Long time admirer...

I just became the proud owner of a '88 FC convertible. For the most part the car is all original with 119K on the dial.

I think my girlfriend and I have probably put a total of 200 miles on it since its purchase. It has its issues of course, like the need of a serious cooling system bleeding to make its coolant level sensor stop buzzing. However, for the most part the items that it needs addressed are general up keep and maintenance items.

I'll be looking in here to find parts and advise. Can't wait to see what kind of performance progress we can make with this car.

I currently own a '93 240sx fastback as well and hope to enjoy and learn to love this quirky rotary equally as much.

Thanks,
-Royce

 

Welcome, Royce!

Let us know if you have any questions.

Kent

 

Great story Royce!

I too am from Florida but not yet an owner. I want to learn a little bit more before buying my FD. What part of Florida are you from?

 

Welcome

 

Thanks for the welcomes.

-Simplicity: I'm from the Tampa Bay area, St Petersburg to be exact. I've lived here for a little over 10 years now after moving from Maine. I'd love to own and FD as well...just too $$ prohibitive for me @ this time. Some day though.

-Kent: One of the first questions I have is, what would be the first step(s) to take for improving the engine performance of the FC (s4)? I'm talking the basic stuff...simple bolt ons will do. I've read that CAI's for a rotatry are not exactly the best thing to do. But that could be miss information from the inter-webs...lol.

I want the car to be something that isnt tempermental or difficult to live with. The car will be a 2nd vehicle for weekend escapes primarily it needs to be dependable, if else. Some times owners of sport related vehicles can get into tuning for horse power sake and ruin the driving experience.

The highlight of this car for me is its smooth power delivery. I'd hate to compromise that feeling. If I want a peaky and raw feeling I'll just get into the 240sx.

Right now I'm sorting out the little things. Replacing hoses and clamps and checking for leaks are the order of business and will be until I'm satisfied that I could drive the car any where. The coolant level sensor has proved to be amusing. After bleeding the system and replacing the radiator and "flat"(i think thats what its referred to as) or upper caps I'm hoping that the quiet operation will continue.

I think the entire system needs a flushing...the coolant isnt especially green,blue or orange. Distilled water, ramps and a little time should be all that it needs to be good to go for the long road trips we'd like to do. Any suggestions for what coolant type to use? Also...10w-30 motor oil will be used but is there one that you guys find that works best for our application? I know to stay away from synthetics...from what i've read (again-interwebs stuff). Open to suggestions as long as they dont break the bank.

Thanks,
-Royce

 

Welcome!

 

Royce: You are best to start with exhaust (header, etc.). That is where you will probably see the best gains. You won't see much out of most other mods (CAI, e-fan, etc.). Besides exhaust, to make a significant power increase, you really need to open the engine to port it or add a turbo or similar.

Weight reduction is also helpful, especially if it was a track car. Reduced weight helps accleration, in the corners, as well as braking.

 

Hi Royce!

Check out the Tampa Bay Rotary Owners Page on Facebook. Plenty of local people to help you. A RX7 Vert is a fun car but it is also the heaviest RX7 produced IIRC.

A header + exhaust (check out racing beat) and eventually a short shifter is a lot of fun in those cars...if you ever get around to putting a turbo in a vert....then they are insanely fun.

Welcome.

 

Thanks for the input guys! Do NA RX-7's do will with the usual larger exhaust diameter? I hear they makes some serious heat too...so I wouldn't want some cheap Ebay type I would imagine.

-Royce

 

You don't want to go cheap as the cheaper mufflers will burn out due to the heat. Sound is also an issue with these cars. An RB exhaust might be a little louder than stock, but still quiet enough. If you go too large on the exhaust, you will end up with a LOUD car and you probably won't like it and it may get you a ticket. Sometimes, people will try to piece together an exhaust to save some $$$. Sometimes it works, but often you get something that is too loud or just sounds like crap and you end up doing it over anyway.

A good exhaust, such as RB, is also well built. You could pick one up used and save some cash and it will still last many years.

 

I'll search on the exhaust systems. Definately a solid investment down the road. I dont subscribe to buying cheap performance parts because like you said Kent the well build stuff lasts for years, where the other items can end up needing replacement too soon after purchase of any number of reasons.

I've lucky to have a few friends that were into the rotarys already and when my girl wanted to search for a nice cruiser this seemed like a great choice. They have clued me in on the things to look for and the ins and outs of ownership. So far I can't complain.

basically i would like to keep the ride characteristics of the car and just update a few things. I like the idea of a short shifter. Though I think I would want to swap the gear ratio in the rear to make better use of something like that. It seems soooo tall and so little urgency to switch gears that i couldnt justify the expense right now. Are there Diffs that swap into a FC subframe that offer a limited slip diff and higher ratio #?

I may be to start a different thread...unless these questions are allowed in the intorduction forum.

Thanks for all the great info!!

-Royce