Sean58

​​​I just bought my 1st rotary project yesterday and I'm looking for a good website to buy some performance parts for my 84 rx7 and also some tips, opinions, from anyone else that has built one would be helpful!

Sgtblue

iTrader: (16)

Tip #1: Read thru the 1st Gen Sticky/FAQ at the top of the page and download a copy of the Factory Service Manual. Familiarize yourself with the search function. If you can't find an answer in the FAQ, FSM or search, then post up a SPECIFIC question here...or when your post count allows, in the 1st Gen. Technical section.
Tip #2: BEFORE performance mods come supporting mods. And with the rotary those start with cooling.

Sean58

Alright. Thanks for the help! Do you know any recomended websites to buy parts? I've been looking through google and I've found mostly 2nd and 3rd gen rx7

Sgtblue

iTrader: (16)

diabolical1

iTrader: (3)

Welcome to the board.

Please keep in mind that the first "performance" mod you should make to a 34 year old Rx-7 (or any other car for that matter) is maintenance ... or at least an assessment it's overall health.

That said, if you're looking for performance parts be prepared to be underwhelmed. That's not commentary on the quality of what's available, it's just that there's not much out there for a Gen 1 relative to what's out there for Gens 2 and 3. There's a handful of classic companies out there, like Racing Beat (not the only, but arguably the most famous), and a few newer companies like Techno Toy. I'm not sure what your exact plans are, but you can build something really nice with what's out there. If you plan to go crazy with it, then that's a different conversation.

Sean58

Thanks for your input. My plans are pretty much to make it a drift or track toy. Maybe both, I just wanted to see what's out there to make this thing not so slow lol

diabolical1

iTrader: (3)

Well, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at what a decent exhaust, a fully functioning carbie and small ignition advance will do for power. Again, this should be done after you have gone through the car and made sure the essentials (cooling, brakes, suspension, etc.) are up to snuff. As for the drift aspirations, I'll defer advice for that save this: you're probably looking at a lot of custom work - there won't be much "buy and bolt on" going on.

Sean58

Sounds good. Do you have a preference on the carb set up to go with weber or holly? I'm leaning towards holly but I can't find a bridge port for a 12a only found a street port on racing beat

diabolical1

iTrader: (3)

Actually, I don't really have a preference between the two. I've never personally used either. I had a Dell'Orto (roughly equal to the Weber DCOE carbs), and my brother had a Holley 650 (which I played around a lot with), so I have experiences with those. There are things I liked about both, and things that were left to be desired with both. One thing I will say about the Holleys though is they can be pretty frustrating compared to my Dell'Orto and Webers.

I would say if you have no carbie experiences, stick with the Nikki - it has been greatly decoded and the information has been disseminated since my earlier rotary days. It's a pretty good time to work with a Nikki. One of the reasons I say stick with it is carburetor require a lot of time - to learn and apply what you've learned - and each one is different. You sort of have to commit yourself to them for a while, unless you have someone to do all that stuff for you. If you do end up going with the Holley, there is some good info out there, you just have to look and know enough about them to know WHAT you're looking for.

I did not understand what you were trying to describe about bridgeport vs. streetport. If you're saying you can't find a RB Holley setup for a bridgeport engine, then I'd have to ask why are you looking for one? Is your engine already bridge-ported?

Sean58

Ahh gotcha. So if I stay with the Nikki do I just get bigger jets then to get the power I want from say a holley street port or how would that work like how could I mod the stock carb. Not really too familiar with carbs but I'm gonna learn now lol

But no my 12a is not bridge ported but maybe someday when I do a rebuild on the engine.

diabolical1

iTrader: (3)

On it's face that sounds like a simple question to answer, but it's sort of apples and oranges. Remember I said each one is different. Think of them as personalities/characters - there may be some overlapping qualities, but they are different.

My suggestion is to perform an advanced search using "Nikki" in the subject field (and specify thread titles in the drop-down menu), then ALSO use "Jeff20B" in the user field - it may also help to specify the Gen 1 forum as well, but you can leave it open as well. You will then need to get some sleep (so your mind is fresh), choose any one of the threads he authored on it, get a beverage of choice, get pen and paper, then READ it. I'm not sure if Jeff has ever printed any actual flow numbers, but he has posted results. When you have exhausted them or your feel comfortable, then do the same for Holleys - minus the Jeff20B-part.

As far as the RB Holley is concerned, I don't think it's a great idea to run a "built" carbie that's not meant for the ports you have. You're asking for trouble.

Nikki threads

Holley threads

Sean58

Alright thanks for your help! If I stumble upon any other questions or concerns can I send you a message?

patrickm

for stock parts I go to Rock Auto. They've gotten me stuff when no one else had it.