Mazda Rotary Club

Cars by Model Type => 1st generation RX-7's => Topic started by: trevtubby on October 02, 2009, 12:02:11 PM

Title: Going to look at an FB today, tips/advice needed?
Post by: trevtubby on October 02, 2009, 12:02:11 PM
Hey Everyone,

I`m going to look at an FB today, just wondering if there are any buyers guides etc with things to look for on these cars?


Also, whats the going price for a 1984 car with 70k ish miles but no tax or mot. But appears to be in above average condition.

I know about FD`s after owning one for the past 3 years, but FB`s are a total new animal to me.

What sort of BHP do they have by the way? Ive seen the 0-60 is around 9 seconds,..which isnt too bad.
Title: Going to look at an FB today, tips/advice needed?
Post by: THE MAD KIWI on October 02, 2009, 12:31:44 PM
have a good look around the radiator support panel/front chassis rail and the under side for rust
Title: Going to look at an FB today, tips/advice needed?
Post by: trevtubby on October 02, 2009, 12:33:53 PM
Will do, thanks.

Anything else?
Title: Going to look at an FB today, tips/advice needed?
Post by: AndyGen3 on October 02, 2009, 12:48:29 PM
Sill\'s and Arch\'s. . Rust will be bad here. .

Quick little cars. . Had 3 of them. . Looking to get another one soon!
Title: Going to look at an FB today, tips/advice needed?
Post by: A7RXY on October 02, 2009, 12:53:55 PM
Make sure that the engine runs smooth at idle, and revs freely through the rev range, and most of all good luck.
Title: Going to look at an FB today, tips/advice needed?
Post by: trevtubby on October 02, 2009, 01:31:14 PM
Thanks guys.

Depending on the overall condition, im either going to restore and sell it, or turn it into a drift car.

Can these cars make a good drift car? Or are they lacking the power needed?
Title: Going to look at an FB today, tips/advice needed?
Post by: AndyGen3 on October 02, 2009, 01:33:54 PM
Very light and have plenty of power. . I was very surprised with the power when i got one first ! And so was my mate in his Type R civic when we went to collect it . . . :Giggle Did a bit of drifting in my first one and it handled really well. . 10 times better with a proper diff and suspension tho. . If you get it for good money you wont regret it. .
Title: Going to look at an FB today, tips/advice needed?
Post by: trevtubby on October 02, 2009, 01:52:34 PM
Quote from: AndyGen3;645517Very light and have plenty of power. . I was very surprised with the power when i got one first ! And so was my mate in his Type R civic when we went to collect it . . . :Giggle Did a bit of drifting in my first one and it handled really well. . 10 times better with a proper diff and suspension tho. . If you get it for good money you wont regret it. .

Excellent news, thanks.

Would welding the diff be a good idea for budget drifting? Not sure about how to sort the suspension, some lowering springs maybe? Coilovers probably wont be available or be a touch expensive lol.

This is all hyperthetical though, if its in good condition and mechanically good...I shall be looking at restoring it anyway. Wouldnt want to ruin one of these rare cars by drifting it, if shes a good`un. :cool
Title: Going to look at an FB today, tips/advice needed?
Post by: AndyGen3 on October 02, 2009, 02:16:48 PM
Diffs get very brittle when you weld them and cud snap anytime but i know a good few lads that welded diffs and even in FB\'s and they were fine. . Not the best tho if your gonna drive it on the roads. . Only for messing only really. . You\'ll get away with springs as long as your not competing pro like :D
Title: Going to look at an FB today, tips/advice needed?
Post by: Ian65 on October 02, 2009, 02:27:24 PM
If you\'re looking to mot it then check carefully for chassis corrosion. 1st gens hide their rot quite well and its not unusual for tidy looking cars to have rot underneath.
They tend to go aound the back ends of the sills, the rear radius are mounting points and around the rear inner wheel arches where they join the body. Any rot within 300mm of a mounting point is bad news.
Having said this, they seem less prone to serious body rot than other cars of the era.
 
It\'s the old story, mechanical parts you can just bolt on or off but if there\'s rot to the chassis, it means getting out the mig or putting your hand in your pocket.
Title: Going to look at an FB today, tips/advice needed?
Post by: shaunwil on October 02, 2009, 03:58:45 PM
Just dropped mine off for some bodywork but the underside has been ok. If you can get it jacked up to look for rust then all the better.

If engine is an issue you can always upgrade to a 13b :D

Shaun
Title: Going to look at an FB today, tips/advice needed?
Post by: trevtubby on October 02, 2009, 04:39:08 PM
Hey Guys,

Thanks for the advice, been to look at the car and it wasnt good. Rust was very bad, sills were in a real state unfortunately.

Shame though as the engine seemed to have good compression and the gearbox/clutch etc all seemed good.

Would be a good car to break for parts, but the chassis was a gonner.

Ah well, i`ll keep looking. :)
Title: Going to look at an FB today, tips/advice needed?
Post by: A7RXY on October 02, 2009, 04:47:37 PM
Trev, did you note the Reg No and colour for Dave ?
Title: Going to look at an FB today, tips/advice needed?
Post by: trevtubby on October 02, 2009, 04:48:39 PM
Oh no sorry I didnt, its on ebay though :)
Title: Going to look at an FB today, tips/advice needed?
Post by: A7RXY on October 02, 2009, 04:53:54 PM
Was it the blue A reg in Lincoln ?, if so he has it
Title: Going to look at an FB today, tips/advice needed?
Post by: syebba on October 02, 2009, 04:59:39 PM
(http://i.ebayimg.com/22/!BbnzTDgBmk~$(KGrHqMOKjkEq48!frNCBKw4V3diRQ~~_35.JPG)
 
This one?????????;)
Title: Going to look at an FB today, tips/advice needed?
Post by: David Nock (RIP) on October 02, 2009, 06:11:19 PM
hey you guys...what\'s going on....up to post No. 16 on a 1st Gen thread before I\'ve even seen it...
Thanks for the info though Trev. Yes I did have this one on my register though it sounds like it might be heading to the scrappers pile?
The weak spots / buying tips are just about all set out above and it seems you\'ve found \'em on this car.
It is possible to find one virtually free of rust but always expect the rear axle top tie rods to crack the chassis plates in the back wheel arches, setting up rust behind the back seat. I don\'t believe you can escape this even with an otherwise perfect car.. it\'s an in-built design weakness.
Anyway, I\'ve had my 2pennyworth so I\'m a happy old geezer now I\'ve finally got into this post.
Title: Going to look at an FB today, tips/advice needed?
Post by: syebba on October 02, 2009, 06:59:14 PM
(http://images.pistonheads.com/aimg/1274/1274199-2.jpg) (http://www.pistonheads.com/SALES/largepic.asp?i=1274199&noPics=3&make=MAZDA&model=RX7%7CRX-7&imgsrv=1¤t=3)
 
Here\'s a nice one @ £1300 on pistonheads,used to be a club member.
Ta..
Title: Going to look at an FB today, tips/advice needed?
Post by: Brett on October 02, 2009, 07:14:20 PM
Isn\'t that the one that had an iffy fuel tank? That aside Ive always liked the look of it :)
Title: Going to look at an FB today, tips/advice needed?
Post by: syebba on October 02, 2009, 08:27:53 PM
U have a good memory,i think the previous owner could only fill the tank a quarter full,due to being intoxicated with fumes,i remember him moaning the mpg was horrendous!!
He did enquire about getting a new tank,who knows if he did.
I like the look of this car,not many 1st gens in black.
Ta stu..
Title: Going to look at an FB today, tips/advice needed?
Post by: mpk490p on October 02, 2009, 08:29:50 PM
yes i did some work on this one think it has been sold 3 times since!
Title: Going to look at an FB today, tips/advice needed?
Post by: David Nock (RIP) on October 03, 2009, 07:54:31 PM
It\'s problem was a strange one - oil entering the air filter.
Title: Going to look at an FB today, tips/advice needed?
Post by: danlondon on October 12, 2009, 12:57:46 AM
Hi this is my car up for sale got it back in feb did nothing to it.
after leaving it sitting in a garage for over 6 months i went to it last week.
Pretty sure it wouldnt start i got a new battery and had a go took a fair while but started in the end and ran sweet.
fuel tank must still have a leak as you can smell it in the car.I was going to just get rid of it and put a new one in the boot area.
There is slight oil vapor coming out of a breather that goes into the air box.
Im guessing an oil seal is leaking slightly. But runs fine.
i was about to take it off pistonheads today as im having second thoughts and may keep it. going to oz in 3 weeks so if i dont sell it ill bring a few bits back and start working on it.
Title: Going to look at an FB today, tips/advice needed?
Post by: syebba on October 12, 2009, 08:21:38 PM
I always liked this car.
I remember other members have had to replace fuel tanks,it\'s on previous postings,but none have put theirs in the boot!!
Enjoy Oz
Ta Stu..:Typing
Title: Going to look at an FB today, tips/advice needed?
Post by: Ian65 on October 12, 2009, 08:41:29 PM
Quote from: syebba;647490I always liked this car.
I remember other members have had to replace fuel tanks
Ta Stu..:Typing

I\'ve had to replace a couple of tanks in the past, they rust away at the top where it\'s hidden by the body. I suppose it\'s condensation and they rust from the inside out.
Dead easy to swap though.
Title: Going to look at an FB today, tips/advice needed?
Post by: David Nock (RIP) on October 13, 2009, 12:38:46 PM
Yes, the tanks pin hole just above the seam/ledge on the filler side. I thought it was dirt but having looked at my old tanks I think it must  be internal condensation on a sloping top bit of the tank.Unfortunately new tanks are now unobtainable from Mazda so any swop would have to be pot luck for a second hand tank.
New tank in the boot....Racers do it don\'t they?
Title: Going to look at an FB today, tips/advice needed?
Post by: shaunwil on October 13, 2009, 01:01:59 PM
Mine is in the spare wheel well, but its a bit thicker :Giggle

Shaun
Title: Going to look at an FB today, tips/advice needed?
Post by: David Nock (RIP) on October 13, 2009, 01:07:39 PM
Quote from: shaunwil;647616Mine is in the spare wheel well, but its a bit thicker :Giggle

Shaun

Petrol tank Shaun or LPG tank or both?
Title: Going to look at an FB today, tips/advice needed?
Post by: danlondon on October 14, 2009, 10:46:37 PM
yea lots of people do it. few mates with mk1 escorts and stuff have tanks in the boot.
Pretty cheap to buy one too.