RX-7 Reliability and engine replacement.
06-26-08, 12:20 AM
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RX-7 Reliability and engine replacement.
Finally after years of school I am almost done, have a job lined up and I am ready to indulge in a kick *** car. Here's my deal. I have about 30k to pick up a nice low mileage car. I am looking into a 3rd gen rx-7 or a Supra. Imagine that
I have read some stickys about rotary motors here and I have acouple of questions still. First, if I approached the point of a NEW rotary motor, what is the cost approximately? I was a mechanic for 10 years but I have never touched a rotary. I would rather do a new motor than a rebuilt. No LS1 swap for me by the way. I love turbos. Second, what kind of top end capability is there with these cars? I do some some 1/4 mile from time to time but I love some 150 mph runs on the highway. Last, I hear they are just plain unreliable... How do the motors hold up if you keep up with the routine maintanence? Ok, thanks a million fellas!
Oh, by the way. I think the 3rd gen rx-7 is possibly the sexiest car ever produced.
I have read some stickys about rotary motors here and I have acouple of questions still. First, if I approached the point of a NEW rotary motor, what is the cost approximately? I was a mechanic for 10 years but I have never touched a rotary. I would rather do a new motor than a rebuilt. No LS1 swap for me by the way. I love turbos. Second, what kind of top end capability is there with these cars? I do some some 1/4 mile from time to time but I love some 150 mph runs on the highway. Last, I hear they are just plain unreliable... How do the motors hold up if you keep up with the routine maintanence? Ok, thanks a million fellas!Oh, by the way. I think the 3rd gen rx-7 is possibly the sexiest car ever produced.
06-26-08, 06:45 AM
#3
a new 13b rew probably around $5000 but also depends on where u live and who u get from of course. top end capability, that u can easily search and also depend on ur mods, as for reliability, routine maintence and proper care of course can make ur rx7 a very reliable car, i recently started DDin mine, very reliable, but still scheduled for maintence this up comin tuesday 
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06-26-08, 11:41 AM
#5
I priced out the cost of a complete rebuild with brand new parts for ALL major components. Housings, irons, rotors, seals (of course). Basically enough to build a like-new engine. Price was in the $5k range for engine parts alone. That doesn't include other important stuff like oil metering lines, new coolant hoses, wiring harness, etc.
06-26-08, 12:03 PM
#6
Get the supra if you want the highway runner and the 1/4 mile. You can get more horsepower much more reliably on a Supra. Your 30k will be gone in less than a week after you buy an FD.
BTW, how come we don't have a rule that if noobs ask this question, they automatically get a ban? We get like 30 of these questions a week.
-.-'
BTW, how come we don't have a rule that if noobs ask this question, they automatically get a ban? We get like 30 of these questions a week.
-.-'
06-26-08, 01:12 PM
#7
Ok, a lot people will probably disagree with me or hate me for saying it. 
You know, the FD is getting older. It's still a great car, but it's just getting old. 7-8 years ago it was a good alternative to the more expensive cars but now those expensive cars are 7-8 years old. The prices have come down. One of 'those' in particular is the C5 Z06. You can find them used for under $30k. It's a common car? Well, that's not always a bad thing as that means it must be fairly problem free, parts are widely available and there's a large aftermarket community around it.
With the price of the C5 Corvettes, E46 M3's and 2005 Lotus Elise's today, I find it hard to recommend the RX7 to anyone; especially someone who has a budget of $30k. If I had $30k to spend to buy a car today, would I buy an RX7? No.
You know, the FD is getting older. It's still a great car, but it's just getting old. 7-8 years ago it was a good alternative to the more expensive cars but now those expensive cars are 7-8 years old. The prices have come down. One of 'those' in particular is the C5 Z06. You can find them used for under $30k. It's a common car? Well, that's not always a bad thing as that means it must be fairly problem free, parts are widely available and there's a large aftermarket community around it.
With the price of the C5 Corvettes, E46 M3's and 2005 Lotus Elise's today, I find it hard to recommend the RX7 to anyone; especially someone who has a budget of $30k. If I had $30k to spend to buy a car today, would I buy an RX7? No.
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06-26-08, 02:36 PM
#10
Don't listen to everyone that's a nay sayer... cept maybe Mahjik, but only if he is giving technical advice, cuz after his latest comment, I hope his FD leaks some coolant on the way home hehe, j/k - but people don't look at FD's the same as M3's or C5's, sorry.
If you think the FD is sexy, then you should get it... she's a tempermental lil bitch that will leave you asking for more after she spanks you time and time again.
Here's the deal, similar to what I did... do your reading and research, spend a good deal of time doing this, then spend an equal amount of time shopping, browsing and asking questions both in person, at shops (find rotary shops to help you) ... and ignoring those that tell you "no". Doing this will give you an understanding of how these cars get their reputation and how to avoid their pitfalls.
With $30K you can have a really, really nice FD that will last a long time. I spent much less than that, and I know I have the same.
There are a few options to go with:
1. Look for a lower mileage FD that was cared for and has records to prove it. This will run you between $15-25K on the high side.
2. (what I did) - find an FD that has a blown motor or no motor at all. Take it too a very well respected and knowledgeable rotary shop and have them put in a new engine (parts), turbos and all the excellent supporting mods the car needs to run healthy for a long time: radiator, ast, cleaned injectors, upgraded exhaust.. etc, etc. This will run you around $15-20k depending on how many aftermarket parts you add after the new engine, turbos, radiator and "reliability mods". With $30K, I would have a bad *** FD!! So would about everyone on this forum who's been around for more than a year or so.
Knowledge is power to the FD, get it, use it... be proud to have an FD instead of one of those "other" cars. A very distant 2nd choice of car for me would be an M3, but those cars have maintenance problems too
If you like FDs, learn as much as you can before you spend your $$$. Take a year or more to do it!
I think people on forum's just get the wrong impression when someone asks "what can I get" their first time out... well, let me tell you... its like warm apple pie
A few shots of mine, 900 miles on a new motor and new BNR's. I spent $6500 for the roller, which came with zeal coilovers, new pillow ***** and a rollbar. Then another $14K or so (engine, bnr's, radiator and so on) and I got a few nicety things like a Nardi Torino steering wheel, which I absolutely LOVE! So, if I can do it, anyone can.
PS. If you have to ask why the hood is up, guess what, your a noob, but that's ok... I just got done driving for a couple hours, so she was a little warm, but never over 185F on my water temp gauge on the a-pillar mount. In traffic, it gets to 195F, close to 200F, but I got's the FC thermoswitch!
hehe, j/k - but people don't look at FD's the same as M3's or C5's, sorry.If you think the FD is sexy, then you should get it... she's a tempermental lil bitch that will leave you asking for more after she spanks you time and time again.
Here's the deal, similar to what I did... do your reading and research, spend a good deal of time doing this, then spend an equal amount of time shopping, browsing and asking questions both in person, at shops (find rotary shops to help you) ... and ignoring those that tell you "no". Doing this will give you an understanding of how these cars get their reputation and how to avoid their pitfalls.
With $30K you can have a really, really nice FD that will last a long time. I spent much less than that, and I know I have the same.
There are a few options to go with:
1. Look for a lower mileage FD that was cared for and has records to prove it. This will run you between $15-25K on the high side.
2. (what I did) - find an FD that has a blown motor or no motor at all. Take it too a very well respected and knowledgeable rotary shop and have them put in a new engine (parts), turbos and all the excellent supporting mods the car needs to run healthy for a long time: radiator, ast, cleaned injectors, upgraded exhaust.. etc, etc. This will run you around $15-20k depending on how many aftermarket parts you add after the new engine, turbos, radiator and "reliability mods". With $30K, I would have a bad *** FD!! So would about everyone on this forum who's been around for more than a year or so.
Knowledge is power to the FD, get it, use it... be proud to have an FD instead of one of those "other" cars. A very distant 2nd choice of car for me would be an M3, but those cars have maintenance problems too
If you like FDs, learn as much as you can before you spend your $$$. Take a year or more to do it!
I think people on forum's just get the wrong impression when someone asks "what can I get" their first time out... well, let me tell you... its like warm apple pie
A few shots of mine, 900 miles on a new motor and new BNR's. I spent $6500 for the roller, which came with zeal coilovers, new pillow ***** and a rollbar. Then another $14K or so (engine, bnr's, radiator and so on) and I got a few nicety things like a Nardi Torino steering wheel, which I absolutely LOVE! So, if I can do it, anyone can.
PS. If you have to ask why the hood is up, guess what, your a noob, but that's ok... I just got done driving for a couple hours, so she was a little warm, but never over 185F on my water temp gauge on the a-pillar mount. In traffic, it gets to 195F, close to 200F, but I got's the FC thermoswitch!
Last edited by MrNizzles; 06-26-08 at 02:41 PM.
06-26-08, 03:20 PM
#11
Since I actually own both an E46 M3 and a RX7, I can give you some direct comparisons. My wife and daughter love Sonic (I don't know why), so that has been a frequent drive thru spot for a few years.
M3: Young guy, probably around 19-20 was working the drive thru at Sonic. As I pulled up he said "Nice car!". Then is looked at the badges and said "DAMN! That's an M3!".
RX7: As I pull through Sonic to pay and get my food, 2 girls about 15-16 are giggling. They are trying to push each other into asking me if my car is a Viper. When I say no, they say "Oh" and turn around.
M3: Recently, at the gas station, a very attractive young female (young to me that is, probably mid 20's) approaches me to talk about my M3. Right then, her boyfriend in a beat up 80's Camaro with no cats whips around and starts revving his engine to get her attention and away from me (I'm married so it's not like the guy had anything to be worried about).
M3: With my wife and daughter in the car, I we need to grab some juice for my daughter. I pull into a gas station. My wife gets out of the car to get the juice and I stay in the car with my daughter (as she was only about 2 at the time). 3 older gentlemen told my wife "Very nice car" in the gas station at the counter and she wasn't even driving.
So yes, you are correct, people don't look at a E46 M3 like they do a RX7. However, I wouldn't purchase a car solely based on what other people think of it.
M3: Young guy, probably around 19-20 was working the drive thru at Sonic. As I pulled up he said "Nice car!". Then is looked at the badges and said "DAMN! That's an M3!".
RX7: As I pull through Sonic to pay and get my food, 2 girls about 15-16 are giggling. They are trying to push each other into asking me if my car is a Viper. When I say no, they say "Oh" and turn around.
M3: Recently, at the gas station, a very attractive young female (young to me that is, probably mid 20's) approaches me to talk about my M3. Right then, her boyfriend in a beat up 80's Camaro with no cats whips around and starts revving his engine to get her attention and away from me (I'm married so it's not like the guy had anything to be worried about).
M3: With my wife and daughter in the car, I we need to grab some juice for my daughter. I pull into a gas station. My wife gets out of the car to get the juice and I stay in the car with my daughter (as she was only about 2 at the time). 3 older gentlemen told my wife "Very nice car" in the gas station at the counter and she wasn't even driving.
So yes, you are correct, people don't look at a E46 M3 like they do a RX7. However, I wouldn't purchase a car solely based on what other people think of it.
06-26-08, 04:11 PM
#12
That's cool. M3's get love, I ain't arguin that.
Has anyone said that your M3 is "sexy" or "looks like sex" ?
In one day, I had 3 people say something to this effect. Even my neighbors who have Mustangs (one is a Cobra) loves the FD and had never driven in one until I got mine, said "this car is pure sex".
My best compliment so far, was when I picked up mine from a detail shop that did the buff/polish work and the owner of a black on black Lamborghini Galardo asks me "does that have the rotary engine in it?" .. nuff said there.
But I completely agree, you can't buy a car based on what other people think... it's what I think that counts. Since I can only afford 1 nice car, the FD was a no brainer, because, yes I really do want a car that looks like sex - if you can't tell by my avatar! LOL
Has anyone said that your M3 is "sexy" or "looks like sex" ?
In one day, I had 3 people say something to this effect. Even my neighbors who have Mustangs (one is a Cobra) loves the FD and had never driven in one until I got mine, said "this car is pure sex".
My best compliment so far, was when I picked up mine from a detail shop that did the buff/polish work and the owner of a black on black Lamborghini Galardo asks me "does that have the rotary engine in it?" .. nuff said there.
But I completely agree, you can't buy a car based on what other people think... it's what I think that counts. Since I can only afford 1 nice car, the FD was a no brainer, because, yes I really do want a car that looks like sex
- if you can't tell by my avatar! LOL
06-26-08, 04:13 PM
#13
Finally after years of school I am almost done, have a job lined up and I am ready to indulge in a kick *** car. Here's my deal. I have about 30k to pick up a nice low mileage car. I am looking into a 3rd gen rx-7 or a Supra. Imagine that I have read some stickys about rotary motors here and I have acouple of questions still. First, if I approached the point of a NEW rotary motor, what is the cost approximately? I was a mechanic for 10 years but I have never touched a rotary. I would rather do a new motor than a rebuilt. No LS1 swap for me by the way. I love turbos. Second, what kind of top end capability is there with these cars? I do some some 1/4 mile from time to time but I love some 150 mph runs on the highway. Last, I hear they are just plain unreliable... How do the motors hold up if you keep up with the routine maintanence? Ok, thanks a million fellas!
Oh, by the way. I think the 3rd gen rx-7 is possibly the sexiest car ever produced.
I have read some stickys about rotary motors here and I have acouple of questions still. First, if I approached the point of a NEW rotary motor, what is the cost approximately? I was a mechanic for 10 years but I have never touched a rotary. I would rather do a new motor than a rebuilt. No LS1 swap for me by the way. I love turbos. Second, what kind of top end capability is there with these cars? I do some some 1/4 mile from time to time but I love some 150 mph runs on the highway. Last, I hear they are just plain unreliable... How do the motors hold up if you keep up with the routine maintanence? Ok, thanks a million fellas!Oh, by the way. I think the 3rd gen rx-7 is possibly the sexiest car ever produced.
06-26-08, 05:10 PM
#17
Sort of an old thread, but I update it every now and then:
https://www.rx7club.com/automotive-news-lounge-22/washing-daily-beater-421563/
https://www.rx7club.com/automotive-news-lounge-22/washing-daily-beater-421563/
06-26-08, 08:20 PM
#19
Now, you can make a RX7 "faster", but faster != better. Unless your name is Gordon, you aren't going to make an FD "better" than any of these newer cars; only faster.
Don't get me wrong, I like my FD 'for what it is'. It's a car for tinkering. There are better cars around today especially when you are talking around $30k or up. If someone is looking under $20k, then the FD starts becoming a more attractive suggestion but even that's getting hard as C5 base Vettes are starting to be in that range.
The garage is ok. We are a dual income family. We do ok but we aren't rich; so I know where I stand in the grand scheme of things.
The kitchen is actually fairly basic. This was our first time building a house so we didn't do a lot of the stuff people do on HGTV today. The house is now about 7 years old so some things will get remodeled as my wife has the HGTV bug.
06-26-08, 10:23 PM
#20
Senior Member
Well, you can see by my post count I don't often contribute, but I'm feeling a bit compelled on this one.
I own a '93 VR base that I purchased new almost exactly 15 yrs ago. I drove the car daily for the 1st 4 years, putting about 64K miles on it in that time. Since then I’ve averaged about 4K miles a year.
At 96 K miles I had a new (from Mazda, not reman) engine, 99-spec turbos, and a bunch of other ancillary stuff done (injectors, wire harness, downpipe, etc).
The car has been 100% reliable for 15 years. It’s never broken down or stranded me, not once. When the original engine came out it still had decent compression. I decided to do it at that time because the secondary turbo had finally failed and Ray @Malloy had a few new engines available, so I took advantage of the opportunity to refresh the car, sort of a minor restore.
So, to what do I owe this reliability? Well, I’m sure there’s some luck involved, but I’m convinced, after years of reading many, many threads on this forum, that it’s due primarily to one thing – the car is STOCK!
Other than the turbos and a downpipe, the car is completely stock – airbox, IC, catback, ecu, etc. And oh yeah, I don’t beat on it. I drive in a spirited fashion, but it’s never been raced or abused in any way. My feeling for a long time has been that these cars hold up very well in stock form when driven on the street. However, they don’t really like mods or being flogged on a track.
To the OP – if you’ve got that kind of money to spend and want an FD, find a low mileage, stock car and go for it. Keep it stock, take care of it and you’ll be fine. Hey, it’s still a 15 yr old car and time and technology march on, but I’ve driven the C6, BMW M coupe, Boxster S, NSX, and several other modern performance cars and I still love my FD. Do I want it as a dd? Maybe not at this point, but I’m 51 so that’s a factor for me now. If I was in my 20’s or 30’s and could buy one new or nearly new, I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
I may be the only one out here who feels this way, but these cars are NOT time bombs if handled as I’ve described, and I guess I spent the time to write this because I felt I owed it to the car to defend it a bit.
-Randy
I own a '93 VR base that I purchased new almost exactly 15 yrs ago. I drove the car daily for the 1st 4 years, putting about 64K miles on it in that time. Since then I’ve averaged about 4K miles a year.
At 96 K miles I had a new (from Mazda, not reman) engine, 99-spec turbos, and a bunch of other ancillary stuff done (injectors, wire harness, downpipe, etc).
The car has been 100% reliable for 15 years. It’s never broken down or stranded me, not once. When the original engine came out it still had decent compression. I decided to do it at that time because the secondary turbo had finally failed and Ray @Malloy had a few new engines available, so I took advantage of the opportunity to refresh the car, sort of a minor restore.
So, to what do I owe this reliability? Well, I’m sure there’s some luck involved, but I’m convinced, after years of reading many, many threads on this forum, that it’s due primarily to one thing – the car is STOCK!
Other than the turbos and a downpipe, the car is completely stock – airbox, IC, catback, ecu, etc. And oh yeah, I don’t beat on it. I drive in a spirited fashion, but it’s never been raced or abused in any way. My feeling for a long time has been that these cars hold up very well in stock form when driven on the street. However, they don’t really like mods or being flogged on a track.
To the OP – if you’ve got that kind of money to spend and want an FD, find a low mileage, stock car and go for it. Keep it stock, take care of it and you’ll be fine. Hey, it’s still a 15 yr old car and time and technology march on, but I’ve driven the C6, BMW M coupe, Boxster S, NSX, and several other modern performance cars and I still love my FD. Do I want it as a dd? Maybe not at this point, but I’m 51 so that’s a factor for me now. If I was in my 20’s or 30’s and could buy one new or nearly new, I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
I may be the only one out here who feels this way, but these cars are NOT time bombs if handled as I’ve described, and I guess I spent the time to write this because I felt I owed it to the car to defend it a bit.
-Randy
06-26-08, 11:13 PM
#21
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reliable
Hello
I will agree with Randy.
I have a 1993 FD Touring. While I do only have 14132 miles on my car it is completely stock minus the AST tank that I just changed two weeks ago. Even the CatBack is still stock. Nothing is changed. I just had the car completely gone through by KDROTARY in PA giving them the green light on changing anything that might be needed with no need for price checks with me. But for the AST and one break caliper that was it, they could not find another issue after looking long and hard. I do feel that it still being in stock form has something to do with it.
Oh, I also have a 1974 RX4 Coupe (the first year for the 13B Rotary) and it is still on the original engine with no rebuild. The are no mods ever done on this car either. . Smooth still to this day and again I do think it may have something to do with it being 100% stock.
Regards
Max
I will agree with Randy.
I have a 1993 FD Touring. While I do only have 14132 miles on my car it is completely stock minus the AST tank that I just changed two weeks ago. Even the CatBack is still stock. Nothing is changed. I just had the car completely gone through by KDROTARY in PA giving them the green light on changing anything that might be needed with no need for price checks with me. But for the AST and one break caliper that was it, they could not find another issue after looking long and hard. I do feel that it still being in stock form has something to do with it.
Oh, I also have a 1974 RX4 Coupe (the first year for the 13B Rotary) and it is still on the original engine with no rebuild. The are no mods ever done on this car either. . Smooth still to this day and again I do think it may have something to do with it being 100% stock.
Regards
Max
06-27-08, 08:40 PM
#22
Senior Member
Thanks Max. I have my car serviced by Dave @KD as well. I'm lucky - he's only about 1 1/2 hrs from me. He's the best. Bet he loves your stock car! -Randy
07-05-08, 08:48 AM
#24
If your heart is set on the fd, I think there is a nice Mica blue 94 with 5K miles on it. I think he's asking 33K but I bet he would take 30K. The engine should be in great condition if the antifreeze was changed every year or so. A few reliability mods and you'll have your kick *** car with the sexiest body ever. Yea there will be people that cream over an M3 and ZO6 but if you want a rare car that always gets attention, go with the FD. That's what I did and I'm very happy.
07-05-08, 09:10 AM
#25
M3 is a different image. It generally attracts a different type of owner, it has its own set of fans, etc. No offense to Mahjik in any way, but most M3 owners I meet have their heads up their ***. They really think their 13 second car is the baddest thing on the block--granted, it's a hell of a lot nicer than an FD though. The only thing worse than many E46 M3 owners are E36 M3 owners, whose cars are about as fast an SRT-4 and yet they're sure they're driving an Enzo. But I guess Euro cars just aren't my scene, and the only one I'd consider owning is a 911 turbo but I'll never be able to afford one. I drove a brand new 6 speed 08 M5 a couple weeks ago and despite excellent the fit and finish I was seriously disappointed with the interior gimmickry and the hopped-up S2000 engine in a Chrysler 300-like chassis...
To the OP, go with a C5 Z06 if you want an alternative to the FD. I've driven them, they're not that nice on the inside but they handle very well and are pretty reliable with solid power. It's a different scene than driving a rare and finicky import, but it might work out well for you.
To the OP, go with a C5 Z06 if you want an alternative to the FD. I've driven them, they're not that nice on the inside but they handle very well and are pretty reliable with solid power. It's a different scene than driving a rare and finicky import, but it might work out well for you.