I just recently bought a 94 rx7. I was wandering if anyone had any tips for me on some of the first things i need to do. I'm currently saving up for a radiator. If anyone could help out that would b great. thanks

 

Check the faq links. It will tell you all you need to know =) Then come back and ask questions, starting with: the conditions of your car (stock?), and what you have planned. This forum is very helpful in many ways, but do a little bit of research before you plunge in.

 

http://www.rx7.org/Robinette/

Check that out.. reliability section.

YOu'll probably have to do more than you think... depending on vacuum leaks, turbo problems... welcome to the world of the FD... or as I like to say "Financial Disaster" - read up on Robinette's site.. it covers all the beginner how-to's.

 

get a boost guage! first thing first, or you will learn the hard way...also reading click here

 

This is the order:
1) maintenance
(fuel filter, oil change+filter, replace all coolant hoses, etc)
2) reliability mods
(AST, radiator, downpipe)
3) power mods (optional)

 

I will second this. Get the car to a place where you know what's going on ASAP.

This means reliability mods and some of the safety stuff.

Boost gauge will be critical. Knowing the boost vs. the ability of the engine to hadle the boost. A downpipe/freeflow cat can increase boost on a stock engine. This sets you up for detonation (severe engine damage). Make sure the boost and intercooler are matched.

Get a working and meaningful temp gauge. Do not trust the factory gauge under any circumstance. If it moves, you could be toast already. Do the temp gauge mod, or install an aftermarket one. There is tons of info on this.

Make sure the coolant system is in top notch condition. The factory system is marginal, so corrosion, debris, plugging, etc. will significantly effect the cooling behavior. There is no excuse for not maintenancing this. FActory caps are cheap from Malloy Mazda. Make sure they are in good working order.

There is no end to vacuum related issues. Replace the vacuum hoses with a good quality hose and save yourself endless hours of headaches and frustration. Not only that, new colored hoses look cool. There are kits available or you can get an idea of how much to buy. It takes alot.

Download all the manuals. They are priceless in sorting out little problems.

 

I don't want to be an *ss, but if you are "saving up" for a radiator, this car is going to break you. This is not the best car to own if you are on a very limited budget.

 

hey guys, thanks for all the help. so far i kno that it does have a downpipe and catback alredy on it but other than that its stock. iv found that the coolant is leaking somewhere im thinking the overflow tank but idk. i kno that this car is going to cost me alot of money which is why im not driving too much right now
thanks agian

 

Well then one of the first things you need to do is figure out where the coolant is going. It could be pushed out the overflow, it could be leaking out a bad hose or connection, or it could be consumed in combustion because of a bad coolant seal.

The last one is of significant cost (engine rebuild) so if there is some guarantee/return policy with the seller you need to know that right away.

Dave

 

True. Another thing don't half *ss things do them right, other wise you'll pay big time later.

 

Especially vacuum lines. Replace ALL of this the first chance you get.... use Viton or Silicone... people have their opinions. I use silicone and haven't had a problem, but I hear Viton has better fluid resistance.

Anyway, good luck =P