From S2000 to RX7 (again)?
 

Hey Guys

I am thinking of getting rid of my 3 1/2 yr old S2K and getting a series 8 RX7. waddauthink?
I previously owned a ser 6 (93) RX7 and I do miss the power and the ease of power upgrades with mods. I will miss the drop top though...

I was hoping you guys could fill me in on things to look for or common known probs that the series 8 (01) had as I have ben out of the rotary scene for a while now?


The old ser 6 started to cost me an arm & a leg to keep tuned once it hit 70,000kms, is the ser 8 more reliable?

I am looking at a 2001 R with around 5000kms.

Anything that you could help me with would be great!

Okay, the following ramble possibly won't help at all, but... series 8 (type v & vi in japan) is far more sorted than the earlier models - but the design is essentially the same - so the problems still exist, albiet to a lesser extent.

The best things about later cars are;
* improved cooling - has to be a good thing
* suspension - they say that the FD suspension was 'perfection' by the last model run
* more power! (thought to be a little more than the advertised ('gentleman's agreement') 280ps

Interestingly, the earliest model FDs (91-93 type I in japan) have, in many ways, had the best (initial - 12 years on...) build quality and parts - due to the japanese economy ("bubble" economy) at that time. Every new model released in the FDs history was downgraded slightly in some area. Part of that is reflected in the price - in 91 the top model was 4.35million yen. In 02, all those years later, the Spirit R would set you back 4million. Of course, while some of the quality went downhill, there were some serious upgrades as well (as faults were found over time).

Here's something interesting I read today though - the upgraded twin turbos (98-02) have a recognized design fault. Something to do with abraided seals - I haven't translated the article 100%, so I won't comment further on that.

Perhaps you've done your research, but here's some of the things, other than the obvious, you'll find different from the series 6 -

* y-pipe better design
* 16bit ecu
* 16bit ABS (apparently makes a signifcant difference)
* Bigger brakes (not sure if that was for all models though)
* 280ps (I think some of the lower spec were 265)
* better front end design (much better for cooling)
* better brake cooling
* better (lighter) factory wheels
* rear glass tinted (surprisingly big improvement)
* better factory DP
* different twin turbos (more power, less low torque - more high) - more boost (up .12 bar)
* bigger rad
* different oil meter
* different suspension
* reduced power steering
* much improved dials (inc boost gauge, lighting is now green, silver bezels (same as type I) around dials)
* clutch needs to be in to start the car

Two best versions from that era are either the Spirit R or the Type RZ (same price). Both are more sports orientated with lots of little extras (though less comfortable cars - if that's an issue).

To the core of your question - what to look for?

I'd say the best advice would be to look at it just like you'd look at any third gen and do the same checks - at least you can do it with much more confidence!

Other than the possible issue with turbos (which are no doubt still an improvement on the first lot), I've heard of no specific issues with the s8s.

the order of quality in type VI models is:

Spirit R
RZ
RS
R
Barthurst R
RB-S
RB

wow... good info

hey, .12 bar is less than 2 lbs of boost!

Can I import a 2002 Spirit R to the United States?? I'll drive it RHD, I just love it so much!

No.

Sure you can, if you have the money.

Really good info.

DaiOni: Great info you've got there. Just some corrections. (* clutch needs to be in to start the car) that's incorrect. Series vii has 8bit ABS series viii 16bit ABS whic means the Butharst R, Spirit R has 16bit ABS.

Spirit R, RS models with some more xtras, RZ,R the lightest versions of the line.

16bit was introduced after 10.00 - (within the australian category of 'series 8' and in the japanese category of 'version vi'). It's within the date specified by the original poster (I should have qualified that within the data - though I was posting for him, not everyone else).

Same with the clutch issue - series 8 or version vi. This is why I personally prefer using the japanese system - (a) it's more precise, and (b) it's the actual category, not a foreign delivery run or interpretation.

The order of quality I listed is determined by price, not spec (though they go hand in hand).

Money talks. And Ben Franklin has a big mouth. I think the only thing you would have to do is get the emissions bull crap taken care of. Other than that, I think it's legal.

im guessing he meant they added .12

Racer1, correction there...for the earlyer japanese model of fds did not have switch at the clutch pedal.

"DaiOni: Great info you've got there. Just some corrections. (* clutch needs to be in to start the car) that's incorrect."

I don't think the R models had a standard sunroof......

some thing that is essential to a man that will miss his drop top.

Raj

sunroofs are very rare in japan for any model.
I can't recall ever seeing a later FD with a sunroof.

* suspension - they say that the FD suspension was 'perfection' by the last model run

I'm curios as to what changes were made there? Can any of it be incorporated in our early FDs?

yeah... i would really like to run the 16 bit ABS... i wonder if its at all possible to convert... or if either of the systems share the same parts.... it would be really nice if we were able to just swap the ABS computers but im guessing its much more than that

everything else listed we can upgrade using various aftermarket parts in the US

If you are Mazda you can get a LHD Spirit R into the US,

From sevenstock.net
"From the very first rotary powered Mazda, the Cosmo 110s, to the very last, the FD3s RX-7 Spirit-R done in left hand drive just for the US"

From mrccfl.com
"And the silver FD here is a Spirit R limited edition RX-7, VIN# 0000000000000000"

Back shot of LHD Spirit R

Someone inside the LHD Spirit R

Wouldn't that be nice...

Check out my car, do you think I was inspired by this?

Getting a Japanese RX-7 into the US isn't the problem, having it street-legal is. Rotary Extreme will gladly sell you one.
http://www.rotaryextreme.com/jdmrx7.html

that is NOT a spirit R car in LHD... ive seen pictures of if before... someone just took a 94, painted it, put on the 99 front nose, 99 wing, wheels, seats, and got the nardi wheel w/ red stitching, and a few logos... anyone can EASILY do this!!! mazda must have just printed him up a 000000000 vin for the show. the car is just a 94 with some cosmetic stuff (gauges are not even close to 99 gauges). this is basically what im planning on dong to my car (but 99 spec RS, not spirit r)... i have all the parts (shift knob, steering wheel, wheels, emblams wing etc etc, i dont think that makes it an RS though. -heath

^^^^^^

Wow, that Spirit R is amazing...I had no idea they made one for the US. Too bad they didn't extend the production line. It seems odd that they made just one since the amount of work it would take. That thing isn't leaving the museum anytime soon.

Well if what RotorMotor is true then I retract my lust statement...lol

So what is the main difference between these models, which should I look for

Spirit R
RZ
RS
R
Barthurst R
RB-S
RB

did the rz come as a 4 seater??

Did they finally do away with the plastic ends on the rad?

I thought the old oil meter was replaced by the boost gauge? Do you mean they have a different OMP?