Hi all,
Im looking into buying an 1980 RX-7 to start autocrossing. It's in very good shape, w/ 75k for $2000. I was just curious if these are good cars to autocross with? If any of you have any experience autocrossing with them, what do you like about them, what don't you like, what would you change? Are parts easilly available, are they easy to work on? Thanks in advance, any advice sure helps.

 

Welcome to the forum and the Darkside.

The RX7 has won more IMSA championships than any other model/brand, with the 1st gens taking most of them. Now days the Miatas are beating out the 1st and 2nd gen 7s.

There is plenty of info on setting them for autoXing, you will find more info in the racecar tech section. There are also numerous threads in this section.

In my sig line is a link to the online FSMs, carb manual, etc.. Download and read whatever you need. Before doc replys, learn how to use the search function. While it will toss up much more than what you're looking for, the more research you do, the more you will learn.

 

So, if I'm looking into getting into autocross. Is an rx-7 first generation a good car to start with. I was thinking of getting a little miata to begin with. Thoughts? Suggestions?

 

Miata is definitely the car to beat, but RX7s are soooo much cooler!

I do alright in CSP class, but even if you don't do well you'll still have a great time. You're really racing against yourself trying to beat your best time for the first year or so.

You can go to Youtube and search "kentetsu" to check out some race videos if you want.

 

All things being the equal a Miata is a much better car. Even in CSP where you can make a lot more power with a 7 than a Miata the Miata will still be a better autocross car. I have driven both and will some day have another Miata but I'll keep my 7

 

I"m really looking for a good "intro" car. I want to stick to stock class, cause that seems more economical at the time. I'd like a car that can be competitive with all the rest. So... miata?

 

A Mk1 MR2 or a Gen 1 CRX would be very competitive, IMHO.

RX-7's are just fun. They aren't in the top of their class.

 

The Miata wins for entry level hands down. It is much much easier to drive at the limit. All of my 1st gen Rxs, in various configurations, were VERY FUN but somewhat awkward to autocross, even with all the goodies like Konis/15x9s/Kumhos, etc. The Miata is just better underneath..... and it happens to have a few competitive classes left to play in. Only downsides are the low power and chick car stigma. The low power thing is good tho- it teaches you how to maintain momentum, and you can really fly when you get into a more powerful car.
Cost of operation for either when near stock is about the same. But, what you really need is one of these :

 

(cough rotary miata cough) if you couldn't tell. rx7's are fun cars. the looks the appeal of the rotary engine, size, everything. if your serious about just auto-xing i would go with the miata, but if i had to choose a project its the rx7 hands down.

 

why are you running csp, you can run fsp in a 1st gen

 

I'm a college student, who just wants something fun/easy to start with that I can learn to drive and still be competitive at some point. And cheap doesn't hurt right now at this point... Some day I'll have 500 ponies, but at this point in my life, I'll stick to 500 smiles.

 

I am running EM this is my first season. Its loads of fun but porting my motor will be needed if I really wanna get up in the standings. That will happen next year a large street ported motor. Its mainly about having fun and learning to drive your car the best you can.

 

The SCCA has all N/A Rx-7s classed together and they are in CSP. (per the 2007 rule book)

 

Yeah, I wish I was in F/SP.

I'd rock that ****. As it is, the modded CRX's and MR2's in my area eat me alive.

Not to mention the obligatory Miatas.

 

I am in the same boat.. I wanted to start auto-xing so I went to the scca website and looked at the photo's I saw 1st gens everywhere. thats how i chose the fb.. And I wanted a RWD car because i believe that is a better setup than front drive. I now have 2 fb's 1 is a donor car for the second whose body is in a bit better shape. I am about to embark on the long road to streetability hopefully.. HP is secondary right now to a solid body frame and mechanicals. Plus i need to learn how to drive I hope to make a few events in the dc region this year with my car, and see how i do. I have driven my first FB around town, which has a street port and holley setup from Racing Beat and full exhaust.. I love the way it drives.. think Go-cart on steroids. then i found out that the holley setup is trash for auto-x.

 

its says right in the rule book that 12a rx7's are allowed in F class prepared, is FSP not the same?

 

FP= "F" Prepared

FSP= "F" Street Prepared

there are significant differances in the two!

 

Alan, you have no kids at home and your goofing off on the internet?!?!?

 

As much as I love my RX-7, I came to the realization last season that it would never be competitive in Autocross.... Get a Miata.

 

so would I have more chance in CSP or FP?

 

That would depend on who shows up. At our events, CSP is HUGE and covered up with some hot Miatas with very fast drivers. There is no one in FP so I guess I could get first place at every event in FP but what fun would that be? Just run the car and have fun, worry about other peoples times in a couple of years.

 

So, miata to race. RX7 for fun?

 

A Miata is a very fun car as well, the 7 is just a different kind of fun. Either you get it or you don't. (that was not meant to sound mean)

 

I don't know about CSP, but I've seen well developed, 1st gen, F Production road racers in the hands of skilled drivers getting whacked pretty good by the BMWs and Porsche 914s in FP.

I have a fairly well developed FC that I ran a couple of years ago on hand-me-down Hoosier cantilevers (from an F prod road racing friend) that was gradually catching up to the 1st gen F prod cars, but a divorce intervened and I haven't been able to get back to finishing the car. That experience suggested to me that a well prepared FC can at least match the E prod race cars on the autocross track.

I'm not as confident that either of the RX7s can match the BMW or Porsche, though.

 

FYI: FP in auto-x is "F-Prepared" not "F-Production".

In my experience, speed on a road course does not necessarily translate over to the auto-x. Think about the Miata versus the FC in auto-x CSP versus Club Racing ITS.

-b