Shifting Questions
 

Hey, I am a totally newbie to the RX7 world. I've got some question. First of all, my 93 RX7 is completely stock and had been running pretty smoothly. But as of today, when i tried pushing it a lil bit, shifting from second to third, i felt that the turbos aint kicking in even if i step on the thorttle. Same thing happens as I tried shifting from 3rd to 4th. I cant feel that usual boost from before. Can anyone explain this to me? Am very curious about this situation, thanks in advance! :bigthumb:

need alot more detail if you want help. What is your boost pattern?? Please tell me you have a boost gauge.

No i dont, its completely stock and I have no add anything to it. Also a friend told me that I might need a new clutch since it sound like it is slipping. But another thing is that he told me the clutch might be too hot therefore its not catching right. So maybe I will test it tomorrow morning, maybe it's just too hot and slipping, hopefully i wont have to install a new clutch =D.

your friend sounds like he dosent know what he's talking about..

get a boost gauge before you kill your engine. then report back to us with what your boost gauge is doing and at what rpm.

Do you mean that the problem started when you shifted into 3rd and now the car doesnt feel like it is boosting at all? Of do you mean the car feels normal in 2nd but in 3rd it starts acting up?If it is not boosting at all now, I would check all the Intercooler piping and all the connectors, it is very common for the IC piping to come apart or the rupper connectors to crack...But as the others have said, you def need a boost gauge, Even if you figure out this problem, a boost gauge is critical in these cars. If it was your clutch the engine would just accelerate quicky without the car accelerating

:withstupi Note to self: never speak to that friend about cars again ;)

Engine shouldn't get hurt - the turbos are what you're worried about. If there's a boost leak, and you're getting and staying on the gas, the turbos don't know there's a leak, and you're pushing and pushing them, trying to make them spool the full 10psi they're supposed to, and well...basically running them against a brick wall. They'll spin so fast you'll burn 'em out. Not fun.

Just to clarify what he said, if your clutch is slipping, the revs (on the tach, aka rpms) will FLY up, but the car really won't go anywhere. Then, all of a sudden, BOOM, it'll catch, and the car will go. Notice, the rpms will be flying up as you're on the gas, and your foot is COMPLETELY off the clutch. Ie the clutch has already been engaged, but the revs keep on flying up, w/o the car itself accelerating. Hence, "slipping" :)

So...to recap:

1) Get a boost gauge
2) Do NOT ask that friend how to install the boost gauge. I have a feeling the results could be disasterous...which leads me to
3) Get a new car friend
4) Report back to the forum w/ what you find, and any questions you have. There are no stupid questions, just stupid actions due to NOT asking :p:
5) Stay off the gas until you figure out what's wrong w/ the car

appreciated and Ill check it tomorrow morning, hope that the car sould be fine =D

wait, make sure ur car is warmed up though. You shouldn't be boosting right after you start the car. Its just not nice :P

^^^^^^^^^ That, and the car will buck like crazy if you try ;)

hey thanks alot guys, I called up the original owner, and he told me that the clutch hasnt been changed ever since he had the car, which is quite a while. Also, i tested it this morning, i believe that it's the clutch that's wearing out. And thanks for the advice for getting a boost gauge and everything, it is very helpful of yall. Thanks and may God bless all of you RX7 freaks out there!!! :bigthumb:

Hey

While you're at it, thought I'd give you a head's up.

1) DO NOT EVER take your FD to a dealership. The mechanics there are NOT qualified to work on it, unless MANY other FD owners tell you otherwise (very few dealerships have A - yes, just one lol - rotary certified mechanic who knows how to work on FDs. Otherwise, STAY AWAY.

2) So, who do you take your car to? A rotary specialist

3) Where do you find one? Go to the Regional section of the forum: https://www.rx7club.com/regional-forums-upcoming-events-7/ and go to your respective region. There should be a sticky in it w/ the good rotary specialist shops in your area. If not, SEARCH (don't post!) for "rotary shop" or "mechanic" and the name of a major city in your area. You'll find MANY threads addressing this.

In fact, you're in SF, huh? Here ya go: https://www.rx7club.com/west-rx-7-forum-193/rotary-shops-sf-marin-area-434202/ RotaryExtreme is an EXCELLENT shop, and Chuck (who runs it) is a GREAT guy =) You can tell him I say so :D

4) So where are you going to buy your clutch? NEVER buy parts from the local dealership. They RAPE YOU for prices. ALL your parts needs can be found either on this forum in the 3rd gen for sale section (https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-rx-7-1993-2002-parts-99/) or if something isn't available (or you want it new), contact Ray Crowe at Malloy Mazda. 1-888-533-3400. Speak only to him. He hooks up everyone on the forum w/ the best prices, period.

5) Lastly, if you want a clutch, keep in mind something: if you're going to modify the car a lot, thus making a lot more hp, you're going to need an upgraded/heavy duty clutch. ACT S/S (Street/Strip) HD clutch is perfect for your needs. You can find 'em at any RX7 Vendor (www.GothamRacing.com, www.RX7Trix.net, www.rx7store.net), etc. BUT, if you're gonna keep your car relatively stock, a stock clutch is all you need. The cheapest place you'll find it is here:
- http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...sPageName=WDVW
- http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...sPageName=WDVW

These kits come w/ everything you need.

6) Lastly, again, if you don't know, ASK. These cars are not Hondas. You mess something up, you'll end up w/ a dead car and a few THOUSAND in the hole. VERY quickly. The only way you're gonna survive w/ this car is if you do it once, and do it right. Cut corners, and you'll pay DEARLY when you have to go back and repair the damage, AND do it again, how it should have been done the first time!

With that, g'luck, and congrats on your FD! :bigthumb:

~Ramy

Here is an easy way to check your cluch, drive the car normal from first to second then to fifth then step on it if the rpms start coming up quick but the car doesnt start to pull then its time for a cluch. Its an easy way to tell, and do get a boost gauge soon. Also ask questions you may get sh*t but theres alot of help on the board.

There's another way, and it's pretty much foolproof too. Put the car up on a lift, remove the shields around the tranny/clutch area, and open up the inspection plate. It lets you look right into the clutch area. W/ a good light source, you can get a good look at the disc's surface.

Thanks guys, I had great help from all of you. Also, any recommendations on gauge? Or a regular one is fine? I m looking forward to modify the car, even though I m new to the 7 world, but I m really trying to learn from this and hoping that I wont kill my car before i learned how to take care of it. Therefore, please recommend me to clutches, gauge, whatever a starter should buy/build on a 7 would be greatly apprecaited. Thank you very much you guys, without yall, I would be hugging my car crying now =] TWO THUMBS UP FOR ALL OF U!!! :bigthumb: or big thumb =]

The best advice I can give you is take the time to read through the newbie sticky (https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/faq-3rd-gen-other-useful-links-68640/). Read it all. Really. It'll answer 99% of your questions, and even teach you things you never even thought of to begin w/ :p:

As for a boost gauge, an Autometer boost gauge is fine. You can get fancy and go w/ a Greddy, Blitz, or HKS one, or even go all out and get a Defi. But really, an Autometer is all you really need. It's accurate enough.

so a downpipe and the boost gauge as suggested from the tutorial site would be good? Also, whats some recommendation on clutches? Like I said, i m planning to work this car up, and soon I hope i can do around 400hp? Maybe? So what should be some suggestions for having a clutch which I dont need to replace later when i get the 7 up there? thanks in advance :cool:

:boink:

Of course, check if the FD you have has the stock DP (will have a precat in it), or an aftermarket DP first ;)

It is a stock =] :bigthumb:

Look at my earlier post (#11) I mentioned which HD clutch you'd want (ACT S/S HD)

Also, work on RELIABILITY mods FIRST, THEN modify your car, only after it's safe and reliable to do so. This link should help you in choosing what mods, and the order: https://www.rx7club.com/showpost.php...81&postcount=2

Sorry was reading it at midnight, kinda scan thru it, and missed a few words -_-, thanks anyways, these things aint cheap :o: but i guess ill do as suggested and thanks for everything. If there are further questions, I'll let you guys know. Thanks and appreciated.

Actually, if you don't know, it's more effective to search. This forum is pretty loaded with good discussions, and with a little practice you can get almost any answer you need in 10 minutes of searching and reading. That's a whole lot faster than if you start a new thread and wait for a response. If it's not in the FAQ/newbie thread, or found in 10min of searching, then starting a new thread is probably the next best step.

Dave

thanks alot guys, it's very helpful from all of you. already decided to get the ACT s/s like FDNewbie suggested. Now it's just time for me to look for a good deal on some new ones =], i hated used so yeah =], any1 know anything thats cheaper than like 510? let me know =], so that thats the best price i've found over the net. Thanks in advance guys

found the ACT S/S for 494.53 at Pro Street Online, is it a good deal?

Dave...of course you're right. I meant that, but kinda forgot to say it lol. Just trying to emphasize that winging it and trying something new to save a few $$ can be disasterous in these cars...

AzEKnightz, that sounds like a good deal to me. Just make sure it's a complete kit (w/ all the bearings...see the ebay auction link for what a complete kit includes), and that it's specific for the 93 - 95 RX7. Oh and while you're changing the clutch out, have the shop replace ALL the bearings, and any seals/rings too. Also, call Ray Crowe @ Malloy (see my earlier post) and get a new clutch fork. It's only $65. These new ones are stronger than the stock ones. The stock ones are notorious for breaking when you use a heavy duty clutch, and the only way to replace it at that point would be to pull out the tranny and thus pay for the labor ALL OVER AGAIN. So point being, change everything you can/need to now, at once, while the tranny's out. That upgraded clutch fork is a MUST if you're putting in the HD clutch.

Although I wouldn't recommend it, you may wanna look into getting a light flywheel, just cuz the clutch will be out too. Pros: faster revs, faster off the line, faster deceleration. Cons: HORRIBLE on hills, makes car less streetable overall.