Undecided...lookin for experienced help
 

Hello to everyone. Im new to this forum. Im an all around car enthusiast, who appreciates all cars, lookin with an appetite that appears overzealous/insane to the normal consumer, aka ppl who unlike us do not live and die by the forums we subscribe to, I think u guys understand my addiction.

You probably by now have a feeling where im going with this inquiry…Im lookin to get a car for track use, I don’t know if I want to get a new car to do a bit of tracking or get an older car, like the rx7, strictly for track use…and with all the options we have available today it makes it a bit more challenging, especially when dealing with fellow forum members like yourselves, who get pretty bias (don’t even try to argue this point) :p:

Im thinking about the rx7…just thought of it cause my cousin has one. I have many questions so ill cut the s**t and get to it. Anyone whos anyone knows, getting a car for track use is pretty tricky…so and so said this about that car and so and so said that about the this car, but we all know all that’s subjective and either way we end up tuning the car to meet our needs…suspension, brakes, tires, performance…So then how does one choose? It’s a toughy. This I suppose is where u lovely ppl come in.

So ideally id like to hear from ppl who have experience with their RX7 on the track, and better yet ppl who have friends with other similar cars or themselves have experienced the difference on the track, but if there arent 2 many with that kinda experience any help will do. Yes I know, Im pullin hairs here…but we all went through it. Feel free to tell me whatever you think is important…eg I wanna know about the tranny, the clutch, the gearing, anything about its turbo, anything else u guys can give me a heads up on…specific models, years, problems, adv/dis…etc. BTW, I know how some forums get real anal about every little detail…where to post, procedure, this/that…im tryin my best here. Thanks for your time.

Here's an oldie but goodie about tracking these cars:

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...light=tracking

I also suggest using the search function to generate other posts -- as well as going through the suspension and race tech subforums. You should read the FAQ sticky at the top of the page for general buying guidelines for these cars.

I also recommend reading through Chris Regan's website:

http://reganrotaryracing.tripod.com/rx7main.htm

A lot of us on here, including myself, regularly track our cars. You can search under Fritz Flynn, damian, damonb, JohnMagnuson, SleepR1, as well as myself for posts on different topics.

The RX7 can be a very capable track vehicle. If well driven the only vehicle that tend to beat it are newer very high performance cars such as the Corvette Z06, Dodge Viper and Porsche GT3.

If you are going to track an RX7 you need to be aware of two things:

1) Keep the temps down. There are a lot of threads on cooling modifications you can search for. Your coolilng system will need to be perfect to allow extended hard track usage.

2) Some tracks that are really hard of brakes will overheat the stock brakes. Some people go to a big brake kit. I would start with ducting the stock brakes and running a very good track pad (Hawk Blues work great if it's track ONLY)

Good luck!

-John

Thanks for not being dicks

I took my car to track for the first time recently. I had a blast, even with a broken sway bar mount... Like John Magnuson said, the stock brakes got over heated really quick and scared the crap out of me. Brake fade at 100 mph into a corner is scary!

First, read the FAQ thread and linked info, then run some searches in this forum and in the Race Car Tech forum. A nice tip is to use FD* as a search term since FD is not 3 letters long.

Stock engine puts about 225hp to the ground. This is on 10psi boost.

Tranny/clutch: the clutch needs upgrading from 300hp+. It's a pull clutch that's fairly responsive for the torque level. A lot of guys replace the clutch hose for reliability.

Gearing: seems to work for many trackers. 5th and the rear diff are often changed for better acceleration. Tranny holds 400-500hp if you know how to properly drive it, so it's pretty far down the upgrade list. The front input shaft bearing and clutch fork occasionally go bust, but otherwise it's a reliable tranny.

Turbo: the stock sequential system is very trackable, but some guys prefer the predictable power curve of a single turbo. The sequential provides a wide range of good boost, but the 4500rpm transition can be a little punchy if you let it get that low. Due to the complex turbo control system that runs the sequential air valving, some people consider it unreliable. (Search for "rats nest"). However, it's not too expensive to maintain if you learn how to test and troubleshoot it. Boost gauge is highly recommended. Nonsequential conversions are popular since it cuts out most of this complexity for very little money.

Engine: Normally aspirated, they are very durable - but the FDs all come with the sequential twin turbos as stock. Less boost = longer engine life. More boost = fast straightaways and shorter engine life. Boosted rotaries and rebuilds go hand in hand - expect 30k-100k running on stock boost, assuming you never have a detonation incident.

The R1/R2 model has a dual oil cooler that is better for tracking. But you can buy this part and install it later on the other trim types.

The cooling system is a weak point - you'll want to replace all the coolant hoses and caps, and keep an eye on the plastic radiator end tanks and air separation tank. All-aluminum versions of the rad and AST are available for greater reliability. Water and oil temp gauges are highly recommended.

The stock brakes generally function well with racing pads, but with 17" or 18" wheels there are larger calipers you can get that drastically increase heat dissipation.

The exhaust is a weak point - the primary cat (called the pre-cat, downpipe, etc) is very close to the engine and a major heat retainer. If your racing class allows it, replace it with a straight pipe. The main cat isn't such a problem.

The suspension is fantastic. With fresh bushings, a different set of springs and shocks, it's exceptional. Search for posts by Howard Coleman and you'll get good advice and an appreciation for it's design. The sway bar mounts are a little weak, but that's a minor quibble. The stock wheels are very light, although some of the castings are prone to cracking (not a big deal, IMO).

The aerodynamics are generally quite good, many racers are happy with just expanding the front bumper openings for better cooling air flow.

For track use allowing minor modification, all model years are about equal. All will present major maintenance effort - but good preventive maintenance (and a Mazdacomp membership for more affordable parts) goes a long way. I'd say if you have a couple thousand available you can take a good stock street RX-7 and outfit it for basic track use. It's got the bang/buck of a Corvette in many ways, if you don't mind that some of those bucks are maintenance. However, if you want bulletproof simple performance, a Vette or other less complicated car will be less headache.

Dave

My old FD Rx7 R1 was the fastest track car I've ever had--period. It was at a price--but when Speed Sauce Racing's FD R1 was running--it was running fast. The car belongs to alberto_mg now, so he'll have to give the update on the current state of affairs. I have a '97 M3/4-door now with 65K miles (Dinan intake/exhaust/shark injector). It's such a nice car, and have not tracked it. All the Bimmerheads defer the speed differential to my old FD though. When prepared properly, the FD can be a good track car. Just be sure to have access to a reputable FD Rx7 mechanic and shop. Peace and good will to you.

M

The FD Rx-7 makes for a great track car, lit is light, powerfull and has incredable handeling! It dosent take much to hang with 911's, vets and vipers out on a tight road course. If you want some experianced advice, hit up damian on this forum, he is one of the most experianced people I know of with purposed built track Rx-7's.

pm me if you have questions about tracking an FD, I am one of the many on the this forum that have setup an FD for road tracks


...and watch my vids :-)

http://www.myrx7.com/movies

By far the best FD Rx7 in-car track vids in production :)