Mazda Rotary Club

General => General Technical => Topic started by: darren on January 06, 2006, 10:58:55 AM

Title: Im new to rotary\'s
Post by: darren on January 06, 2006, 10:58:55 AM
Hi all im looking to buy a rx7 in the near future, whats the score with the engines? where is the best place to have one rebuilt if needed and how much would it cost on average? Iv also heard street ported engines mentioned in adverts? what are these?

Thank you for your help
Title: Im new to rotary\'s
Post by: Kieron on January 06, 2006, 11:03:12 AM
Stay away from the light... don\'t do it your wallet will always be empty...  :D

Just messing, the FD3S RX7 is the best 90\'s sports car, nothing on the orad can beat if for looks, handeling and power  :D

I personally recomend RE:WORX down in Portsouth for an engine rebuild and any other work you need. Pice depends on spec. But if you do get a rebuild get it ported!!!

I have a stock twin street ported engine and its bloody fast. Puts a big smile on my face everytime the power comes in (makes me forget about my overdrawn bank account)

Insurance is a but on the silly side and so is the fue consumption but its all part of the deal.

Good luck  :D
Title: Im new to rotary\'s
Post by: Martiny on January 06, 2006, 11:14:33 AM
Hi Darren.
The 3rd Gen has a reputation for needing an engine rebuild every 60 000 miles or so. I dont believe this myself. If driven properly and well maintained it can last much longer. In the US there are plenty that have done over 100k, and even 160k, though, I admit they have less congestion, and more "open" roads.

Earlier RX-7s have good engine life, I suppose a Turbo2 should give you 80-100k even with hard driving, and a non-turbo even longer. There is a US owner of a non-turbo automatic who got 400k plus !!!

Our cars dont have tappets or valves. The Rotor passes over an open hole called the "Port", and this draws in the mixture. The Rotor also closes this port. The timing of the ports opening and closing, therefore is set by the position and shape of the port.

You can modify these ports but grinding, and thereby changing the port timing. Mazda chose the port timing carfellly to give good performance, and smooth idling, and good response at part throttle and low revs.

Once you start modifying the ports you usually move the peak horespower higher up the rev range, BUT you lose driveability, so I would not recommend this for a road car.

A mild port modification is usually referred to as a "street" port.
Title: Im new to rotary\'s
Post by: darren on January 06, 2006, 11:25:20 AM
cheers Martiny, That makes perfect sence. Just need to find the right car now really (once iv sold my current car) iv been offered a non runner but i think im going to pass on that one, its a 92 type r £2500.

Cheers for the advice guys
Title: Im new to rotary\'s
Post by: Martiny on January 06, 2006, 11:52:49 AM
Ok, a rebuild will cost you something like 2K - 4 K. It all depends on whats needed in the engine.

When you say a non-runner, what\'s wrong with it?
Title: Im new to rotary\'s
Post by: darren on January 06, 2006, 11:57:14 AM
Quote from: MartinyOk, a rebuild will cost you something like 2K - 4 K. It all depends on whats needed in the engine.

When you say a non-runner, what\'s wrong with it?

To be honest im not really too sure, it fires up then stalls again, i havent had chance to have a propper look at it, was considering it as a project but it could work out very expensive.

Cheers
Title: Im new to rotary\'s
Post by: Martiny on January 06, 2006, 11:59:44 AM
Is there any smoke when it fires up? Stalling can be caused by loads of things, not necessarily an engine fault.

If you dont go for it, would you be good enough to post the details here?  Someone might want it...  I would be tempted, I can rebuild a Rotary myself, but I really dont have the time right now  :-(
Title: Im new to rotary\'s
Post by: darren on January 06, 2006, 12:04:29 PM
I havent tried to fire it up myself, im going on what my friend (the seller) has told me, he claims it did smoke on start up, he is under the impression that this is due to oil in the exhaust from where he changed the turbo over, i wouldnt mind having a propper look at it and seeing if i can get her running, however if i dont go for it i would be more than happy to post up details etc

cheers
Title: Im new to rotary\'s
Post by: Kieron on January 06, 2006, 01:12:56 PM
That\'ll be a good buy for someone :)
Title: Im new to rotary\'s
Post by: dandan on January 06, 2006, 01:28:59 PM
can someone lend me 2500 so i can buy the non runner and slap my rebuilt lump in it please?!

If you dont buy that one, be sure to post it up, and also make sure you do buy a Rex eventually Darren, it\'ll be the best decision you ever made (although on payday it feels like the worst!)
Title: Im new to rotary\'s
Post by: Jono FD3 on January 06, 2006, 02:11:00 PM
I agree with the opinions of buying one, I got mine 10 months ago and havent looked back!! doesnt take long befor you start looking for extra power though & start spending money!!!!! There are a few tings that happen with the engines that make you fill your pants at the time, then you find that its a common thing (cream gunk on the oil filler neck during the winter) Filled my shorts till I found out its a common thing!!

Go for it mate, you\'ll regret it if you dont!!

Jono
Title: Im new to rotary\'s
Post by: darren on January 06, 2006, 02:25:18 PM
yes there is no doubting i will buy an rx7 :driving , i have just had someone look at my current car (for sale) so hope he comes back with a wad of cash lol. I am seriously thinking of purchasing the non runner, need to have a propper look ove it really, on average what would a running 1992 type r go for???

thanks for the info guys
Title: Im new to rotary\'s
Post by: Martiny on January 06, 2006, 02:42:41 PM
there is one near me at a garage for 6495.
Title: Im new to rotary\'s
Post by: RobbieRX-7 on January 06, 2006, 03:52:10 PM
like martin said, the fd does have a rep for needing a rebuild at 60,000 miles, but i also disagree. They have been know many times in the usa for lasting much longer, but you need to choose reliability over performance like with any car. In stock form there are some things on the fd that can be made better. All of these `things` are recognized and shown to everybody so they can do it to their own car and make it live longer  :wave Have a browse around the forum and you will come across most of the info you need..if not then get over to the us forum and you will definitly find it there, but it can be too much info at times with the amount of folks livin in the usa.
Title: Im new to rotary\'s
Post by: darren on January 15, 2006, 02:29:47 PM
Hi all, just an update, i have now sold my current car and am on the look out for an RX7. I have decided to give my mates "non runner" a miss. Its currently on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/mazda-rx7-twin-turbo-efini-px-cosworth-rs-subaru-why_W0QQitemZ4605004273QQcategoryZ18211QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Cheers
Title: Im new to rotary\'s
Post by: Freddy on January 15, 2006, 08:41:50 PM
Hi Darren,

Glad to hear you\'re taking the plunge.

Drop me an e mail, I may have a suitable FD available for a first time buyer;

freddy__k@hotmail.com

Or simply drop your e mail here and I shall mail you through.  :)

Thanks,
Freddy
Title: Im new to rotary\'s
Post by: darren on January 15, 2006, 09:25:43 PM
email sent mate, cheers