Any Info Advice Would Be Much Appreciated Before Buying My First RX

markpbla · October 12, 2007, 09:19:33 PM

Hello All New To The Club And Just Need Some Input On My Situation From Those Of You Who Are A Bit More In The Know From Your Past Experiences.

Am about to buy a 1993 RX7 2.6 Twin Turbo Effini For Â£3000
I Know Probably Sounds Bit Cheap But Its A Friends And Hes behind on his mortgage so just wants rid.

It has had a full rebuild about 4000 miles ago and paddle clutch fitted at the same time. and then been sat by the side of the road for about 14-16 months after that.

it is pretty much standard apart from induction kit full stainless de-cat exhaust,blow off valve,apexi boost controller, and everything else is just stock apart from wheels and suspension.

took it for a test the other day and the second turbo is lagging almost everytime its meant to kick inn.and when started from cold when you put it into gear it starts to idle irratically.and also there is a really strong stench of petrol when driving around which he assures me is normal.

i dont know if these issues are due to it have been sat around all this time or weather this is something common and costly and you would advise me to stay well away.i know it was rebuilt and to the sum of 4300 as i was there when he picked it up but i dont know if he has hammered it into a state where it will need it again so soon.

so any help would be much appreciated guys

thanks alot

peterwolds · October 12, 2007, 09:28:12 PM

Quote from: markpbla
Am about to buy a 1993 RX7 2.6 Twin Turbo Effini For Â£3000
I Know Probably Sounds Bit Cheap But Its A Friends And Hes behind on his mortgage so just wants rid.

It has had a full rebuild about 4000 miles ago and paddle clutch fitted at the same time. and then been sat by the side of the road for about 14-16 months after that.
took it for a test the other day and the second turbo is lagging almost everytime its meant to kick inn.and when started from cold when you put it into gear it starts to idle irratically.and also there is a really strong stench of petrol when driving around which he assures me is normal.
i dont know if these issues are due to it have been sat around all this time or weather this is something common and costly and you would advise me to stay well away.i know it was rebuilt and to the sum of 4300 as i was there when he picked it up but i dont know if he has hammered it into a state where it will need it again so soon.

QUOTE1st question who did rebuild & any mileage warranty & why stood at road side all that time when all that money spent?
do smell a bit of petrol at start what about smoke - any ?
cheap it sure is be careful how good a friend is he ?
NOT trying to put you off just be careful

markpbla · October 12, 2007, 09:39:57 PM

reworx did the rebuild so it was done to a high standard.think the warranty was 1 year or 3000 miles which have both passed unfortunantly.he left it sat there when he bought a navara.no smoke atall but just seems to chug around quite a bit till its really warm.i mean i dont want to pay 3000 for one that seems cheap now then in the long run could have been a cheaper option to fork out more from day dot.

Mave · October 13, 2007, 09:10:15 AM

Has it still got the standard ECU? Induction kit + decat + maybe raised boost = detonation

memski · October 13, 2007, 09:28:17 AM

3k is a good price for a rebuilt car. I don\'t like the fact it\'s been sitting so long without being turned over. Also, he has a boost controller, what boost is it set to run? Are you sure he hasn\'t turned it up? No mappable ecu either?...
The fuel smell isn\'t normal... Bottom line is, you could buy this car for 3k, or a sorted one for 7k. This car may give you many years of problem free driving or it could cost you more than the 7k minter if it lets go. If any local mrc member could go with you and check it out that\'d be a good start.

elford_tim · October 13, 2007, 09:37:38 AM

To echo what most other people have said, with the mods (and especially a separate boost controller which to me looks like bad news) the car would really need a mappable ECU mapped by someone who knows what they\'re doing.

Also I wouldn\'t expect any lag during the 1->2 turbo changeover. If the throttle is suitably floored you should hardly notice it.

The smell of petrol either points to it running humongously rich (bad news), someone having removed the carbon cannister (why?) or a fuel leak.

IMHO this car sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.

markpbla · October 13, 2007, 11:31:05 AM

thanks for your opinion everyone.from what i know from a mechanic who looked it over the boost is turned up fairly high but not sure to what which im assuming cant be good if hes just running everything else as standard.
i think ill book it inn with a specialist to try find out what this lagging problem is and also generally check it all over.may cost me more than an aa mechanic coming to check it over but without offence to them its not their specialist field.

will let you know how i get on

thanks
mark

peterwolds · October 13, 2007, 11:33:14 AM

Quote from: markpblathanks for your opinion everyone.from what i know from a mechanic who looked it over the boost is turned up fairly high but not sure to what which im assuming cant be good if hes just running everything else as standard.
i think ill book it inn with a specialist to try find out what this lagging problem is and also generally check it all over.may cost me more than an aa mechanic coming to check it over but without offence to them its not their specialist field.

will let you know how i get on

thanks
mark

sensible idea - AA would be a waste of time

markpbla · October 13, 2007, 11:43:42 AM

Quote from: MaveHas it still got the standard ECU? Induction kit + decat + maybe raised boost = detonation

yeah still on standard ecu

clive · October 13, 2007, 12:20:02 PM

Hi Mark Welcome to the club and please remember that on this club there is no such thing as a dumb question, the only dumb question is the one you don\'t ask that costs you money and pain.

Sorry to say it but I am worried that all is not well with this car and that\'s why it\'s so cheap.

Before you part with any money please have a compression test carried out or at least get you mate to carry one out with a normal hand held compression tester and check that ALL the readings are at least similar.

The reason is because your saying it sounds lumpy,

Especially if the car is on a standard ECU these cars when healthy should start instantly cold or hot,purrrrrrr smoothly and not be lumpy in any way as the Rotary is the most non lumpy engine on the planet.

Also unlike boinger piston engines that start O/K when warm if they have low compression a Rotary will struggle.

Have a look at this link for compression testing http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3813

And this link which will give more tips on purchasing
http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=256

markpbla · October 13, 2007, 12:44:26 PM

got it booked inn on thursday for an hour on the dyno which will hopefully pick up the cause of all these problems.and also ask them to do a compression test.
just hopefully wont blow up on there !!!

Red and Single · October 13, 2007, 01:22:47 PM

who\'s it booked in with ??

elford_tim · October 13, 2007, 02:15:49 PM

Quote from: markpblathanks for your opinion everyone.from what i know from a mechanic who looked it over the boost is turned up fairly high

And it\'s running the standard ECU?

Run, don\'t walk away.

markpbla · October 13, 2007, 05:21:55 PM

Quote from: Red and Singlewho\'s it booked in with ??

its booked inn with re-worx so i know they r really good from what i have heard.is it sat round for so long a problem does anyone think?

iaint · October 13, 2007, 06:08:59 PM

Quote from: markpblaits booked inn with re-worx so i know they r really good from what i have heard.is it sat round for so long a problem does anyone think?

They\'ll be able to diagnose any issues fairly fast and should be able to let you know how much to get it working sweetly. Good luck!