I am looking into getting a third gen and have found a few good listings. My question is how do I make sure I don't end up with a lemon? I am wondering what are some things to look out for? I know there have been some recalls to watch out for yet i'm not sure what else to check for. I am sure with the amount of members here i should be able to get some very useful help. Also was wondering what kind of upgrade/mods are best for reliability. Thanks in advance everyone.

 

Check for leaks, idle, temperature when running at idle and after a hard pull. 5th gear synchro. sputter at WOT. etc.

 

Read the faq for third gens. The faq for each gen is like I bible

 

if youre not confident in doing it yourself, take it to a reliable shop. how do you find one?
read the forum for your area and see where ppl take their cars, thats what i did, and i found an amazing shop in huntington beach called neptune speed. very honest and knowledgeable japanese guys

 

Yep. Read the 3rd gen FAQ. Especially the 2 or 3 links for Buyer's Guides. That is a good start.

 

When im buying a secondhand car I'll allways call the previous owner to find out the cars history. Usualy earlier owners have nothing to lose if they tell the faults of the car that they have had.

 

Carfax, call the previous owner like ^ stated, basically check for signs of it being beaten.

 

^This.

And when you find one, hopefully it will be near stock. Then download the Factory Service Manual and read through it carefully as you have the time. Perform NO performance modifications for at least a year. Just change all the fluids, routine maintenance and the reliability mods mentioned in the stickys....and search this forum with any questions. You'll be amazed with how much you've learned about the car during that year. Which will save you alot of money and frustration and make it a fun car to own, instead of a money pit and source of frustration.
This was the best advice I got nearly a decade ago. I pass it on to you.

 

I take it these are some of the common problems associated with the third gen . I have heard heat is the worst thing for these engines is this true? and when the temps go up its time to give her a rest? Is that how most rotaries get damaged?

 

Get a compression check and ask for maintenance records - I also look for a clean engine bay

 

i'd recommend replacing all of the plastic turbo piping with hard pipes or at least silicone hoses.

also swap out as many vacuum/pressure hoses as you can with nice silicone hose

 

^This is very good advice. Instead of spending money on aftermarket modifications, save your money for maintenance stuff (you'll need it). I've only installed reliability mods (aluminium radiator, aluminium air separator tank, coolant hoses and vacuum hoses), no 'go-fast' bits, and I think it's more than enough to amuse me.
All the best.

 

Is there a kit for the silicone hoses ?

 

^Some time back I used a kit from here (old pic, but you can see the box in the background): http://www.hosetechniques.com/index....dc&keyword=rx7
They're a popular supplier. Good quality and enough of each length. If you've deleted emissions you'll have some left over.

 

helpful thread!

 

I'm not to sure what series rx7s you get in Calgary but its a series 6 engine then Sgtblues setup is the **** you want. I have a series 8 and I did not do my own vacuum hoses, but whoever did it must've had it easy as the series 8 had a slightly simplified version.

 

Definitely make sure there is no engine vibration..... that spells bad news, and I do mean really bad news!

 

make sure you do your research before you jump into buying an FD!! Also a good thing is to look for a shop that can work on your car unless your doing all the work yourself. once you get your newly money pit car, i mean FD lol, make sure you do all the reliability mods which i know is somewhere on this site that will tell you before anything, if it hasnt been done already... good luck man!!!!

 

look at other sites as well, robinette, fd3s site, this forum has the links to others, check them out cause they have some different info on similar items, the more the better

 

Hey, what I did was buy a FD with a blown engine with low kms on the body and had a new engine built, but you could save yourself some money by buying one that just had it's engine replaced and tuned best way I can think of knowing your car is not a lemon There was a really nice one with a bran new engine on kijij ill see if I can find it.

This one is worth a look aswell.... http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ330361426

 

Im from Edmonton btw and had the engine done in Calgary, so good news for you

 

Hey thanks everyone for the awesome advice I am almost ready to pick up a nice FD and have gained a lot of knowledge since my first post but still have more to learn so thanks to everyone who has posted here and on the site in general. the information is priceless. I am also pleased to report I will be going to SAIT soon for mechanics and I hope to become a rx7 specialist. Thanks again everyone. and as always i am always open to more advice and tips.