RX-7 Owners' Off-Topic Thread

Well, I'm tired of the RX-7 forum being so "dead". I mean, I know our cars are rare and consequently our forum won't be as busy as all the other "dime-a-dozen" cars', but we need more traffic in here. So fellow rotary-owners/rotary-fans, I invite you all to grab a cold beer, pull up a chair, and hang out. This is the place to discuss anything that comes to your mind. Share what you did today? What cars did you blow the doors off of this time? :wink: Or when does your car get out of the shop? :rolleyes: Hahah!

Which of the following cosmetic-modifications should I do?

Rear Aero Diffuser:
http://member.newsguy.com/~dncrosby/RX-7/diffuser/DSC_0018.jpg


Carbon-Fiber Aero-Headlights:
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d141/Artistic_Surfer/1.jpg

OEM '99-'02 spec front-fascia (with shaved plate-holder):
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d141/Artistic_Surfer/q4.jpg

Whoo! Thanks for the message, otherwise I probably wouldn't have looked into the RX-7 forums for another week, bahaha :P I agree, we should get more traffic going into this forum.

I think the diffuser would be the sweetest thing ever. I want a diffuser too, but I think they look a little weird on FCs. I also like the retractables on our rotary cars, so that would be something I'd keep and the shaved plate holder looks weird, haha, I'm just used to seeing it I guess, but it would probably just have to grow on me.

I've been really depressed lately, about relationships, travelling, school, and having my car sit in the garage since last month. Two days ago, I bought some car freshener and I hung them all over my car and then it made me really happy just being in that damn car... it really does a lot for me. I need to replace the clutch and exhaust systems, so if I can get them in before snow falls here, I'm going to plate the car until it does snow. If I can get my coilovers in too, I'm going to jack up the car and slap some winter tires on and head out with my motor club and do some ice rallying on the lake.

BTW, I like the zenki bumpers on the FDs a lot. I just have a soft spot for old school I guess..

Yeah, I think that c.f. headlight-conversion looks nice from the front, but it would hurt me to gid rid of the pop-ups; I think pop-up headlights are so classic (it's a shame they're a thing of the past now), and my little cousins think it's so cool when I make them go up and down.... plus pop-ups have been an RX-7 tradition from 1979 to 2002!

Sorry to hear you're depressed, bro. :( Why are you stressing over relationships, traveling, and school? I wish I was back in school, and I haven't done any good traveling in a long time, and I still haven't found the girl of my dreams... still, I am confident everything will work out. We're planning a ski-trip to SnowShoe Mt. this winter, and already have plans for a surf-trip in Costa-Rica afterwards (maybe the same winter), maybe I'll meet "Ms. Right" on the slopes/waves :naughty: , and I aim to attend Wyotech/UTI next year (hopefully).

Ooh, "ice-rallying" sounds fun! You will definately have to get some pics or preferably vids of that on here when the time comes.

Relationships.. I've just found out some stuff about this girl I've been seeing for the passed three years. The reason we haven't really officially dated yet, was because I didn't want to commit to someone who I thought wouldn't want to commit. Seeing someone is a lot easier in my opinion than actually dating someone, so I think that's why we were so close for so long. I just heard stuff.. rumours.. about her and I semi believe it. I just don't know how to interpret the situation.. I feel like I've been lied to, but also I feel like I've dodged a bullet at the same time.

I just got out of highschool, but I'm still undecided on what I want to do, but law and business admin both require me to move out of my city, since the University here doesn't support these programs. Sure I'll be in the same province, but I'll be in a larger city that I barely know and it's quite a ways from my home city. I don't want to move, I like it here, but I know that if I want a future, I'm going to have to do it sooner or later. Until next fall comes around, I plan to travel. I'm going to Edmonton for a wedding this coming weekend and then I'm heading to Calgary to visit the Rotary Specialties shop there and discuss my future plans for my car and how much of it they can assist with. There is also going to be a Japanese lady coming to the wedding and she's inviting to go stay with her for a while. She's coming to Canada for the wedding and to also find a home to live in. She wants to move here and when she goes back, I can go to Japan with her for a couple months until she's ready to move to Canada. I think that would be a really sweet deal. At the same time though, it's putting a lot of stress on me and my wallet.. I'm still only 17.

My soon to be step cousin (is there such a thing lol) is a mechanic and owns a shop in Virginia. He owns quite a few cars and they're done up really nicely. He said he'd search for an FD for me, he says that they're fairly cheap around Virginia since most people look at rotary engines as the end of the world and avoid it like a plague lol. Good for the enthusiasts, I guess!

How's the waiting list for automotive schools in the states? I wish I could go skiing.. funny, since I live in Canada haha. Too busy for fun lately.

I can tell just by your topics of study (Law and Business Administration) that you will be financially successful in life. As far as having to move to an unfamiliar place, you should look at that as exciting and adventurous.

Ironically, I purchased my 3rd-gen. from Virginia. We drove all the way from KY to pick it up (the drive back was hella fun! ;) ). I dunno much about the RX-7 market there, but I didn't exactly get mine cheap. I got a fair deal on mine; I neither overpayed nor did a get a bargain. I am happy with the purchase though and I won't loose money if I ever want to sell the car (yeah right, like I'd ever get rid of it! :D ).

As far as the waiting-list for automotive-schools in the U.S. goes, I have no idea. I haven't even gotten around to doing any research about that stuff yet. I wish I had decided to go to college right after graduating high-school, instead off waiting. I don't even know what I want to do/study. Right now I'm just working on my art-career, trying to be self-employed, and having fun.

Art is cool.. as in fine arts? Where is everyone? A lot of the rotary guys I know don't visit forums often because they're really technical and spend a lot of their time with their car. Everything here is basically a slowed down instant messaging conversation, haha. I guess it's kinda late though.. I'm watching Dave Chappelle haha.

Oh yeah, I sold my Mitsubishi Eclipse last week.. I just didn't know how to break it to the guys in the DSM forums lol.

Art is cool.. as in fine arts?

Yeah. Here's a few pics of some of my artworks:



"Angels' Chorus"

36" x 24" acrylic on canvas

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d141/Artistic_Surfer/Coelho%20Artwork/Angels%20Chorus/angelschorus.jpg



"Realm"

36" x 48" oil on canvas

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d141/Artistic_Surfer/Realm.jpg



"Ho'okipa Gold"

36" x 48" mixed-media on canvas

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d141/Artistic_Surfer/Coelho%20Artwork/Hookipa%20Gold/sunlight-1.jpg



"Adrenaline"

48" x 36" oil on canvas

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d141/Artistic_Surfer/Coelho%20Artwork/Adrenaline/WaveStudy2.jpg



"Sweet Radiant Light"

30" x 24" oil on canvas

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d141/Artistic_Surfer/Coelho%20Artwork/Sweet%20Radiant%20Light/SweetRadiantLight.jpg



"Seven Seas"

20" x 64" (20"x16" x 4) acrylic on canvas

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d141/Artistic_Surfer/Coelho%20Artwork/Seven%20Seas/sevenseas1.jpg

I'd say go with the rear diffuser first. Cheaper an the HD conversion is a pain. It looks really cool but alot of work for the HD's (they're C-west btw).

Ask for me I just ordered a downpipe & midpipe and I have to order an Ecu (Pettit unlimited I think) I got the cheap Ebay Dp an mid for now because in another 3-4 months I'm going single so i'll have to sell my TT parts which all will have low milage an are good quality. (You guys will have first dib's with very very cheap pricing)

As far as cosmetic goes for my car ~

Volk Racing white TE37's ~ 18inch all around wrapped in some nice khumos an the width will be different. 10.5 Rear an 8.5 in the front. A.F uses them so why shouldn't I? :wink:

http://files.automotiveforums.com/media/main.php/d/3371-2/IMG_0407.jpg

As far a real exterior mod the feed spoiler is too much right now so pettit Type I wing.

http://www.pettitracing.com/rx7/images/en/exterior_1418-1000.jpg

And the Racing beat lip ~
http://wheelchoice.com/FDS13PWC2.jpg

Hey, jcsaleen. Glad you could join us.

What's so hard about the headlight-conversion? It's just a matter of removing the OEM headlights and motors, assembling the new units (c.f. upper housing, lower housing, bulbs and components, cover), connecting the wires, and installing everything.

I'd stay wingless if I were you. Anyway, isn't that wing a replica of the first Mazdaspeed design that was recalled? Also, if you're gonna get a lip-spoiler you should check out the OEM '99-'02 spec lip; it looks better than RacingBeat's and it is more aerodynamicly efficient:

http://www.rx7s.com/tandrracing/events/Rotorfest_2006/P7221756.JPG

BTW, recognize that photo? ;)

Of course thats goodfellas FD from rotorfest. Imo ~ I don't like the 99 I've seen it on montego before because my friend has it.

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j256/NYCROTARYROCKET5/PICT3701.jpg

Personally IMO ~ I want the lip you have an I know someone who wants the racing beat an has the 93 spec R1 lip.

I'm getting a TII this week.

I find it interesting how the guys that frequent this forum nowadays are FD owners.

^Sweet! Make sure you post up some pics of your new TurboII. What color is it? Any mods?

Were trying to make this forum a bit more active!

..and active it will be! Change your avatar, jcsaleen.. it breaks my heart :( lol jk

I remember when 240's used to be fairly rare compared to other sport compact cars, but now they're popping up all over my city. Also, I am willing to bet that the ratio between the RHD 300ZX and the LHD 300ZX population in my city is at least 3:1 respectively. Importing is crazy in Canada.. I understand importing a car that's not available in North America like the kyline or something, but a 300ZX? Come on now lol.

Oh, and can anyone recommend a decently powered, lightweight, long lasting battery for my car? I'm thinking about moving the location of the battery too.. maybe in the compartments right beind the seats so it would put more weight into the center of the car for autoX?

Guys words can't even decribe how much emotional pain I'm in right now. Today I was driving my fd just cruising to a friends house an lost it around a turn. the cr spun an the front end is completely bent off center an my rear bumper is ripped apart. total cost is around 7k (right now) I feel the frame it self might be bent. So thats another 1k as well my engine has been pushed but is still mint and my intior is mint but there too much damage to even expain...

God today is horrible...

Holy shit.. sorry to hear that.. what kind of turn was it.. like a 90 degree street corner or a freeway bend? That's so shitty.. I can't exactly picture the damage, so do you have pictures? I bet even pictures wouldn't do justice..

No tis too awful for pictures... God this hurts...

NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
That is tragic!!!!

:frown: :frown: :frown:

The costs projected so far are around 7-8k to fix an restore. (That includes replacing everything with aftermarket goodies though. Oem = mucho expesive...

How exactly did this happen?

Good news I guess... Found out the damage isn't as bad as I thought. Luckly my friend owns a body shop/tune shop so I'm bringing it there an me an 4 of my friends will be working none stop to get this beast up an running again. My engine is fine but the suspesion in the front is pretty bad. More then anything I'm worried about the frame but since the steering column isn't broken I don't think it was hurt too bad. I will be REDOING EVERYTHING NOW! In a sence this a blessing in disguise because I was to much of a pus to take apart the front an do the custom ducting I wanted to do. Now I'm building a custom front intercooler/radioator setup like never before. The car will begin it's 6 month -1 year project overhaul tommorow. Project 7 is under way.


As far as what happened I hit a turn at 50 mph an hit sand swung out an countersteered but too much though. I wound up hitting a parked hummer a tree. The hummer was mildly hit but the tree was about 8-10 inches thick an I broke it in half.

All in all I swore when I bought this car that I would never been Fdless again an always have one in my posession an I will keep that promise...

As far as what happened I hit a turn at 50 mph an hit sand swung out an countersteered but too much though.

May I suggest joining a motorclub that practises autoX and gymkhana :p Right after I got my lisence to kill, I joined these clubs (and also a safety driving course specializing in extreme situations) and I've never been in an accident before. I've never been into the whole drift scene, but participating in drift demos and other events have really shown me the limits of my car.

It's good that it's not as bad as you think and that it's also giving you the opportunity to try and do something you were second guessing yourself about. Hope it turns out well.. no, I know it'll turn out well. So do you have any other plans for the car that'll happen because of the accident?

I'm going to try thouse extreme driving situations. I need to with a car like this. If the engines runs as I think it should since it seemed unscaved. I will be oing the custom stup an the single turbo - To4-R :wink: Right now I just need to focus on getting her running an running right as well as making sure the chassis is straight.

You guys aren't gonna believe this! About 2 years ago I saw the most beautiful competition-yellow-mica R1 at the mall, and I left my business-card on the window expressing my interest in purchasing it. I wasn't surprised when the owner never called me; if I had such a rare, collectable RX-7 I'd never part with it either. Well, guess what? The guy finally gave me a call and told me that he's contemplating selling it, as his job rarely allows him time to enjoy it. The car is a numbers-matching c.y.m. R1 with clean title and only 46K original miles and it is almost in museum-quality condition. The best part is, the owner said that he would take $15K for it!!!!!!! I don't think he knows the value of this vehicle; he was surprised when I told him that there were only 350 ever made (less now since many have been wrecked and/or converted to race-cars). He hasn't advertised this baby anywhere yet, and I don't intend on giving him that chance; we're gonna go see it as soon as he gets back from his business-trip in a few days. :naughty: If all goes well, she'll be in my garage very soon!

So you just pull money outta your ass? lol jk. If you get it.. you'll take me for a spin, or at least let me drive it... right? :) What else do you know about it? Any mods, year?

So you just pull money outta your ass? lol jk. If you get it.. you'll take me for a spin, or at least let me drive it... right? :) What else do you know about it? Any mods, year?

The car is all-original except for an aftermarket CD-player. It's a '93 (they only made the R1 for 1993).

As far as "pulling money outta my ass", unfortunately that is a talent I lack. I should have enough money from selling my car and my artwork, and if not I'll just borrow the rest. I must have this car!

wow I missed alot didnt I.

jc, sorry about your crash.
But at least its being fixed.


the TII is gray. (I've never seen a gray TII before.)
I'll get pics next week

How much does your artwork go for anyways? It's damn good. I might even look into buying one of them and contribute to your "buy Steve an R1 fund".

You guys aren't gonna believe this! About 2 years ago I saw the most beautiful competition-yellow-mica R1 at the mall, and I left my business-card on the window expressing my interest in purchasing it. I wasn't surprised when the owner never called me; if I had such a rare, collectable RX-7 I'd never part with it either. Well, guess what? The guy finally gave me a call and told me that he's contemplating selling it, as his job rarely allows him time to enjoy it. The car is a numbers-matching c.y.m. R1 with clean title and only 46K original miles and it is almost in museum-quality condition. The best part is, the owner said that he would take $15K for it!!!!!!! I don't think he knows the value of this vehicle; he was surprised when I told him that there were only 350 ever made (less now since many have been wrecked and/or converted to race-cars). He hasn't advertised this baby anywhere yet, and I don't intend on giving him that chance; we're gonna go see it as soon as he gets back from his business-trip in a few days. :naughty: If all goes well, she'll be in my garage very soon!

I say congrats! I love the Cym's they are most rare an desirable of the Fd in the states. Go for it man.

i havent posted here much lately cause i spent all my funds for a while. i dont have any immediate plans for my tII. i want to get an rteck, new inj, and hook up my safc II, but the funds that i spent on my tein and bushings are taking a toll. the car is perfect as far as running condition, just need paint, and a kit if i go that route. also, teamfc3s.com is my favorite rx7 forum. there is so many experienced rx7 owners on there that if i did have problems, id let them answer my questions...... chris

and ya, i want a diffuser too!!!!!

How much does your artwork go for anyways? It's damn good. I might even look into buying one of them and contribute to your "buy Steve an R1 fund".

That would be awesome, bro. The prices of my artworks range from $100-$3000 typically, depending on size, composition, and medium. I have listed some of the paintings that I posted here on Ebay with significantly discounted prices from $225-$625. I'll even offer free shipping to anyone from Automotive Forums or RX-7 Owner's Club.

Okay, guys, I need your help! I damaged one of my wheels, and I need to replace it. They are SuperLicense 17" x 8.5" 3-peice alumnium wheels. I cannot find this design anywhere. If anyone can help me find these wheels I would be forever greatful. Thanks.

This is what they look like:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d141/Artistic_Surfer/1-2.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d141/Artistic_Surfer/cleanwheel2.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d141/Artistic_Surfer/4-2.jpg

how does the damage look?

^It isn't crazy bad, but the wheel is beyond repair. :(

I decided to sticky this thread so we can discuss offtopic things and shoot the shit here.

Speaking of rotary engine (http://www.rotaryengineillustrated.com/how-a-wankel-rotary-engine-works/index.php)s,
have you guys seen theses rotary engine animations (http://www.rotaryengineillustrated.com/wankel-engine-animations/index.php)?

Theses two are very cool

RENESIS Animation (http://www.rotaryengineillustrated.com/wankel-engine-animations/renesis-animation.html)

And this one is awesome too:

Animation of Rotary Engine with Turbo and Intake Manifold (http://www.rotaryengineillustrated.com/animations/rotary-engine-intake-manifold-turbo-animation.html)

Rear Diffusor!!!! Get that! http://member.newsguy.com/%7Edncrosby/RX-7/diffuser/DSC_0018.jpg

how much are those? I have a 93 FD

Oooh, I can feel a chilling wind in here... and I think I saw some tumble weed go by not too long ago.

Well, snow hasn't hit my city too bad yet, so I think I'm going to put a 24 hour permit on it and rip around and lap the city before the snow falls. It's funny.. every time I put a permit on my car, I'm automatically broke, no matter how much I have in the bank.

hey guys, hope you dont mind me hanging out here since I dont have an FD or FC but there is no one on the RX-8 forums, I guess cause I'm pretty much the only one with an 8 here.

Quick question, my buddy is looking into buying an FC turbo, what should we be looking for to make sure we dont buy a screwed up one. They are old and I know he would rather have an FD but the price is too expensive for him to buy an FD so any help would be great.

what year is the car?

typical rotary shit, check the compression, see if you can turn the engine by hand (if you can't then something might be stuck), make sure idle is okay (~1k rpm)
make sure you don't smell fuel in the engine bay (though that issue depends on teh year of the car)

check the hoses in the engine bay

check for rust on the sun roof and the frame rails under the car, especially by the rear of the front wheel wells. also check for rust where the spare is at.

other than that check it like any other car, electronics, suspension, etc

what year is the car?

typical rotary shit, check the compression, see if you can turn the engine by hand (if you can't then something might be stuck), make sure idle is okay (~1k rpm)
make sure you don't smell fuel in the engine bay (though that issue depends on teh year of the car)

check the hoses in the engine bay

check for rust on the sun roof and the frame rails under the car, especially by the rear of the front wheel wells. also check for rust where the spare is at.

other than that check it like any other car, electronics, suspension, etc

what do you mean turn the engine by hand?

hey there im looking for a little advice im Peta and ive just baught a rx7 series 2 1983 model and im wanting to rip the interior out and i have only one problem with the seats as most rx7 owners know that the drivers seat has a mound under it and that makes it kinda difficult to find seats to fit rx7s does anyone know where i can find some seats im from australia so i dont know if you know any places here but if you know some places from your country just let me know im willing to order laters i hope you can help

This isn't the forum for buying stuff honestly...

Get me on www.rx7club.com ~ My name on there is FD3S4E if you need anyhelp.

Ask for new 1st gen seats here ~ http://www.rx7club.com/forumdisplay.php?f=101

what do you mean turn the engine by hand?

wow this is from ages ago but

I mean to literally put your hand on where the fan goes and turn it. You should be able to spin the motor (albeit really slowly) that way

Hey Hey.

So how many rx7 members do we have on this forum? Just wondering.

btw, you can grab one of the belts and pull on it to turn the engine over by hand.

I'm just dropping by, later.

Bump ~

That is the Mazdaspeed diffuser in case you check back.

hey guys, what's up? I guess I never really introduced myself around here, and you probably guessed from my name that nope, i don't have an RX7. But I've been cruising around the forums and the net in general, and I really want to get one. I'd like an FD, but any RX7 will do.
I have an 07 Cobalt but it's technically in my mom's name:banghead: . So I need to buy my own car so i can play with it. Everyone in my area has a '96 Mustang and thinks it's "the bomb" and "hates rice". So I want to show them that Japan was making classic cars that will still blow the doors off their Fords!
So, when it comes to these rocket-propelled-skateboards, where do you draw the line between "rice" and nice?

An FD will get respect trust me. If not show them why they should :)

I've put more mustangs down then I can count :lol: