Hi im new to the world of FD\'s. Help!!!

[ReX 7]

Speedo needs and odometer needs changing to MPH, needs undersealing and needs a rear foglight fitting

[Brett]

A lot depends on the age of the car, and how many miles it has covered. After about 60,000miles you are entering the rebuild window (all though some twin turbos have covered over 90,000miles on the origional engine) so take that into account when buying.  Cooling mods are quite important as the stock FD does leave something to be desired when it comes to dispersing heat.  If you go for a car that already has a single turbo conversion then it will free up a lot of space in the engine bay and generally simplfy things.  A Vmount setup gives a good compromise between intercooler and rad cooling, or you could fit a decent siuzed rad upfront and go for a charge cooler.  Theres so much available  A good aftermarket ECU is a must, most people on here go for the Apexi.  
 :wave

[Freddy]

Just curious, which garage did you go to mate?

Thanks

[shinobi]

Freddy, I went to Yuri Auto in Kent. They got quite a few FD\'s but mainly Supras. All Jap spec so thinking of getting one from there rather than importing. At least I can take it for a test drive.

Can anyone give me an idea of the price range for an FD? What condition am I looking at for a £3000 one and also a £5000 one? Ive seen auction grade 3.5 for 3000. Is that too cheap? What condition would it be? Whats the best way to check for engine condition? Compression test? Or is it not really worth it? Is it better to import an FD or buy a Jap spec from Uk thats already been imported?
Cheers

[Newera]

Shinobi,

Bonzai regularly advertise cars very cheaply (Which they don\'t actually own, they simply use auction pictures obtained before sale) to attract interest from potential customers. Ask on this forum if many people have had good quality RX-7\'s from this supplier...

Having seen Yuri Auto\'s cars in Yokohama before shipment and knowing the buyers who source their cars.... erm, just make sure you know the quality of car you\'re looking at... Take a good look at the straightness of the flanks, door shut lines, etc.

Won\'t go too much into the merits of buying a top quality RX-7, instead of a cheap one...Suffice to say, it\'ll save you money and give you a lot more fun to get a genuinely low mileage straight RX-7 in the first place.

[Adriansturgess]

Blacks the colour definitely. The rear end looks much better because the plastic strip joining the lights blends in giving an overall better look. I\'ve got an original twin turbo setup and whilst it is a great drive there is always the issue of the second turbo coming in at 4500rpm. When you\'re driving you always need to be aware of it. It means you haven\'t got a smooth and consistant power delivery right through the rev band(as I expect the M3 has). In real terms this means you either short change before 4500rpm or you let rip and take it right through to 6500-7000+ rpm. Trying to change at say 5000rpm just as you\'re into boost gives unsatisfactory results (unless it\'s just my car of course). I\'ve been persuaded that a single turbo conversion is better, giving consistant and predictable power delivery + considerably more performance than the twin turbo. That\'s the way I would go now.

[shinobi]

Newera-Thanks for the advice, I was wondering why Bonsai were so cheap!! Now I know. Also, I have sent you guys an email regarding the RX7 spec im after. Any help would be appreciated.

Adrian-cheers for the info on driveability. Went out in one and although it was a twin turbo setup, i still enjoyed it. Its just totally different to the M3. Since im gonna be keepin my M3 as the daily driver, the stock turbo setup should be okay for me. Although at some point I will be looking to upgrade to the \'99 spec ball bearing turbos or a big single like you say(when I have the money-M3 servicing costs way too much!)

I have noticed on some FDs that when you look down by the drivers and passenger side doors, you can see a horizontal strip of paint 4-5 inches tall running from the front wheel arch to the rear arch. The paint looks all messed up and not smooth. I have noticed this on about 3 FDs. Is it normal? Maybe a bodykit was there? The rest of the paint is perfect.

[shinobi]

just thought of one more question. Ive read most of the threads but not sure if its been discussed before. Is there a relevant difference between an 8bit and a 16bit ECU in the RX7. I understand the difference in technological(computer nerd) terms but in the real world what does the difference equate to? Driving dynamics, fuel enrichment? Thanks

[johnf]

The \'strip\' you refer to is an anti chip covering - does what it says on the tin.

John

[Newera]

An Apexi FC ECU is always 16 BIT, so when tuning an RX-7 earlier or later model is irrelevant anyway - assuming you\'ll use a Power FC...