ok, Im planning to buy a first or second gen. rx7.
Im wondering.. whats the difference, as far as engine and suspension!
do they both have independent suspension?

 

first gens do not have independent rear suspension, but have independent front suspensions.

2nd and 3rd gens have fully independent front and rear suspensions

 

Everything he said, plus...

First gens came with a 101hp 12A or a 138hp 13B option added in 1984. They were very light, around the same weight as an early Miata.

Second gens came with a number of different power options depending on year. 86s came with a 145hp N/A 13B motor. 87-88s were available in several different options packages with the 145hp N/A motor, and one package which had a 180hp Turbo 13B. 89-91s came again in several options packages of 160hp N/A 13B motors and one 200hp turbo 13B motor package.

Obviously the 89-91s, are harder to find and the most expensive of the early RX-7s. Generally 79-88s all cost around the same, except for the turbo models which are a little more expensive.

As Mark said, the first gens came with a solid 4 link rear axel and an independant front suspension. Whereas the second and third gens came with 4 wheel independant suspensions. Some of the second gen models came with electronically controlled suspension stiffness, basically stiff and rattle your teeth out. They also came with a passive 4 wheels steering system called DTSS. This can come as a shock to new RX-7 owners who aren't expecting the rear to suddenly lock inline with the front wheels when cornering hard.

 

thanks!! I am going to buy a 87 or 88!
im looking now
i hope a turbo!!

 

Anyway you can buy a 1st gen a buy pieces of a 2nd gen to change it in your car, I think it's possible (lot of people change their Evo 8 turbo with a Evo 9 turbo...I know it's not same thing but just to say that it's possible to change pieces between 2 models :-)

 

^ This is not really true of first and second gen RX7's. The interior is completely different. The FC Rear end will not bolt into the SA/FB without extensive modification. I am not sure about the front suspension. The SA/FB non GSL-SE uses the 12A and is not easy to mount a 13B in there without extensive modification.

However, the 13BGSL-SE has the engine mounts in the front cover making any 13B engine easily mountable.

 

Some people pick up an 83 and Put a turboII in it.

 

so, why would you pic a 1st over a 3rd gen, besides personal preference?

 

my guess would be price tag. A first gen can be had for less than 2K dollars, whereas a third gen in decent condition will cost you 7-8K, and that's if you're lucky.

 

make sure to go to aaroncakes website and find a check list for your car. Most private sellers do not know rotarys. Make sure it runs cherry before you even think about buying it. I bought mine just because it had a good engine and now im getting 6 grand offers for it lol