SaulV

Hello, Everybody! The best people to contact about anything to do with RX-7s is you guys. Well I would like to get some feedback and information from you guys. I just bought a 3d Gen RX-7 and Is very hard for me to find parts or even a tunning shops around where I live, As a matter of fact there is not that many FD's where I live.
I need to find out if any of you guys know of any RX-7 Tunning or Performance shop in the District of Columbia Area, you know Washington, DC, Virginia or in the Maryland area. I live in Alexandria which is 10 minutes away from DC. FOr those of you that live around here, where do you guys usually take your Fd's to?
All I know so far is Pete Farrel and the Fairfax MAZDA Dealer, however Pete Farrel charges a arm and a leg just to fix anything small in the car. His thing is usually performance and HI-END[Expensive Upgrades] Sometimes I just want simple OEM replacement parts or maintance. The Dealer charges me as much as Pete Farrel does.
Im so frustraded, Do any of you guys own a shop near me, or know of a performance shop than can actually do work on my FD or anybody around here that I can trusth my car to???????????
Distance doesnt matter, if you guys are out there 1 hour or 2 away, its fine. I rather drive up there to savee money and get more upgrades put on my car wth that money i save, and if you guys are locally, it would be even better.
Please let me know OF ANY SHop besides Farrel or the Dealers than can do work in my car.
Thanks
Saul V
703.314.9515
saulv@beyondbeats.com

93redVA

Zup!

I'm now in Arlington, VA. I know a guy in Laurel, MD. He has a lot of experiences with 2nd gen, and also good in 3rd gen (esp. the 13B engine). But everytime I went there, I had to bought the parts by myself from both the internet and local dealer. If you are interested, we can talk more about it.

Cheers,

dzungh

Let's know more about this dude in Laurel.

SaulV

Please give us some info, What are the good web site s to buy used OEM parts and Performance shops for body kits and performance stuff for a decent price?

dis1

There are actually lots of 7s in this area. You just need to get connected Join mscw and start attending the monthly meetings. There are a bunch of us that have a sort of little club going on in this area. As for shops there is an up and coming shop in Woodbridge Va that has a tech with many many years of experience working on Rx-7s. He is outstanding. The place is Hi-Tech automotive. Another place many of the guys around here go to is KD Rotary up in Pa. There is also word that JD (the old sales rep from PFS and a great guy) might be opening up a new shop. If you have any questions about connections in this area from discounted OEM parts to tires e-mail me.

SaulV

Let us know about them, we need addresses or contact number were we can start our search. I also sopke to a guy not too long ago who does a lot of work in RX-7 in his personal shop somewere in Yorktown, VA. As a matter of fact he has a current bid on a ebay for a selanoid and hoses kit that will replace the OEM ones for more durable ones.
I also spoke to this Spanish Guy who had a R1 FD and he told me that he takes his car to this Shop called
All Makes & Models, Inc at
8538-L Terminal Road
Newington, VA 22079
Their Number is 703-550-6150
He told me they do maintance on RX-7s for a decent price, and they also do engine work. Never heard of them but I thought I might share it with you guys

93redVA

I think the shops other folks mentioned are better than where I've been to. My mechanic is working in a small auto shop in Luarel, MD. He works on every kind of car (not only our rex) but the good thing is the hourly rate for his job is kind of cheap (comparing to what Peter Farrell is asking for). He's also allowing us to joing his work sometimes!! :p

I'm going to see him on the next two weeks. If you really want to talk to him, we might go together...


Cheers,

dis1

Now I don't want to put anybody's suggestions down but there are lots of shops that do work on Rx-7s. The key is to find one that is reputable. I devote a lot of time to learning about various shops and how well they do work. I was one of KD Rotary's first customers before they had a shop and was also one of Hi-Tech's first customers. This is because I listen closely to those who know their sh&^ and if I don't hear the same name more than once it's likely a no go. The guys at Hi-Tech was recommended by JD and I had a few friends have engines and other work done there. The key is not only doing it so it works but also the level of detail that is devoted to the car. When I went to Matt and Rick at Hi-tech to have my clutch fork replaced he called me during the work and did everything that I asked like don't touch this and call me with a price. He not only had my car done on time (something unheard of in this business) but also told me about such small details like "one of your bolts is not made by Mazda." How is that for detail? His price was also very low. In this area there are a few that go to Malloy Mazda, some that still like PFS and the rest either go to Hi-tech or drive up to KD Rotary. Many consider these the choices with no exceptions. I only trust Hi-tech and KD. I am an extremely picky person and don't trust hardly anybody with my car. It took a lot of talking with both KD and Matt to build up my trust. All the other shops I have used have always done something wrong. Matt at Hi-tech has something like 10+ years of experience with 7s and is rumored as being able to do two entire engine swaps on 3rd gens in one day. Dave is simply a Rotary God and might be the best Rx-7 tech in the states. Give HiTech Automotive a call and tell them Charles sent ya. 703-494-9224

SaulV

Hey Charles, Thanks for the info. Can we get the phone numbers and addresses for both Hi-Tech and KD Rotary?


Is Malloy Mazda and the other one you mentioned any good, Have you had experience with them?

dis1

Malloy Mazda is a Mazda dealer. I haven't had any direct experience with them but have friends that have. Overall they seemed happy but "overall" is not the impression I like to come away with. I like the word perfect better The good thing about Malloy is their price breaks on parts that they give mscw members in the area. Engines were being sold for just over 2K last I heard. KD and Hi-Tech were offering installs for about a grand making the total cost around 3K. I live a little further away from Malloy so I go to Gaithersburg Mazda for my parts. They are also extremely competitive on parts for mscw members. They also let our club use their lifts every so often on what is called a tech night. I just did my fuel filter. Arg... I hate that job.

As for if I would go to Malloy I'm not sure. It is a dealer after all. The other I mentioned was PFS and I don't care to comment on them less I be slapped with a law suit.

Addresses:
Hi-Tech Automotive
1348 Profit Ct.
Woodbridge, Va 22191
703-494-9224

KD Rotary
???
Nazareth, Pa 18064
Phone: 610 614 1214
E-Mail kdrotary@enter.net

KD Rotary has moved a few blocks since I updated my info so I don't have a street number. The best way to contact them is via e-mail. Dave often doesn't answer the phone and for good reason. If he answered every call he would never get any work done. He also has a web site but it's being updated.

rotarhead

silver 7,
I am not familiar with hi tech in woodbridge va where are they in relation to pfs.

dis1

Come on now... I can't do everything for you. Just use the address I listed and use mapquest or yahoo maps. Or call them. Or attend a mscw meeting. See mscw.com
cvs

Johnsrx7

I have taken my 7 to Malloy many times and have nothing but good things to say about them. They also sell more rotary engines than any other dealer in the country. They supply all the parts to pfs and have an engine deal with KD rotary.

NewbernD

iTrader: (1)

93redVA.. I live in Laurel.. who is this guy, and where does he work? This isn't the guy at the little exotic shop is it? I forget the name, but they do all kind of ferrari work and what not. You have any contact info for him? Or if you guys go find him, let me know.. I'll tag along.

--dave

jspecracer7

You guys need to Convice Dragon to open up a shop somewhere in Virginia/Maryland Area. He's a KILLER technician and exceptional with the FD's...FC's and SA's and Honda's and Mopar. But he wants to move to IOWA

He's built his own 500 hp FD and helped FDOkinawa put together his 500 hp FD and will be helping me soon with my 400 hp FD..

1FAST7

Where is Malloy Mazda located? Is it a better place to go to then PFS in Manassas?

1FAST7

Johnsrx7

For just regular maintance Malloy Mazda is much better than PFS. PFS won't even do that. Just as long as you don't want them to upgrade your car, you are fine. Malloy is on route 1 in Woodbridge, about 2 miles from Potomac Mills.

TURBOTIME

Well I am a bit partial, Rick and Matt at hi-Tech just completed a new motor install in my 94 touring. The work was outstanding and after two horror stories at PFS, and Rosenthall Mazda I wont take my car anywere else in the DC area. Charles is right about the experience of the quality of the work.Dont let the look of the shop turn you off ,PFS looks like a clean shop but the service is suspect.It may be a bit ruff around the edges at High tech but after they had my car for a few weeks with the engine install it was spotless when I picked it up. If High-Tec. just had a dyno ... Well good luck and whoever you take your car to document everything .


94 touring PFS intercooler,cool air box,stainless steel exhaust,99 jspec wing

SaulV

If i just want to do maintance and stuff in my car, Will Malloy Mazda be cheaper or Hi-Tech? From what I hear, If i want to do anything big like engine or transmition work, I would defenetly take it to Hi-Tech but are they goood with pricesBetter than Malloy Mazda for Maintance. I have been taking my car to the MAZDA dealer in Fairfax and My wallet gets hurt everytime i go there. And they always tell me something new is wrong and the bill is always at least $300 +

CrispyRX7

iTrader: (139)

Saul,
I agree with CVS with respect to choosing a shop VERY carefully. The three he mentioned are all good options Malloy, HiTech and KD. Stray from these three and it's at your own risk. I would like to add though that the other option is to learn how to do the work yourself. Face it, you purchased a hi-maintenance fragile vehicle that will require a lot of attention. If for example it's costing your $300 every time you make a trip to the dealer, take the $300 buy some good tools, get "connected" and start doing your own wrenching. The support network in our community is incredible and will more than likely get you through any troubles you might encounter. And how do you get connected? Attend regional club meetings, in your case MSCW, take the time and read everything you can regarding your car on every forum and message board you can. All it takes is time. As for the MSCW there are at least
**20** 3rd gen RX-7 owners that form a core group of enthusiasts in the MD-VA area. We can in almost all cases answer anything you might want to ask and more importantly we are local. So get involved!
Regards
Crispy
"If you have no fear you car isn't fast enough."
http://reganrotaryracing.tripod.com/rx7splash.html

dis1

Yes yes yes!! Listen to my good friend CrispyRX7! Before I bought my car I did all the research but no amount of book smarts will prepare you for actually doing what you read about. I didn't let this stop me. I knew nothing about working on cars when I bought my Rx-7 but started to learn on my own and then as luck would have it our little club started to form when it came time to do bigger jobs. I have saved thousands by doing my own work. However if you do wish to take it to have the basic stuff done look at it this way. Everything you do on the car, weather it be an engine swap or an oil change should be done by an experienced tech with an outstanding reputation. No going to Jiffy Lube for oil changes and no going to your local dealer especially when they're ripping you off. Take it to Hi-Tech once and Matt will let you know what you need to do to get your car running perfectly with no BS or padded prices. If you are worried about spending the extra time it takes to drive to these places then I can assure you that you should sell your car ASAP. I consider any shop that's within 300 miles of me local
Signed:
dis1 aka cvs aka Silver Bullet Rx-7 aka Charles

ZoomZoom

iTrader: (2)

I have to agree with Hi-Tech. I have had lots of work on other cars done at Hi-tech and I have to say Rick has done the best work I have seen. Matt used to be a Mechnanic at Malloy Mazda and Now he works on Mazdas at Ricks SHop. Its kinda Hidden away in Woodbridge but its been "The Shop" in woodbridge for the last 15 years when it comes to Turbo, supercharger and fully Built Motors no one has been better. RIck has about 30 years of Building Race cars and knows his stuff. He isnt as experienced with Mazdas So he has Matt work with him on the ins and outs. He could do it all himself it would just take him longer to find the problem seeing he doesnt know the weak areas to check first. I highly reccomend them.