I just wanted to let you guys know an update

So I haven't been able to drive the car because we haven't registered it or anything of that kind yet, but now it has passed smog and everything is registered and is legal to drive on the road now.

Of course after waiting 1.5 weeks to get all the paperwork settled, when I try to start the car, the battery is dead... I had to go pickup a new one under warranty from Rick up at Rick's Rotary. Talked to some of the guys there and told them about my hot start problem and they think it's the springs. Anyway, drove back, placed the battery in and the car started right up.

I drove the car around on the streets casually, no boost etc. Drove great. Idled steady at 850-900ish on the rpms. Vaccum on the boost gauge read around -14 to -7. I brought it home, shut down the car and tried to start the car back up again (test hot start problem) The engine turned...turned...and then started up. Drove the car around again, brought it back home, shut it down and a minute later tried to start it again. Didn't turn over after the first 2 tries but on the 3rd try it started.

This is a lot better than what it used to be where I had to wait 20-30 minutes AND had to have the car hooked up to jumper cables. I have an appointment setup for tomorrow to bring it in to Paul @ Rotorsport to get a compression test. Some think it may be a tuning/timing issue but I'll let you guys know the results of the compression test tomorrow. Should I ask about anything else while I'm there?

 

What year is your new 7?

This new one I have is a 93 and I have trouble starting it all the time. Sometimes 7 -8 cranks! I have heard is a 93 issue.
Take a look at this:

http://pettitracing.com/rx7/index_ignition.htm

 

I think all rotaries take several turns to start. brand new ones right off the lot take 4-7 cranks either cold or hot.

 

Mine is a 94 FD. Supposedly I need a new engine according to some due to my low compression on one of the rotors when Rick built it and tested it. Sad thing that the car only has 2000 miles on the new engine, so I'm guessing that the previous owner didn't break the engine in correctly. It'd be great if it didn't require a rebuild and it was the timing or tuning but I doubt it.

 

Just got the results from the compression test

Cold Test:

Rotor1 - 6.4kg, 6.0kg, 5.5kg @ 250rpm
Rotor2 - 5.6kg, 5.6kg, 6.4kg @ 251rpm

Hot Test:

Rotor1 - 4.0kg, 3.6kg, 4.1kg @ 234rpm
Rotor2 - 4.6kg, 4.9kg, 4.3kg @ 268rpm

 

That 3.6kg is 51.19 PSI. Looks like you need a rebuild.