arprequest

I have always loved the RX7, but really love the FD and have wanted one for a while!

JNasty99Z

I was looking for a 240sx and stumbled across an 86 FC with 24,000 miles that was like new for cheap and couldn't pass it up.

Ronx7

i choose fd when i was making good money but after i got out of truck driving i found that i made a HUGE mistake. I chose the fd platform because it looks soo sexy! and it has one of the most desirable engines in the rotary realm, with the double wishbone suspension its one hell of a car...But now on the other hand if i could do it all over i would've got an fb and swapped it its a cool car and has nostalgic looks that screams 70s sports car LOL, and plus parts are waaaaayyy cheaper and i would feel too bad modifying it and taking it past its comfort zone.

Jooiky

choose the fd because of its body lines, it also looks better then most new cars and alot of people still appreciate the fd body style to this day

thirteenbees

My fb choose me, it followed me home and as it had everything I was looking for at a price I was OK with I let it stay. Would have taken a fc if the right one had come along first.

cayangco

iTrader: (1)

ive got 2 of them right now. an 85 gsl-se and an 87 turbo II with a s5 motor
personally of the 2 i prefer my gsl-se. it just feel like more raw of a car, perhaps since i just got outta the miata community i like the whole NA feel

Hotdish

iTrader: (2)

Pretty much same here. I love me a TII but saving just awhile longer is definitely worth it for the FD. Every time I see her I can't help but smile.

Akagis_white_comet

iTrader: (4)

I was really into Initial D at the time and my Mitsubishi Mirage was simply not viable anymore in any capacity. For years, I had wanted to give it a 4G63T and drivetrain from an Evo 1-3 (ala Emperor team), but it just wasn't meant to be. In 2007, its Automatic trans was beyond salvageable, manual swap conversion parts were rare and the aftermarket support via any decent forum just wasn't there at all. Plus, it had been abused by my older brother and neglected by my mother before I got it, with 165,000 hard miles, a long blown head gasket and Dexron ATF in its transmission thanks to several 'mechanics'.

So I got on craigslist and was eyeing a SR20DET swapped S14 for $3000 but it vanished before I could check it out in person. Looked at the other FR possibilities like an A70 Supra, Z31 300ZX, a bunch of S13s that has been run into the ground and a couple AE86s whose owners were asking WAY too much (thank you Initial D...)

But one day I stumbled across a lonely little white 1987 RX-7 for $1500. Checked it out in person and found it was an automatic with the manual pedals swapped in and the remainder of a conversion set included, but otherwise seemingly stock. Since it was pulling to one side, had a rebuilt title (purely cosmetic at the time) and the alternator looked questionable, I offered him $1400 and brought it home the same day.

Because information on my Mirage and inherited S10 Blazer was few and far between and often far from scientifically accurate or correct, I chose to take the bull by the horns from Day 1 and found myself here, reading at every chance. Factory Service Manuals, Parts Catalogs, FAQs, I grabbed every bit of information I could in order to truly be worthy of the name White Comet of Akagi. First modification was a FD Alternator found on Ebay with the correct conversion pulley for $50 shipped (Thanks Matt!). Later I encountered the famous click-click-start issue which motivated me to do the 5-speed conversion. In doing so, my buddy Matt showed me a few things about why it was probably sold so cheap. "Ghetto-fabbed" accurately described the exhaust system. I had never seen flanges with the ears BROKEN off to fit before, neither had me. Matt then surmised that the precats plugged it, then spewed through the main cat which destroyed it and did a number on the original mufflers. In place of the cat was what I suspect was a resonator, but seemed more like an echo chamber. So after finishing up the conversion, and a donated FD fuel pump from Matt's dad's FD (he upgraded to a Supra one), I could now learn how to handle the car the way it should have been done.

Before the conversion, I scored some FD Wheels/Tires for $150 by driving to the Kentucky border. Add in some hubcentric wheel spacers for another $200 or so and the car was sitting pretty. Sometime along the way, she backfired like a 12-gauge shotgun and tore off one of the mufflers. Ended up getting a Racing Beat catback after hearing how it sounded on Matt's FD. Did the e-fan conversion, upgraded to a Taurus Alt and all was good untill the engine started giving out from prior owner neglect. Knowing I wouldn't be happy with another 86-88 13B NA, I figured it was time for the final exam. $2800 later, I was the proud owner of a 20B-REW 3-rotor engine. which has led me on an incredible journey of innovation not before seen. Combined almost all of the clever tricks I had seen here, got the remaining needed parts all at a discount and jumped right in, making up history and building some new mods in the process. Except for the Haltech PS2K ($1750) and and the 26x19 radiator ($220), every remaining part of my 20B conversion was $125 or less including shipping. Infini IV transmission, ACT HDSS clutch, Prolite flywheel, Mazdatrix adapter driveshaft, TII starter
On a hunch and with a little good luck, I had a working twin turbo setup 3 years before translating the Eunos Cosmo's vacuum diagram, and not using one solenoid from Mazda at all.

Since all of this took quite awhile, life smacked me in the face a few times at the lack of transportation during that time. So a late christmas present to myself was acquired for $500 early last month, sometime capable of hauling, towing and being a decent daily driver as well. Enter the 1997 Ford Expedition XLT 5.4L 4x4 that needed a new owner. Add some small repairs like a new dimmer/turn signal switch (thank you Rock Auto's bargain bin!), headlight relay retrofit and the same electrical/mechanical lessons learned from my RX-7 and it's become a pretty nice daily too. Well, after things like its first oil change since 2012, fresh battery/starter cables, a tune up and properly rehabbed grounds. Until seeing this truck, I never knew grounds could be CYAN and recalls for the hitch and lugs could be ignored for almost 20 years...

Oh, and it has nearly 300,000 miles on it and a nearly identical 130A alternator like my RX7 has. There are plans for it too, involving a big supercharger and some D585s, but those are far in the future. Right now, the project agenda is far too booked with rebuilding the 20B, finally getting it tuned and dyno'ed and then completing the final two upgrades which I've began last year. Found a LT1 T-56 transmission for super cheap and a one-off set of twin turbos that can feed the 20B properly at 500hp.

To give proper credit, I would not be nearly as knowledgeable if it wasn't for ObliqueFD, Aaron Cake and Icemark. Many thanks guys!

Sgtblue

iTrader: (16)

Off-topic but have a 02 F150 Lariat SuperCrew 5.4 and also love it. Good friend has a 98 Expedition with nearly 300k as well that's been pulling a 28' Sea Ray the last 10 yrs. Keep good oil in em' and they seem to run forever. The only criticism I can muster is getting to some of the coil-on-plugs that need replacing every 120k or so.
Hopefully with a recent retirement mine will be pulling a tilt-bed with the FD to some autocross lessons and events this year. ASP FTW.
Kudos to fitzrx7 and this forum for all the education too. Unfortunately fitz moved on to airplanes and sold his FD. Here in flyover it's now pretty much up to me and the forum to figure things out.

Firesmitty

I wanted a first gen from the time I first saw one at the Mazda training center in NJ and when I did the PDI on the first truckload. I had an RX3 then. Life got in the way and I never got one. This past Dec, I ran across an 88 convertible in great shape at a good price and I jumped on it. Now I want one of each, and some old school also. I just need to sell out and move to someplace with more parking. Hope I can have them all at once if I can find them.

jakewah

iTrader: (17)

Went for the FD mainly because of its styling but while searching for 6 months I saw tons and tons of previous gen rx7's for sale while I only saw a handful of FD's. It almost made me want to give in at times.

BLUE TII

iTrader: (9)

Another clean RX-8 sold in my area for $1,500.

70k miles, 6spd, "blown motor", paid for and pull started.

My RX-8 was same story/price as indicated earlier if you are wondering why I post this.

ktmryan53

iTrader: (1)

Overall looks of the FD had me hooked then when you add in the light weight and power that was all I needed.

Cameron38

iTrader: (2)

When I was just out of college, I lusted heavily for an FB (Specifically the GSL-SE). But I couldn't afford a car that cost about one year's salary for me at the time! Now, 30 years later.. I have one!

That's why I picked the FB

Mia88

The FD has completely different problems than the FC and sure as heck has more problems than the FC on top off that the parts are more expensive than the FC

FDs are not meant for daily driving and do require an extent on money that your willing to pay to get it fix
FDs are also more delicate and require very tedious care

Yes FC has some issues but are much easier and cheaper to repair

BLUE TII

iTrader: (9)

Therefore, if you like problems, then the FD is your best choice by far.

Therefore, if you like *solving* problems, then the FD is your best choice by far.

Hah! I fix it.

But it is true. I had FC, FD and FE and the FD is all around more fragile (but rewarding when everything is working).

turbohcar

iTrader: (1)

The FB I found offered a front engine/rear drive layout that I wanted, it was a stick shift as desired, and it was dirt cheap with a ton of extra parts. Part of me likes it because I know I will be building it as a dedicated race car and I don't really care what it looks like. I know these cars can be fast with the right equipment as others have shown this to be true.

Evil Aviator

LOL, excellent!

Bluntest

I saw an FD up close in person during grand prix weekend here in Montreal and I just had to have it. There really aren't many around here which makes it even cooler. I'm loving the amount of looks it gets me.

I've always been into those japanese fast&furious cars since I was a kid and was thinking about an r32 skline a while ago but seeing an Rx7 FD up close sealed the deal.

abRX7

My tastes have changed a bit over the years and the 1st gen has become more appealing since my younger days. When I was in my early 20s it was all about the FC and FD (or a 240sx, Supra, or 2nd gen MR2).
Recently a friend of mine purchased a '71 240z and its design really brought me back to the simplicity of styling, something that a 1st gen RX7 or RX2,3,4 always had.
So I have been trying to find a decent project car since.

CrazyWaldo

I knew I wanted another Mazda car ever since I got rid off my 88 Mx6 GT. I wanted something rear wheel drive with pop ups, so I asked my buddy to let me drive his 90 miata. The miata was slow but it was so fun to drive, small, light, agile, good handling. I thought to myself damn, how do I replicate this type of fun factor without looking like a hair dresser!?

That's when it came to me, Rx7 Fb! I searched and searched until I found a good deal and snagged up my 83 Gs.

stevo9494

iTrader: (3)

So to start it off, I use to play Need for Speed (almost a decade?) ages ago, and i would research on the cars. That was when i stumbled upon Aaron Cake's website, and I was just in awe about his Project Tina. Years past by and I was in college, where i got in to the motorcycle scene a little bit before i got out. People just drove like butts where I live. During this time, I knew i wanted a car but i didn't know which one. A part of me wanted a 240sx, another part wanted the old AWD Mitsubishi Eclipse and the NA Miata as well.
Than i drove my girlfriend's Protege 5, and that thing.. It handled so much better than my Accord. I was hooked! And then I was reminded about the rx7 i so lusted after when i was younger. The FD was out of my budget, but i really liked the FC, clean simple, a little boxy lines. After a few months of Craigslist, i realized the FC had some electrical problems.
I still wanted an FC until my girlfriend bought me this one rx7 book, where i saw the FB from a different angle and i just.. Had a sort of chemistry with the FB, 1981-1985 to be exact. The book is somewhere, i have to find it. I will post pictures of the book when i do, if i can. But it was something about the classic lines and the curves of the FB. The more i looked into the FB the more i liked it! Less electrical problems to worry about, light weight and simple. I test drove and looked at one SA22 and a few FBs from Craigslist, and i really like them. The only thing i wanted in the FB that wasn't there was a stiffer chassis and better suspension. But this was a car i wanted to drive and take road trips in, not race. Although that might change, if i get bitten by the speed bug.
And that is why, i want an FB

QuinnerToWinner

I love the 80s styling of the FC the first time I saw one I knew I had to get myself one. As well as the number of different routes you can go with a build from a factory restoration to a drift build or auto-x, couldn't be more impressed with the versatility. And of course you can't go wrong with the T2 engine

Vectortrex

iTrader: (1)

FD because technically it's a fascinating car. Twin sequential turbos? From the 90s? In an engine that has no pistons? Sign me up!

Styling certainly didn't hurt, and I had been itching to get something with forced induction, so the FD checked all the right boxes.

FC Turbo was also on the radar, as well as a few comedy options (240z roller for an RB swap?), but I ultimately settled on the FD.

It's been an unreliable mess that tries to kill itself weekly, but on the bright side my tools get finally getting some use again!

Croyston

The FD definitely has a lot of appeal (the visual is what ultimately got me hooked) and as others have said at the base bone stock level you get the most out of it compared to the FC and FB; however if you are choosing between a specific FC and a specific FD, I would recommend giving the FD a very thorough once over (and then a twice over just to be safe) before buying it. The parts for the FD are pretty much always more expensive than the FC (don't know much about the FB) and certain parts can also be nearly impossible to find for them. Another factor to consider depending on how mechanically inclined you are or want to be is whether or not any mechanic near you will even work on an FD. It may be different in your area but where I live, there is next to no reputable mechanic that will touch an FD and any that will usually charge out the nose for service on them.
Just my thoughts though and the FD is definitely the option I would choose if it is in good condition.