he told me that with the piston compression tester he uses those numbers are good and that if done with a more appropriate tool the numbers should be well above 100.
I drove the car only to move it back into the shop, weather here is miserable, possibly at the end of the upcoming week I'll go for a testdrive; when I moved it back in the engine felt incredibly smooth, even though I wasn't revving it up at all to move it back in (I know this doesn't mean much, I am simply giving you a report on my experience to give you all the info I have so far).
If you could please give me your insight on this, I would really appreciate it.
Giovanni

The white smoke was probably condensation. If the exhaust gets good and cold you may see a lot more of it.

Dave

Thanks, any more insight boys?
I'd appreciate it
Giovanni

^^ Were you in markham by any chance? I saw someone driving a RED fd

Hoses - vac and cooling and AST, find out when or if replaced. Pillowballs - just search the forum but any clunks on driving at this mileage could be the issue. Fuel Filter - has it been changed - not a biggie but can cause problems. Ask to look at the plugs - what interval were these changed. Fluids - how often, brake, coolant, oil, rear etc. At this age one would hope they did it but you never know. Biggest factor on engine life is how hard the car was run. If cared for you can get 100k on these engines. If beat and moded up who knows. And last if the owner did not know how to drive it figure on a new clutch soon. In your favor is it is not quite as hot up north so longevity may be a bit longer.

:anger: That's not the insight I was looking for... (just kidding).
No, I did not drive the car, I just moved back into the shop. I will drive it probably sometime this week when I go buy it.
Do you have any insight?
Giovanni