First Rx-7
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Bloomington, IN
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
First Rx-7
I just bought my first RX-7. It's a '89 GTU with 65k miles on it. There is no body damage or rust, and it runs strong. They guy i bought it from said that the average compression was 110 with the lowest being 105. He also changed the oil every 2500-3500 miles, and he said he drove it carefully (ie. no racing or abuse) The eingine looks and runs great, the interior is nice, and the body is awsome. I paid $2500 for this S5...was it a good deal?
Any comments or tips would be helpful, considering i'm only somewhat familiar with RX-7's (ie. i know the basics) thanks
Any comments or tips would be helpful, considering i'm only somewhat familiar with RX-7's (ie. i know the basics) thanks
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 451
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
that sounds like a really good deal. the compression should be fine if it only has 65k miles on it. you got one of the best types of rx-7's. i will be looking for a gtu or gtus in a few years to start on a race car and get into scca e-production. welcome to the club and good luck with your car. take good care of it.
#5
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Bloomington, IN
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks guys, and I promise I will take great care of it. But, I would like to know what I should do to it first. ( ie. upgrades/mods, good brand names of products, etc.) thanks again.
#6
Rotary Enthusiast
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Victoria, BC, Canada
Posts: 959
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Welcome
Post a picture, always nice to have more members join the fray!
If it is as clean as you say, I think that you got a good deal!
As for mods, my advice, don't rush in! There is a lot that you can do to improve things and a lot that only make matters worse IMHO.
Exhaust improvements always bring better seat of the pants feel and generally won't hurt reliability or drivability, tie this in with a cold air box and you should feel a definite improvement in performance.
This is where I am headed to and will probably stay once I get there, good feel, snappy peformance and daily driver reliability.
In the past I have sought out every bit of performance possible from a car only to find that the end package was expensive to achieve, costly to run and finicky on tuning. If I want crazy increases in peformance I'll sell my N/A and either buy a TII or a 3rd gen.
Just my $0.02
If it is as clean as you say, I think that you got a good deal!
As for mods, my advice, don't rush in! There is a lot that you can do to improve things and a lot that only make matters worse IMHO.
Exhaust improvements always bring better seat of the pants feel and generally won't hurt reliability or drivability, tie this in with a cold air box and you should feel a definite improvement in performance.
This is where I am headed to and will probably stay once I get there, good feel, snappy peformance and daily driver reliability.
In the past I have sought out every bit of performance possible from a car only to find that the end package was expensive to achieve, costly to run and finicky on tuning. If I want crazy increases in peformance I'll sell my N/A and either buy a TII or a 3rd gen.
Just my $0.02
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 596
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Congrats on your new ride. Treat her with respect and have fun.
The following may be more basic than what you asked, but I will give it a shot anyway. The following are many of the suggestions made to folks asking the same question. Lets assume you have no idea how the previous ownes care for it.
1. Read the 3rd "Sticky" above. Great info
2. Download the Factory Service Manual (FSM) for your model from one of the sites in the stickey
3. Review the FSM to get a better idea about the car and how she works.
4. Learn how do do a "Search" on this forum. Its the button on the top right of all sections on this forum
5. Replace all fluids (tranny,differential, oil, cooling, brake, and clutch) and the oil filter. Most folks insist on OEM Mazda filter only
6. Replace plugs and plug wires
7. Take Icemark's comments to heart and do a compression check the right way ( a search will show you how) or have an RX7 qualified mechanic do it.
8. Check and replace as necessary all belts
9. Clean the engine bay and engine under carrage as well as you can so you can catch any minor leaks early.
10. Have all tires balanced just to be sure
11. New air filter
12. New fuel filter and clean/replace fuel pump sock
13. Now, clean the interior, wash and wax with a quality wax (weather and temperature permiting) and drive off into the sunset happily ever after
The following may be more basic than what you asked, but I will give it a shot anyway. The following are many of the suggestions made to folks asking the same question. Lets assume you have no idea how the previous ownes care for it.
1. Read the 3rd "Sticky" above. Great info
2. Download the Factory Service Manual (FSM) for your model from one of the sites in the stickey
3. Review the FSM to get a better idea about the car and how she works.
4. Learn how do do a "Search" on this forum. Its the button on the top right of all sections on this forum
5. Replace all fluids (tranny,differential, oil, cooling, brake, and clutch) and the oil filter. Most folks insist on OEM Mazda filter only
6. Replace plugs and plug wires
7. Take Icemark's comments to heart and do a compression check the right way ( a search will show you how) or have an RX7 qualified mechanic do it.
8. Check and replace as necessary all belts
9. Clean the engine bay and engine under carrage as well as you can so you can catch any minor leaks early.
10. Have all tires balanced just to be sure
11. New air filter
12. New fuel filter and clean/replace fuel pump sock
13. Now, clean the interior, wash and wax with a quality wax (weather and temperature permiting) and drive off into the sunset happily ever after
Trending Topics
#8
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Bloomington, IN
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the info and advice guys. I'll look into that manual for sure. And don't worry, I'll take good care of my 7. Here are some pics...
Last edited by NF1500; 12-01-03 at 09:50 PM.
#9
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Bloomington, IN
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey guys, thanks or the advies and info. Don't worry, I won't rush into anything, not that I have the money too
, but I wouldn't anyway. I'll check out that manual for sure. Thanks again...here are some pics....
[IMG]C:\Documents and Settings\Noah Farrell\Desktop\My Rx7 Pics\Front.jpg[Img]
, but I wouldn't anyway. I'll check out that manual for sure. Thanks again...here are some pics....
[IMG]C:\Documents and Settings\Noah Farrell\Desktop\My Rx7 Pics\Front.jpg[Img]
#20
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Bloomington, IN
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks man, Blue is my favorite color. And sorry again guys, my computer got excited and said it couldn't post cause the server was busy, so i kept trying and the it finally posted everything, I'm not trying to be a post-*****. Oh, and any more information that you might think would be useful would be great...thanks
#22
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Bloomington, IN
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks guys, I'm pretty happy with it. But I would like some suggestions as to what to buy for it first. ( keep in mind that I am in highschool and don't want to rush into anything...so, please keep it small and simple for now.) Thanks
#24
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Bloomington, IN
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That's what I was thinkning too. The guy I bought it from already put exhaust on it, and he put in a straight pipe. I am looking into buying a filter and building a cool air box. I was wondering what you guys think are good brands and filter types. I was also wondering, I saw this in another forum, where I can get a headlight with an air vent in it. (ie. the headlight cover so more cold air reaches the filter.) Thanks guys....websites and opinions would be great.
#25
Rotary Freak
iTrader: (10)
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Marysville, CA
Posts: 2,465
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Your car came koo! I jus bought a 91 FC 3 weeks ago for $3000 WITH 121k. I ONLY WISH I HAD THAT 65K, but Imma swap a TII engine anyways. BTW, Change all the basics, and you should get 5-15 HP each part.