Hi all,
My name is Michael. I hope to be an FD owner within the next few months. We just moved to Iowa a few months ago. I have yet to even see any FD's on the road here but I'm looking forward to getting involved in the RX7 community.

 

Hi,
What part of Iowa? I drive there pretty often. Good luck with your search for an FD. It's a terribly tedious but fulfilling journey!

 

Welcome Michael I'm Ron and hopefully very soon in possession of a FD. Searching for that gem takes a while. If you haven't found one or narrowed your search yet best of luck in your hunt.

 

I'm in Central Iowa - just East of Des Moines. It's good to be back in the Midwest after being in FL for about 10 years but the car culture up here is lacking a little in comparison. I worked for Porsche and Maserati in FL so I was able to be involved in it daily to be fair.

 

Finally found one that I couldn't pass up. It's a nearly bone-stock 93 Touring red/tan w/ 24k miles. I purchased it sight-unseen from the Northeast (yes, before the flooding). It's currently waiting to be shipped to Zavier at the RX7 Store in Columbus for an engine rebuild and some reliability mods and a dyno tune, then finally home to me ...where I probably won't be able to drive it until about April
Any FD owners in the Central IA area?

 

Congrats Michael! Pictures soon yes?

 

Thanks! Yes, I'll get pics as soon as I get the car ...which could be a couple weeks at least.

I am debating about what mods to do right now. I would like to keep it as stock-looking as possible. Since I'm already getting a new engine I'm wondering what should be done from strictly a reliability standpoint at the same time. The car currently has the FMIC, downpipe, fuel pump, high-flow cat, intakes, and the Power FC. I'm having the hoses replaced, reinstalling the A/C, putting in a new radiator (stock one still in there), and considering going back to the stock intakes just to keep it stock looking (am I crazy?). Another item I'm considering before the tune is the fuel rail w/ 1600 injectors. From what I understand that just allows you to go higher with the boost and get more power. I'm perfectly fine w/ the ~300hp that it supposedly has with the current setup so my questions are these:

1) Is anything big missing from my list (reliability in nature)? Keep in mind I think this car should be kept close to stock or at least easily reversible in the case that a future owner might want it stock.

2) Should anything be taken off that's on it now?

Forgot to mention that it has a '99 spec front bumper which I'm not thrilled about - especially the lower lip spoiler - too big in my opinion. Are there any other smaller styles that fit this bumper? ...and that license plate cut out is not all that attractive either.

 

Welcome to the family

 

Did you find your FD yet Ron?

 

7's are somewhat of a rarity around Iowa. I've been living in Spencer and make trips for family around state, and I've come by maybe 5. One being mine. :/ Good to see more in the state though.

 

I know a couple guys here in Des Moines with beautiful FDs- it will be great to see some more around! I just picked up a black/tan. Hope to see you all around sometime!

 

HERE are some pics of it. After getting it here and seeing the condition that it was in I didn't think it was a good idea to make it a daily-driver, just too nice if that makes any sense. I wanted something that I didn't have to baby all of the time and park in the middle of nowhere when I went to the mall then soil my shorts to see that 3 suv's had parked next to me and left a fresh ding in the fender. I don't even want to drive this thing if there's rain in the forecast. This is not my idea of a driver but it'll make someone very happy.
I get to Des Moines several times a week and would maybe venture a trip in this one from time to time so if y'all ever get together I might try to make it. My search for a more "normal" (and cheaper) RX-7 will go on after I sell this one...