1996 RX7 Type RS

[Marf]

Following on from samoht's thread, I thought I should introduce my new FD. Before settling on an RX7 I'd toyed with the idea of an STi or an EVO but I kept coming back to the 7.

I'd driven a friends one on track at Bedford and it got under my skin. The looks, the relentless power from the buttery smooth engine and the fantastic handling. So it was decided, the MR2 Turbo would go and I'd get an RX7 and a Golf/Polo TDi for daily duties.

I looked at four in total, and was going to look at samoht's car but he got there first

Two were lighweight track focused RZ models, 93 and 94 models and both very untidy. This was disappointing as the 93 had loads of tasty mods on it while conversely the 94 was totally standard and still had the original super lightweight carbon kevlar Recaro's in place.

The third was a very nice 1996 base model, freshly imported and unregistered with 100,000km in white.

Then I found this, a 96 RS in totally standard trim whose engines and turbos had been rebuilt 20k ago. I went to look at it and hey presto











Unfortunately the turbo control solenoids carked it three days after I bought it, so I put it into super 7 to sort that and give it a full service.

It's fantastic to drive and I'll be getting her on track next year for sure.

It'll probably want a set of discs and pads before I do, and I plan to install an ARC Airbox and Greddy stock mount intercooler and possibly an upgraded radiator. That'll likely be the extent of the mods.

Being an RS it already has staggered 17" wheels, Bilstein suspension, a torsen LSD with 4.3 final drive, larger 314mm brakes and twin oil coolers.

I have to admit I really really do not like the standard '96 spoiler, so it will be going and I'll either remain unspoilered or fit a 99 wing or a Concept 7 ducktail spoiler. A 99 bumper is tempting too, as are a set of the feed side steps which I think really set off the curves of the RX7



I'd love a set of BBS RG-R like this car, but try finding em!

Anyways, hope you like.

[RobCrezz]

Looks awesome mate!

What's it like compared to the mr2?

[Marf]

It feels more planted, more squat on the road if that makes sense. The steering is a little less pointy, but the turn in is still very sharp. It has more grip and it hides its speed a little too well

The MR2 feels faster due to the power delivery but the RX7 has it pipped I think.

I can't wait to get some AD08s on it. The Bridgestone RE050A on there at the moment don't feel very nice coming from the Yokohamas on the MR2.

The seating position is good, but not as ideal as the MR2 as that has the adjustable bolster/height seats and adjustable steering column angle.

I'll probably put a set of Recaros in there eventually.

[Mastodon2]

Lovely car, needs a bigger spoiler, like the car in the last pic I think, and if you added that spoiler and the wheels as in the last pic it would look off the fking chain. Personally, I'd stick a better exhaust on too, not something too loud as you wouldn't want to cover up the nice induction tone, but something to give the car the voice it deserves.

[Marf]

Perhaps a Racing Beat if the stock system dies. The previous owner spent £400 on an OEM system a couple of years back.

After the RM01A on my MR2 I'm quite enjoying the lack of exhaust noise at the moment. Maybe I'm just getting old!

[Codswallop]

As with the other FD RS, it's a beautiful car OP.

Agree with you that the current spoiler isn't as nice as the later one, but other than that it's perfect imo. Your existing wheels and bumper are far better than the items on the car in the second pic.

[Mastodon2]

Fujitsubo <3

Either way, it's a great car, enjoy driving it. I love the RX7, perhaps not as much as the Skylines or the Supras, but if we lived in a world where rotor tip wear magically didn't exist I'd definitely consider owning one. I cruised the classified a while ago speculatively, only to see a lot of sad examples of non-runners with worn tips and fk all compression. I can't imagine there are many specialists in the country who can turn a dead RX7 engine into a healthy one again?

[Marf]

Mastodon2 said:

I can't imagine there are many specialists in the country who can turn a dead RX7 engine into a healthy one again?

There's a few

Hayward Rotary - Reading
RX Motors - Dorset
RE:Worx - Portsmouth
Super 7 Autos - Henfield
Jimmy's RX7s - Norwich
Rotechniks - Reading
WGT Developments - Cheshire
Pettit Racing - Ware

I'm resigned to the fact that if it goes pop it'll be off the road for a while but that's just the nature of the beast.

[F1GTRUeno]

Please don't mod it too much.

Standard or even lightly modded RX-7's are like hens teeth.

[Otter Smacker]

Looks bloody brilliant that, Marf!

Hope you enjoy her .

[Marf]

F1GTRUeno said:

Please don't mod it too much.

Standard or even lightly modded RX-7's are like hens teeth.

Don't worry I wont. It has enough power, 283hp showing on the last dyno run

I just want to make sure it stays cool on track and otherwise just maintain it properly and enjoy it.

Otter Smacker said:

Looks bloody brilliant that, Marf!

Hope you enjoy her .

Cheers

[205pat]

As soon as my insurance allows, one of these will be parked on my drive...

Gorgeous car.

[samoht]

Looking really lovely. Conversely, I was going to go see that one next after the one I actually did buy.

Hope the turbo solenoids can be sorted and you're back enjoying driving her before too long!

[Marf]

Yep all sorted now, full speed ahead!

[J4CKO]

These have to be one of the prettiest cars ever, the previous ones just seemed to ape Porsche.

[Marf]

J4CKO said:

These have to be one of the prettiest cars ever, the previous ones just seemed to ape Porsche.

I think the only car to come out of Japan that looks nicer is the Toyota 2000GT

[the stigs dad]

Awesome cars and look amazing. It's a shame the rx8 was such a disappointment as a sequel.

[4340BB]

Lovely.
That is all.

[Xpander]

Spolier-less is the way forward, aesthetically at least.

Absolutely gorgeous car.

[Another Fluffer]

Yummy, want!