Juan

iTrader: (28)

Is this a list of the things that have gone wrong? How long have you had your FD?

sonix7

It started with fan problems, I traced it down and found all the other stuff needed to be done. Drivers side fan shroud seized, burnt the relays. I replaced the fans and relays, then I changed the thermostat and did the water temp gauge install and thermoswitch. I then discovered a leak between the water pump housing and engine. I replaced those gaskets and got a new h20 pump. Then I broke a vac hose, off to the vac hose races, did a full hose job, since I was already there, I did all the hoses, I ordered them all from Ray at Malloy. Then I had sequential turbo control system problems and had to replace solenoids check valves and a CCA. Luckily I fixed it. Did I mention I had a persistant oil pan leak, so I decided to fix that. It turned out to be a bad oil pan seal and pass. motor mount. Replaced. It draws you in and never stops until you replace everthing. If you guys come on here and say that this is abnormal for me to have these issues. You obviously don't own one of these cars. This is a very typical case. ask around. No major failure, just maintanance. I have had my FD for 2 years. My car also runs tip top shape with all reliabilty mods almost done. I feel a hell of a lot safer than before. This way I keep my 44,000 mile engine right where it belongs, under the hood happy. As for the custom 20B, that is one bad *** project. I did see that a few days ago. Reason why it was not brought up, is this thread is about removing the turbo's from a 13b. No one here claimed that you could not get good power from a N/A three rotor engine. You will not however get a lot of power from a 13b N/A engine. Why is everyone avoiding what this guy is asking, no LS1 talk, no 3 rotor talk, how powerful and reliable a N/A 13b rotary engine is. thats it. the answer is clear. not gonna do it.

P.S. - I love my car just as much as anyone on here and treat it as such. I also want to point out I am 31 and own my own successful business. I have the time and money to deal with this car, plus I have a daily driver. If I didn't this car would be a nightmare. I can make free time and can incur most of the financial burden this car presents. If you are on a shoestring budget, I wish you luck.

RE Suzuki

Here is the mod list from 350hp (9,000rpm redlined) 13b n/a rx7 tuned by Anniversary Racing Factory. (PH: 011-81-42-946-0916)

- 9.7 Rotors
- 2mm carbon apex seals
- peripheral port
- HKS F-con V pro
- OER45 throttle body
- Original fuel lines
- MDI
- parallel mount radiator

There you go.

sonix7

thank you. I respect those numbers and its probably real nice. This is not what you could expect from just removing the turbos on a stock 93-95 FD3S, I want to point that out. It can be done, but its still gonna cost you. any note on the reliabilty of the N/A 13B you just described? just curious?

RE Suzuki

*Annyversary said "our n/a cars are freaking slow! but if you are seeking for the feel of n/a and looking for something other than power, this will be the way to go.

They said that "people hardly blow their motor except for this one case. One of their customer pushed the motor to rev 16,000rpm and strached out the eccentric shaft. The customer said that motor was fine after that but he had some problem with the belt. He took a close look and the noticed that pully was sticking out."

Corbic

Impresive numbers.

fritts

iTrader: (5)

I am sure that a 350 hp NA with PP is going to be great on the street. With its 1200 rpm redline and all. This is not to realistic for an everyday driven car how about gas mileage for this engine all the PP's I have known were horrible. Sure 350 hp NA is possible but is in anyway practical or cost effective. I'd say no but everyone has a different opinion.


Also the links above are for a 20B try getting into one of those for less than 10K.

Herblenny

iTrader: (13)

350HP N/A?? must be at the flywheel and at pretty high rpm.

Juan

iTrader: (28)

I've daily driven my FD for two years straight and the biggest problem I've had was an injector with a small external leak and a broken clutch pedal (very abnormal on these cars). Other than that, the car has been reliable just like the 6 FCs I've owned (turbo & n/a). I know theres alot more people with similar cases like mine.

sonix7

lucky you. this however does not say that my problems have been abnormal, why is there so many threads about the same exact problems? I have no doubt that this car can be reliable and have no problems, for me until I fixed stuff it didn't turn out that way. I applaud you all that have been able to avoid some of these major problems and it depends on how major you think these problems are. If guys start coming on here and saying I am crazy for all the stuff my car has been through, I am throwing up the BS meter. Doesn't make sense for people to come on and go "oh my car, I drove everyday and all I had to do is change the oil and it lasted 120,000 miles". Right! They are lying. If you took a poll on how many people have experienced similiar problems with the 93 FD3S, you will find an overwhelming percent of them would say they have. so quit trying to downplay my experience as I have a piece of **** car, most of you would buy it off me right now for more than I paid for it. Plus this is a bullshit thread anyway, this guy that started this thread, has no real intention on doing anything, never the less stripping an FD of its turbo's and driving it everyday for reliability. Its a ******* joke.

Juan

iTrader: (28)

Theres so many threads about the same problems because theres so many RX-7s in the world and the same parts are bound to break sooner or later. The majority of the threads on this website are about problems with RX-7s because just like the mass media, all you hear about are bad things. People come here to ask questions and hopefully get their problems resolved without going to a dealer or rotary specialist. People don't usually post when things are perfect but it would be nice if they did.

The original poster doesnt want a HP monster. Sounds like he just wants a good looking reliable daily driver while sticking with the rotary engine. Heres a better idea: instead of taking off the turbos, he can put a V8 in it and have the best of both worlds for many years to come. The car will still handle the same, weigh the same and still be just as fast.

scotty305

iTrader: (2)

Personally, I think that most of the reliability problems are because of sloppy modifications coupled with a lack of maintenance. People don't understand the limits and needs of the car, and they just install parts hoping to make it better. For the most part, these cars were very well-engineered; it's not easy to make improvements without making a lot of sacrifices.


My '94 had 45k miles when I bought it in January '04. It was bone stock, and my current list of mods is very short (click the link in my sig to see them). I'm at 64k right now, and haven't had any catastrophic failures. The car has seen plenty of commuting, half the trips are 15 miles each way, and the other half the week sees 60 mile (one-way) commutes. I'm averaging 15-18 mpg, using 91 octane fuel. I've autocrossed it at 7-10 events in the past year. No problems at all.


In one year, I spent ~$1000 in what I consider to be maintenance. Here's a breif (probably incomplete) summary:

Oil change every 1-2k miles , new oil filter every 2-4k.
Spark plugs every 5k. Wires every 20-30k.
Coolant change every year, usually in spring (approx. 70/30 water/glycol mix)
Fuel filter every 15-20k (same time as coolant change, while the car is in the air).

I also changed the accessory belts last summer, they were looking pretty ragged.



Since you seem to be looking for a practical but fun car, you really need to test-drive a Miata. They are so much fun to drive. The newer models with fixed headlights look pretty decent, IMHO. Also look into the 84-88 (rear-wheel-drive 'AE86') Toyota Corolla. They are cheap and fun, and very good on fuel. They weigh much less than the RX-7.


-s-

gnx7

iTrader: (10)

If you want something that isn't a money pit the FD shouldn't be on your list. There is no magic answer why they cost money to keep them going.... they just do.

Think of it as a $15K Ferrari.... that constantly needs upkeep. 1.01g's from the factory on all weather tires...... enuf said.

If you can't do most of the work yourself avoid this car.... get a $5K Miata that handles like a go kart bug just doesn't have any kahones and is very reliable as it is n/a.

Turbo anything complicates things. Always has... always will.

Corbic

I hate Roadsters and I'm no fan of the Miata (to small). Then again, after reading the "how do you fit" thread, I'm having doubts to being able to fit in an FD (6'5 220).

kuning

Thought I can share some of my story. I think you and me are in the same boat. I've been modifying cars for the last 2-3 years or so untill I ended up with the FD. I bought it cheap with all the damages. Lucky me, the engine's still running strong. It has done 117,5XX kms on the clock (about 73,000 miles) and I'm not sure if it has been rebuild by the previous owner. Sure the engine still runs fine, both turbos still pulling strong and it starts everytime I want to drive it.

But so far it has been the biggest money pit of my life. So far I've spent almost AU$10,000+ mostly to fix the worn out parts (heater core, bent turbo pipe, aircon,clutch, oil leak, engine mount,gearbox,gearbox brace, reconditioned steering-rack/power steering ,etc) and it doesnt stop there. The car is still asking for more money. The exterior needs to be resprayed because the colour is fading along with scratches and dents, my TEIN coilover is simply dead, I need ECU to fix that friggin backfire. Not to mention intercooler + radiator and other suspension bits and pieces.

Those alone are only to replace worn-out parts, no power mods yet (except for the ECU) and that would cost me an extra what? Maybe AU$10,000.00. I have been sacrificing most of my weekends earning extra pennies to feed the FD. My studies are also affected because I work night shifts and I focus only on earning that extra dollar for the car. I havent been out shopping to buy new clothes for almost two years (saving for the FD and fixing it) untill last week. I can't afford to have a gf because I simply don't have the time to spend with her.

Came to think about it, I'm wasting my life just for the sake of the FD. Let's say I've finished modding the FD and want to sell it, I doubt that I'll get back the money I've spent on the car or maybe once I have stopped fixing it(planning to keep the engine stock with reliability mods) God knows when will the turbos/engine fail which will then waste my saving again. Yes, I know it's a hobby and pleasure to play around with cars but I thought "is it worth the pain?"

The money I have been spending (and will spend by the end of this year) on the FD alone can get me a decent second hand S2K, 350z, late model mercedes benz C200 K or a bimmer, something trouble free. That's if I want to pamper myself. Or if I buy myself a cheaper car say...mazda 6 or a Honda Accord Euro (Acura TSX) or maybe even civic I can save up the money for future use once I finish college/university.

Since last week I asked myself, if I keep going on with the FD, what will I have once I graduate? Just a "cool" car? Sure I can ask mum and dad for my cost of living but I would be ashamed of myself if I do that. After they paid for my 4 years degree? Hell no!.

Also, I started to feel that it's much much more worthed to save the money after that hard work at that crappy job.

I'm also in doubt here wether or not to sell the car. In a way the FD has made me learn new things from mechanical point of view and value of life. It's a fun car to drive yet a wild car if you don't drive it responsibly. It always put a big grin on my face that sometimes other drivers thought I'm crazy when I'm driving it. Sure we only life once. But is it worth the suffering? What will happen next? How "financially secure" will I be if I keep the FD?

I started to think cars will forever be cars. Be it 20 years time, I'm sure I can still play around with the FD if I got the extra money to throw away once I have a decent job,house,family,etc. Maybe next time I can afford to buy a better,faster,safer, hi-tech car. No offense, but I'm sure the FD is not "the mother" of all cars.

Maybe one reason that made me think like this is because I started to feel bored playing with cars and on a stage where my future's needs and feeling financially insecure have exceeded the fun of playing with cars.


Oh well, I think just go with your gut feeling. You only live once. Good luck with whichever decision you go for.

Sorry if I'm writting crappy stuff and crappy englUsh on this thread, just feel like throwing my feelings. LOL.

sicass7

I am an E-5 in the navy and i have to take side jobs nearly everyday just to pay my bills Just so i can get my car running again( blown tranny after i just got the motor rebuilt for about $7k). If you dont have the money dont buy this car. I am selling mine for sure, leave it for the rich kids.

kuning

That's why I'm selling mine