WigglingWaffles

Ahoy, looking to see what this fidget spinner engine thing is all about. ​​​​​i know it not rotary, but all my project car experience has been with a lil red miata.

Very much a self-teacher and i enjoy learning the ins and outs of something before diving in. I spent an entire year lurking mtnet before i started building my original 1.6 and now a fresh engine, two transmissions, 3 diffs and two turbos later i have a VVT/2560R, 6 speed miata with an FC-housing'd 3.6 diff. I'm not new to the concept of "do it right or buy it twice" and where/when/how to cheap out as well as using google efficiently. Ive learned the basics of tuning (megasquirt/tunerstudio) and have forged myself into a half decent drunken caveman in a garage with no major mechanical issues to speak of. I even have a welder and know how to use it bettah than my neighbah's uncle toney.


​​​​​Anyway, to the point. I've been looking at RX7s (mostly FCs) lately and a few decent examples have passed around my locale (central MI) that have caught my eye. Just figured an intro would be a good first step to being an information sponge before i start seriously looking for "the right one" in a year or two once my finances are lined up for it and maybe have a truck to tow one home with.

So far my criteria is: probably red, must be manual, maybe convertible, hopefully turbo and as little rust as i can get. FC unless someone's trying to absolutely give away an FD.


Some simple, nooby questions I have with light googling done in advance:

-engine rebuilds - never cracked open a piston engine, how easy izzit? What are indicators i need to do one? Are bad irons/housings common? Porting while in there good idea?

-miata parts - i have plenty of extra bits and pieces, are there any that are considered upgrades or are notably swappable? I have a couple spare low-mile tranny's

-cheap upgrades - say i get a totally stock car; are there stock FD parts i can bolt on for cheap that make ponies or just basic, quick power adders? What about aftermarket ECUs? Is megasquirt cool here?

-expensive upgrades - would love a turbo. Its easier and more effective to swap a T2 setup into an N/A chassis, correct? Is it still possible to adapt otherwise? Id need matching T2 drivetrain pieces to not suffer failures, right?

diabolical1

iTrader: (3)

welcome to the board.

the only quantifiable indicators are poor results on a compression test. however, the usual manifestations apply, like hard/no starts, rough idle, low power, poor mileage, etc. - that sort of thing. aside from having a working knowledge of the engine itself, it helps to have steady hands, a somewhat gentle touch and a lot of patience. bad housings are common enough simply due to age, abuse and hoarding. as far as porting is concerned, it's up to you and what goals you have in mind. you will probably not want to do too much at once, simply because it would be your first time., but if it's what you decide to do, then you can. there's plenty of help here if you start to get overwhelmed or just need the extra guidance.

i don't know of any Miata parts that are upgrades. usually i hear Miata guys using Rx-7 stuff (AFMs, rear ends, etc.) as upgrades. i know Miata gear sets are desirable for N/A guys that either track or have porting they want to exploit, but it's not a simple process.

FDs are all turbocharged, so nothing is going to "just bolt on" to an N/A car, and they use a completely different setup from the T2s, so no bolt ons there either. you can make some parts fit relatively easily, but i don't think it's something you need to worry about anytime soon.

aftermarket EMS' are a great upgrade (if you don't care about originality). Megasquirt, among others, is good.

if this is the first time you're hearing this, then i doubt it will be the last. these days, i think it would be best just to start with an actual T2 if turbo is the way you want to go. buying an N/A with the plan to convert is unwise, and i feel will be far less fun. that said, N/A drivetrain components are not as fragile as everyone makes them out to be; the caveat being if you're not beating on them continuously.