DaleClark

iTrader: (55)

Hey all -

Well, only after a few months of actively posting on the forum, here I am at 1000 posts . Helps to type fast!

Anyhow, I decided this post would make a good place to vent some pet peeves and ruminations of mine.

First off, buy a shop manual. I own an '86-88, an '89-91, and a 3rd gen shop manual, as well as the Haynes manual. They are invaluable. A large portion of the questions I see could be easily answered with a walk through the shop manual.

Second, Google is your friend. As in http://www.google.com. If you're looking for something, that's the search engine to find it. Can't find a wiper switch repair how-to? Type in "rx-7 wiper switch" and you'll be there in 3 seconds. Much faster than posting to the forum .

I still don't get the NA vs. turbo deal. NA's are a blast to drive, but they're just not *very* fast - they're definitely quick, though. I have an '86 base that I've upgraded to Sport specs (limited slip, Recaros, springs/shocks, etc.) that's my daily driver. It's a fun drive every day. My 10th Anniversary (which is still in pieces undergoing the world's slowest buildup ) is/was fast as HELL, but is a total handful to drive every day. The more you mod a car, the less confidence you have in it - you're always worried it's going to break down, wondering what that sound was, etc.

By the same token, no one is holding a gun to your head and making you mod your car. Modifications, especially on a turbo, are a long, laborious, complicated process, and the end result will very likely be less driveable and less reliable than Mazda intended. Take things slow, learn, and proceed forward.

Probably the most important thing you can do for your car is GET GOOD TIRES - I've seen SO many FC's slide off into a ditch, hit a curb, whatever on junky 400 treadwear tires. Tires are CHEAP, and they will literally transform your car. By the same token, shocks and springs are a VERY wise idea - these cars are getting old, and tired, blown out suspension is not only no fun to drive, but dangerous.

Whenever you can, give back to the RX-7 community. I've done TONS of writeups, helped local people with their RX-7's (many of whom became great local club members), ran up long distance bills talking to other RX-7 people, you name it. We're lucky to have one of the *strongest* online communities (not just this forum, but all the RX-7 websites, mailing lists, vendors, etc.) of any car make out there. Make a webpage, do a writeup, help someone locally out with their car, do what you can.

Finally, keep those cars on the road! I have a feeling in a few years the parts well will start to dry up - the Internet has made parting out a car MUCH faster and easier than ever before. Too many people give up when the car has a blown engine or something, and just part out the car and scrap the shell. Every time that happens, that's one less person out there that will be able to experience the joy of having an RX-7, especially a 2nd gen.

Anyhow, that's enough for now. By February or so I should be on post 2000 .

Dale

RotaryWeaponSE7EN

iTrader: (6)

Sweet man. That is all so true. But as for the parts remark, if the RX8 does as good as we all want it to do the parts will not dry up, because the new 4th Gen RX7s release is based on how the RX8 does here in America.

banzaitoyota

You got some catching up to do!

We need to race your Psuedo-Sport against the GFH someday!!!

snerd

I definately agree that some sort of manual (factory or Haynes) is a must, but they can be a bit vague. I am in the process of removing the interior of my car and there are some pretty big gaps in the information the manual(s) provides. As I get further in to the car I'm sure I'll find more weak spots. That's why I so glad that websites like this one exist. I can't imagine what working on a project car was like in the days before e-mail, BBS and websites existed. You were really on your own.

Congrats on your 1000th post

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

good post! i agree with most of what you said.
the parts thing: the only parts that are going to dry up are the things like defroster grilles, carpets little things.
look at the first gens, you can still get the bumpers, fenders, all the engine parts. i was looking into buiding an imsa car and the parts for that are still available.
used parts may dry up, but the new ones wont unless they dont sell them

mike

DaleClark

iTrader: (55)

The problem is a car that doesn't have a lot of market value is primarily driven by used parts. If you buy a $2000 car, or a $500/doesn't run car, you're not going to run to the Mazda dealer and pay $300 for a new TPS. You're gonna buy a used one. Same goes for a lot of parts - who the heck is gonna buy a new ECU from Mazda, for example.

The good thing is the Internet makes for a fast and easy marketplace, but that's also a bad thing - there's only a finite amount of 2nd gens in the US. I can think off the top of my head of about 5 "parts guys" that specialize in parting out cars - 10 years ago that was unheard of. Not that these guys are bad or anything - just keep those cars on the road, don't junk 'em unless the frame of the car is unusable.

We'll see.

Dale

DaleClark

iTrader: (55)

Shoot, I forgot one of the biggest points I wanted to make in my 1000th post .

Please, sign your posts with your REAL NAME. If you notice, my full name is in my .sig and my first name is at the bottom of every post I make. I'm proud of who I am, and I want people to remember who wrote that. Hiding behind a handle is something I just don't get. I can just see going to an RX-7 get-together: "This is FuzzyBottom32, this guy is SuPrFaaastRacr"...gimme a break.

Dale

J-Rat

iTrader: (2)

Maybe some of us dont like to advertise our names on the internet. Maybe some of us use knick-names that people gave us....

Rat

Icemark

Hey I like that... maybe there wouldn't be so many bad BS replies if you had to use your actual name and be held accoutable.

DaleClark

iTrader: (55)

If anyone wants to actually find out your real name bad enough, it can be done. That's foolish to think it couldn't be done.

Anyhow, I stand by what I say - sign your damn name .

Dale

Ryde _Or_Die

Ya thats a good idea. I never had a problem giving people my name, but never thought of putting it in my sig. Good idea Dale!

TheTwinTurboRX-7

Thanks for all your help online here at the forum Dale. I have been here a long time now and it seems like you are always full of good ideas. Keep it up.

Ben