I can't shake it. I don't know what my problem is. They're slow. They're old, but not "classic" old, just old old. I don't have a bunch of money nor an empty spot in the driveway. Yet I can not seem to keep from making craigslist searches.
I don't know if I'm looking for encouragement, or someone to talk me out of it, or what, but who else could I vent to but you guys.
I sold my low mileage Turbo2 for only $5,500 some time around 2004 and miss it ever since. I don't know if I would like a non-turbo FC so much, but a turbo rotary is so very nice.
Hehe . . .
My running CL seaches:
Mrs. Zero is drooling over that GTO from Miami in the other thread . . .
I understand.
I periodically look... what keeps me away is living in California and how emissions laws and rotary engines don't really get along. It's mandatory here that I keep the lame Y-pipe exhaust rather than going to a nice fat single just because Mazda chose to put cats in the separate pipes as well as the big monolithic cat before the split.
That, and any in my price range require an engine rebuild, which I'm not really interested in doing or paying for at the moment.
But, if you can find a good runner and don't live somewhere with a visual emissions inspection, I'd be all over one in a hearbeat.
In reply to Strike_Zero:
Why the SC400? I mean, the 1UZ-FE is a great motor, but they're all automatics and my understanding is there was never a manual tranny offered behind the UZ block. Seems like the SC300 would be the way to go.
ReverendDexter wrote: In reply to Strike_Zero: Why the SC400? I mean, the 1UZ-FE is a great motor, but they're all automatics and my understanding is there was never a manual tranny offered behind the UZ block. Seems like the SC300 would be the way to go.
cough
Finding is manual Lexus SC is slim to none around here. When I do find one, the price is pretty damn high for a 15-18 year old car. Last look, they were in the 6-10K range . . . for a decent, non beaten, semi maintained piece (CL search from VA to FL and over to TN).
I would pull the trigger on one (i6 or V8) for challenge money . . . throw $1.5G at it for the manual conversion and maintenance stuff and have a decent hot rod for under 4K.
In reply to dj:
There are no cats in FC's after the split.
There are the two "pre-cats" in front of the main cat and then, well, the main cat. This then empties into the "Y" pipe to a muffler on each side.
YOu can't put a header or downpipe on without changing around the cats, but you can certainly do a cat back exhaust.
Anybody want a project FC? I have an 87 GXL with Turbo swap (except rearend- that is busted anyway) and a bolt in cage that has been welded in place. I am in PA.
email me if interested. I will try to get some pics.
wvumtbkr@hotmail.com
Drive an FD and the urge will go way. . . .
belteshazzar wrote: I can't shake it. I don't know what my problem is. They're slow. They're old, but not "classic" old, just old old. I don't have a bunch of money nor an empty spot in the driveway. Yet I can not seem to keep from making craigslist searches. I don't know if I'm looking for encouragement, or someone to talk me out of it, or what, but who else could I vent to but you guys.
It's unhealthy to let these urges go unsatisfied. You should buy the first clean turbo FC you can find.
I have both a non-turbo and a turbo FC3S. I love them both. The non-turbo FCs are not fast and feel somewhat underpowered, but they feel quick off the line. With the right tires, they grip tenaciously. Do oil changes every 3000 miles, redline it once a day, and keep it from overheating, and the rotary will be quite reliable. The early FCs (86-88) had electrical problems but if you're handy with a soldering iron, then they should be easy to tackle. Check out the buyer's guides for 2nd. gen. RX-7's here:
http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/tech1.htm
BTW, my non-turbo is for sale if you're interested.
wvumtnbkr wrote: There are no cats in FC's after the split. There are the two "pre-cats" in front of the main cat and then, well, the main cat. This then empties into the "Y" pipe to a muffler on each side.
I'll have to trust you on that, it's been a few years since I've been under an FC. I could've sworn there were cats after the split, though.
ReverendDexter wrote:wvumtnbkr wrote: There are no cats in FC's after the split. There are the two "pre-cats" in front of the main cat and then, well, the main cat. This then empties into the "Y" pipe to a muffler on each side.I'll have to trust you on that, it's been a few years since I've been under an FC. I could've sworn there were cats after the split, though.
wvumtnbkr is right, though the Series 4 (86-88) has the two precats and the Series 5 (89-91) only have one precat.
dean1484 wrote: Drive an FD and the urge will go way. . . .
Look at the price tag of an FD and the urge will return. I want one badly but they are overpriced, even without an engine.
the turbo2's don't do anything for me. Maybe it's too deeply ingrained in my head that they're ALWAYS broke rather than usually broke. And they cost more, I think.
In reply to dean1484:
Better yet,drive an SA.
and we don't have anything even sort of like inspections.
anything goes in nebraska
I don't know why, but I feel the same way about the FC. The FD is a prettier/better car in every way, but for some reason the look of the FC blacked out with an LSx engine just seems like a great way to confuse people.
I've been getting interested in FBs. Do they have the same issues with the cats? I'll be sad if I get one and can't put a Racing Beat headers and exhaust on it and have any hope of passing PA inspection. I don't know what all is involved with inspection here, as I've only been living here a year and my car is registered in Ohio, a freedom loving place where I never dealt with these issues.
How about an FC 'vert with an L33/T56 combo? Mine will be for sale soon and for cheap!
Get a header and a catback with a good quality cat and you should pass PA emmissions. I have had headers and a catback in the past and always passed PA emmissions as long as the cat is newer.
LainfordExpress wrote: I've been getting interested in FBs. Do they have the same issues with the cats? I'll be sad if I get one and can't put a Racing Beat headers and exhaust on it and have any hope of passing PA inspection. I don't know what all is involved with inspection here, as I've only been living here a year and my car is registered in Ohio, a freedom loving place where I never dealt with these issues.
ha ha yes, 1/1/06 was a banner day in Ohio for car guys. E-check was a racket and I knew of people flat out paying the clerk cash to pass their car...I watched it happen. The only fun bit was watching your car on their dyno....up to 35 lol.
Do it. I love my NA '88 FC. It is no quicker than my EP3 Si but winding out the 13B in 2nd and 3rd is a blast and the handling balance is sublime. I also love the lines of the car. The subtle fender flares are perfect.
belteshazzar wrote: the turbo2's don't do anything for me. Maybe it's too deeply ingrained in my head that they're ALWAYS broke rather than usually broke. And they cost more, I think.
They are definitely more expensive but worth it. I never had any issues with mine and it never left me stranded. I definitely want another one, or a GSL-SE FB or preferably a FD (stock 93 r1 is my dream car).
Mazda 605 wrote: In reply to dean1484: Better yet,drive an SA.
I completely agree. The first gen were great I had 3-4 from 79's up to an 85 GSLSE and all were great cars. In fact the urge to get another as of late has been creeping up on me.
The FC well it is a good car. Not great at anything but fun however I dont miss mine .. . . . Much.
Yes the FD is pricey but it is a great car. Mazda got it rite with the FC. The FD is to a miata or FC as a C5 is to a.. . .. Camaro. Both great cars but different levels of car.
I was lucky enough to try an FD on a track day at NHIS while driving my FC and my FC was never the same.
Strike_Zero wrote: Finding is manual Lexus SC is slim to none around here. When I do find one, the price is pretty damn high for a 15-18 year old car. Last look, they were in the 6-10K range . . . for a decent, non beaten, semi maintained piece (CL search from VA to FL and over to TN). I would pull the trigger on one (i6 or V8) for challenge money . . . throw $1.5G at it for the manual conversion and maintenance stuff and have a decent hot rod for under 4K. In reply to dj:
The sc400 is definitely the cheapest way to go, not to mention you can still do the manual swap to it and have a more rare, custom, manual v8 sc as a nice dd.
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