Trincap

Hi all.

OK I'm new to the RX-7 community. I recently bought a '94 with very limited (20k) miles and sensible modifications such as M2 CF intake, alum hard pipes, med SMIC, dp, hiflow cat, RB duals, 850 injectors x 4, Apexi PFC, ACT HD clutch, turbojeff battery tray w/ Optima 51R, Fluidyne radiator, Samco hoses, AST elimination, C's short shifter, 18" Advan Siena Generation II wheels, H&R springs, GAB R shocks, PFC tuned by Steve Kan

I'm sure you veterans know this car.

So now I've got this extremely quick car that I can actually drive once a week (the exotics don't get driven much) instead of my boooorrrrriiiinnngg 4 door (LS430 before you ask).

I don't need it any faster, as I understand the thing is 310 HP which is almost too much. I just take it for the occasional weekend drive.

What I'd like to know is 1. Does anyone know a good rotary person in San Francisco or the area and 2. What other things should I get done here???

I'm thinking of putting in Recaro seats and will almost definately put in a new stereo (I hear Eclipse has one with a hard drive) but what else?

Would you put the '99 front end on? What about side view mirr that fit to the body? I don't care about costs very much, I'm just wondering what else to do. The answer may be: "Nothing, leave it alone" which is fine. I'm searching for opinions.

-Trin

FDNewbie

iTrader: (10)

Trin,

Congrats on the car I hope you've read the newbie FAQ's in the 3rd gen section (stickied at the top). There's a LOT to learn about your FD, and in all honesty, I wouldn't have recommended such a highly modified FD to someone who's new to it. Too late for that, so get to reading real quick. You're gonna need it soon...promise

1) For shops near SF, go here: https://www.rx7club.com/a-31/ which is the West Coast regional section, and search for "rotary shop san francisco." You'll get a ton of results.

2) The mods on your car seem very well balanced. I don't think there's much else you NEED. What you WANT is really up to you, not anyone else.

3) You'll find a lot of "leave it stock!" guys here, and others (such as myself) that believe in expressing yourself through your car. Do what looks good to you - within reason. There are 1001 aftermarket exterior parts for these cars. This section (interior/exterior/audio) is FULL of pics of bodykits (as well as sideview mirrors...although I'd leave those as is). Search...you'll find 'em. But what you won't find is someone who can tell you what to do with YOUR car. That's up to you.

4) I think there's only like one or two Recaro seats that fit in the FD, so search on that as well before you buy. That, or you'll end up w/ very expensive paperweights

5) Stereo, again your choice. I like Pioneer headunits because they're simple w/ easy to use advanced functions & settings, and look good. You'll find that most ppl agree Boston Acoustics are the best component speaker systems you can buy for the money. Expensive and excellent sound quality. Subs...take it easy. It's a small car, you don't need much thud. I single 10" is MORE than enough IMO. You don't need a fancy JL - trust me, I've had a bunch of 'em. A 10" Alpine Type E would leave ya VERY happy in the FD.

That's my $0.02...take from it what you like, and ditch the rest

~Ramy

PS: I'll tell you now, in case you don't hear it from anyone else (in time). NEVER EVER boost in a turn, or get on the throttle until the front wheels are ONE HUNDRED PERCENT straight. You boost in a turn or get on it too early while the wheels are still not straight, the rear end WILL fly out from under you, and if you're lucky, you'll only slam into the median. If you're not, you'll take out a car or tree, or even do a 180 and see yourself facing the oncoming traffic. It has nothing to do with your experience w/ high hp rwd cars. The FD is it's own beast w/ it's own crazy peaky hp. Respect it, or you'll regret it. It's that simple. We've lost hundreds of them in this manner...

Also, I don't care what others will tell you. Don't drive it in the rain if you can (snow is obviously a HEEEELL no). She'll break traction when it's DRY, so if you make ANY boost when it's wet, byebye traction. I think you get the point. And your FD is heavily modified. She'll break traction VERY easily as it is. Keep that in mind at all times...you can't just romp on the gas and thing it'll be all good. It won't.

Learning to drive an FD w/o boosting takes practice and skill...and it's nothing less than a survival skill around turns and when you get caught in incliment weather.

Lastly, check the oil level often (rotaries burn oi....you WILL need to top off the car between oil changes, or you're driving too wimpy lol), and don't baby the car by shifting early. Rotaries are meant to rev high; it's good for the motor (it helps clear carbon deposits). Babying the car by shifting early always isn't good. I'm not saying always redline her, but every time you take her out, try and redline at least the first two gears once. I'd say third as well, but by the time you redline third, you're seeing 105...hehe

Trincap

Holy moses, best post ever. Thanks for the advice. Something tells me this car is not going to see much driving time. Ha, the goal was to find a fun coupe I could drive instead of my LS430. This thing sounds like it's faster then my 550 Maranello (it's not but hey I'm just saying). I've actually experienced twin turbos in a vette I had for a month that was a friends. It takes some getting used to. Power punching at odd times. I'm more used to a straight pull. Thanks a ton for the advice, I'll practice a lot. But like I said, it doesn't look like this is going to see much driving. Jeez, I'm collecting cars like a bee does pollen but I still can't find anything to drive!!! Maz spyder is off in Penn. and everything else never sees the light of day! I swear I'm just going to bite the bullet and buy a SL500 and look like an old man.

I don't drive in the rain and I don't think the SF Area has seen snow in 50 years with the exception of that silly Ski Jump thing we recently had.

Looks like I am not going to be doing a thing to this car. Maybe I'll do the 99 front and the pix of that guy and his titanium paint job are gorgeous but I don't know squat about paint. I guess first things first, find a rotary guy in Bay Area. Any other assistance would be great folks.

P.S. Thanks for the welcome to the club. This oughta be fun. Oh and I'm too old to be putting any subwoofer in a car. I'll try the B.A. speakers. I was going to get a head unit with a 7" monitor so my son can watch DVD's but you just convinced me never to take this thing anywhere with him in it. I'll look into other things.
I wasn't going to put a body kit on (heaven forbid!) but I do like the 99 front. Just not sure I like it better than the stock one.