Hey this has been on my mind for a while, I own a RX-8 and a Jetta 1.8t. I have some extra money coming my way and I am really thinking about buying an FC to go with my RX-8. I have a few questions, Would it be better to buy a turbo one or a N/A and turbo it myself? I am planning on using the car mainly for autocrossing and for road courses. And when buying one what should i keep an eye out for? I posted here cause I live in miami, fl. and i know a couple of people here, so if James and Ralph could help me out give me a call, but the rest of you guys, your input is greatly appreciated.

 

Well this topic has been covered over and over you can learn everything you need to know in the 2 gen section.

I will give you the quick run down,

Start it up, if it smokes immediately thats bad news. Take it for a drive, check the temps make sure it doesnt over heat, once it is warm turn it off wait a few minutes then start it again, if it floods it has a weak motor ready to be rebuilt. Use common sense if it smokes a little on start up then thats probably normal especially if it hasnt been started in awhile.

As far as auto cross NA or turbo it really doesn't mater they will both be fine. Try to get the GTU version of the NA that was the pimped out auto cross version with the LSD and 20 year old shocks that where bad *** 20 years ago and all turbos are about the same.

Hope this helps,

 

If I'm reading your post correctly, the objective for the purchase is an occasional use car (autox and track). That being the case, I suggest looking a Miata over a 2nd Gen RX-7. There are a lot of unmolested Miatas available for the same price as beat and tired 2nd Gens. Miatas perform consistently well in their autox class and Spec Miata is a growing track class. Just my sacrilegious non-rotary opinion.

 

honestly i hate miatas and ive always loved the FC's my step father had one and i wanted it after him but unfortunately the exhaust caught on fire and melted the rear bumper off and then he sold it, I was about 12 or 13 so I couldnt get the car.

 

I dont think the miatas are in the same class as the FC so you wont have to worry about running against them but I could be wrong. The older miatas look like *** but the newer ones are cool, then again throw some wide fenders and a body kit on them they look kind of hot.

 

Sorry. Didn't know you had a extreme dislike of Miatas. Might add before you make a decision on an N/A or Turbo, check the SCCA classes to see what you'll be running against.

 

Here's a link to the SCCA classes.

http://www.scca.com/_Filelibrary/Fil...ionsbymake.pdf

1990-1997 Miatas are generally classified as E Stock, as is the N/A RX-7.

 

if your planning on eventually goin turbo just buy a turbo it will save you money in the long run

 

First, set up a budget of how much you wanna spend on doing this. Then plan out on what ur gonna buy for the car after you get it. Then see what kind of car you can buy with mods already done to it, like suspension, and condition its in. This is probably the first step in buyin any car for this use. Just my opinion. This is very helpful, cuz if u only got like, $5K, then u might have some money issues buyin a nice car for this. But if u have a more expendable budget, then it is alot easier. Just think about these things.

Also, buy a TII, if u are ever thinkin about goin turbo. People can say what they want, but its way easier and cheaper. Also just my opinion.

 

Yeah if you ever plan to go turbo just buy a TII a conversion is a pain and will cost you extra money that can be better used towards other things.

For the record I like miatas I just like rx7s more also I think a miata and an fc fully decked out with new suspension components would be pretty evenly match, It would come down to which driver was more skilled.

Last weekend there was a solo at hialeah park and a crx was the fastest around the course that day beating out tricked out Evos, Sti's and all the other high HP track cars.

 

I currently race my 1.8t jetta (G-stock), but I am giving it to my fiance and I was planning on building it up while she drives it, but I got to thinking and realized that why should I build up a car to race that I dont even really like? So now I am faced with 2 options, build up the RX-8 (B-Stock), which I don't want to do cause it's my daily and my favorite car, or buy a car I've always wanted and play with that.