FD Rx7
 

Hey guys i dont own an rx7 but im hoping to buy one soon. This might be a stupid question but can you tell me what problems they generally have and why all of the ones ive looked at have rebuilt engines? Are rotary engines usually reliable? And what should i know before i decide to get one or not? Thanks so much BK4000

NA rotaries are pretty reliable. Once you go turbo and start making big power, they like to pop. If you take the time to do proper mantienace and spend money on the right mods, they can will treat you right. If you don't, it's pretty much a grenade.

i highly recommend doing an asston of research before buying any type of RX7, or else you'll be in a world of hurt. Rotaries can be reliable, but only if they are modified properly. Most of the ones that get blown up were owned by stupid people doing stupid things. If you do get an FD, keep it bone stock until you learn more about it.

Or get a NA FB or FC until you figure it out.

The RX7 is a high-maintenance car. Period...if you're the type to clean your guns/paint supplies/ after every use, or something similar then you should look into an rx7 with well-documented rebuild.

The reason you see so many with rebuildt motors is because most people don't maintain their cars properly or assume the 7 (and 8) is like any other car, it's not. It requires oil changes every 2500 miles, fluids topped off, plugs and wires on schedule, etc., etc.

Do a lot of research before jumping into an RX7 because a clean, fast car can have bad coolant seals, failing OMP, inconsistent oil changes....Don't wanna freak you out but it's not a regular car.

When you add a turbo to the mix you have air/fuel ratios to worry about, boost-creep, cooling, timing...

My fd has been relatively low problems, but it is also mostly stock. Fds can go anywhere from 75-120k miles if they are properly taken care of. You do need to be more proactive than with a honda civic, like others have said, regular maintenance is a must. Read as much about rotaries as you can, ask a lot of questions, get told to search a lot, read some more, talk to the knowledge base of people that are available in the rotary community. After you do this then you can start on your path to modification.

Most of the problems with the fd are because they are old cars with old plastic and rubber, the other is when people mod them with out knowing about the car.

I have one for sale....

alright guys thanks a bunch for all of the knowledgeable info looks like ima hit the books and see if i can learn more about then before i make my purchase

My recommendation...

Do your normal readings about FDs..

Before you buy one, track down some local rotorheads... Then be nice to them and see if you could come hang out and check out their cars. Most of the rotorheads are helpful and nice.

When you are ready to buy one, ask them if they could check out the car with you.. Maybe buy them lunch or dinner for their time or something.. But I'm sure most will do it for free... as long as you don't act like jackasses and show appreciation for their time.

The only part about N/As that's more time/money consuming than any other car of the period is regular maintenance. Change the oil every 3000 miles, put in new plugs when needed, etc. and it's just like any other car. Let's be honest, I own a 1986 N/A and it requires quite a bit of restoration/upkeep, but I don't think the work needed on it is anymore than any other 23 year old vehicle.

I'm surprised that someone hasn't mentioned Formula Mazda and Star Mazda race cars.

The point being that the engines are ultra reliable. They can go through three full seasons without a rebuild.

As others have stated, unreliability problems with the FD are often due to people going after big horsepower on the cheap. It will work for a little while...

^Eh, In racing (non drag racing) applications the rotaries are pretty reliable.

In street applictions, I'm sure plenty of people will say otherwise.

Buying an FD
 

I have owned my FD since Aug 1992. It had 84,348 miles on her before I took her down for a rebuild. The car never gave me a single problem or stranded me on the road. Mine was bone stock since I owned it. Most issues with the cars stem from not knowing what to do to mod them correctly. But they do require more maintenance than most cars. So don;t worry too much about the motor but get a car that is rust and accident free. Also the interiors pieces can be expensive to replace. So I would say get a well maintained chassis and hopefully it will have a recent rebuild. Good luck.

The racing motors mentioned are NA.

NA street rotaries are also very reliable, unless improperly modded.

Which is back to the point, properly modded rotaries are reliable.

Exceptions being on-the-edge motors for drag racing, that are expected to have a relatively short lifetime.

well once again all of you have been really really helpful and i will continue to do research and hopefully i can find a good fd that isnt too beatin up. thanks