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Just bought my second RX-7 ever. First was a NA '91 and loved it (15-20 years ago!).
Now I have a 1979 GS model. Silver, 63K miles, minty plaid interior and an Arkay turbo set up. Doing a fluids flush and fill to reset to clocks. Will also do plugs (NGK but should I alter model from stock for a turbo setup?).
The car so far is great and was seemingly pretty pampered! Love having another Rx7!
thanks for having me!
Last edited by NotRon; 01-21-20 at 11:25 AM.
Reason: Added Picture
Not far from you! Just outside of Greenville.
3rd owner on the car- prior owner had it since early 2000's and just wan't driving it as much. She was gifted the car by her husband because it was the same as her first ever car. He bought it out of Vermont from the first owner (Documents in the car validate this). Appears the Arkay was added when relatively new- as was the Sears after marker Cruise control (Haven't tested that one yet....)
So far it runs great! Little smoke on startup but clears up when warm like it should. Idles perfect and pulls consistently through the revs. Haven't tested the redline horn but it feels strong!
Thanks for the NGK tip. Already reading through some of the technical section. What a great resource!
Looks like maybe the original owner pampered it with several day 2 upgrades. The turbo was offered as a kit and I see some aftermarket rims and air dam. Finding a car with these in period upgrades, still intact and appearing this nice in overall condition, is perhaps almost more rare then finding one still all original. Pretty darn cool that for sure!
What an amazing find!!!! That Arkay turbo kit is very rare and was very desirable and expensive in it's time. You really have a true gem! Would also love to see more pictures of the car!! As far as the plugs, I would just install a direct replacement NGK plug, of which is already installed in the engine. Unless it's some off the wall plug not meant for a rotary engine.
Thanks guys- To say I feel lucky to have found this car is an understatement! More pictures are in order but working and the short days mean its a weekend thing soon. The plaid seats are intoxicating but the LED lights in the garage added some lines on the picture below. Better ones to come! I have caught myself going to the garage and turning on the lights to make sure everything is still as nice as i remember it! Interior in general feels 5 years old at worse. Needs new tires but otherwise in great shape The magical Arkay turbo!
A quick follow up- The wheels are Rial and have wheel locks on them... I do not have a "key". I can use the impact socket/hammer and remove but would love to do it the right way. Anybody know a resource for a new wheel lock?
since the lugs on these cars r bolts u may have to look online as auto parts places only carry lug nuts. but they may also be able to order lug bolts. if i remember right from other posts on the forum the thread on these is either M12x1.5 or M12x 1.25 and probably at least 40mm in length. check one at an auto parts place with the nuts they have for gauging thread pitch of bolts.
and notice in the first pic posted, why does the front sit so high above the tires?
Fantastic looking car with perioical correct tuning parts😎 Surprised the german company ronal was selling wheels in 1983 to the us market. Very rare wheels 4x110 also in germany, take care.
The front have to be a little lower. Best Seats ever, so nice! Congratulation!
I too have noticed that the front is riding a little high and not sure why just yet. Any immediate thoughts from the crew would be appreciated.
I figure worse case I get new springs and shocks and swap those in. Or maybe investigate the springs in there to validate they are not stock... I probably won't get lowering springs on such a nice period correct car.
It handles really good for what its worth but agree I need to look into it!
Just gotta comment, Love your car! I live for period correct modified cars because I am old enough to remember them. Always lusted after them and built a few. As cars from this time were fairly restricted due to emissions laws, aftermarket tuning was popular. Betcha it gave those 5.0 mustangs a run for there money back in the day.
Thanks lwrobins. Its been a great treat so far. Ordered new wheel bolts to replace the locks and that allows me to get new tires which allows me to more comfortably/safely enjoy her!
Good plan on getting the new wheel bolts! No need for wheel locks really. Unless you live in a high crime area you should be fine. Have you done any other maintenance to the car since you've had it?
Last weekend I replaced the rear shocks and brakes- on my wife's Honda Pilot!
For the Rx7 I have tires on order- nothing special just good tires. I also have fluids to flush pretty much everything with fluids in it that aren't gas or windshield wiper fluid. Using this car as an opportunity to teach my kids about rotaries and systems in cars so may take longer than it should but they are excited to be a part of "dad's fun car".
Really looked everything over last weekend and all its missing is the mid point exhaust hanger and the antenna doesn't go up with the electrical switch- but does come down. Not high on my list but would be cool to get that working.
Need to get her on jack stands to better investigate the trans/engine mounts, u joints and other suspension bushings etc. And have ordered replacement front struts to see if that cures my high riding front.
Also need to verify brakes are in good working order. Evidently they were checked "not too long ago" according to the PO- but its brakes.... so I like to verify that before too much driving!
Anything I am missing?
Here are a few things I ask myself when going over a car. How are the belts and hoses? Vacuum lines in good shape? Air and fuel filters replaced recently? All lights working? Suspension bushings in ok shape? Plugs, wires, cap, rotor, coils all check out ok? Do I have Mazda oil filters in stock? Exhaust hangers look ok? Figure that's a good place to start when going through any 7 that's been sitting or even driven sparingly.
That's a good list-
Belts and hoses look good.
Vacuum lines are still flexible and appear well connected etc- a couple that I want to tidy up/replace from the Arkay/emmisions delete but none are an issue.
Air filter is on order (and spark plugs are here -which I forgot in the previous post! Wires appear to be in really good shape).
Fuel filter I had overlooked- Need to look into that and get a replacement. Dumb of me not to think of that one.
Lights all work- which kinda blows my mind!
Bushings I need to inspect and will better when I get the tires off this weekend(and just in the air)
and cap and rotor look new-ish visually- but agree I need to investigate here.
Coils I hadn't looked at but may grab a couple as they are not expensive.
And need to find wipers that fit!
) that with the persuasion of a sledge hammer gripped them enough to undo. New wheel bolts installed- new tires on Monday!
Fluids all changed. Everything still working great as best I can tell but will really stretch her legs in the next couple of weeks! Just an absolute joy to drive!
Annndddddd went to drive her on Sunday and the clutch feels like its losing pressure in the master or the slave- if you pump it it works OK for a shift but then engages lower the longer you are holding the clutch. To me thats a pressure retention issue- Parts ordered. Hopefully this weekend I can swap both of those out.
FYI, there are a couple different clutch masters out there. Some mount the hard line at 90 degrees (12 o'clock position) and the other is drilled / tapped for a 45 degree mounting. Depends on which configuration of hard line you have.
Also, take a look at the mounting studs on the new master. They can have a longer, unthreaded shoulder which will prevent you from being able to fully tighten the casting to the fire wall. (the mounting nuts bottom out on the shoulder first) If not sure, just use the studs from your current master. Saves a lot of work snaking your way up under the dash only to have to take it all back out.
01-21-20, 10:19 AM
