Hey
I'm new the the RX7 scene.
I've always been interested in them. I just haven't ever had the need to know alot about them. Well, now I've got that need.
I've got a 91 but i'm not sure of the model. non-turbo, no lsd, 5 spd, cloth seats....
From what I know about engines in general, it seems like it has a weak idle. I know that they can fluctuate but it just doens't seem right. i don't know what a miss would sound like on this engine. i do know that it likes to stall when the a/c is on, or when you turn the wheel all the way to the lock, when you first turn it on.
any ideas of what the cause of this weakness might be?

what are some good places to start the process of learning this car inside/out?

I've talked to some of the kids in my area about them and they just sound like idiots to me.
some of them swear that you have to rev out to redline at least once a day. "they love that" I understand that they were designed for higher RPMs but redline at least once everyday just sounds like an unneeded stress test... its stuff like that that makes me not want to listen to them.

i know so little about this car that i couldn't even tell ya what the gas milage should be for a stock, healthy rx7 should be.
I've got alot to learn, I just want to make sure that I'm learning from the right places...

thanks guys and gals

 

Welcome aboard.

Rx7Club.com is now your new bible. Learn to use the search function as anything and everything you can imagine has probably already been covered.

You seem to have a good head on your shoulders. Just keep listening to yourself when advice given doesnt make sense.

Once again, Rx7Club.com. I am not to keen on 2nd gens, best of luck!

~James

P.S. Any pictures? And once again, welcome.

 

yeah, i've found rx7club... its alot like the 240sxforums.com for 240s (where i hail from)
I've noticed that because the rotory is so mis understood people make shit up to make it make sense in their heads. I understand it is different, but it isn't that different. its still an internal combustion engine and it has certain things that work certain ways. rotorys have apex seals, alot like pistons have piston rings. In a "normal car" you don't want to rev to red line all the time because it is hard on the seals. Why would these apex seals be any different?
crazy stuff like that.
Its got a compression ratio of 9.7:1 correct?
why do these people keep talking about low compression ratios? They were making it sound like it was floating around the 8.5 mark. At 9.7 shouldn't you be running at least mid grade, if not 91+ octane?
these kids bother me.
I'm of the opinion that if it isn't running at 100% then something needs fixed. From what I can tell of their cars, if it isn't broken (as in, not running) it doens't need fixed. This 91 has a weak idle and from what I can tell, isn't as fast as it should be, but because it is running they keep telling me that it is just fine.

Any suggestions as to where I should start the restore/run better quest at? if there are any little things I should upgrade while I'm tinkering, let me know.

 

sorry, no pics, you guys wouldn't want to see it anyway.. its not in the best of shape... the clear coat is peeling and minor dings and nicks...

 

Welcome to the 7 world...

RX007CYM covered everything pretty much. I'm an FC kinda guy myself, if you have any questions that you can't get answered on RX7club PM me. I'm jobless right now so i have alot of free time

Anyway, Apex seals are weird really, you think at high RPMs they would "pop" but the N/A's can last a long time if you take care of the car. And yes, you do want to high rev it somtimtes, not shift buzzer high, but to like 7k when it is at peak hp, this just helps eliminate carbon build up. Don't sit in your drive way reving it either, get out and let that 7 fly. Within speed limits though!

Try replacing your spark plugs and wires, see if that helps the idle. Be sure you put the leading and trailing plugs in right too.

I personally use Mid-grade fuel, and 20w-50 oil, but i switch to 20w-40 in the winter months.

I don't really know what else to tell you, i havent seen the car in person. Hope this helps atleast a little. If you have any other specific questions post em, or you can PM me.

 

so what should a stock RX7 beable to beat?
in relation to another stock car?
just for future refference

 

The non-turbo ones are right up there with integras, n/a eclipse, even the heavier non-turbo stealths have been taken down by a mild to stock non-turbos. But if you ever want to break below mid 14's you will need to throw a turbo on it. But the non-turbo FCs are great cars stock, new bushings with some slight suspension mods make it alot of fun. FC's are dam easy cars to work on too. I have a non-turbo 91' thats about to be put back on the road(had a blown motor when I bought it)

 

N/A rotaries do not need anything over 87.It burns better

Always check,water level,temp gauge,oil pressure,oil level.

Thats something that became a habit for me while driving 7s.

If im correct,The base model for an S5 is still a GXL,but no LSD like the S4.

 

hell yeah watch that temp and oil level if the car is stock she should ride good on gas on my first 2nd gen i had to mix oil into the tank manuely cause my metering pump was eliminated due to the retarderd last owner

 

but temp is the most important if your 7 is running sum what hott investagate imedetly...did i spell that rite.fuck it the cooling system is top priority on this things. also change that oil like every 2000 fuck it.better safe than sorry