RX7s

[The Berg]

Hi all,

I haven't had much to do with RX7's as far as rallying goes. Can anyone enlighten me as to how much fun they are, how competitive they'd be, any maintenance issues etc?

Mitchell

[Swill]

How long is a piece of string? Talking about the first series they are/can be a good thing, but like all things rallying they cost to get there. Years ago I used to help with one a bit and it used to go through steering and balls joints all the time and the LSD needed a rebuild after every rally. Now that you can use a 13B I reckon they'd be super compeditive but no ones really had a red hot go in one since the 13b thing except maybe JW but he quick in anything. They won the ACT series a couple of times in the 90s but they were top spec cars. As far as the fun factor goes. They'll put a smile on your face no worries at all

[Spac]

S4/5 = win.

Seriously, they're one of the top two or three RWD rally cars to build regardless of your budget, I reckon.

The S6+ cars don't seem to work that well, and the first gens are great for an old-school car... but are still an old school car.

[Daveee]

Spac is on the money! If you are going early model (s1-3) you are better off making sure you have the s3 running gear (bigger diff + front struts [stub axles in particular]). I think if someone put an IPRA style 13b in a s1 with s3 running gear it could do some impressive things.

Although when it comes down to it a s4/5 is going to smoke it in every way.

Hopefully I'll get a drive of a certain RX-7 when the time comes

[Kaptainballistik]

Try fitting into a Gen one with a 2010 spec cage.......

To reiterate spac's love of the gen 2, it's got a bigger intercooler setup than the gen 3. ( series 6) the rear end has more grip than a Datto and they Re VERY well Balanced! Turbo diffs are pretty much unbreakable, supra gearboxes fit. I hate the Mazda gearboxes...... And their continously noisy lashaft bearings...

You do need to bash the thermal reactor hump down to get head clearance. Also they aren't the best for head clearance... Non sunroof model or a desunroofed car is the choice!!

The scuttle i've been hearing is the S6 is actually better, but they are more expensive by quite a margin as a jap import.

Someone loan me one for a motorkhana and I'll give you a definitive answer

the intercooler is better positioned but smaller, nothing waterspray don't fix.... Unfortunately the SP bits aren't approved for prc, but under the new ask nicely and we may allow it rules it may be allowed....
Getting a rust free gen 1..... Hard. Rust free gen 2 is easy.

[Stuart Walker]

Gen 1 for sale here -> http://www.bmsc.com.au/forums/rally-...-car-sale.html

[slowlearner]

this whole thread is making my mouth water. personally, I'd rather beat my self to death with limp spagetti than be seen in the pre-7 rotaries. Their motors are great but the styling is awful. But RX7s, well that's a whole different story. Very sexy. All the shapes are awesome and I have a dangerously soft spot for series 1s. If I had the money in the bank, I'd just go buy that one with the link above. Probably best I don't have that money at the mo then...

Incidentally, June 2010 issue of 'retro' magazine has a feature on a groupe B series 1.
http://www.retrocarsmag.com/pastissue.asp?issueID=30

[MarkH]

RX7's are just awesome, but be prepared to spend a lot of time & money on keeping them up to scratch.

For a first gen, RX5 struts (if you can find them) can be made to fit and overcome the stub axle issue. There is a bloke down here running an RX8 gearbox and reckons its the ducks guts.

I loved the last one I navved in, still brings a tear to the eye when I see it competing now.

[Spac]

To elaborate on the weak points/worthwhile upgrades of first gens (beyond the obvious stuff like good suspension and getting enough horsepower):

1. Stock diff housings bend/crack. Stock S1/2 axles are weak and will require regular replacement or upgrading. Anything taller than a 4.44:1 diff and you're wasting your time. An LSD is highly recommended, make sure you get one with the correct axle gears to match the axles you use.

2. Stock S2/3 gearboxes are OK, but S1 boxes are weak. All have ordinary ratios for rallying when fitted with a PRC-legal motor.

3. Stock 3 brakes are OK for rallying (with good pads), but the S1 and S2 brakes would require upgrading to be competitive.

4. 12A motor parts are getting hard to find/expensive. 13B is now legal so you'd only consider a 12A if you had a good runner already.

5. S3 oil-to-water oil cooler is rubbish and should be replaced. Stock radiators are marginal for rallying, particularly the S1/2 items.

6. Chassis rails should be plated.

7. There's a trick to mod the Watts link mount to improve handling - apparently it transforms the car's behaviour on the limit.

8. S1/2 4x110 stud pattern is a pain to get 14"+ wheels for, unless you're prepared to buy new.

9. S2/3 front bumpers were pricey and fairly hard to find last time I looked.


The equivilant list for a S4/5:

1. Plate the chassis rails.

2. Fit a big alloy radiator.

3. Fit rear-steer eliminators.

4. Fit a good front diff mount and a stopper above the nose of the diff.

[Marcus]

After using a S5 RX7 on the weekend on dirt... it's simply amazing how little has to be done to make them work really well. So yes I'll agree with Spac and say they just have to be one of the best RWD cars on dirt you can possibly do.

I used to have a Gen 1 which was a top little car but in reality the Gen 2 is just plain better in almost every way. Even the increased size works out as the occasional twitchy handling problem is gone and the rear/front suspension is much superior.

Actually, probably just simply one of the best club motorsport cars you can do.

[slowlearner]

stop it! stop it!

serious rwd temptation....

[scooter]

Apostrophe-nazi hat on/
Congratulations to the moderator who corrected the incorrect use of the apostrophe in the original title of this thread.
/Apostrophe-nazi hat off

I've never had the opportunity to drive any RX7 on gravel, but as a general rule bulk horsepower and RWD is asymptotic to nirvana as the horsepower increases.

[MarkH]

If I were to build a serious RWD car again ( and I'm not so feel free to ignore me ) a gen 2 RX7 would be very high on the list.

They do a lot of things right.

[Kaptainballistik]

We are setting the FC up as a Motorkhana Class C "special"..... The're that good on dirt!

[slowlearner]

Originally Posted by Kaptainballistik

We are setting the FC up as a Motorkhana Class C "special"..... The're that good on dirt!

I wondered how long it would take. No doubt about you KB