RE: Mazda RX-7: PH Heroes
Discussion
I don't think "veilsided" is the right Word to be using in reference to cars being ruined haha. they are a very reputable company and it is very rare to find a car with the authentic kit fitted.
Veilside is by no means cheap and I believe the RX7 from Tokyo Drift with the Wide Body Veilside Kit fitted was floating about it the classifieds for around £30k
Veilside is by no means cheap and I believe the RX7 from Tokyo Drift with the Wide Body Veilside Kit fitted was floating about it the classifieds for around £30k
kambites said:
Fabulous looking car on the rare occasion you see one which hasn't been butchered.
Lovely chassis too, although I never really got on with the engine. I've often wondered how viable it would be to fit the higher powered RX8 engine to one.
The RX8 engine only has 231BHP quoted and even that isn't what you would get on a dyno... RX7 has more Lovely chassis too, although I never really got on with the engine. I've often wondered how viable it would be to fit the higher powered RX8 engine to one.
Edited by kambites on Friday 25th July 11:49
JTN358AT said:
124 sold in the UK does not surprise me. Top Gear in the early nineties did a piece on great cars that did not sell. They were the Subaru SVX, Alpine A610 and the RX7. Why did the RX7 not sell. Well, you could buy a 968CS for 6k less than the RX7.
I will go against the grain here and say that the RX7 was not a great car and that the RX8 prodrive version was a far better all round car with a suspension setup more in tune with UK roads. That is the rotary car to go for.
Also, watch out for the sequential twin turbo arrangement. They are complex and as recalcitrant as the rotary engine itself. There is a reason the single turbo conversion is popular.
I've had all three cars owned and enjoyed every oneI will go against the grain here and say that the RX7 was not a great car and that the RX8 prodrive version was a far better all round car with a suspension setup more in tune with UK roads. That is the rotary car to go for.
Also, watch out for the sequential twin turbo arrangement. They are complex and as recalcitrant as the rotary engine itself. There is a reason the single turbo conversion is popular.
When you read the back-story, it's clear that the third generation RX-7 was an all-out, almost clean-sheet effort to build the best possible FR sports car. And on a back-road, if anything it's even clearer; the eager throttle response, the instant steering bite, the way that these controls remain consistent in their effect almost regardless of revs or angle of attack, letting you push well beyond the limit and still stay on top of the car.
I have to say, I never thought I'd think about an inanimate piece of metal the way I think about my RX-7, it's kinda embarrassing really for someone who considers himself a logical, scientific sort of person. It's just so infused with the spirit of the committed enthusiasts who designed and built it, and delivers such a thrill when driven hard, that it's hard to avoid feeling an emotional response to it. Mine's a keeper!
PS thanks for the article, I think it sums the FD up pretty well.
If anyone wants more information, I recommend the following UK owners forums:
http://fduk.org/forum/
http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/
I have to say, I never thought I'd think about an inanimate piece of metal the way I think about my RX-7, it's kinda embarrassing really for someone who considers himself a logical, scientific sort of person. It's just so infused with the spirit of the committed enthusiasts who designed and built it, and delivers such a thrill when driven hard, that it's hard to avoid feeling an emotional response to it. Mine's a keeper!
PS thanks for the article, I think it sums the FD up pretty well.
If anyone wants more information, I recommend the following UK owners forums:
http://fduk.org/forum/
http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/
Edited by samoht on Thursday 30th June 23:14
Veilsided is exactly the right word to use in a disparaging sense. There's nothing that company that haven't produced (except for 1 style of wheel) that isn't truly rancid. But hey, if you're a fan of horrible fish mouths, ugly mid 90's bodykits, and non complementary lines, then they're the go to company. Just because domething's expensive, doesn't stop it being truly vile.
That Fortune FD that's been floating around for 30k? It was originally 40k. And it's still for sale. Make your own mind up.
Regarding the oil injection - lots of owners disable the oil metering pump that dumps in stuff from the sump and run 2 stroke instead, for a cleaner, more evenly distributed lubrication system. The common presumption is that Mazda didn't do a separate oiling system due to the 'oddness' of having to keep a tank topped up with 2 stroke. Can you imagine how that would sell? Probably as well as one where you had to keep topping up the sump, I guess...
Rear seats? Dunno, mine has bins - I've only ever sat sideways in them in an attempt to fit...
The RX8 PZ is a lovely handling car, however, to compare one to an FD? IMHO not a patch. The SE3P is a lovely chassis, but even with the Prodrive tweaks it just doesn't feel as light, nimble, and communicative as the 3rd Gen. And yes, I've driven both
Regarding engine swaps - I've no super strong feelings either way, but I love the rotary. If putting an LS in one means that it's saved from the scrapper, then I'm all for it TBH
My car is single converted, as the stock twin turbo system, despite transitioning perfectly, crapped out an oil seal when I started turning the boost up. It was very hard to get a good replacement, and the later spec turbos like I had have a bit of a bad rep. So I did a LOT of research, and settled on a GT35r that makes as much power as the stock twins do at 3.5k, and then pulls like a train until the 8.3k limiter. They create so much heat and therefore energy in the exhaust gas, that they're capable of spooling big turbos very fast. Yes, mine still has lag, but once it's on song above the boost threshold, it's a massive amount more responsive than a lot of turbo cars of this generation.
I do still miss the near instant response, wallop of low down torque, and 'big engine' feel of the wonderful stock twins though. A twins car at 1 bar makes a truly devastating road car.
That Fortune FD that's been floating around for 30k? It was originally 40k. And it's still for sale. Make your own mind up.
Regarding the oil injection - lots of owners disable the oil metering pump that dumps in stuff from the sump and run 2 stroke instead, for a cleaner, more evenly distributed lubrication system. The common presumption is that Mazda didn't do a separate oiling system due to the 'oddness' of having to keep a tank topped up with 2 stroke. Can you imagine how that would sell? Probably as well as one where you had to keep topping up the sump, I guess...
Rear seats? Dunno, mine has bins - I've only ever sat sideways in them in an attempt to fit...
The RX8 PZ is a lovely handling car, however, to compare one to an FD? IMHO not a patch. The SE3P is a lovely chassis, but even with the Prodrive tweaks it just doesn't feel as light, nimble, and communicative as the 3rd Gen. And yes, I've driven both
Regarding engine swaps - I've no super strong feelings either way, but I love the rotary. If putting an LS in one means that it's saved from the scrapper, then I'm all for it TBH
My car is single converted, as the stock twin turbo system, despite transitioning perfectly, crapped out an oil seal when I started turning the boost up. It was very hard to get a good replacement, and the later spec turbos like I had have a bit of a bad rep. So I did a LOT of research, and settled on a GT35r that makes as much power as the stock twins do at 3.5k, and then pulls like a train until the 8.3k limiter. They create so much heat and therefore energy in the exhaust gas, that they're capable of spooling big turbos very fast. Yes, mine still has lag, but once it's on song above the boost threshold, it's a massive amount more responsive than a lot of turbo cars of this generation.
I do still miss the near instant response, wallop of low down torque, and 'big engine' feel of the wonderful stock twins though. A twins car at 1 bar makes a truly devastating road car.
Edited by FD3Si on Friday 25th July 19:50
I quite fancy one of these, i'm getting sucked in by all the hype on here over the last few days. For me, i'd be wanting something highly tuned. The engines are capable of running big power without too much effort (no need for forged internals). It's easier to help justify engine re-builds and poor MPG if it's doing the numbers power wise. I've only ever seen one out in the wild (not going to or from a car show), it was being booted through a roundabout, it sounded awesome.
Joeguard1990 said:
kambites said:
Fabulous looking car on the rare occasion you see one which hasn't been butchered.
Lovely chassis too, although I never really got on with the engine. I've often wondered how viable it would be to fit the higher powered RX8 engine to one.
The RX8 engine only has 231BHP quoted and even that isn't what you would get on a dyno... RX7 has more Lovely chassis too, although I never really got on with the engine. I've often wondered how viable it would be to fit the higher powered RX8 engine to one.
Edited by kambites on Friday 25th July 11:49
Always wanted one but sadly that cockpit is definitely too small for me, being over 6.2 and having a set of shoulders on you is not condusive to owning a rex. One of a very small number of 90s jap machines i never bought, this and an Evo are still on the "really should have bought one" list.
I bought my 1995 twin turbo about 7 years ago with a new engine and it's still going strong. As a second car it works (as a daily it would bankrupt me). It's been lightly tuned to 310 hp and equipped with better pads/discs, but other than that it's essentially standard. You have to look after them, give them the right fuel, warm them up and cool them down properly, check the oil etc. If you do all of that then they are very rewarding cars to own and drive. Yes, the engines don't last as long as a piston engine, but the rebuilds are generally a lot cheaper than for a corresponding highly stressed 1990's Japanese turbo piston engine which might go bang at 100k. As others have said, the turbo rotary lump has good and bad points. If you can live with the downsides then it's great. If not, there are plenty of other cool cars out there...
Lovely to drive on the road or track, beautiful balance and a shape (at least in standard form) that still looks gorgeous even today. I first saw one in Max Power (shudder) when I was 15, decided I had to have one, and then when a good one came along 14 years later I couldn't say no. I haven't regretted it for a second. It still makes me grin from ear to ear every single time I drive it
Chris.
Lovely to drive on the road or track, beautiful balance and a shape (at least in standard form) that still looks gorgeous even today. I first saw one in Max Power (shudder) when I was 15, decided I had to have one, and then when a good one came along 14 years later I couldn't say no. I haven't regretted it for a second. It still makes me grin from ear to ear every single time I drive it
Chris.
Always loved these to death, especially the Spirit R Type A. As much as they're truly one of the greats from Japan I just can't see it being better to drive than an NSX with manual 'box.. My head spun the first time I got a ride in one & went around a corner at (great) speed. Haven't driven an RX7 however.
Any or all of this might be incorrect because I'm going on 20+ year old memory...
In the early 90's, the Japanese sports cars went expensive and performance jumped a lot...I believe this was the last generations of the RX7, Supra, and 300ZX, and maybe you could throw in the 3000GT, although it was a new model, as far as I know, but fit in with these cars.
Based on the frequency of seeing them back then and even through the 2000's, I'd guess the 3000GT sold the best (in the USA), followed by the 300ZX, with the Supras and RX7's being much rarer. The 3000GT benefits from having a weak version and a Dodge version, whereas I think the Supra and RX7's were just twin turbos.
The article mentions the RX7's low weight. Along those lines, I am pretty sure they emphasized this in their advertising, specifically identifying the brake pedals having holes in them to make them lighter.
I think these (all of aforementioned) cars were destined to be appreciated, but the Fast and Furious movies have kept them mainstream appreciated. Not my thing and I can't see ever buying one, but I do like them.
In the early 90's, the Japanese sports cars went expensive and performance jumped a lot...I believe this was the last generations of the RX7, Supra, and 300ZX, and maybe you could throw in the 3000GT, although it was a new model, as far as I know, but fit in with these cars.
Based on the frequency of seeing them back then and even through the 2000's, I'd guess the 3000GT sold the best (in the USA), followed by the 300ZX, with the Supras and RX7's being much rarer. The 3000GT benefits from having a weak version and a Dodge version, whereas I think the Supra and RX7's were just twin turbos.
The article mentions the RX7's low weight. Along those lines, I am pretty sure they emphasized this in their advertising, specifically identifying the brake pedals having holes in them to make them lighter.
I think these (all of aforementioned) cars were destined to be appreciated, but the Fast and Furious movies have kept them mainstream appreciated. Not my thing and I can't see ever buying one, but I do like them.
Take a look at this video, it offers a very clear demonstration of how the rotary engine actually works. (I know we all think we know everything about everything car & mechanical, and I appreciate a lot of you will know already, but I didn't have a clue until I saw this a while back).
It really is an amazing engine and I believe I'm right in saying it only has three moving parts in the whole engine? Ready to stand corrected on that.
Rotary Engine: http://youtu.be/6BCgl2uumlI
It really is an amazing engine and I believe I'm right in saying it only has three moving parts in the whole engine? Ready to stand corrected on that
.Rotary Engine: http://youtu.be/6BCgl2uumlI
mikEsprit said:
I think the Supra and RX7's were just twin turbos.
Correct for the RX7 but there was a NA Supra, though maybe not in all markets.I still love the styling of FDs but I could never own a rotary powered one. I think a Honda F20C conversion would tempt me, itd be slightly slower than stock but would do everything else better.
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