OT: FD3S RX7
Turbo Mini Forums

I might well be going to view one of these this weekend and was just wondering if anyone knew much about them?

What should i be looking out for etc.

I know the engines can be temperamental but what are the give away signs? Low oil pressure etc?

Are the like the rest of the JDM wagons that love to rust?

Cheers, James.

What's the mileage? They tend to need a rebuild every 70k...

which rx7 has ally panels?

maybe im thinking if paul w owned one....

Yeah i thought it was around 60-70k they needed a rebuild. This one has got 64K on the clock and is pretty much standard.

Its the tips of the rotors that wear out isnt it?

Its very tempting as its rather cheap and i have dragon performance very close to me....uhmmm

What sort of signs are there to tell about the condition of the tips? They burn oil don't they? so the obvious smoke, but does the oil pressure give it away?

I think i'm going to have a good look around some of the Rx7 forums.

I just don't think this one is going to hang around for very long.

When the tips go, they run like a bag of shit and use oil. It alot of money for a rebuild/re-tip.

my mates got an rx8 and the rebuild is like 3000! or summit close to that.

104.7bhp NA
14.36 1/4 mile
5.3sec 0-60

here are a coulpe of link that might help you mate.

http://www.rotarycommunity.com/
http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/

Best 1/4 mile 13.2 seconds @116 mph
First 5 port miniturbo to make over 200 bhp on a carb?
First 5 port miniturbo to make over 200 bhp on Injection?

http://www.mattwoodsphotography.com

My mate who i mensioned earlier might be selling his rx8. its 25k miles all the optional extras. its metallic grey and mint. on an 04 plate.

104.7bhp NA
14.36 1/4 mile
5.3sec 0-60

How much?

8750. suppose its a bit much if ur looking into a high milage (for a rx7) older model.

104.7bhp NA
14.36 1/4 mile
5.3sec 0-60

Indeed, I only really looked at the because this came up at the right price. I'll have o see what it's like. I don't want to get carried away!

Alright mate,
Ive had a few Rotarys and Ive had my current FD for the last 2 years, Ive done a full rebuil and tbh what you need to know is has the car been looked after properly, ie oil change every 3000miles or less, oil filter every 6k and plugs every 9K, is it warmed up and cooled down properly. Compression test if possible is always good to have.

Firslty has it got a PFC as this is a must with an RX

Look out for rough idle, maybe a simple answer but worst case is a damaged or chipped apex seal (99% of the time caused by pre detonation) anytype of smoke that doesnt go after a few seconds on start up keep an eye on it!

White is often water seals - full rebuild
Blue is generally burning oil so oil seals or corner seals - rebuild
Black is normally rich so needs remap - may be ok

I have a great guide to buy an RX if you want just PM me your email address and I will send it on?

Tells you all the things to look out for?

And there is a lot of bad press about turbo rotary motors but if looked after correctly they are a pleasure to drive and put a smile on your face every time you put your foot down

Mark

Edited by hughesmarkie on 8th Sep, 2009.

I've been doing abit of research, and found a few guides (if you could email that one to me Hughesmarkie that would be great jameshill _ 808 @ hotmail. com)

I've also just been pricing up a rebuild as a worst case type deal, and (as long as it doesn't need new housings and plates) it would still be a good deal, (still pretty good with all new housings aswell TBH)

I am going to go up this weekend and see it i think.

A friend of mine had tie square phase rx with passive rear steering it was interesting to drive lol good fun at high revs though.

Drives
-Ford S-max Mk2 Ecoboost
-Rover 100 VVC #2 - track project

Searching is all you need on TurboMinis

Ill send it through now James,oh and whatever rotor drops an apex seal the housing is nearly always required,and most likely a rotor aswell!! They tend to get gauge marks with the shards of apex seal spinning around in there, heres a pic of one

the housing


And the rotor


but there a class looking engine



best of luck
Mark

Edited by hughesmarkie on 8th Sep, 2009.

On 8th Sep, 2009 hughesmarkie said:


And there is a lot of bad press about turbo rotary motors but if looked after correctly they are a pleasure to drive and put a smile on your face every time you put your foot down

Mark

Edited by Sprocket on 8th Sep, 2009.

[/quote]

I told Matt Woods to take a picture of the RX7 with the peppered bonnet when we were at WGT. I remember Pip telling me that the Turbo motors tend to go pop for a laugh if set up wrong. The evidence was in the workshop
[/quote]

Pip is the man for tuned Rotarys and spot on when mapped wrong or misstreated they blow apex seals very easily... main cause is neglect or lack of knowledge though, Ill be paying a visit to WGT for mapping in Nov myself (few more goodies being added)

I wouldnt be wanting to do anything serious to it at first!

I will have to try and remember im building the mini!

I'm just getting bored of driving the astra van around on work insurance.

Its time to start building up my no claims for the mini and also have abit of fun.

You know I worked at RE:Worx for a bit James and love these cars.

BUY ONE.

As for rebuilds, id think youre more than competant to DIY, if I can strip and rebuild a handfull of these badboys and they be ok im sure you can haha!!

Love them. I want an FC though

Hmm one of my mates had a £10k engine build done at WGT, 3 blown engine's later and he got a refund...

they do seem a very nice and simple engine to work on. But its like anything, if its the first time you do it, then its going to be wierd.

Sounds like there are plenty of guides and videos around to help though so i think i could do it.

If it did get rebuilt i suppose it would be rude to not port the housings aswell....

Im going to talk to the guy and get more information on it, and then when i see it i will do a basic compression test watching the peaks, and then also pressure test the water system.

If they check out ok and its as clean as it look then its coming home!

Looking like it might be next weekend though. Hopefully i can put a deposit down if the phone call checks out ok and he will hold it for me.

IT GOT SOLD TODAY

That pushes them out of my reach...