Hi all,

I'm Ed from So Cal. I just sold my 2009 370Z literally yesterday. I loved that car, but rarely drove it. I like it, but got a soft spot for FD3S RX-7s. The 370Z is quick, stock, but I think it's somewhat limited in terms of potential. The factory VQ isn't meant to be FI'd imo. Anyways, I may purchase an FD3S. However, I'm leery of it because of all the horror stories of its unreliability, constant monitoring/tuning, bad fuel economy and its difficulty in passing smog after you rebuild the motor.



Can anyone suggest any good CD roms, books, or manuals that cover things like rebuilding, maintaining, diagnosing, etc. about FD3S? Thanks.

 

Those are just general with all rotaries. The FD's 13b is the most reliable of them all. heaps better than a 12a lol.

Nice Z too

 

^so when people, who are selling their RX7s, say things like "super reliable, is my daily driver, it's built to be streetable and daily driven" it's meant to be taken with a grain of salt? LOL

If I do buy an FD, I got to know the in's & out's of that vehicle, not to the level of a reputable rotary shop obviously.

So anyone know of good CD roms or books about the FD3S? When I used to be into Hondas there were myriad books on swaps, "diy weekend warrior" step by step instructions, etc.

 

A lot of the stuff has to be learned first hand, there are some books you could buy, first thing I usually get is a Haynes manual on my car, or you can download or buy a factory service manual (Mazda) this is just for general repairs etc.

As far as rebuilding the engine there are a few instructional videos out there, mazdatrix, Atkins, rotary aviation have one, and Aaron cakes from the forum has some videos on YouTube.

For reliability the closer the power is to stock the more reliable it will be, bringing up the boost means getting the right supporting mods as well as a proper tune (which not everyone always does, and that will result in premature engine failure).

If you can afford an fd go for it, just make sure you get it compression tested 90 psi is pretty much the lowest you'll want where as 100-120 would be best-with how much a running fd will cost you'll want it to last, the compression numbers are pretty much saying how strong the engine is.

As far as good information read the stickies and FAQ for 3rd generation rx7s there's a lot of good info there, you can also perform a search and find pretty much anything.

rotary>pistons

 

I have a soft spot too. I sold my M3 and bought a v8 swapped FD.

 

welcome and goodluck

 

LoL tell me about it, I gave up a brand new car that was given to me and settled for a "junk" FD but hey, I think it's worth it, just kinda sad that I might have to let it go soon

 

You got to tell me about that. I'm seriously considering buying an FD with a LS V8. Is it reliable? is the car hacked up (chassis cut, drilled, welded, etc.) to shoehorn that motor in? is the weight distribution cool?????


The 13Bs or rotaries in general seem like a full time job to maintain...don't wanna mess with that; I don't got time for that.

 

thanks

 

nice Z

 

this forum is really irritating me nao.

 

Hello.

 

Well, financially it wasn't a problem to keep this 370. But I rarely drove it, babied it, always parked away from people for fear of door dings, fender benders (yes, a$$holes in the past have hit my other cars and left), never hammered it, etc. I like the 370...but I thought it was kinda on the heavy side for only a V6. I mean it's quick: 4.X-sec 0-60; mid 13s 1/4 stock...but thought it lacked torque. Funny thing, because I know rotaries feel like 4-bangers stock. When I used to be on the370z.com the people who jumped ship to other cars would opt for the new Mustang 5.0s, the rich boys would jump on Cayman S, M3s, etc. It's ironic though, because there were a lot more people who "downgraded" from C6 Vette to 370 than the other way around. They didn't seem to care that the C6 was a faster car in the straight line.

I don't see the FD as a "junk" car. It's a modern day classic. If they were reliable and marketed via ricer movies like Fast & Furious, then I'm sure they'd fetch stupid used car money like MKIV Supras. MKIV Supras aren't worth $25-40K used imho....the sellers may beg to differ, but you always see those listings for like a year straight. Ebay sellers "buyer backed out, deadbeat..." uh huh....

 

I would be too concerned with a FD being unreliable. Just follow the same rules you would with any other rotary engine. Make sure to look after a few things and it should treat you well. FD's are a gorgeous car, so it is worth the time we spend on monitoring them.

 

welcome!