Racing a 3rd Gen RX7, is it reliable enough?

Phrost · 11-09-2004, 07:40 PM

I have always wanted to get into road racing. I finally have enough money to buy a car and was wondering if I could get some advice.

I am a total beginner to racing but I would really like to get into it. I was planning on buying a 3rd generation RX7 because I have always been a huge fan of them. My problem is that I am not sure if this car will really be the best option since this will be a track specific car which will be driven hard. I am fully up to the task of doing whatever it takes to keep the car reliable and maintained.

I was wondering if anyone out there has raced this car or have friends who have raced this car and can therefore give me some feedback.

Thanks

1viadrft · 11-09-2004, 08:38 PM

Yeah sure... they are great cars! Being a fan I would hope you would know that...

But if you are new to 'racing' then I would probably recommend something with less power... how about a Datsun Z or Datsun 510? having a Track Specific Rx7 will not be kind to your wallet... since you are a begginner you are probaly going to smack a few things and end up in the gravel more than anything! A nice and old but reliable and potentially powerful Z or 510 would suit you better and you will not feel so bad banging one of those up! They are easy to repair, many in junk-yards and mods are a dime a dozen! Good luck! BTW... what does this have to do with street-racing?

Amish_kid · 11-09-2004, 09:17 PM

Could work, but I mean any car will end up breaking shit if you drive it balls to the wall there is no question about that, just that since the rotary isn't something that screams reliability might want to look somewhere like ^^^ mentioned, try and find an ol' Datsun 510 or maybe an old Corolla GT-S or Civic gutted to hell with something nice swapped into it.

1viadrft · 11-09-2004, 09:30 PM

Yuh... and if you just hafta stick with rotaries! Then a First or Second Gen Rx7 will do... and don't forget the lil' Rx3!

MR2Driver · 11-09-2004, 10:06 PM

A 2nd gen NA FC RX-7 would be plenty reliable and fun on a road course. But I still stick by that the best beginner cars are Honda FF's or a Mazda MX-5 Miata if you're serious about racing.

drftk1d · 11-09-2004, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phrost

I have always wanted to get into road racing. I finally have enough money to buy a car and was wondering if I could get some advice.

I am a total beginner to racing but I would really like to get into it. I was planning on buying a 3rd generation RX7 because I have always been a huge fan of them. My problem is that I am not sure if this car will really be the best option since this will be a track specific car which will be driven hard. I am fully up to the task of doing whatever it takes to keep the car reliable and maintained.

I was wondering if anyone out there has raced this car or have friends who have raced this car and can therefore give me some feedback.

Thanks

Whatever you do, don't get a 3rd gen RX-7 right now. Buy another car first, or do tons of research on the car first, otherwise your gonna turn into one of those whiny people that are liek 'OH why is my car in the shop every minute (cuz you didnt do reliability mods)'.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK! They are delicate cars, and need special treatment so you can't treat them like regular cars.

MR2Driver · 11-09-2004, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drftk1d

Whatever you do, don't get a 3rd gen RX-7 right now. Buy another car first, or do tons of research on the car first, otherwise your gonna turn into one of those whiny people that are liek 'OH why is my car in the shop every minute (cuz you didnt do reliability mods)'.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK! They are delicate cars, and need special treatment so you can't treat them like regular cars.

He's right too... The uneducated and inexperienced are the ones who consider RX-7's unreliable. They're not, they're just different. They arent just "Change the oil and fill the gas tank." (Not that piston engines are that simple either, just an analogy)

GhostRyder Concept · 11-09-2004, 11:51 PM

Whats up with a rotary engine then.... its all new to me I heard there is only 3 moving parts inside the block or is that just some BS???

1QUICK2 · 11-09-2004, 11:58 PM

its like a triangle in a circle that rotates....it spins on an axis in 3 cycles: intake, combustion, exhuast. its pretty simple once you see the operation of it. A 1st gen is a lot of fun to drive and might be a good idea. As far as like a 510....they are not easy to come by and require a little work to make them "track ready" not like a newer vehicle. I dont know if id want to just buy a 1971 vehicle and take it to a track. All in all the rx-7 IS a good car, just misunderstood by most and rarely maintained well. Apex seals are your enemy!

89tracerman · 11-10-2004, 12:17 AM

I would get an S5 FC T2 (89-91 RX7 turbo) and get a complete exhaust from racingbeat.com that would put you over the 250 HP. then upgrade the turbo and damn. BTW FC= 50/50 weight so its a perfect Track car.

Jetts · 11-10-2004, 12:18 AM

a miata!

drftk1d · 11-10-2004, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1QUICK2

its like a triangle in a circle that rotates....it spins on an axis in 3 cycles: intake, combustion, exhuast. its pretty simple once you see the operation of it.

its a 4 cycle engine just like normal piston engines.

Neutrino · 11-10-2004, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drftk1d

its a 4 cycle engine just like normal piston engines.

that is correct, they are 4 stroke engines. But to add to that comments they do have one cycle per revolution as oposed to piston engines with 1 cycle per two revolutions.

This is why often rotary engines are rated as having double their displacement E.g. RX8 engine is rated by mazda at 1.3L but many engineers rate it at 2.6L.

DragonofBC · 11-10-2004, 05:05 PM

Here's some rotary engine info:

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/rotary-engine.htm

1QUICK2 · 11-10-2004, 06:13 PM

I had a 91 miata that i SOLO II raced.....it was a very fun car. I would have to recommend that as well. you can get them pretty cheap and parts arent to bad either. Have any of you seen the 3 rotor motor that makes like 555hp?

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