NEW RX7 OWNER Turbo question

[safrx7]

I have a mazda rx7 twin turbo type r. I have owned it for a few weeks now and it has been driving superb.
 
I am loving every minute of the car apart from spending £130 on fuel from friday to monday bank holiday weekend. OUCH!!!!
 
the question i have is about the second turbo coming into play.
Sometimes when the car is warmed up the 1st turbo will kick in and then the 2nd turbo will kick in and you will feel a huge pull and enormous power.
it was like this last nite after i gave it a good thrashing.
 
But today the first turbo will kick in fine but the enormous pulling power of the second turbo is not there.
you can still here the second turbo come in play but sometimes that extra thrust of power when it pins you back in your seat is not there and sometimes it is.
 
i hope i am making myself clear and sum1 out there can help me as this car is all new to me.
 
1. also how long should the engine be started up before i should drive
off.
 
2. What should i look for in signs that the car is warmed up and is ready for a thrashing.
 
its my first turbo car and i dont really know much about them but i just want some information or help so you can tell me if my second turbo is on its way out.
 
look forward to your responses!! :Hammer

[FEED Rocket]

If you have a pfc or water temp gauge normally give it a good thrashing when it reaches around 85 degrees, if not drive it for about 10 to 15 mins beforehand.

[rx7veilside]

not strictly accurate as ur oil temp is more important..allways fully warm up engine before using turbos or they will have a shortened life
start car and drive normally until car warmed fully and as regards the 2nd turbo get the car looked at by expert as the twin turbo setup is a nightmare of solenoids and pipes any one of which can scrw u

[barmar]

It sounds most likely that there is a split pipe, getting it checked out by an expert is the easist way to find out for definate tho.
I drive mine right after starting it but am gentle (below 2.5k revs) for about 10 mins or so. If you have an Apexi pfc once the water temp reaches 80+ give it another few mins to let the oil get there too.
Remember also to cool everything down before turning the engine off after you have been out for a spin. Drive off boost for about 10mins to help take some of the heat out of the engine. If you have AC (or the car has had it removed) turn that it on and it activates the Secondary cooling fan which will help cool the water that is cooling the engine and turbos as well. Once i\'ve done that i\'ll park up, switch the engine off but leave the ignition (and ac) on. This cools the water in the radiator, then after 3 or 4 mins turn the engine back on to send the colder water round the engine. This cools things down quite well.


Welcome to the club BTW, you\'ve made an excellent choice of car.

Barry

[interloper393]

welcome bud, any pics of your car
Have the vacuume pipes been replaced? iv found that sometimes the heat shrinks the aftermarket pipes and causes it to boost funny, sometimes its there n sometimes it aint..
Not a major problem bud, lol it`ll save you fuel tho :yes

[Red and Single]

Can\'t help with the twin turbo\'s as I\'ve only ever had one

But, it\'s a common misconception that you should leave these cars warming up and cooling down on your drive. This is NOT GOOD for your car.

Start it up....give it ten to fifteen seconds while you but your belt on, select your tunes etc and then drive off gently untill up to temperature.

I\'m lucky enough to have an oil and water temp gauges in my car, by the time the thermostat opens and I have 50 degrees of oil temp, nearly enough for full bananas.

When you have been driving your car, and you approach your destination, for the last 2 miles or so drive very gently in a high gear and when you arrive simply switch it off. Turbo timers are fine if you want to race and walk away, but a proper in motion cool down is MASSIVELY better for your car.

Enjoy

HTH :cheers

[kev-yorks]

Welcome and be careful as its your first turbo motor the FD can bite. As above i start and drive as soon as the belts on, off boost for a mile at which point the temps are up anyway. Main thing on shut down is make sure the turbo\'s have spooled down before shutting off.
Kevin

[FEED Rocket]

I have a greddy turbo timer and i normally use it if ive been giving the car a bit \'o\' juice, is this not recommended? If so what time should i set the timer for?

[Red and Single]

Turn it off , drive gently for the last couple of miles and switch it off.

[FEED Rocket]

So i may aswell ditch the turbo timer? Awwwww, it sounds like pacman when i turn it on lol!

[Grizzly]

But, it\'s a common misconception that you should leave these cars warming up and cooling down on your drive. This is NOT GOOD for your car.

Start it up....give it ten to fifteen seconds while you put your belt on, select your tunes etc and then drive off gently untill up to temperature.

I\'m lucky enough to have an oil and water temp gauges in my car, by the time the thermostat opens and I have 50 degrees of oil temp, nearly enough for full bananas.

When you have been driving your car, and you approach your destination, for the last 2 miles or so drive very gently in a high gear and when you arrive simply switch it off. Turbo timers are fine if you want to race and walk away, but a proper in motion cool down is MASSIVELY better for your car.

I 100% agree with this, if you don\'t believe this works and Turbo timers are th way forward sit and watch your Power Fc\'s Water temp. you will notice if the  cars idling (stopped) the temp creeps up, now drive slowly round the block off boost and you will see the temp drop rapidly. Next test after you turn off keep the ign on and watch the water temp, because there is no flow through the engine the temp will go through the roof (thats why you run the temp down)

Warming up, as you say no problem in driving it cold just don\'t wot it untill the oil is at operating temp (it doesn\'t work properly when its cold)

[Grizzly]

Acording to the PFC the best way to turn it off is to run it down (1 mile off boost etc) pull up, turn your car off then leave the ign on so the rad fans are going, after 10 seconds restart and turn off after 10 seconds.

Sounds daft but acording to the PFC it cools down really quick.

[safrx7]

right i can understand the water temperature gauge.
but i dont understand the oil temp as its always going up and down whilst driving.
 
at a stand still should the oil gauge be just below 4?
 
i will check the vaccum pipes regarding the 2nd turbo not kicking in and i might try replacing them any ideas where i can get hold of them from?

[Grizzly]

right i can understand the water temperature gauge.
but i dont understand the oil temp as its always going up and down whilst driving.

Oil temp is always more important for the simple reason the oil is designed to work at a set temp, if its below that temp it will be thick (harder to push through the oil ways), have poor Lubricating properties and cold start devices (in the oil system) will still be working. The water system because of how its designed (uses a Thermostat to route the water away from the rad when its cold) will warm up Considerably quicker than the oil.

i will check the vaccum pipes regarding the 2nd turbo not kicking in and i might try replacing them any ideas where i can get hold of them from?

It may be worth your while reading this as well (will give you more options) http://www.autosportracetech.com/RX-7/TurboTroubleshooting.htm

[Martiny]

Acording to the PFC the best way to turn it off is to run it down (1 mile off boost etc) pull up, turn your car off then leave the ign on so the rad fans are going, after 10 seconds restart and turn off after 10 seconds.

Sounds daft but acording to the PFC it cools down really quick.

This makes sense.

The fans cool down the coolant in the rad.

Then when you start it again, it draws it into the engine.