I'm starting to think that I may need a 1st generation RX-7. I think that I prefer the later, 1st gen cars. Where do I need to go to learn everything about these cars?
I'm starting to think that I may need a 1st generation RX-7. I think that I prefer the later, 1st gen cars. Where do I need to go to learn everything about these cars?
Here?
There was a buyers guide in an issue a while back, can't dig out out now though as I've just stuck it in a removal box...
They're pretty robust overall, they can rust and of course you have to get used to the idiosyncracies of the spinny triangle engine...
I'd love a GSL-SE or whatever they were called with the injected 13B. Used to have an Elford Turbo for a while over in the UK.
For more information, i frequented rx7club.com when i had an FC. Signal to noise ratio is pretty good, depending on which section you're on. Definitely a useful source.
all I really know about them as a drawback.. do NOT use poly bushings on the solid rear axle.. it relies on the squishy bushing to prevent binding
A stock '79 or '80 is a real treat to drive. It's like a smog exempt 1.6l Miata with interior room.
The later models suffer from Boulevard Cruiser Syndrome. More weight, more soft. They're not fun to drive, and this lack of fun makes you realize that 100hp does not move a 2500lb car well enough to make up for the handling that is poor because the suspension was designed for a 2200lb car, and the added weight made it sit too low and it throws all of the geometry off.
Like most vehicles, it's nothing that re-engineering the suspension doesn't fix. Fortunately, fixing the suspension is fairly simple.
I have a nice early production 79 that I would be interested in selling cheap. I bought from the original owner,and it is in remarkably good shape for a New England car. It isn't perfect,but it is solid in all the important places like chassis,and floors. PM me if you want more info. The 79-80's are the coolest ones in my opinion as they are the simplest models,and have the far superior looking (IMO) steel bumpers rather than the frumpy looking urethane covered ones.
The 79-80 were the lightest and simplest and IMHO the best looking. The 81-up were heavier but had the added attractions of electronic ignition.
All of them share a rather strange rear axle geometry and bushing materials that leads to snap oversteer. Not hard to fix.
The front suspension is a straightforward MacPherson strut. They all have a slow steering box that's prone to wear but can be adjusted to get 95% of the slop out. Manual steering cars have a 22:1 ratio box, the GSL-SE cars had a power steering box that's 16:1.
The 12A engine is tough as nails if you don't overheat it. It's sorta weak kneed stock (~100HP) but a set of headers, free flow exhaust and a 2 degree timing bump will put you right around 130 or so and makes the car very entertaining. 13B motors came with FI in the 84-85 GSL-SE and can easily be retrofitted to an earlier lighter car. Even better: all rotaries from the 10A to the 20B share a common tranny bolt pattern, opening a whole new world of swappability. An easy 190 HP: drop in a fuel injected S4 (1986-89 2nd gen) NA 13B with headers, freeflow exhaust and cold air intake. 
Actually Jensenman the 80 had electronic ignition as well. Only the 79 had points,and it is easy to upgrade it anyway,so getting a 79 shouldn't be an issue. For that matter you can swap in the superior 81+ front brakes easy enough as well.
The first-gen section of RX7Club is pretty damn useful, and has a very high knowledge-to-post ratio, especially compared to that of more modern cars. I guess that has something to do with the technical knowledge required to operate these cars (compared to, say, a Civic) scaring away the fanboys.
Jensenman wrote: The 79-80 were the lightest and simplest and IMHO the best looking. The 81-up were heavier but had the added attractions of electronic ignition. All of them share a rather strange rear axle geometry and bushing materials that leads to snap oversteer. Not hard to fix.
I specifically sought out a 1980 model because 1980 DID have electronic ignition, albeit a slightly different flavor than the newer ones. The electronic bits are on the fenderwell, instead of mounted on the distributor where engine heat cooks them.
The 18mm rear sway bar seemed to prevent the snap oversteer issues. The front suspension FELT a lot stiffer than in any of my later cars, and if the suspension doesn't move much, the geometry isn't a problem.
Manual steering cars have a 22:1 ratio box, the GSL-SE cars had a power steering box that's 16:1.
Not all of them. Power steering was an option on the final years of GSL and GSL-SE, but it was an option. I have a friend who had five manual-steer GSL-SEs before he bought one with power steering. If I remember right, power steering was one of only two GSL-SE options.
The steering, again, felt perfect in my '80. I think it's one of those situations where Mazda did it right at first, and then it got beancountered into problematicy in later years. They went to a different steering box in '81 or so, and these are the ones that develop a quarter turn of play and other bad habits.
Of course, I fixed all that with my current one... 
I have an 85 I may part with. It runs well.The car has I think (I haven't looked in a while) 160,000+ mile. I bought the car in Maryland in 2006 as a project for my son. It has NO rust. We had it painted Ford Sonic Blue at Maaco. The interior is good. All accessories work except it has no radio installed, but I have a new JVC unit. The reason I am looking to sell it is my sone has grown to 6' 4" and barely fits. I am looking to get $2,000
I just put a "new" engine in my 85 Friday night. 
Moparman wrote: The reason I am looking to sell it is my sone has grown to 6' 4" and barely fits.
I'm a little taller than that. There's room
You'd be shocked how much room you can free up with an aluminum seat. At work we had to fit a 6' 4" guy in a Miata. He passed tech.
Jensenman wrote: Even better: all rotaries from the 10A to the 20B share a common tranny bolt pattern, opening a whole new world of swappability.
Not exactly. The pre-74 dual distributor stuff has a different bellhousing pattern. I found that out the hard way trying to put an FB 5 speed in a 73 RX-2 I had. 
unevolved wrote: You'd be shocked how much room you can free up with an aluminum seat. At work we had to fit a 6' 4" guy in a Miata. He passed tech.
Rather just go with a different car.
Moparman wrote: Rather just go with a different car.
Stock seats, finger of headroom over the helmet:
Daily driven, too.
Moparman wrote: I have an 85 I may part with. It runs well.The car has I think (I haven't looked in a while) 160,000+ mile. I bought the car in Maryland in 2006 as a project for my son. It has NO rust. We had it painted Ford Sonic Blue at Maaco. The interior is good. All accessories work except it has no radio installed, but I have a new JVC unit. The reason I am looking to sell it is my sone has grown to 6' 4" and barely fits. I am looking to get $2,000
I am very glad you didn't show me that when i was out there.... The girlfriend wants one. Badly. 
I have owned at least five first gens. Two 1979s and the rest 84-85 GSL-SEs. Go to the rx7club for more than you need to know about them. The first gen section is great and the members are helpful. The age, low power and non availability of aftermarket parts keeps away most of the ricers and fan boys.
Most everything else has been covered. Look for a GSL or GSL-SE for limited slips. The SE has the larger 13b, more common bolt pattern and in my opinion is the cream of the crop. The early cars have grown on me and I just picked up a 79 with 47k original miles I hope to get back on the road.
Look to Racing Beat and Mazda Trix for most of your aftermarket needs. Re-Speed for very affordable coil overs and even a rack and pinion conversion ( I have one waiting to go in).
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