Ryan8

Hey rotarites, looking for some opinions here. I've been a fan of rotaries for some time and im looking to finally get one myself. My memory on maintenance and various other things come and go when it comes to dealing with these cars, mainly because I've "considered" them for so long.

Now I've come across a few different FC S5 rx7's, and one S4. 2 NA's and the other's a turbo (original apparently). Both have been rebuilt around the 50k mark on the motors and I'm having difficulty deciding on which one i should go for if any at all:

S5 NA has:
- intake, poly bushings, struts and springs, a streetport, headers and RB exhaust, racing seats, rotors, calipers, and SS flex lines. owner claims 200whp....dont really believe him though.
- owner says the car runs hot, it may need a new rad and fan.
- he uses synthetic motor oil: I read somewhere that synthetic motor oil isn't good for the rotary engine?

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ198666750

S4 NA has:
- wheel bearings, intake, new gas lines, tank, brake lines, exhaust, cat, and a repair to the rocker panels.
- got a new clutch, and its equipped with and LSD (stock i presume)

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ229619411

https://www.rx7club.com/canadian-sale-wanted-classifieds-120/1987-mazda-rx-7-gx-coupe-918717/

S5 TURBO:

the car is actually on this rx7 site here:

https://www.rx7club.com/canadian-sale-wanted-classifieds-120/1989-rx7-turbo-ii-870868/

I know "bananarama" isnt everyone's favorite color, but i dont mind it at all. the interior WILL be fixed i assure you that.


Now obviously, thisll be my 1st rotary and to ensure 1) the validity of the owner's claims of the work done to the car and 2) protect myself from getting f'd over, I have a couple of rx7 specialists that will do a THOROUGH inspection on the cars. Not making any presumptions, im just plannig my "investment".

Now a couple questions for you veterans.
1) How much will I be looking at for a FULL engine rebuild (STOCK) for an NA or a TURBO? (worst case scenario, anyone wanna recommend me a shop?) I've heard 1500, and i've also heard 3-5k.
2) how long do rotaries last? Realistically, backed with good maintenance?
3) Which car looks like a better deal to you guys? It'll be a DD and weekend warrior (rarely), and itll be driven for some months the year...again I am just considering these cars; one of them may be "the bomb", and I still may not get it... its a consideration I'm still on the fence about.

Let me know what you guys think, I'm looking for informative, and opinionated insight on these candidates. Thanks for reading.

Ryan8

BTW: [flame suit on] this may occasionally be driven in the (winter) colder months of the year...but well see.

apex_attack

used to own a Turbo II, very fun car and is definitely quick enough. I also tried a NA FC but felt it was a bit underpowered, this might be due to the fact I had gotten used to driving my T2 everyday.

Bwek

iTrader: (4)

N/a cars are super easy to drive at the limit Fairly reliable 87 octane all day

T2 Faster 91 octane

eViLRotor

iTrader: (2)

1) How much will I be looking at for a FULL engine rebuild (STOCK) for an NA or a TURBO? (worst case scenario, anyone wanna recommend me a shop?) I've heard 1500, and i've also heard 3-5k.

Figures will vary depending on quality of components and the amount of parts that need to be replaced. You can put together an engine that will run for quite some time out of junk, but new housings etc will cost you.

Added cost is also associated if the shop has to pull and replace the engine.

Many good shops, but I recommend Dave at Mazdees. He rebuilds our race car engines, he rebuilt the engine in my old FD, and my old FC. I know many people with his engines and they all run great.

2) how long do rotaries last? Realistically, backed with good maintenance?

As a very rough guidline:
A stock NA 13B is a pretty reliable motor. It should last 200k+. Seen it often enough.
A 13BT should go 150k, especially at stock boost.

I'd expect less from remans depending on the spec of parts used.

3) Which car looks like a better deal to you guys? It'll be a DD and weekend warrior (rarely), and itll be driven for some months the year...again I am just considering these cars; one of them may be "the bomb", and I still may not get it... its a consideration I'm still on the fence about.

Personally, if I was only going to own one 'fun car', and it had to be an FC, then it would have to be a T2. NA FC's are just slow and boring. There is more fun factor in a GSL-SE.

On the other hand, I would probably not DD a T2, especially in the winter. I'd take NA reliability for that.

Lastly, it really depends on your budget. If you're working with limited funds and these cars are your price-point, then maybe consider the S5 NA. Myself, I wouldn't get any of those cars, and would wait for something more. But we probably want/expect different things.

2Fierce

iTrader: (7)

Buy the one with the least rust. Everything else you're going to have to replace anyways...

im_the_mainevent

iTrader: (5)

That black n/a looks really clean.... Little jealous

barnett87rx7

iTrader: (1)

the black one wont be even close to 200 whp

Bwek

iTrader: (4)

S5 n/a's aren't too bad just remember its a handling car take it around some twisties and you will be hooked 100%

Ryan8

A lot of good info here guys. Thank a bunch to all who contributed. In your opinions guys, which one would you guys go with personally? Based on your own personal experiences with these cars....with the parts/upgrades that some of these cars come with, what looks like the better deal to you ladies/gentlemen?

Me myself, they each "look" like the have their own little perks. the yellow one has the turbo, the blue looks like its been well taken care of, and the black one looks like a nice package, some nice upgrades and what not.

Tell me, give me some insight. What are you thinking....if you had to choose?

2Fierce

iTrader: (7)

I'd buy the blue one, because its an 87. I doubt it has an LSD though, unless he installed it. It is a gx model, they didnt come with an lsd.

I'd lowball him minus the wheels, u dont need them anyway. Get some coilovers, brakes, lsd, and enjoy.

Bwek

iTrader: (4)

Ditto what 2Fierce said as long as the shell is clean chances are you'll swap everything out anyways eventually

djphonics

iTrader: (1)

Me and my buddy were going to look at the black one. He says it takes 10-15 minutes to warm up to "2/3rds of the gauge" From my understanding that doesn't make sense to the usual s5 cold warm new engine gauge. May need a new engine, but otherwise sounds good.

Also your looking at the cars my buddies looking at lol

Ryan8

hey DJPHONICS, whenever you plan on going, you mind sharing your finds on the board?