JMo

Hi All
I've never owned an RX7 before and I'm considering a first gen for the 24 hours of lemons and/or Chumpcar series. I think the car could do well, but I fear it may be a little underpowered. Right now I'm looking at an 81 GSL with the 12a. I obviously have some homework to do on this, but I'm looking for some first impressions from the experts. If there is a (relatively) simple way to achieve 150WHP I think it will be competitive. The trouble is I'll only have a couple hundred bucks to work with (Lemons rules). So am I on crack, or does this sound feasible to you guys? Thanks

John

mar3

iTrader: (8)

To be completely honest, for a couple of hundred bucks, I don't see 150 rwhp happening. You've got to go Big Street port, which means taking the engine apart for a rebuild...rebuild kit is usually several hundred by itself. After that is done, you need a good exhaust system which means ditching the stock exhaust manifold and going with a "header" and a good free-flow muffler to contain the sound somewhat. Rotaries are horrifically loud uncorked. Finally, to make all that work, you'll need a much better intake set-up to take advantage of all this work which is also going to include a better fuel delivery set-up.

I had a bone-stock Nikki carburetor with a ported intake manifold, big streetport by Rotary Performance of Garland, TX, and a good exhaust system consisting of a "supercharger" project custom "header" with 2" primaries, 2.5" collector dumping into a 2.5" exhaust system with working 3-way cat, also 2.5"....all of this finally got to a chassis dyno and put down 118 rwhp on the untuned Nikki...per the correction formulas, that was roughly 135 hp at the flywheel.

Good luck with the project, though! Where there's a will, there's always a way!

Mario III

edit: I don't know if you'll be able to follow this link yet with only the 1 post to your credit, but here's what the Texas contingent is up to regarding that event...

https://www.rx7club.com/south-rx-7-forum-34/24-hrs-lemons-808443/

JMo

Thanks for the info Mario. Tell me, does anyone bother to turbo charge the 12a? Would certainly be a challenge since it is carbureted. I recall years ago there was a turbo kit available for the 240Z that used one of the carbs, and the turbo was placed between the carb and the engine. I suppose you could do the same here but I wonder if the carb/fuel pump could keep up. How strong are the gearboxes in these things? thanks again.

funkjaw

iTrader: (3)

You would be better off buying a second gen and competing with that. A 4 lug base model can be had for about 500 bucks. Stock they have 140 and handle like champs and are very neutral. Do a 5 lug swap and you will have the best brakes there.

mar3

iTrader: (8)

Well, it sounds like he already has the car but it should also be noted that ANY FC (the 2ndgen car designation) is always going to be heavier than any 1stgen.

Y'know, if the engine only has to do about 25 hrs of running, you might be able to scrounge up what you need from the South Forum crowd on the dirt cheap and have that engine. I keep thinking in terms of daily driver.

JMo

I think I'll probably end up looking at a genII. I haven't bought anything yet. Although the GenII are heavier, I suspect there is a lot of weight that can be removed, probably more so than on a first generation. Thanks for the advice.

gracer7-rx7

iTrader: (16)

You don't really need power to win or place well at a LeMons or Chump car race. You need reliability. Been there.

Pele

iTrader: (28)

FC also has a lot cheaper aftermarket than First Gens.

I have an FC that I was thinking of running in Lemons... I dunno how well the body would hold up in wheel to wheel racing though, so I'm in the process of gutting it.

I'm in Woodbridge, VA and surf through FCs all the time. I'll let you know if I run across any good candidates.

JMo

Thanks Pele. Tell me, where are you looking? I've been all over craigeslist but haven't seen much. are there any local clubs?

ULBSORY

i got a 87 rx7 gxl for sale let me know if your interested lots of new parts on it runs good. Auto with overdrive and it shifts freeley from 1-2-d so your not pushing the button in to move it. lsd, 4 wheel disc brakes, sport alloy wheels and a sunroof lol

Ahsanca

A first gen would be really cool if you actually did it update us if you go through with this.

Pele

iTrader: (28)

Well, there's the Mazda Sports Car Club of Washington... But I haven't dealt with them that much...

It's mainly just pouncing on the ads when they show up on CraigsList.

There's a couple convertibles down in Richmond for $400 and $600...
Coupe for $800.. Can talk them down probably...

I picked up a coupe for $500 last fall and I'm parting it out at the moment. (Rusted chassis, engine runs great though.)

Just takes time scouring through ads to run up on a deal.

JMo

Thanks for the input. I've been all over craigeslist as well. If I could find a first gen with a 13b i'd jump on it (for $500 of course). I'll keep y'all posted.

BTW we're also looking at old Z cars, 240sx, and a few other things.

ULBSORY

not interested in my fc?

JMo

Oh you bet. what are you asking for it? have any pics?

ULBSORY

im asking just 650 for rx7 fourms people. I dont have pics currently its a 87 rx7 gxl red in color with all the trim

JMo

sounds great but I'm afraid it won't fit the budget. Sounds like a good deal however. Thanks

John

rdgt99

iTrader: (3)

I believe it was a 1st gen that won Lemons race in 2008 @ CMP. There were also a couple 2nd gens that ran good that day.