I've just got my first FD, my second rx7 after my turbo FC. I've had it for two weeks now, and after building up confidence I decided to plant foot and see how it feels.
I drove normally with a little boost in 1st, then planted foot in second. Was fine untill about 5000RPM when the second turbo was working in full force and suddenly it broke free and started to fish tail wildly (nothing I couldnt handle but still unexpected!).

I've heard things about these cars being a bit of a handful with no spoiler on them (mine has been professionally despoilered). I really like the look of no spoiler (its a white S7 RB Bathurst model) but if the car really needs a spoiler to have stability then so be it. Besides, function over form, right?

So whats the general consensus? Will I be better off with a spoiler or should I just be a bit more careful in second? Car has 255x17" wheels on the back and 235s on the front.

 

Just get better tires. The spoiler adds minimial downforce; especially at such low speeds of < 70mph.

 

I believe second gear at 5000 is somewhere around 50mph depending on tire size so your spoiler isnt going to stop this fishtailing it is more tire traction and suspension set up.

 

I would say, what is done to the car? If it's stock, like it sounds, I would get better tires, and not worry about the spoiler. Your tire size seems to be plenty wide for stock set up. Anymore details?

 

IMO, the stock spoiler at that speed can do a lot less than a 24 case of beer in the trunk.
I haven't searched this at all, but judging from the shape, that spoiler doesn't have a great level of efficiency.
Agree with some, suspensions and wheel/tires will help...

 

All good answers -- the stock spoiler adds drag but no downforce:
http://autospeed.drive.com.au/A_108677/cms/article.html
AutoSpeed - Aero Testing - Part 5

It's all in the right foot instead

 

ive had my car at 180ish kmhr and its as smooth as 100. I using the 99 wing though. For those with the 99 wing, what setting do you have it at?

 

I also have a professionally despoilered series 7 type RS.

I have 265 wide rear tyres (18") - I cannot get that thing to break traction in any gear in a straight line when the roads are dry.

I even have to give it death in a corner to get loss of traction in the dry.

Now the wet is a different story

I have also tracked the car (Pukekohe - I noticed you're from NZ) and clicked over 200km/hr on the back straight and really didn't miss the spoiler.

 

ok cool, sounds like i just need to ditch the current tyres for something newer/better.
I always used Eagle-F1 GSD-3s on the FC so I might grab a set for the FD too.
Cant remember what its got at the moment, but it sounds like it shouldnt be doing what it is.

 

check your suspension too. could be a few little things adding up to one big traction issue.

most likely culprit is tires though. but it never hurts to assure that everything is in proper running order.

 

While I agree with starting on tires, also check out your suspension and bushings.

Dave

 

While I didn't have your exact car, I had a set of 99 spec 17" wheels. They have the exact same size tires that you have. My tires were Toyo Proxes T1-S. While running about 300 rwhp I found it quite difficult to break the rear end loose - even when the tires were starting to wear out. They even made a big difference in the rain. The car originally had Toyo Proxes FZ4 all-seaon rubber and was very easy to get squirelly in wet or dry conditions.

So, +1 on getting some grippy rubber.

 

I have had a few different tyre combinations on my '01 rx7, and I have had spoiler/no spoiler. The tyres are by far and away the most important thing, especially at that kind of speed.

I have had 2 sets of 255's, the yokohama advans, were freaking awesome, and the federals were no where near as good, now i am out to 275 toyo's, and I would still rate the advan neovo's as the grippiest of the 3 even though they were narrower. They would never break traction in the dry. Relevant mods include coilovers, intake apexi PFC, full exhaust.