Valkyrie

I got back from my first road trip in my FC today... not to mention the first time I've driven longer than 2 hours overall.

No problems whatsoever, during a 4 hour each-way, total of 460 miles-long trip.

Also, I did 120 Kind of exciting and scary at the same time... I guess if I can do 120 in 5th gear WAAAY out of the full power band, that's a good sign.

One thing I'm wondering about is what is the normal allowance of steering wheel play? It seems to go up and up with the speed. At low speeds it's barely noticable but it's pretty obvious when you're going at highway speeds.

Would replacing tie rod boots or ends take up slack in the steering? Or maybe just getting a full alignment?

Gas mileage was pretty terrible on the way up there (since I was doing no less than 80 most of the way, plus 2-3 trips past 100), and it took almost 3/4ths of a tank (14 gallons at the next fillup, although I didn't fill it up 100% before I left), but doing 70-ish on the way back seemed 200 miles per half-tank, and I used a little over half a tank on the way back (I went a bit further than I meant too...plus one trip to 100, and some spirited driving on the twisty section near the end of the trip).

Also, I ended up accidentally drifting through an off-ramp leading to an Italian restaraunt (I got on the brakes pretty hard and downshifted... but the rear end just decided to step out). I think there's something a bit wierd with the car's braking stability. I needed stickier tires...

theflatlander

iTrader: (3)

Ever thought of maybe rev matching when u downshift.

Valkyrie

I did... heel and toe. I think the problem was that when I went to downshift the second time it didn't go into second properly... or did it? I don't remember.

On another note, my right knee (and only my right knee) is KILLING me. It hurt like hell both ways, and I can't figure why it could be this bad.

The reason I say I might have some sort of braking stability problem is because it sort of wobbled a bit in a similar way on the way back, when I had to slow down for a car in front of me who suddenly decided they didn't want to do the speed limit...

Secondmessiah

the rear end always locks up way before the front end

Valkyrie

Well yeah, if you've got an improper bias setting... but then again you can't change it on a stock RX-7.

The rear is supposed to get weaker and weaker the harder you brake on the FC.

unW7WZ

dtss. the rear end will step out at strange times with bad dtss bushings.

Valkyrie

Ok, well, besides as to why my FC decided to go drifting, does anyone know ways to improve steering feel/response and shorten any slack in the rack, so to speak? And no, don't say convert it to a manual rack.