rx-SEVEN!
mappy
10-05-2001, 10:41 PM
My brother used to have an 86 RX-7. I thought it was the most awesome car ever. He used to let me drive it... ahh... it shifted so smoothly... so many good memories. Then I found out there was a thrid gen RX-7. I saw one and creamed my shorts. Then I saw they killed it in the US in 95, then I slunked into a deep depression for several months. I contemplated suicide. Life without a third gen US RX-7 isn't worth living. Then I heard there was going to be an RX-8. Then I SAW the RX-8, and it looks nothing like the RX-7. This sucks! The third gen RX-7 is PERFECTION. Nothing can ever be done to make it look better or run better. It has just the right amount of power for it's look.
Update... my bros 86 just kinda died. We never eally did figure out what was wrong with it. It would never start and we'd always have to get it rolling and pop start it. The poor car. We don't know where it is now. He sold it to a mechanic who probably gutted it and dropped in a
V-6. Hideous.
And NO NAMING crap. It should always be Mazda RX-7. It just looks and sounds right. None of this "RX-7 3520 Zebra" crap.
Update... my bros 86 just kinda died. We never eally did figure out what was wrong with it. It would never start and we'd always have to get it rolling and pop start it. The poor car. We don't know where it is now. He sold it to a mechanic who probably gutted it and dropped in a
V-6. Hideous.
And NO NAMING crap. It should always be Mazda RX-7. It just looks and sounds right. None of this "RX-7 3520 Zebra" crap.
Rich
10-05-2001, 11:39 PM
I feel for ya mappy. The 3rd gen RX-7 was one hell of a sweet ride, I wish I could have got my hands on one, I agree with you, there is very little if anything they could have done to make it better.
The designers for the RX-8 should have been drug out into the street and shot,:badass: they got all the RX-7 fans on there feet for its unvailing, then what? UGLY! a shame that it carries the RX name :devil:
Im sorry to hear about the loss of your bro's 86, my friend has an 85 that's on its last legs right now too. Time for a rebuild of the engine and tranny on it, so I expect it will probably end up in the graveyard too. (Wish I had a garage, id take her and give her a good home :D)
I had a Mazda 323 and I Always like Mazda's but couldnt stand the price of parts, so I ended up with a Chevy
Long Live The RX-7's!! :)
The designers for the RX-8 should have been drug out into the street and shot,:badass: they got all the RX-7 fans on there feet for its unvailing, then what? UGLY! a shame that it carries the RX name :devil:
Im sorry to hear about the loss of your bro's 86, my friend has an 85 that's on its last legs right now too. Time for a rebuild of the engine and tranny on it, so I expect it will probably end up in the graveyard too. (Wish I had a garage, id take her and give her a good home :D)
I had a Mazda 323 and I Always like Mazda's but couldnt stand the price of parts, so I ended up with a Chevy
Long Live The RX-7's!! :)
Loner
10-06-2001, 09:02 PM
The third gen RX-7 is PERFECTION. Nothing can ever be done to make it look better or run better.
Actually a lot should have been done for the fd to run better (the apex seal for starters).
Actually a lot should have been done for the fd to run better (the apex seal for starters).
Rich
10-06-2001, 10:39 PM
Originally posted by Loner
The third gen RX-7 is PERFECTION. Nothing can ever be done to make it look better or run better.
Actually a lot should have been done for the fd to run better (the apex seal for starters).
Sorry if it seemed like I meant mechanically, but I actually meant appearance wise, I dont know much about the 3rd gen RX-7's mechanically.
The third gen RX-7 is PERFECTION. Nothing can ever be done to make it look better or run better.
Actually a lot should have been done for the fd to run better (the apex seal for starters).
Sorry if it seemed like I meant mechanically, but I actually meant appearance wise, I dont know much about the 3rd gen RX-7's mechanically.
mappy
10-06-2001, 10:55 PM
The design was perfection.
Rotary engines tend to completely go to hell after a decade or 100,000 miles. But they're still WAAAAY more efficient than your standard engines with cylinders. They run a lot cleaner (meaning less pollution, which is why they're popular in Japan) and they get better gas mileage. Cheaper to manufacture, also.
Even still the standard Twin Turbo Rotarys in the third gen RX-7 cranks out approxamently 255hp, which is pretty damn good. That's more than enough to waste all standardly equipped ricers of today. (not counting BMW's, which you probably aren't going to "rice-up" too much anyhow)
You can read all this stuff online at various websites. I'm just summarizing what I can remember.
Oh yeah, and try finding an American mechanic who knows how to fix rotary engines. That's a fun time.
Rotary engines tend to completely go to hell after a decade or 100,000 miles. But they're still WAAAAY more efficient than your standard engines with cylinders. They run a lot cleaner (meaning less pollution, which is why they're popular in Japan) and they get better gas mileage. Cheaper to manufacture, also.
Even still the standard Twin Turbo Rotarys in the third gen RX-7 cranks out approxamently 255hp, which is pretty damn good. That's more than enough to waste all standardly equipped ricers of today. (not counting BMW's, which you probably aren't going to "rice-up" too much anyhow)
You can read all this stuff online at various websites. I'm just summarizing what I can remember.
Oh yeah, and try finding an American mechanic who knows how to fix rotary engines. That's a fun time.
josedi
10-06-2001, 11:35 PM
Since i am the Rotary GOd i will have clarify a few things on here..Here are some basic specs
79-85 RX-7 FB3S
12A Rotary Carburated GS, GSL 100hp and 105ft/lb torque
Mid 85 the GSL-SE 13B came out which replaced the Carbs for a Fuel Injected Engine making 130HP and 135ft/lb torque, Figures are 98% percent accurate, Depending on your state and country horsepower varried by very little..
86-91 FC3S
Engine was the 13B rotary which produced 140-160 N/a
and the turbo engine made 182HP in 1987 and was later bumped up to 200HP, Weight increased a bit but performance remained the same. The Suspension was replaced from the Solid rear axle to the Independent suspension all around, With amazing 50/50 weight distribution and weight was 2650-2989 pounds. Several models where made from a GTU2 to the Turbo II. The seats where similar to Recaros of the day, The shifter was almost perfect and in later models it was offered with a Joystick style shift knob, Brakes where Four Piston Caliper up front and single in the rear. Many other features where available. THe interior was very similar but changed in the later years for a more rounder one.
93-95 1/2 FD3S
Engine was the REW 13B 255HP twin turbo 1.3liter Rotary
The whole engine was redone, vacum lines, ports and fuel injection system where improved, the car is lighter at just under 2800 pounds, still retains the 50/50 weight distribution and alunminum Double wishbone, on the R1 model the car pulled and AMAZING .99g on the skidpad and the brakes where extremely good but warped easy..shitty rotors. The interior is snug but not as sporty as the Turbo II seats, and shoulder support is almost 0. The car now featured alot of lightweight parts including the Pedals which where made from complete alunminum, the spare tire rim is also extremly light as well as the Tire Jack, this was also available in the Turbo II. Sound system was great if you got the BOSE but later became a headache as it got old.. The FD was offered in two trims, Touring Package and R1 Package, the differences where the lower front lip spoiler, dual Oil coolers and really stiff suspension, The Touring model offered leather vs suade on the R1 and a sunroof, Performance is almost identical, except for the handling where the R1 wins by a bit..This is just to give some idea between the years..
:bandit:
As far as reliability goes its really how u care for the car, Rotary engines can be revved like no other engine, a well ported engine with a good fuel system can be revved in the 10,000 rpms and more, a race engine can be revved to 17,000rpms and the some.. The Rotary engine is not very forgiving and thats why it gets the wrap of a unreliable engine, but in reality the engine is so simple, only 3 moving parts that its really alot more reliable than a piston engine, but people don't care for it the way its supposed to, and one mistake will kill it, Piston engines in that sense are a bit more forgiving, Another problem is the lack of support Mazda gave the engine, Most Mazda dealers have to send the cars to a 3rd party Rotary mechanic because they can't fix it themselves..Naturally aspirated engines can easily achieve 200,000 miles all original with the proper care..
If you are buying any of these cars there are several things to watch for .. Like hood brackets that squeak, Globe boxes that leave lights on and also dont shut properly, and of course the engine, Most FD3s have new rebuilt engines in them and be sure to check who did the swap and the person that did it its actually good with ROtary engines and has a good history of replacing and working on Rotary engines.. I didnt hit all the points just the surface, but if anyone has any questions let me know..:)
79-85 RX-7 FB3S
12A Rotary Carburated GS, GSL 100hp and 105ft/lb torque
Mid 85 the GSL-SE 13B came out which replaced the Carbs for a Fuel Injected Engine making 130HP and 135ft/lb torque, Figures are 98% percent accurate, Depending on your state and country horsepower varried by very little..
86-91 FC3S
Engine was the 13B rotary which produced 140-160 N/a
and the turbo engine made 182HP in 1987 and was later bumped up to 200HP, Weight increased a bit but performance remained the same. The Suspension was replaced from the Solid rear axle to the Independent suspension all around, With amazing 50/50 weight distribution and weight was 2650-2989 pounds. Several models where made from a GTU2 to the Turbo II. The seats where similar to Recaros of the day, The shifter was almost perfect and in later models it was offered with a Joystick style shift knob, Brakes where Four Piston Caliper up front and single in the rear. Many other features where available. THe interior was very similar but changed in the later years for a more rounder one.
93-95 1/2 FD3S
Engine was the REW 13B 255HP twin turbo 1.3liter Rotary
The whole engine was redone, vacum lines, ports and fuel injection system where improved, the car is lighter at just under 2800 pounds, still retains the 50/50 weight distribution and alunminum Double wishbone, on the R1 model the car pulled and AMAZING .99g on the skidpad and the brakes where extremely good but warped easy..shitty rotors. The interior is snug but not as sporty as the Turbo II seats, and shoulder support is almost 0. The car now featured alot of lightweight parts including the Pedals which where made from complete alunminum, the spare tire rim is also extremly light as well as the Tire Jack, this was also available in the Turbo II. Sound system was great if you got the BOSE but later became a headache as it got old.. The FD was offered in two trims, Touring Package and R1 Package, the differences where the lower front lip spoiler, dual Oil coolers and really stiff suspension, The Touring model offered leather vs suade on the R1 and a sunroof, Performance is almost identical, except for the handling where the R1 wins by a bit..This is just to give some idea between the years..
:bandit:
As far as reliability goes its really how u care for the car, Rotary engines can be revved like no other engine, a well ported engine with a good fuel system can be revved in the 10,000 rpms and more, a race engine can be revved to 17,000rpms and the some.. The Rotary engine is not very forgiving and thats why it gets the wrap of a unreliable engine, but in reality the engine is so simple, only 3 moving parts that its really alot more reliable than a piston engine, but people don't care for it the way its supposed to, and one mistake will kill it, Piston engines in that sense are a bit more forgiving, Another problem is the lack of support Mazda gave the engine, Most Mazda dealers have to send the cars to a 3rd party Rotary mechanic because they can't fix it themselves..Naturally aspirated engines can easily achieve 200,000 miles all original with the proper care..
If you are buying any of these cars there are several things to watch for .. Like hood brackets that squeak, Globe boxes that leave lights on and also dont shut properly, and of course the engine, Most FD3s have new rebuilt engines in them and be sure to check who did the swap and the person that did it its actually good with ROtary engines and has a good history of replacing and working on Rotary engines.. I didnt hit all the points just the surface, but if anyone has any questions let me know..:)
Loner
10-07-2001, 03:38 PM
FDs get pretty bad gas milage actually (at least mine did).
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