DaiOni

just a small update on this:

Spirit R/RZ - limited edition models. 280ps - lots of little extras on each - these are the top-line sports editions and are equipped as such. Good luck finding one

RS - best standard edition model - sports upgrade, higher-spec. 280ps. 17" rims.

R - standard model. 280ps. Bilstein shocks (above models also with bilsteins??). 16" rims

Bathurst-R - a special sports edition, but also labelled as the 'budget' sports version. PS?

RB-S - upgraded RB. 265ps

RB - Bottom spec. Auto/manual 255/265ps. 16" rims


I don't know for sure - never seen one in the flesh. I've seen one in a comparison photo, next to an rx8 rad (which was bigger) - and it certainly looked a lot better than the first lot

It was - and I was referring to an engine bay update

It didn't in the early RZs - not positive about this lot. The Spirit R certainly came in a 4-seater version (similar gaudy red seats as the bathurst-r editions).


A couple of other additions:

* I think the brake upgrade was limited to the RZ, Spirit R and RS models - it's around about a 25mm increase in rotor diameter

* "Seqential control is integrated into a funky little box thing. This is a FANTASTIC improvement. Hands down, the best thing they did" (thanks pete!)

* EBD was introduced - electronic brake distribution, another dramatic improvement (I guess these brake upgrades, combined with the perfected suspension setup, is why they call the type vi the best choice for circuit racing).

* Apparently the upgraded ecu is called an 'adaptive ecu'

* I've verified what I had translated in regards to the 98- ('99 spec) twin turbos. There definitely is a recognized design fault. I'll paraphrase the paragraph:

"There is a surprising weak point in the type v and vi upgraded turbos ['99 spec']. The bearings use resin from the new abraided seal system and this has created a problem. They will only perform (produce power) in the short-term. As such, those who are endurance racing cannot use these."

note: I'm no technical whizz with turbos - and translated this literally - but the general idea is correct, as I've confirmed.

CHUCKIE

Thanks! What are the interior improvements?

Are the seats cloth or leather?

I loved the Ser 6 interior!

daem0n

Hey DaiOni - thanks a lot for all of the great information you've been posting about the different series and the changes...it's very informative.

I'm wondering, what do you mean that the sequential control is in a small box now?...does this replace any/all of the solenoids?...what is this box?

Also, do you know why the upgraded ECU is called adaptive? Is it programable to an extent? What has been changed?

I'm just asking these questions because I'm really curious about these changes. I'm not sure where you got this information from...like if you're just translating it from somewhere else or you're getting it from somewhere so you might not be able to answer these questions. Definitely some stuff to think about though. Thanks again for all of the information!

DaiOni

I'm translating it - so I can't answer more questions than what is provided. The information is taken from several sources - RE magazine, the 'I love FD' magazine (one-off special - lots of info), RX7 magazine, and the latest Hyperev RX7 parts catalog/magazine. I've also compared it to existing info on the web.

I only know around 400 kanji - so I have to take it on armed with a kanji computer - it takes time! It's also very technical in parts, so hard to accurately translate (which is why I'm cautious with the turbo question) - even after I verify it with a japanese person (including a mechanical engineer).


this apparently replaces the rats nest - I got this from someone else, not from a magazine - so I don't know any more. Maybe he will post some additional info. I'll see what I can find.

The sentence used the phrase 'adaptive ecu' - and that's how I translated it. From the context, I assume that it means that the ecu is more capable/flexible in dealing with air/fuel requirements as they change (but that's just a guess until I find more info).


As you may be aware, JDM FDs are available in 2 seat or 4 seat variants.

I don't have any resources with me at the moment, but I'll take a look. Usually it's one of these - synthetic leather, alcantara, cloth, or will be a full bucket recaro seat.

Spirit R/RZ come with a recaro seat. The spirit R has a 4 seat variant which looks to be in red synthetic leather. Not sure whether the RZ has a 4 seat variant (probably not).

Usually the cheapest (base) models came with a cloth trim - not so good. They have a weird rubber section in the middle of the seat which is for grip (?perhaps)

The leather seats are actually synthetic - real leather was only used in the type I FDs (91 - mid 93). As I mentioned earlier - cost-cutting. Leather is probably an option on the base models - I've never seen a full model+seat list to verify.

The recaro seats are great - but they are a full-on bucket, and I found them to be pretty uncomfortable. Not sure if my back would like them as a daily driver (If it's any help - I found evo 7 seats to be bad, but these were worse). Obviously a great competition seat though.

I think leather (synthetic or not) is not a great material for climates such as australia - and certainly doesn't have the grip of alcantara or a recaro seat.

Alcantara (often incorrectly called 'suede' by some on the forums) is sometimes called 'synthetic suede' - it's a great substance as it 'grips' you in your seat. It's probably the best choice for an FD - if you can't handle the recaros. I'm not sure if they continued the alcantara into the later models - it is an expensive material - and I've never seen a type v or vi with it (that I can recall).


Late model interiors: I'm sure I was in a type vi (maybe it was a type v), recently and it had black dials - but the information I've read says the last cars had white dials. Also - while the dial lights changed to green in an earlier model - apparently the type vi has red lighting. The white dials are very nice and the design is much more modern than the series 6 you would be used to. The tacho is slightly different (turned a few degrees counter-clockwise). The gauges have chrome rings (similar to late model miatas/mx5s) - these were previously used on the type I FDs. I'm going to have to find a few more pics of type vi interiors because I don't remember these on the last car I was in. Either I was ina type v or the white gauges and rings are only in the special models (quite likely the former).

The oil gauge is gone. I think this is a bad thing, even if the gauge never works quite right. The replacement was a boost gauge that measures in mercury - which most people are unfamiliar with. I prefer a boost gauge on the a-pillar, but that's just me.

The type I had a moulded texture plastic interior - this was changed to a (downgraded) painted style in following versions. Apparently the plastics had improved substantially by the last model (definitely a good thing!). In my experience, the later interiors seem much lighter (almost grey in parts) - I'm not sure if I like that or not.

I'm going to have to find an old type I to sit in, as, from all reports, they have the best trim-levels (I particularly like the dimpled grip on the passenger side door).

The RZ (and Spirit-R?) have a drivers' knee pad and a metal foot-rest for the passenger - both of which you'll find in earlier RZs as well. RZ and Spirit-R also have red-stitched gear boot and handbrake boot (e-brake/park brake). Gearknob is stitched also, as is the nardi wheel.

The audio system is nicer in some ways - though the bose system in the early version would definitely be favored by audiophiles (I couldn't notice the difference myself).

In another note:

* I read last night that the last RZ was very much a limited edition and only (?) came in a special ('exclusive') white mica color

* I can't remember if I mentioned it, but the RZ had a 4.3 diff

DaiOni

http://www.rx7.net.nz/rx7netindex.html

try this site as well - it has most of the info I've mentioned, and a few extras (for instance - I was surprised to read the bathurst-r has carbon look interior panels from the mazdaspeed catalog - nice)

Sgtblue

iTrader: (16)

Whew. LOL, can I get a printer friendly version of this?

Outstanding post. Thanks.

daem0n

Ah - thanks for the information...I'm going to look into a couple of these things. Very interesting information. Thanks again DaiOni

2-Rotor

Here is the updated pic of the cleaned up rats nest.

daem0n

Wow that's awesome - where is that pic from? I wonder what's different about this box other than the design (obviously).

rpm_pwr

Where did you get that from? I posted that over on ausrotary.com because I'd saved the attatchment ID but not the thread ID. Do you know the thread it's from?

-pete

2-Rotor

another pic