Not very familiar with 7's. Lots of track time years ago in FV. Want to buy a track car for a drivers school that's coming up and then my wife will take it over. Not quite sure where I might end up, but I've looked at a couple of 7's, an 80' and 85', both 12a's and they seem solid and quick! Any specifics like carb vs FE. Have seen both. Any favorite year (fastest)?

 

The SE (available in '84 & '85) had the larger 13b engine and fuel injection. This would give you a headstart in power, but with the complexity of a FI system.

The GSL has the 12a with a carb, but also keeps the limited slip rear end and rear disc brakes of the SE.

The GS is the basic, stripped down model of the GSL (no power windows, etc.). Add a rear end from a GSL to this model, and you have a pretty lightweight racer.

Other than that, a great place for suspension goodies is www.re-speed.com

So, you are looking at doing track events only? Or are you considering autocross as well?




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My wife wants to autocross. I want to wheel to wheel. Same with my son. Right now we have a late model S2000 and I really don't want to put it through the autocross grinder. I've narrowed things down to 2 fully prepped ITA's. Both are carbed and both are set up almost identical. One has a fresh 12a and the other a strong running one with lots of spares. Either one will make for lots of fun!

 

if you're looking at already built race cars, buy both they are cheap!

the differences are small year to year, the 79-83 cars have *slightly* better rear suspension geometry, than the 84-85's.

the 13B cars have never really been competitive, but i'm not sure why off the top. i think the factory EFI limits power, and its a little heavier

 

I've thought about buying 2 as well. I'll see if she holds her interest. I bought a well prepped and cared for 83' RX-7 with the 12a and 7's carb. It's raced ITA for a few years. Nice car and it will be a great start for us.

 

I raced an ITA/IT7 Rx7 for 8 years - 1983 12A. Here is what I can tell you based on my experiences.

Neither the 79-85 12A (ITA) or the 84-85 GSL/SE (ITS) is competitive in their respective IT classes. The reasons are simple - newer and more advanced cars (Miata, Honda CRX, FC RX7, E36 BMW) are in these classes. The IT rule set does not really allow for any more adjustments to the FB. For example the ITA weight spec for an RX7 is already lower than most people can get to. There is "spec" class for ITA RX7's called IT7 and if there are enough cars to race with this is great class. IT7 is available in several SCCA divisions around the country.

Now if you want a fun and reliable car that will provide you with hours of track time an RX7 is really hard to beat. Between the two models you are looking at I would choose the 12A car for wheel to wheel racing and the GSL/SE for solo. Below are the reasons for my opinion:

The 12A cars have more than enough braking performance for club racing and the engines are easy to maintain. You want to look for a car that has a fresh pro built engine and a pro built carb (Yaw, ISC, Sterling). A pro built engine that doesn't have allot of time on it will last a long time - I got 7 years out of a Prather Racing engine. As for the carb, a built carb is worth significant HP over a stocker. Also the car you buy should have a big aluminum radator - 19x21" and it should use at least 1 OE external oil cooler ( I ran 2 external coolers on my car). Also pay close attention to the header and exhaust system. A stainless steel header is a big plus as is an exhaust that is tuned and meets sound limits. Mild steel headers only last a few seasons in club racing - even the racing beat models. Finally, if you use 13" wheels the tires are cheaper. 14 and 15" wheels are allowed in ITA on this car if you want to run them.

The GSL/SE has a major issue with front rotor failures. This is more common in E Production where slick tires are used but it has happened ITS as well. When it occurs the driver is going for a ride and it usually doesn't end well. Charlie Clark at www.kcraceware.com makes an aftermarket hub/brake assy that resolves this but it isn't cheap. Now for solo the brake issue is not a concern and the 13B engine will provide great low end power. Which is perfect for an autox. Also, since the 12A and the 13B are classed together in CSP it makes more sense to run the bigger engine.

Sorry for the long post. Anyway - welcome to a great time.....you are going to love racing an RX7!

 

i have seen the 12A rotors crack and fail too. they need to be inspected after every track day.

 

I bought an 83' that's pretty well prepared. Fresh race 12a engine, 7's carb, stainless header/ a digital temp for both pipes and all new rotors, calipers, Hawks, etc., and a new aluminum radiator w/ cooler. Not sure where I'm going to end up but this is a nice race ready car to keep me occupied while I learn. My original plan was to build a spec Miata. I've done several frame-off restos before so I know in real time how long these projects take. I still may go ahead with the Miata build but no time pressure now. Thanks for all the commments.

 

Agreed on the 12A rotors but the failures I have seen there are in the disk area and not the hub. The GSL/SE failure is the hub and when they fail the wheels come off the car.

In my experience 12A rotor failures are not as dire and I have seen guys finish a race on one with a crack. I personally never experienced any cracking and always used cheap rotors. I replaced them once a year.

When Charlie Clark and Tom Holstrom designed their KC Raceware hubs they copied the 12A design to a certain extent.

 

we had a couple local cars break, the rotor explodes, so you loose the wheel... although you have a point, the 12A rotor is easy to check

 

spec miata is a tough class i think, you need to build the car to the limit of the rules AND drive it REALLY well.

 

I agree on the spec miata being a pretty competitive class for a new guy. I've been a corner worker on and off and those guys seem more nascar than scca!

 

I campaign a 1.6 ITA miata for 2 races a year. nashville & barber.

anyways IT7/ITA rx7s are not too competitive. i get around them pretty easily in a 1.6 miata. I only had trouble 1 time and that guy would pull me in the strights at nashville, but it was an IT7 car and we were out front so we were not racing each other so he let me by. ( I was 2 seconds a lap faster)

anyways you really cant complain about how CHEAP you can find an IT7 car these days and start racing! i would suggest that.