MechE00

Greetings, I'm new to the RX-7 community, and looking for a forum where the main emphasis is on reliability, safety, and exchange of experience-based information relative to autocross and open track. Anybody know any forum around like that?

My main purpose is that I'm switching to an 1987 GXL that I will use as my daily driver and weekend autocrosser, and I'm looking for some experienced advice and support on setup and maintenance and maybe some SCCA Solo II classing advice (if I were to want to go to something other than E-Stock so I could have more fun on track).

Other specific areas of interest to me are experiences with reliability of the major mechanicals, and what repair costs to expect in the next 5 years. Also, I'd like to hear from people with aftermarket cat-back exhaust systems with an focus on not having a problem with emissions inspections or waking up the dead (also where in the RPM range the torque is gained and lost..)

I'll welcome responses from you straight-liners out there too , but I have no interest in hearing from street racers.

By the way, anybody got some Dyno plots around here (stock/near stock preferred)? I haven't found any yet..

Thanks all!

SureShot

It's not easy to spot, but way up in the top right corner of the web page is a search function. I'd start there. You will get a lot of stuff to sort through, but the goodies are in there. Good luck..
Bill

banzaitoyota

Welcome MECH! Another auto-xer joins the fold.
Can't answer your question on the exhaust system yet, still doing research.
My first recomendation is to do a compression test on you moter to ensure it is in good condition. Then the usual tune-up, belts hoses. Check your cooling system. USE only MAZDA thermostats, make sure the rad is clean, belly pan in place. etc.
More to come if you want to hear it John

vaughnc

Any package/complete rx-7 specific exhaust setup will pass emissions. Most people have a "bolt in straight pipe" for weekend fun at the track.

There is some great track experienced users on this forum, so do a search for "ITS" or "SCCA" and I'm sure you'll find all you need and more.

I "THINK" there's a few rx-7 websites out there with SCCA tips & tricks as well.

Usually you can strip, lighten, add LSD (most already have one), port the motor, replace the tires (must keep OEM wheels - so go get the 11lb BBS wheels), etc..

Here's my convertible's dyno. It's close to stock although I've added a downpipe & free flowing cat for reliability reasons.

I've heard 200-234hp from a fully ported car is about what you'll find on the non tubo models.



If your building a weekend racer I'm assuming you're going to break the motor down anyway to clean, polish, blueprint, etc..

I'd just follow the factor manual on doing a rebuild. The rebuild kits aren't that expensive and you should get 2-3 seasons of top notch use from a rebuild motor.

MechE00

Yeah, I had already done some, such as..
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/search...der=descending
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/search...der=descending
searching is very hit and miss on bulletin boards..

I'm actually a little bit worried about the lack of a strong track/competition forum from my searching of the web's RX-7 forums.. I'm beginning to wonder if reliability and age conspire against the 2nd gen for tracking, but that doesn't make sense in light of 1st Gen's seeming to be going gangbusters in Spec RX7.. very odd..

Anyway, Thanks banzaitoyota, I'd love to hear any sort of reliability "check this before competing" stuff you've got..
I've read things like:
http://www.johnr.com/rx7faq/faq1.html
but I haven't found a FAQ that is tailored more to taking a street driven RX-7 and getting it ready for competition stresses.

Do you do any open tracking advice?

I've noticed a few threads by silkworm who seems to be an ITS racer, so I'm hoping to glean some advise from there, but I don't have the money to go wheel to wheel. (I can only aspire to go so far up Doug Hayashi's Pyramid of Speed)

Edit: d'oh ITA -> ITS
2nd Edit: double d'oh.. posting the results to my searches is kinda meaningless since it seems you can't see the terms I used to get those results.. sorry..

MechE00

Vaughnc: Thanks!

banzaitoyota

Al my open travk experience has been in a Porsche 914-6 and wrenching on SVRA eligible cars

SoloIIdrift

There is a strong following as the IT-S road racing class is based on 2nd gen rx7s. the website has a little info and another forum.

www.improvedtouring.com

I'm also building an N/A for autox and track use, if you staying in stock class, you can't do much, so be careful about what mods you perform. The next step is CSP, which to be honest is pretty tough with the given limitations and the Honda CRX in the same class.

I'd say a good amount of people use these cars for autox and track racing, just not a huge number on this forum. At any rate, welcome!

banzaitoyota

Hey SoloII, what part of NY?

Silkworm

Hayashi's pyramid of speed.. gotta love it..

A few sites of interest:
http://www.sccaforums.com
http://www.improvedtouring.com (yeah, is a W2W site, but still, lots of good info, just don't ask about rules interpretation )

Good idea with open-tracking, I can't help much with auto-x rules, since I don't pay attention to them (ITS RX7s = CSP, so who needs stinkin' autox rules!)

My car is a bit tweaked, with a huge radiator, stock oil cooler.. I was running 190 water temps all day long (94 degree day), 210 oil.. No breakage, no hesistation, no stuttering, no fuel starvation, etc etc.. No fade either, way way better than my TA..

WRT opentracking, I'd first get the car in good condition, with special consideration to: Radiator/Waterpump/Thermostat, undertray (need that!), and get the rear steer eliminator bushings (not E-stock legal, pretty sure).. Then go..

PaulC

Ziggy682

Well, maybe I can help you out a little bit. I run my 86 Base model in SCCA Solo2 E-Stock. Currently my only mod is a set of Falken Azenis tires. I am ordering a set of KYB AGX adjustable shocks, and am getting an exhaust system made shortly. The only other mods I have planned if I stay in E-Stock is to get better brake pads (Hawk, or EBC), stainless steel brake lines, and possibly a K&N drop in filter.

Just make sure your car is in good running condition. Do a major tune up. Replace all filters, plugs, wires, cap and rotor (just kidding), and all lubricants. Make sure you are running good, fresh lubricants. I run Castrol GTX in the engine, Redline in the transmission and rear differential, Prestone antifreeze (about a 70/30 mix) with Redline water wetter added to make it run a little cooler. Make sure your fan, water pump, and thermostat are working correctly. As long as good maintenance is done, the car seems to love the track.

My suspension is still bone stock and 18 years old, but at the last autocross, I was half a second out of second place in my class. After I get new shocks, I think I will place (although not necessarily win) in my class.

Here is a great website that has all the SCCA car classifications and allowable modifications.

http://www.moutons.org/sccasolo/

MechE00

Thanks for all your replies guys.. I'm not completely unfamiliar with Solo II as I have been doing G-Stock in my Integra sedan for the past two years (anyone want to buy an GS-R in great condition?? Koni Sport shocks are the only modification, and I've got a spare set of stock-legal rims for mounting some Victoracers). There are just no 2nd gen's RX-7s active in autocross in the Philly area, so I had no clue how they hold up in E-Stock or CSP.. I figured if the 7 was one of the "short list" cars for either class, I'd build that way. Otherwise, I might just drop back and punt on Solo II, just using it purely for enjoyment and driver improvement, and focus more on open track driving (CSP + cage, etc.)

Again, thanks for all your help, everybody!

go_speed_go

You don't see a lot of FC's at events because you just don't have much attendance at your events. Heck, I figured the Philly region would have huge attendance.
I guess the hardcore guys are autocrossing at Englishtown.

For ES & CSP, the FC isn't going to be the fastest car in the group taking only the car into account. On a regional level with the right driver, an FC can rack up some trophies. The biggest reason you do see Miatas and MR2s running in ES & CSP is because they are the faster cars.

That being said, the FC is an awesome car to autocross and race. I owned a '90 'vert for 7 years (auto-x'd for 5 years) and I've driven an '88 FC at a Solo Trials event. The cars are great fun to drive even if they don't turn in the fastest times. If you stay on top of regular maintanence, you'll be fine. Make sure you NEVER EVER EVER let the car overheat. That's one sure fire way to drastically shorten the life of your motor.

MechE00

180 cars at an event isn't much attendance? I'd HATE to go to an event that has a lot of attendance then..

http://www.autox4u.com/2002results/392002phillyw.htm

of course most events are on the order of 120 cars..

No second gens around..

Edit: Don't seem to be at E-town either.. http://www.autox4u.com/2002results/3302002nnjr.htm

banzaitoyota

Mech: I would recommend a thorough cooling system tune-up/overhaul and when yuo are done fill with 100% SIERRA Coolant, run around for 2-3 days like that. Drain completely, open the block drain also! and make the swich to EVANS NPG+. NO overheating problems, run at 0 PSI

go_speed_go

Oops, I was looking here:
http://www.nepa-scca.com/cgi-bin/solo2_results/fs.cgi