New member questions ??

[gonzodave]

Hi, my names dave and i just bought on saturday a silver 1997 rx7 46k on clock and paid 5k, there a few things i need to sort and have a few questions that i sure some 1 will answer easy enough.
1. Been told it not uncommon but the add coolant light and buzzer keeps going off every now an again but coolant level seems ok, i was advised that it prob just the sensor on its way out?? If so where can i get 1, is it a main dealer jobbie ?
2. I am booking it in for a good service but just wondered what oils are reccommended for, engine,transmission,diff,coolant etc etc ??
3. I do want to do a few mods like exhuast but dont want a loud roaring system like i had on my old gt4, something a little more subtle, which do people have ??
4. Last of all a freind said about adding a small amount of 2 stroke oil 2 the petrol to prolong engine life how true is this ??
Any other reccommendations for any thing is very welcome as i am new to rotary but am already a big fan :Giggle,
Thanks very much in advance Dave

[gonzodave]

I forgot to add its completly standard apart from a clifford 650 alarm, i will try get some pics for u guys but the weather been a bit poo :-(

[chrisJDM]

one of the first mods i would recommend to you is a apexi power fc which is a replacement mapable ecu, if you are planning quite a few mods in the future then this will allow you to add them and map accordingly.  The problem is you cannot realy do alot without having a mapable ecu as you run the risk of running lean.  Also you can get the power fc mapped for UK fuel as jap imports are mapped for the higher octane fuel in japan.
The coolant sensor i expect would cost alot new from mazda so you may be better off getting a second hand one from maybe jimmys or rx motors.
When you go for a exhaust system you may also want to go with a decat pipe, make sure you go for a silenced one as unsilenced can be pretty loud.  Not sure on quiet exhaust system, ive heard racing beat systems are quite good for keeping noise down but they are quite rare.  If you check out speedline imports on here they usually have some second hand exhaust systems for sale and martin is very helpful and can advise you on which ones will be quiet.
There are a few debates on here about what oil to use, some say mineral oil and some semi synethetic, the recommended change time is 3000 miles.  I personally use a 10w40 semi synthetic but to be honest either semi synthetic or mineral will do fine

I hope some of that helps

[gonzodave]

Thanks for your help, browsing around the site and can see that the power fc is a very popular ecu on the rex is there any particular reason ?? what sort of price am i looking at for a power fc, if pretty dear i might just concentrate on different areas for a while like the brakes and handling although the handling is pretty good as it is but find that brakes heat up very quick and fade alot. I dont do a great deal of miles so i will be happy with 3000 miles or les to be honest. Will the decat need removin to pass emissions on mot day or will it still pass ??,
Thanks Dave.

[chrisJDM]

usually the brakes on a FD as standard are very good and most dont bother upgrading to bigger brakes unless they are running alot more power, just go for some decent discs and pads and do a fluid change and the brakes should be pretty good.  
The power fc is quite easy to map compared to other options and i think just about all the rx tuners in the country can map the apexi power fc.  Also it is quite well priced usually around £500-600.
Im not sure how yours would fare in the mot stakes as its a later model, mine is a 1992 so does not need a cat for mot testing, im not clued up on the exact rules thou.

[logicalChimp]

Wotcha

I think the Apexi is popular just because most of the specialists can map it fairly easily, but there are a number of other ECUs in use (specially in the big power cars)

I believe you can pass the emissions test with the decat, if the engine is running well.  However, i believe you will need a apexi (or similar) before removing the cat, otherwise you may suffer from over boosting (and blowing the engine).  I could be wrong (im still stock engine wise) tho.

For oils, a normal 10w40 seems to be the general recommendation - most engine builders recommend mineral oil, for what it\'s worth.  For gearbox / diff etc I wouldn\'t have the first clue.  Speaking of servicing, where you getting it done?  would recommend going somewhere that actually knows rotaries

Lastly, the 2-stroke in the petrol will help - especially if you have problems with the Oil Metering Pump (OMP).  However, if the OMP is working ok, and you\'ve a stock engine, the 2-stroke oil isn\'t really required.

p.s. I should add that I do no work at all on my car, and leave it all up to Jason at Super7 and David at Rotechniks.  As such, the above is just stuff that I have read on these forums

[Aceman]

One point to note on the oil - sometaimes changing the type can degrade the seals.

Find out what oil the previous owner put in it (mineral, semi, fully synthetic) and go for the same. There\'s numerous discussions on which oil type is best, but most agree changing from one to the other is not so good..

[gonzodave]

Well the last oil was semi synthetic so i will stick to that now. The sensor i need, is it the coolant level sensor, prob silly question as its the low coolant light that is on but just checking :-). In the brake department i will prob just stick to the same size but drilled and grooved with some uprated pads of some sort.
Probably another silly question but how many spark plugs are there because i was told that there was six but are all sold as a set of four, trust me i will learn some thing eventually :-) thanks for being patient tho guys.
As for the ecu i will look in to the apexi but i just dont like the commander part in the cabin as it dont look that nice :-( does it have to have this or can it be hidden away, or does it have to be visible for the screen

[Nik da Greek]

You don\'t have to have a Commander at all for the Power FC ECU, it\'s only an interface for you to view the engine parameters the ECU\'s monitoring for itself anyway. It\'ll work just fine without one, or leave it in the glovebox it it offends you!

Make sure you\'re checking the water levels in the right place before writing off the level sensor as dodgy. Don\'t trust the dipstick on the plastic expansion bottle near the drivers side headlight, the levels will vary here as the systems expands and contracts the levels. Use only the filler cap mounted on the front/side of the engine near the alternator, not the one on the AST (bolted to the intercooler).

Four plugs, one trailing and one leading per rotor housing.

There are no stupid questions, only stupid answers! No-one\'s born knowing all this, that\'s the whole point of the club :yes


Welcome along, by the way! :Thumbs-up

[chrisJDM]

they only have four spark plugs so a normal pack of four will do fine.

You dont have to have the commander aswell with the power fc as its just a a add on however the commander is very useful for keeping everything in check especially the water temp as the standard gauge is rubbish

[gonzodave]

Well perhaps if i do get the commander i will try hide it away some where thats discreet but easily accesible, if thats possible :-). Well i took off the cap and checked the water level and it is level with  the small pipe that comes off towards the front of the car, is this the right level or should it come right up near the cap ?
Its going in for a service next week so all belts and oils are being changed and at the same time the coolant is being changed to so it will be definately at the right level then. When changing the plugs are there any reccommended brands or pretty much any thing or is it reccommended to go a grade cooler ?

[gonzodave]

I now have the level sensor on order from mazda for 45 pound jimmys was 65 pound so a little cheaper. The car goes in this weekend so fingers crossed problem solved, it also havin a dyno run while there so will post stock power figures when done.