Would you own a FD rx-7 (rotary powered) ?
#23
So, having owned multiple turbo FC/FD chassis, to that particular one and your particular circumstance, the answer is HELL NO.
That FD will cost you probably $4k minimum to get it running again by the time you piece together all the junk it's missing, get it tuned etc. BP motors are pain to get running right and usually blow every 12-20k. Rebuilds aren't terribly hard but they cost money and down time which it sounds like you're short on. A stock FD makes an OK DD (mileage is terrible though), a BP FD is a project car its whole life.
As others have mentioned, an LSx FD is a magical vehicle from the people I've met who own them and I plan on building one when I've got about $20k to throw at a car so that everything is done top notch, but until then you've already struck the balance of fun, reliable, and cheap which is very rare to do in the car world.
If the FD was all stock with a recently rebuilt (or known good) motor, I'd be very tempted to trade but like others have said, absolutely not for that basket case.
That FD will cost you probably $4k minimum to get it running again by the time you piece together all the junk it's missing, get it tuned etc. BP motors are pain to get running right and usually blow every 12-20k. Rebuilds aren't terribly hard but they cost money and down time which it sounds like you're short on. A stock FD makes an OK DD (mileage is terrible though), a BP FD is a project car its whole life.
As others have mentioned, an LSx FD is a magical vehicle from the people I've met who own them and I plan on building one when I've got about $20k to throw at a car so that everything is done top notch, but until then you've already struck the balance of fun, reliable, and cheap which is very rare to do in the car world.
If the FD was all stock with a recently rebuilt (or known good) motor, I'd be very tempted to trade but like others have said, absolutely not for that basket case.
#24
Besides, how many people do you know that bought a pile of parts from someone and actually built a reliable running car from those parts? This pile of parts is worth far more as "parts" than as a "car". Were it all in one piece, it might be a different story.
#25
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (13)
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Taos, New mexico
Posts: 6,798
Total Cats: 643
Sam, THANKS much for your words of wisdom. I was really hoping to hear from some rx7 owners. After my miata, i don't know how impressed I'd be by a mostly stock FD even in great running condition anyways.
Fooger, I'm not that foolish. I've got plenty of other modes of transportation. While the miata has been on DD duty now that I got it back together, I also have my winter car which is a 94 integra, and I have a Buell XB12. So I can get around.
All these vehicles, yet I work from home and don't commute. lol.
Fooger, I'm not that foolish. I've got plenty of other modes of transportation. While the miata has been on DD duty now that I got it back together, I also have my winter car which is a 94 integra, and I have a Buell XB12. So I can get around.
All these vehicles, yet I work from home and don't commute. lol.
#26
Moderator
iTrader: (12)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 21,067
Total Cats: 3,131
I have owned an FC for many years, have been through the downward spiral of diminishing compression until a complete miss finally appeared and $2500 stock rebuild was required. I drove the rebuilder's completely stock FD multiple times (he wanted me to buy it) and was quite dismayed by its actual performance. They are pretty bodies but don't come close to backing up the reputation they have for being quick. A stock 4.6 Mustang would likely beat it.
#28
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (13)
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Taos, New mexico
Posts: 6,798
Total Cats: 643
However thanks to you guys I'm completely over it. Do not want. Thanks again.
I will just drool over other peoples FD's without having the pain of rotary ownership.
#29
In the FD world, the first thing everyone recommends are "reliability mods". If you wanted a mostly stock one, I'd at least make an exception for these mods.
However thanks to you guys I'm completely over it. Do not want. Thanks again.
I will just drool over other peoples FD's without having the pain of rotary ownership.
However thanks to you guys I'm completely over it. Do not want. Thanks again.
I will just drool over other peoples FD's without having the pain of rotary ownership.
However, all the FDs and other FCs I had were modified quite a bit and were all money pits. No heavily modified rotary I have ever been around is a solid DD. They always need tinkering, even with Haltechs or PowerFCs tuned by "pros" they always had weird issues and were pretty headachey. The trouble is, FDs are super pretty, I really like the way they drive (and yes, stock they aren't all that fast, but the handling is awesome) so you end up wanting to buy them just because they are a car that truly inspires lust. However, a turbo NB looks the part and is more reliable and arguably more fun. NAs aren't quite as pretty IMO, but hey with a set with flares and some wide wheels to back it up they look pretty awesome too if that's your thing.
What I really like about the turbo Miata situation is that it's the rare combination of fast, cheap, and pretty reliable. Granted, they aren't the most practical things in the world, but think about the performance you get for the price and the fact that you still get 30ish (sometimes more) MPG. It's a tough combo to beat in the performance car world.
#31
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (13)
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Taos, New mexico
Posts: 6,798
Total Cats: 643
See, at 250whp I may as well stick with a miata. At least the miata is pretty "fast" at 250whp. Also, good knowledge about the stock twins. If i were to pick up this FD it would have to run on stock twins for some time before I could afford a new setup.
I also agree about the miata argument, except I'm a big fan of NA > NB styling. Just personal preference. If I could have a NA rear end with a NB front end that would be the perfect looking miata imo.
Definitely not me, but that person must have had one sexy NA
I also agree about the miata argument, except I'm a big fan of NA > NB styling. Just personal preference. If I could have a NA rear end with a NB front end that would be the perfect looking miata imo.
Definitely not me, but that person must have had one sexy NA
#34
I had a 400+ RWHP single turbo FD, and wouldn't do it again. It was extremely loud, didn't have much torque, and I was constantly worried something would break/overheat/blow up.
Car was the most fun when it had an ECU, catback, and upgraded IC. Ran low 13s and wasn't loud or smelly. If I ever got another with a rotary, I wouldn't do much to it.
Car was the most fun when it had an ECU, catback, and upgraded IC. Ran low 13s and wasn't loud or smelly. If I ever got another with a rotary, I wouldn't do much to it.
#35
I had a 400+ RWHP single turbo FD, and wouldn't do it again. It was extremely loud, didn't have much torque, and I was constantly worried something would break/overheat/blow up.
Car was the most fun when it had an ECU, catback, and upgraded IC. Ran low 13s and wasn't loud or smelly. If I ever got another with a rotary, I wouldn't do much to it.
Car was the most fun when it had an ECU, catback, and upgraded IC. Ran low 13s and wasn't loud or smelly. If I ever got another with a rotary, I wouldn't do much to it.
#36
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (13)
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Taos, New mexico
Posts: 6,798
Total Cats: 643
viperormiata, do you have more info on that swap? If someone made some bolt on fenders and you were able to swap the rad support and use the OEM hood/lights that could be awesome.
Neither of those cars do anything at all for me, but I can see its potential with a lip on that nb1 front. Actually the more I look at it, the more I like the nb1 front on the older chassis lines
This was also my thought. I'm still going to look at the car if its around this weekend, but I really don't feel like it would be a good idea to straight up trade for my miata.
I'm not anti-rotary at all. I've always loved the way they sounded and always wanted to try one. I've also never owned one, or even ridden in one for that matter. Maybe this is one of those scenarios where "don't meet your heroes" comes into play, lol.
And if I WERE to get one, it would absolutely stay on stock twins @ somewhere around 300whp.
Neither of those cars do anything at all for me, but I can see its potential with a lip on that nb1 front. Actually the more I look at it, the more I like the nb1 front on the older chassis lines
I'm not anti-rotary at all. I've always loved the way they sounded and always wanted to try one. I've also never owned one, or even ridden in one for that matter. Maybe this is one of those scenarios where "don't meet your heroes" comes into play, lol.
And if I WERE to get one, it would absolutely stay on stock twins @ somewhere around 300whp.
Last edited by Fireindc; 08-06-2013 at 12:49 AM.
#37
If you convert to non-sequential, it gets more reliable, but then you need to look into injectors, full exhaust, intercooler, $$$, etc.