Hello

Firstly let me say I am new to rx7's as of a couple of months ago.

I decided to get out of video games, and into drifting as my past-time.

So forgive any ignorance I may display.

Reason for this post is a short story that goes like this.

I bought a 93 rx7 had it imported, and after much reading and learning decided that it needed some work (on a side note I know my car's history as my better half is Asian, and the car came from one of her relatives) New belts and a Water pump later, I have had all the damage from nearly 10 years of sitting repaired (or so I thought) So of course, since its going into the shop anyway, I decide why not, and have them put in a Power F/C (The shop specializes in this sort of car, so it wasn't a worry that way) Well the Power F/C works a treat, so they role the car onto a Dyno and begin the fine tuning.

Then disaster hits, turns out that sitting for 10 years, isn't so good on engine seals. So now my motor is being stripped down and rebuilt. The kind and smart shop owner recommended that I think about my options at this time, in regards to Performance seals and (again forgive ignorance) hard or soft turbo.

This is the current state.
I understand enough to know that performing a engine rebuild is a big deal and what it involves. I think I understand that the mechanic is recommending that I do some mods to it, because its out of the car anyway.

My question for this group is basically, What do you recommend?
Given the state the engine is in.

Any advice would be appreciated, I am reading about how to do different things all the time, but its hard to know what I can do, vs what is smart to do.

One last thing, money isn't really the object here, I decide then I got the car I would be putting some considerable funds into it.

Thanks in advance.

 

i guess it's up to u what you're going to do with the car, is it completly stock? is this a shop that knows rotarys? search reliable mods for this car & i'm sure u will find a list of mods to do aside from internal enging work that will increase performance. i only ask about the shop knowing rotary's as i've been reading horror stories about the mechanic that knows everything about every engine

 

The shop specializes in Rotary, they don't do anything else.

As for the car its self.

The muffler is a mod it has some work on the suspension and the breaks.

Also the electrical system has been given a better grounding (I don't know exactly what this means)

As for searching for mods.

I have done this, and found dozens of choices.
What I am asking here, which mods people recommend.

Thanks again

 

well u already have pfc, have the shop install a down pipe, midpipe, intake, intercooler, aftermarket rad, silicone vacuum hoses, boost controller, etc. is your car a rhd? if so make sure if u get a down pipe it's for rhd. must be cut to clear steering shaft. as for the shop who is it? i'm in prince george bc & will need to travel to a good shop for a tune

 

as far as the engine gos I would get 3 millimeter apex seals some IMO they handle more abuse and maybe get a small to medium streetport.

 

 

The shop is called Light Speed, located in Red Deer, Alberta.

They aren't working on my motor themselves though, they have it sub-contracted to a specialty shop which works on Rotary only (this is why I haven't been in direct contact with the Shop thats working on my engine). The guy who owns Light Speed, has been working on these sorts of cars for 13+ years.

On another note the Shop gave me several options, I decided, with some help from people here (this thread and others) to go with the 3mm and some ceramic seals. I already have the PFC in.

BTW yes, my car is a RHD (Efini is Japanese only I think)

Suffice to say I am going to be dropping upwards of 7k here, for the rebuild (My understanding is that for Rotary this is more like a "replace") and the time for removal and reinstall (This will be done by L.S the actual engine work done at the specialty shop)

Now with my breaks and running gear. Before I got the car, the wheels, breaks and clutch were all replaced with Mazda Speed (don't know if this is any good) and I am assuming that all the items replaced were MS, I know all the work was done. I know the wheels are MS, so I am assuming the rest is similar as I was told this.

So given that I am getting the 3mm upgrade (anyone want to tell me exactly what this means?) and have a PFC should I be worried about getting different breaks etc, or will the MS be good?

Thanks again

 

Just judging from the way you talk about your car and the things that you want to do to it, you have a whole lot to learn. I recommend that you read as much of this link as you possibly can withstand https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/faq-3rd-gen-other-useful-links-68640/.
Typically, unless you are wealthy, need to know a lot about your car if you expect to be a good and happy owner with a running car. Read and read and read some more. And if you dont, good luck.

--Hank

 

My car was stock with a cat back and boost gauge before the rebuild.

Streetported Engine
Oil Pan Brace
Polyurethane Motor Mounts
Koyo Radiator w/OEM Hoses
AST
Silicone Vacuum Line Simplification w/ Racing Block-Off Plate Kit
ACT XT Clutch Kit w/StreetStrip Disc
Walbro 255 lph Fuel Pump
Fuel Filter Replacement
Injectors Cleaning & Balancing
Racing Downpipe & Resonated Midpipe
Pulley Kit
Air Intake System w/ K&N Filters
APEXi Power FC & Commander
Poly-V Belts

The next step is a nice tune on the Power FC after the break-in (2500 miles with no boost and oil changes @ 500- 1000- 1500- miles)

Than maybe a new IC if you want more power.

All this will give you a very good and reliable street car.

 

It means to me that you spent money for something you don't understand.

I consider that to be foolhardy. But you can do what you want. Perhaps your spending situation is much different than mine. Getting 3mm apex seals won't hurt anything except your wallet - whether you will see any benefits depends on the car, boost level, tuning, etc. Hopefully the shop milling your rotors is good enough to get them right, so the biggest damage will be to your bill.

You already made a statement about the wheels being Mazdaspeed and assuming everything else that's been replaced is Mazdaspeed. I caution you to make any assumptions about this car. Research, learn, investigate your car, and understand before spending money. There are many mods available for this car that will damage things other than your wallet if done indiscriminately.

Dave

 

lightspeed is good, i assume cam's doing the talking? nice guy. is RX-7 specalties in calgary doing the engine work? may have to come out and see this car when its finished. gl with the rebuild/mods!

 

Back from work, sorry for the long delay in reply.

Firstly, yes it is Cam I have been dealing with.
And yes its RX-7 Specialties in Calgary.
I will be more then happy to let you have a look at it once its all done (not much to look at right now, as I am working on the "go" before the "show").

Now in regards to me being foolhardy.
Well I can only justify that by showing what I spent and why. While I may lack skills and knowledge when it comes to JDM and turbo cars in general. My skills in the field of finance are just fine.

The engine rebuild cost: $4070.00 (this is a flat rate thing I don't have much of a choice in this regard) Now it may be a little high but I am assured by people who do know what they are talking about RX-7 Specialties are worth the extra pennies.

To get the 2mm upgrade would have been $568 (since its being rebuilt they are cutting me a deal. Cam (Lightspeed's man) recommended that I get "A" upgrade done, as it was very cost effective at this time. The 3mm upgrade which I decide to go with was an addition $300 (this includes Apexi Ceramic seals). Now my limited understanding is that to get the process done normally costs about $2000 maybe more. So my decision was based on this, essentially I am getting the 3mm upgrade and seals for $850. Which doesn't really seem like a waste of money to me. If anyone knows an average price of getting this work done elsewhere, which is better value for quality let me know, otherwise I will stand by my decision. Which was based on not just the financial aspect but also on the increased durability this upgrade would bring. In regards to my assumption of Mazda-speed parts..., we have a saying in my field of business, assume makes an *** of u and me. Hence I asked the question, with the 3mm upgrade and the PFC should I be worrying about issues with my breaks. (I don't care if they are Mazda speed or not as long as I can stop)

Thanks for the link to other posts I am working through things (including a copy of the owners manual) very slowly. Which brings me to another question, the only manual I could find in English is for the LHD, how much carries over to the RHD? So far it seems like most of the front end is just swapped, but like I could tell :P .

Lastly I would have one last question, this is in regards to the interior, are their any shops in Central Alberta, that have seats, etc (auto upholstery type of deal)?

Thanks again for any help

 

Wait, you are going from video games to drifting a 3rd gen RX7? Shouldn't you try this first in a beater, rather than an rx7 that is not forgiving if you **** up?

 

lol,
Sorry I should mention that I have had a few beaters (only crashed the first one, and that was into a fence on a dirt road) I am NOT new to drifting. How do you think I knew to get an Rx-7?

I started with a Ford Tempo, and then moved onto an Eagle Talon, my last car in this regard was a 87 Mustang. None of them are very good cars for Drifting (especially the Tempo as it was Front Wheel Drive). The Mustang handled like an arrow, aim and drive sorta car. I do know how to drive though, even drive well, even drive fast and safely. The Rx-7 is my first JDM/Rotary/Turbo (the talon had something similar, but still different enough). As for my comment on video games. I decided that I have reached a time in life where buying games isn't a hobby I can discuss with business partners.