Total newbie...please help
 

Hello everyone. Im tottaly new to the rotor world and am trying my best to learn all I can. Ive been researching the M3 for along time and thought I was set on it, and now suddenly, to the amazment of all my JDM friends, Ive switched tracks. I looked into the RX-7 awhile back but was a little confused by all the new terminology. Forums like these have helped me with numerous things and I hope this can do the same. Well, now its my time to sound like a Newbie.

Since the whole rotor concept is new to me, I could use alot of tips. I know I want a Gen. 3 but what should I look for in my search? Ive notice a huge percent of the ones up for sale have new, or fairly new engines. I assume this would be a good thing? What are the main things to look for before a purchase? Also, what are some good first mods and what kind of gains can be expected from them. I sence a long road of learning ahead for me and I truly appretiate any help you guys can lend. I know it gets annoying answering simple questions like these from newbies but it really does help. Thanks in advance, and I look forward to being embarassed by this post in the future.

no offense, but you're asking waaaay too many questions to be actually looking to buy the car right now. What I mean by that is that you really need a more firm understanding of these cars before you even own a stock one. They're not something you can just get in and drive. They're all 10 years old now and need a lot of attention.

Reading the newbie links in the sticky and do a lot of research, it'll pay off in the long run. Here's a link to the sticky; https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...threadid=68640

:withstupi::bigthumb:

haha, like other typical potential buyers (such as myself) , youll be waiting at least a year before purchasing one. youll find problem after problem that you must be wary of when looking at prospective purchases, and realize that either 1. the car isnt for you, or 2. ur gonna need a lot more knowledge about these cars. oh , and exclusive to our area (not a good thing) , is the fact that there arent many FDs around california to choose from, compared to the east coast at least. and they are more expensive here too, because of its scarcity.

well, other than that, if none of your findings discourage you, good luck searching for an FD ! :)

-eugene

Thanks for the links. Im not tottally in the dark but Ive been set on one car for so long I feel lost not knowing all the best aftermarket companies and all. I guess my post made it sound as if I had done no research at all, but I was mearly trying to point out that Im pretty new to all this. I more curious as to the gains that can be expected of the first few mods. I knew my past cars very well and knew what to expect. Im just curious due to some of the insane numbers I have seen from some of these. Thanks again.

The cars can produce very nice numbers with very minimal mods. Your basic intake and exhaust modifications can net you up to 325whp. However, everything comes at a cost, including the ECU. That's the big spender, and it's something you MUST have. Just read the links for the noobs, it'll all start to fall together. Spend some time on the boards and you'll quickly find out all the answers to all your questions. If you don't see something, try searching, chances are it's already been asked.

Good luck.

as kyle stated, i made 313rwhp on a low compression motor with just full exhaust and a power fc, with boost on 15lbs. motor let go a couple months later, but it was my stupidity, nothing in the tuning

Do you need a ported motor to get those numbers or is the stock block sufficent? Whats the hp rating on the ported block alone?

read everything you can and read everything here. maybe in a year you will be equipped to buy an FD

You can definatly make those numbers on the stock port. The average with full bolt-ons and a REALLY good tune is about 350whp. A street port will add an additional 30-40whp.

Just to add something: don't start getting way ahead of yourself and start thinking multiple mods at once before you even drive the car for a while. Too many newbs get all frothy at the mouth thinking about ported this, single turbo that, "how much hp with...?". You will get plenty of power with the stock port motor with various bolt-ons, and if you install them/have them installed in some sort of order, you'll be able to diagnose any problems that may arise when you start tearing into the 10-year-old engine bay. Otherwise, if you just install a whole shitload of aftermarket components at once in your haste for horsepower, there's a good chance you will have multiple problems that will have you tearing your hair out trying to figure out where to start, because you didn't get to know and understand the car first.

i did a year of searching the internet and lurking on this forum before i got my 7. after i got it, i still wasn't ready for it, but experience with it has paid off. i'm now comfortable doing anything with it. i've even done a motor swap and everything all on my own. it's seriously not a car that you can just buy and not worry about. there's little things that every owner needs to know and can only learn about them through lots of searching

The experience of a stock fd is still exhilarating. Im a half newb to the FD world, but I used to be an FC burnout, when I first drove the FD, it amazed me, to this day, you can see a huge smile on my face when I drive it. Never underestimate mazda's factory tuned machine, its still miles ahead from any other sports car IVE driven.

Thanks again everyone. Im aware not to go adding multiple mods at once to the FD, or any performance vehicle for that matter. Im not new to the auto world, just the rotor world. Im only asking about the mods because Im interested in what kinda mods go on for you guys. Its new to me and Im interested in your guys side of tuning. Besides, my wallet will prevent me from doing multiple mods at once, but while im in the search for an FD, its nice to have something to look at online to keep myself excited. You know you have all been there. Besides, when starting a project car it doesnt hurt to have a time proven laundry list of mods you would like to have. Thats what tuning is all about. Making a list of stuff you would like to have but probably cant afford but find some way to buy anyways.

research first, reliability mods, and take care of that rx7!

Read, mah man! :)

No better advice than this from Kento! Go slow and stair-step your mods. The car is hella fast stock as it is, but you'll likely get bitten by the bug. Trust us, your wallet will show it.
:D

This is a great site that Toadman posted. Another one to be sure and read is:

http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/

Besides these two, you can answer almost all of your questions by searching this forum. The amount of info here is incredible.

Good Luck...