*5 steps on how to deal with Rotary engines like a "Pro":* 1- Buy a Rotary Powered car. 2- Start buying used cheap parts of off Craiglist and eBay. 3-Do not take the proper precautions and maintenance like premixing the engine. Do not buy a dedicated repair manual and only read RX7 forums on the internet. 4-Use it as a primary car/daily driver. 5-Start spreading rumors on how the car is a lemon and how glad you are now that you got rid of your Rotary powered car.
Lots of mis-information in the comments, rx7s are very reliable if maintained properly. Oil change every 2000-3000ks with the best possible oil, always warm them up and cool them down after hard driving, dont install a straight through exhaust system without getting it tuned. and most importantly of all red line them every now and then to remove carbon build up inside, then get ready for your touge battle in your FD and enjoy that rx7 life!
5 things you need to know? 1. You are going to love it 2. You are going to really love it 3. You are going to really, really love it 4. You won't believe how much you will love it 5. You will so fucking love it
Original owner, '94 FD chiming in. To add: The more you modify it, the higher the risk you'll have for engine failure. Mazda didn't design the 13b to have 400-500 hp. Leave it relatively stock and you'll have a much better user experience. The rotary engine (NA) is well regarded in racing circles for be extremely reliable. Most teams expect their engines to run a full race season before rebuilds -- something traditional engines won't be able to match. This was a very good video. I hope the young whippersnappers out there will heed your advice. On a personal note, it makes me sad to see FDs getting bought up, raped and murdered by ricers. Almost all of the good clean stock RX-7s are gone.
tscooter22 If I may ask what is your definition of "raped and murdered" when it comes to people and their FD's in particular? Do you mean looks wise, or performance wise, or both? Also what is this obsession with keeping them stock not that I disagree, but when I own a car I would want it to have a balance between power and reliability in the most cost effective way possible as well as making the car look gorgeous imo not just "ricing" said FD out. Just asking for your opinion and why people like to leave the car stock as far as looks. I'm curious.
I drove my Fd from San Diego California to Kissimmee Fl. Anyone who says Rx-7s are not reliable are ignorant. If you don't know how to take care of them it'll shit on you. It's not even expensive to take care of them either. I've been daily driving mine for 2 years.
@@sandervanderkammen9230 I have no clue. I sold her 3 years ago to start a business. She ran perfectly fine up until that point. I will be buying another one hopefully this year.
If you're ever going to look into spending good money on any RX-7, get a compression test done, takes stuff all time and a mobile mechanic and do it fast and cheap. This will generally give you a good idea as to what state the engine is and a rough estimate to how much longer it will last when looked after until the next rebuild. Turbo's are a different kettle of fish, as are numerous other things that you should check prior to making a purchase, but I'm not going to list them. If you're going to commit to buying a rotor, spend as much time as you can doing your own research into the entire car you're looking to get, and unless you have very deep pockets, expect to be prepared to learn to be a good patient amateur rotor mechanic, but trust me its fun as hell working on these beasts (I'd also suggest a second car to have access to for when you do need to play around or have lots of spare time). But all the extra research and learning hands on is totally worth it, you get so much out of it.
Nick Bielmann Don't think so. RX8 Rotary engines are different from rx7 or any other Rotary vehicles. RX8s use Renesis Rotary engines while the others use Wankel Rotary engines. Renesis Rotaries were developed for better fuel efficiency and less matinance. I don't think Renesis Rotaries have much of an aftermarket.
god damn don't announce it! not enough people know :p jk it blows and a few FC turbo II's i wanted to buy were at 3k-5k now want 7k AND UP! what!!! It's awesome for the current owners, just not me who want's a rotary T.T
evo 9 gsr Yea I always start thinking about getting one and doing a build, then I think about it twice and I just can't. To the people who have the willpower to deal with them, hats off to them.
Lulz. So true. It's not IF it's gonna blow, it's WHEN. I swapped in an LS1/T56 about 5 years back, after the rotary started pushing coolant. Now I'm at about 400whp with heads and a little cam and I'm loving every minute of it.
No Lucks Given Do it :D You can find aluminum 5.3s for pretty cheap. You could have yourself a no worry sports car for well under $10,000 including the car. I have an SUV, but I still drive the RX7 to work every day down 15 miles of twisties. I actually enjoy my commute in that thing.
Thank you Kenny. Your information and candid presentation is spot on. Too many people, my self included have delusions about the rotary enigma dream. The reality is a stark contrast to the major armchair Qb of persons who don't know what they are talking about. I secured a tech manual for my rx8 rebuild. Dropped $4,000+ into the engine. Got it to run. Had a bad cat and it was still working. So many other factors are involved . Blew the engine due to a out of true crankshaft. Bought a used motor , dropped that in so I can pass smog in California. Love the ride, but exactly as you share with us here, there has to be an adventuresome spirit to understand the full definition of what a rotary engine is and what you must know to make it work. Bigger learning curve and I am a scientist. Keep at it . Ziggy
Well, the issue of Wankel engine reliability is epitomized by the failure of any Wankel engines to achieve and maintain airworthiness certification for passenger aircraft... something that is not an issue with reciprocating engines.
When it comes to comparing automobile manufacturers based on reliability, build quality and longevity Mazda has traditionally ranked very poorly, especially in regards to engines and transmissions.
anyone who knows worth a dick about engines knows that when HP goes up reliability gets worse.. even with the correct supporting mods.. dudes a fucking joke
I literally just got a 88 FC3 vert tonight.. for 1300 bucks... popped on to look up some reviews and spotted this. Nice helpful input sir. You get s a thumbs up.
Very good response about the rotary engine not being expensive. It required initiative. Oil changes with dino oil 5w30 is alot cheaper than synthetic so oil changes are pretty price competitive. I redid the 13B s4 with s6 internals on my FC then swapped it into an s5 body. We did the switch in my driveway and it wasn't very hard. Total into the car is probably 16k but I stopped keeping track. There is a lot of space in the engine bay so it make things very easy. Anyone with a 350hp these days can't fit their hand in to do more than change the spark plug. I'm microtech big turbo now, racing beat stainless exhaust, and gilmer belt drive :-p
that second tip. ive been working on my '78 SA22C for like 2 years now haha ill be done in like a week, also i didnt buy it and have to rebuild it it was my grandpas project and he passed it too me, i actually learned how to drift in it
Because it takes dedication to own an RX7, that's exactly why I freak out with joy when I see someone with one. They rare to begin with, takes passion to own one (for more than just a year or so), and it tells me the owner is ACTUALLY into cars more than just buying some cool shit to flaunt.
Cooling lubrication and maintenance is what keeps rotarys going omg any rotary is a hell of fun except the 10a lol 12a 13b and the renesis are all a fun box to toss around I totally agree the vids advice this video is good advice for all rotarys Rx8 included Tanx guys!
Video is on point. I bought a $5500 FD 10 years ago, I was not prepared. Stuff just started immediately breaking. It was a nightmare. Factor in the rebuild, or pay more, end of story.
cool thing is that they can REV super high but have massive turbo lag but not anymore different from other engines with turbos REV high for high power is the best way to describe the rotary with turbos in mind
I personally agree that the Rotary engine requires self learning and self service. Mechanics for rotary engines are also rare to find and the owners must do DIYs on them.
Lots of good advice here. However I would not discourage one from installing a 3 rotor engine if you want the ultimate performance RX7 generation 3 car. I have owned 3 RX vehicles. My most recent is and RX8. I still also own the 91 convertible.
Good vid!! Really your info covers any rotary powered car, not just RX7's ;) Realistically any second hand car will need the usual suspension bushes, springs, shocks, alt, starter ETC replacement. But always expect a motor rebuild with any rotary, just because people will flog them to death...cause ROTARY POWER...Brap brap brap!!! LOL.
I'm so glad that your channel has appeared in my recommendations! I've wanted a RX-7 for years and literally I'm glad you made this video. I was going to make this video once I found a clean FC or FD, but their prices are skyrocketing! The preparation for buying a used one that might need a rebuild is definitely overlooked. I'm not super picky, but people wonder why I don't jump on a 3k-5k FC that looks decent. I know for a fact I'll need to throw 2k into it just to make damn sure it's proper or if it needs the rebuild. FD's holy shit haha glad you covered it. The cars are OLD now. They're damn good, it's just something people aren't patient enough to wait for. I've waited over 8 years to finish school and fund one. Still workin on it haha (FYI hope you recognize where my name came from!)
this is just regular car buying tips, a lot of people buy cars and think that they can just use it as if the car is perfectly fine, especially old cars like the RX7 or a Supra for example
When my RX7 had it's first engine failure i had to get the dealer in to check out the compression. The tech said i had done well for it to last 70k on a non turbo. Front rotor seals had failed. He said turbos usually blow at 35k. I rebuilt my engine and it lasted to 99k till the second rear rotor blew.
@@brad346326 No point quoting really as this was back in 1995. I took the engine out, sent it to a specialist, they wanted £5000 to rebuild it. So i had it back in pieces, costed the parts out myself at £2500 and rebuilt the engine myself. A friend that owned a garage knew the local Mazda dealer and got me FOC the dealer workshop manual. Back then a front rotor cost £500 and the housing was £800. The rest was seals, etc.
I then rebuilt the engine later a 2nd time, costing another £1500 for the 2nd rear rotor and seals. When the engine finally gave out at 120k miles, i put a Ford engine in the car.
Based on rotor tip wear rates i measured these engines should be pulled at about 50k-60k and rebuilt before the tip seals wear and fall out of the groove wrecking the housing seal face.
Well damn, this video was uploaded on my birthday and I'm considering selling my 06 Volvo S80 and getting an RX7. I want to learn as much as possible rotary engines and this video certainly helped me make my final decision.
I've owned a 79 and 3 81's and a 91 rx7 and drove the c4ap outta the 12a's, 3 were na and out of 17 years of driving them i only had one engine fail without warning, it was starting great hot or cold, no noises, just driving down the road and felt a bump and it dropped a apex. One 12a had a draw though rayjay turbo that the fins of the turbo was scraping the housing under load so i kept driving it and it desentagrated and blew shrapnel throughout the engine, so that was on me. I took 14hr trips in them. 3 hrs drive time a day everyday for a yr and a half. My 91 was pretty solid and i put around 15,000 miles on it and sold it. I never run premix in any of the above. Now about 3 weeks ago i got my dream car...yes a 93 fd and drove it to east TN. from Florida ...11 hrs and it done great. Im running premix in it. I hope it is as reliable as my others. 12a's are hard to beat.
@@kathygarber3230 *Cabon build-up is a symptom of low compression due to seal damage... you have to be monumentally ignorant to pour the wrong oil into the wrong filler hole.*
5 reasons to buy an rx7: 1: Spinning rotary dorito engine 2: Pop up headlights 3: Initial D 4: Keisuke takahashis and ryosuke takahashis cars 5: Kansei dorifto
Im 17 right now. I have plans to get a job and save money on the side for a RX-7 FD, however the rotarys condition doesn't matter to me cause I plan on swapping the motor with a 2JZ or a RB26TT. I don't have a problem with LS swapped RX-7s but they are usually the go to motor of everyone and I like to be different. I also want to save up and buy a Veilside Fortune kit with the black and orange combo look. Then have the car sitting on Bronze CR Kai's with Kumho tires. Before you guys rage at me for planning to swap a RX-7 this is still a plan lol. I dont even know if I will fufill my car or plan on something else in the future. I love R34 GTT 4 doors and E46 M3 with the GTR widebodys so I might do one of those in the future.
I understand about the swap, I have an early 90s trans am no not a Mazda but the premises is the same I had the 5.0/305 engine that was slowly being built into what was a strong daily driver then, now a Camry puts out more power but sometimes the car means more than the power anyway I was given corresponding 350 heads so I did all the roller rockers springs valves port and polish which took time and money. Moral of the story is I netted like 15 horsepower for all the money and labor it was a dud I got more out of my intake and throttle body which was easy and cheap. God I probably got that from just the full accell ignition, yes I know they provide almost no power but is a necessity to get max gains from other things. But yeah sometimes it's best to j7st ride out and enjoy your car and appreciate that you did it and even now are probably as fast as m9st sports cars not gt500s or red-eyes but you also have 90k more in your wallet and won't have to go to the dealership. I was looking at an RX but it was way to pretty for wqy to cheap but I wanted to investigate further I drove one in the early 90s and remember it was incredibly slow like way slow and automatic but I like things for what they are and if I can make a ballsy enough car that has some enthusiasm it doesn't have to be an ls killer or whatever just pull you into your seats. Thanks for the vid
Good video & seen the comments, Bottom line is that RX7 & 8"s are not for everyone! 1. you have Kery word "Have" to know how they work and give them the proper maintenance (Just like any other car) 2. you have to take care of it! No not saying baby the car but don't "dog it" just because it red lines high, remember that it is still a car just like any other it will eventually deteriorate if not taken care of. 3. do not "shortcut" on repairs, don't do the one weak fix ups with tape or glue lol, spend the money do the research ASSOCIATE yourself with other RX owners remember that since they have an RX, more than likely they've experienced a similar maintenance issue, and get certified parts for replacements. 4. RX7 & RX8's are unique cars they are rotary and not your average piston/performance car, look at it like this: both cats and tigers are felines, but just because they are in the same family that doesn't mean you can domesticate a tiger,or enclose a kat in a zoo, both require different treatment/attention, (Common sense) people that own these cars are mostly people who are looking to be out of the norm, as stated we have a particular "sense of pride" to know that we do not have the same thing the person next door! and finally 5. Learn to love it, just like anything / anyone you love, your wallet will be a factor and you will spend $$$ BUT bare in mind it is all worth it, every cent! If you follow these 5 simple guides you should not have any trouble with your RX7 or 8 & be able to enjoy it!
Wow, quality content on here! I've just recently brought in an FD and have realized it's starting to become a moneypit. Or as you say financial disaster :)
Silenced - Because a rotary engine has very long combustion chambers it will naturally never be able to burn the fuel quite as efficiently as in a conventional engine. Still, the fact of the matter is the average mpg for the FD RX7 is not really what I would call “horrible” for a 255 HP engine. In fact, the combined listed mpg of the 93 RX7 is exactly the same as for the 2000 Honda S2000, a car of similar size and performance. Anyway, I have had my FD for nearly 20 years now and despite the less than stellar fuel economy it’s been a really great car. VesBraun - Yes, rotary engines are lubricated by having oil injected into the combustion chamber, much in the same way as a two-cycle engine. They do not go through oil “like crazy” though. That is unless you are driving an awful lot of miles every month. And of course the RX8 is supposedly designed to use even less oil than the RX7.
Yeah. Because they rev so high, gas sometimes isn’t ignited and thrown out to the exhaust valve which is why you hear a lot of modded rotaries backfiring-it’s as inefficient with gas mileage as it is awesome. Totally hope to pick up a stock ‘93 FD in a few years for ~$25-30k. The hard part will be convincing my parents to drive me to the west coast where most are for sale.
I just sold our 1989 Mazda RX-7 rotary motor non-turbo after buying it new and putting over 78,000 miles on it. The only thing we ever did was normal maintenance. So I don't know what you are talking about saying the rotary engine has a potential for added problems or requiring added maintenance. My understanding of them is that they are easy to re-build should the occasion ever arise.
Nice, thanks for this. Currently, I see only one FD in my country for sale, for $50k, and 2 FCs for about $5k, but I walk almost every day around FC, parked in the same spot for a several months now, so most likely in a need of rebuilt, I dream about that car and how I rebuild it in my shed...
i know a FD3S imported from Japan to my county that'd cost me 15k, fully running.. i want that car so badly.. but being 20 and studying i dont have the money to buy and insure it :(
they are solid i had s5 turbo13b i was on my p plates it took a flogging for 2 years never serviced it because i was young and dumb i miss it dearly ... people that blow cars up cant drive them properly no matter wat it is
When something goes wrong inside your turbo Dorito motor, it will require a total rebuild, the parts arent that cheap either, maintenance and how you drive it do have an effect on its longevity/reliability, but general consensus says you'll get about 60-80k between rebuilds. oh, and for the love of God, premix, the OMP and oil squirters don't evenly lubricate the housings and seals...
I bought a FD 1992, 5 speed, 90K km, for $5.5K... Add another 1K to replace interior parts, 600 to replace the ricer tail lights and it's still under that 25K range you just mentioned.
This was a really good video. I looked into used core engines and they are about $1500... the desirable honda motors are about that used if you are willing to shop around. Subscribed.
*Today marks the 6th anniversary of the end of RX production, on Thursday June 21, 2012 at **4:30**pm the final RX-8 car ever to be produced rolled off the assembly line, the last RX model to ever be produced by Mazda.*
All I know is, this car is the OG of drifting along with the AE86. Don't really care about anything else ain't nutin a V8 swap can fix. But that front end suspension is so beast, and the car is set-up so well it's like they made this for drift on purpose lol.
I love the chassis of the RX7 but I just couldn't deal with the rotary for daily driving. I was thinking a turbo mx5 engine would be cool to swap in. A bit counter-productive power wise but would make for a nicer daily for sure!
I know this reply is VERY, VERY late, but the engine swap goes the other way around a, 13B in an MX5 is quite easy. Good power, light chassis, mad handling. I have plans/dreams. After the kids grow up. At least my Fc has 4 seats. But my kids have never been in it.
So basically have a $40,000 budget on hand when buying one. At least that's what I figured should I ever buy one. Thanks for conforming my suspicions. I hope to one day be able have that much spare cash.
a pretty clean FB RX7 appeared up the street at one of my neighbor's houses one day it sat for a while until it was on jack stands for a little bit longer. and then it disappeared. I don't know if they sold it or towed it to a shop but I haven't seen it since. I have never seen it run or drive
I'm buying an FD3S this Tuesday. The problem with most people is the fact that they don't have the pockets to work on the car. This won't be my daily, I have my 07 civic si for that.
I had to sell my '93 R1 a few years ago because it got way too expensive to maintain. The car is beyond awesome in so many ways, but it's definitely a rich person's toy and not an average guy's daily driver.
tizodd6 yeah $180 for a downpipe gasket at the dealership. Made my own for $11 and still have gasket material left over. A new cat? forgwt about it bought a mid pipe instead
"different" actually it is less reliable and more expensive to keep them good. But yeah if you totally want to tune a inline 6 u can spend more on that. compared to some inline 6 or v8 but its unique and worth it because that sound is mindblowing
*5 steps on how to deal with Rotary engines like a "Pro":*
1- Buy a Rotary Powered car.
2- Start buying used cheap parts of off Craiglist and eBay.
3-Do not take the proper precautions and maintenance like premixing the engine. Do not buy a dedicated repair manual and only read RX7 forums on the internet.
4-Use it as a primary car/daily driver.
5-Start spreading rumors on how the car is a lemon and how glad you are now that you got rid of your Rotary powered car.
Juan Cabeza RX7 Owners in a nutshell
What’s wrong with daily driving the car?
@@yz416 Sports cars are not practical for everyday life. They serve best as a secondary/weekend vehicle.
@Kevin Glover terrible deal
@@KTSN94 if you can not daily drive a car then it is unreliable.. I'm sorry to tell you that, been daily driving my SA for months without issue..
Thanks for crushing my RX7 FD dreams, Kennyyyy!
Crushing? Sounds more like fun to me.
wankel sounds like if you buy an fd it better be a weekend second car.
@Ash why
@@jozik_sk cause its tiny, and gets horrible fuel economy.
lemme not watch the rest of the video.
Lots of mis-information in the comments, rx7s are very reliable if maintained properly. Oil change every 2000-3000ks with the best possible oil, always warm them up and cool them down after hard driving, dont install a straight through exhaust system without getting it tuned. and most importantly of all red line them every now and then to remove carbon build up inside, then get ready for your touge battle in your FD and enjoy that rx7 life!
Can you explain how you're supposed to redline it? Like for how long and when?
Every 3000? Really?
How would you cool it down? Lol
@@rod253 same way you cool down any other turbo - gradually. Just take it easy before you get to your destination and park the car.
Ross Skilton thanks man for the help I was thinking of buying an rx7 thanks for the tips
5 things you need to know?
1. You are going to love it
2. You are going to really love it
3. You are going to really, really love it
4. You won't believe how much you will love it
5. You will so fucking love it
Original owner, '94 FD chiming in.
To add: The more you modify it, the higher the risk you'll have for engine failure. Mazda didn't design the 13b to have 400-500 hp. Leave it relatively stock and you'll have a much better user experience. The rotary engine (NA) is well regarded in racing circles for be extremely reliable. Most teams expect their engines to run a full race season before rebuilds -- something traditional engines won't be able to match.
This was a very good video. I hope the young whippersnappers out there will heed your advice.
On a personal note, it makes me sad to see FDs getting bought up, raped and murdered by ricers. Almost all of the good clean stock RX-7s are gone.
tscooter22 If I may ask what is your definition of "raped and murdered" when it comes to people and their FD's in particular? Do you mean looks wise, or performance wise, or both? Also what is this obsession with keeping them stock not that I disagree, but when I own a car I would want it to have a balance between power and reliability in the most cost effective way possible as well as making the car look gorgeous imo not just "ricing" said FD out. Just asking for your opinion and why people like to leave the car stock as far as looks. I'm curious.
I drove my Fd from San Diego California to Kissimmee Fl. Anyone who says Rx-7s are not reliable are ignorant. If you don't know how to take care of them it'll shit on you. It's not even expensive to take care of them either. I've been daily driving mine for 2 years.
Just top her up with oil every now and then and you're chillen lol
How is it now?
How is it running now????
@@Adub12 I sold her 3 years ago to start a business. She was my daily driver even in florida and I had no issues. Just maintained her very well.
@@sandervanderkammen9230 I have no clue. I sold her 3 years ago to start a business. She ran perfectly fine up until that point. I will be buying another one hopefully this year.
If you're ever going to look into spending good money on any RX-7, get a compression test done, takes stuff all time and a mobile mechanic and do it fast and cheap. This will generally give you a good idea as to what state the engine is and a rough estimate to how much longer it will last when looked after until the next rebuild. Turbo's are a different kettle of fish, as are numerous other things that you should check prior to making a purchase, but I'm not going to list them. If you're going to commit to buying a rotor, spend as much time as you can doing your own research into the entire car you're looking to get, and unless you have very deep pockets, expect to be prepared to learn to be a good patient amateur rotor mechanic, but trust me its fun as hell working on these beasts (I'd also suggest a second car to have access to for when you do need to play around or have lots of spare time). But all the extra research and learning hands on is totally worth it, you get so much out of it.
Number 1 make sure it's not ls swapped
Bryan3000GG Gaming *make sure it is unless you hate your wallet
Number 2, buy an Ls and put it on an engine stand in your garage. Then imagine how much cooler your car would be if it ran with the power of an ls.
you have no idea how many times i've seen really nice FCs only to see that it has been ls swapped
Then it isn't an rx7
@@Jay-bu5ki True, its something better.
"FD owners usually have more money than FC owners" lol
If you tell me one more time that I need to understand...maybe I need to watch this video again
UNDERSTAND THAT UNDERSTAND THAT UNDERSTAND THAT UNDERSTAND THAT
Rotors Magazine IT is the same with the rx8? and sorry for my Bad english!!
Nick Bielmann Don't think so. RX8 Rotary engines are different from rx7 or any other Rotary vehicles. RX8s use Renesis Rotary engines while the others use Wankel Rotary engines. Renesis Rotaries were developed for better fuel efficiency and less matinance. I don't think Renesis Rotaries have much of an aftermarket.
"It's just as reliable as any other car, but be prepared to completely rebuild it"
lmao k
Just needa take care of it
@@ethansuchit173 Wankel engines are inherently unreliable regardless of maintenance... it the reason why the Wankel engine is obsolete.
@@sandervanderkammen9230 u own one?
@@ethansuchit173 I'm not gay.
@@sandervanderkammen9230 ya mom told me something different
fc prices are going up
Oh fuck
god damn don't announce it! not enough people know :p jk it blows and a few FC turbo II's i wanted to buy were at 3k-5k now want 7k AND UP! what!!! It's awesome for the current owners, just not me who want's a rotary T.T
nice profile picture
I bought one bone stock which just needs paint with 130,000km for 3000
(The car is on my channel)
I finally found a Nissan fan boy
1. It
2. Will
3 Blow
4. Up
5. Soon
There you go all 5 things.
No Lucks Given as an x rx7 owner this is so true. i got tired of throwing money on it and sold it bought an evo havent looked back
evo 9 gsr Yea I always start thinking about getting one and doing a build, then I think about it twice and I just can't. To the people who have the willpower to deal with them, hats off to them.
Lulz. So true. It's not IF it's gonna blow, it's WHEN. I swapped in an LS1/T56 about 5 years back, after the rotary started pushing coolant. Now I'm at about 400whp with heads and a little cam and I'm loving every minute of it.
Brandon Berry I would love to do this
No Lucks Given Do it :D You can find aluminum 5.3s for pretty cheap. You could have yourself a no worry sports car for well under $10,000 including the car. I have an SUV, but I still drive the RX7 to work every day down 15 miles of twisties. I actually enjoy my commute in that thing.
Thank you Kenny. Your information and candid presentation is spot on. Too many people, my self included have delusions about the rotary enigma dream. The reality is a stark contrast to the major armchair Qb of persons who don't know what they are talking about.
I secured a tech manual for my rx8 rebuild. Dropped $4,000+ into the engine. Got it to run. Had a bad cat and it was still working. So many other factors are involved . Blew the engine due to a out of true crankshaft. Bought a used motor , dropped that in so I can pass smog in California. Love the ride, but exactly as you share with us here, there has to be an adventuresome spirit to understand the full definition of what a rotary engine is and what you must know to make it work. Bigger learning curve and I am a scientist. Keep at it . Ziggy
Well, the issue of Wankel engine reliability is epitomized by the failure of any Wankel engines to achieve and maintain airworthiness certification for passenger aircraft... something that is not an issue with reciprocating engines.
When it comes to comparing automobile manufacturers based on reliability, build quality and longevity Mazda has traditionally ranked very poorly, especially in regards to engines and transmissions.
always had a thing for FC rx7s. glad there not extinct and people still enjoy them.
also inb4 LOLapexseals
This is true for any old performance car not just rotary
"It doesn't make it any less reliable"
I laughed at that part
anyone who knows worth a dick about engines knows that when HP goes up reliability gets worse.. even with the correct supporting mods.. dudes a fucking joke
Been driving on 700+WHP since 2007, how bow dah.
Logan Speer So in that case, your talking about yourself. Bundy.
Actually, there are a lot of things you can do to make more power and have better reliability.
Then immediately says, "Be prepared to fully rebuild the car"
I literally just got a 88 FC3 vert tonight.. for 1300 bucks... popped on to look up some reviews and spotted this. Nice helpful input sir. You get s a thumbs up.
Very good response about the rotary engine not being expensive. It required initiative. Oil changes with dino oil 5w30 is alot cheaper than synthetic so oil changes are pretty price competitive. I redid the 13B s4 with s6 internals on my FC then swapped it into an s5 body. We did the switch in my driveway and it wasn't very hard. Total into the car is probably 16k but I stopped keeping track.
There is a lot of space in the engine bay so it make things very easy. Anyone with a 350hp these days can't fit their hand in to do more than change the spark plug. I'm microtech big turbo now, racing beat stainless exhaust, and gilmer belt drive :-p
that second tip. ive been working on my '78 SA22C for like 2 years now haha ill be done in like a week, also i didnt buy it and have to rebuild it it was my grandpas project and he passed it too me, i actually learned how to drift in it
Because it takes dedication to own an RX7, that's exactly why I freak out with joy when I see someone with one. They rare to begin with, takes passion to own one (for more than just a year or so), and it tells me the owner is ACTUALLY into cars more than just buying some cool shit to flaunt.
Cooling lubrication and maintenance is what keeps rotarys going omg any rotary is a hell of fun except the 10a lol 12a 13b and the renesis are all a fun box to toss around I totally agree the vids advice this video is good advice for all rotarys Rx8 included Tanx guys!
I think you just crushed my dreams
dont be crushed. find an abandoned rx7, with a fair engine that still has good compression. everything else just accessory
@@lordswan1987 *Lol!!!* *That's hilarious!*
@sandervanderkammen9230 you're really hunting me in the comments huh? Did you lose that bad?
so glad someone who actually knows what they are talking about has made this video
My RX8 I had in the past was the most fun car I've owned, I can't wait to save up for an RX7 FD one day.
Video is on point. I bought a $5500 FD 10 years ago, I was not prepared. Stuff just started immediately breaking. It was a nightmare. Factor in the rebuild, or pay more, end of story.
cool thing is that they can REV super high but have massive turbo lag but not anymore different from other engines with turbos REV high for high power is the best way to describe the rotary with turbos in mind
I personally agree that the Rotary engine requires self learning and self service. Mechanics for rotary engines are also rare to find and the owners must do DIYs on them.
Lots of good advice here. However I would not discourage one from installing a 3 rotor engine if you want the ultimate performance RX7 generation 3 car. I have owned 3 RX vehicles. My most recent is and RX8. I still also own the 91 convertible.
Good vid!! Really your info covers any rotary powered car, not just RX7's ;) Realistically any second hand car will need the usual suspension bushes, springs, shocks, alt, starter ETC replacement. But always expect a motor rebuild with any rotary, just because people will flog them to death...cause ROTARY POWER...Brap brap brap!!! LOL.
I want to get a RX7 FD even tho ppl keep telling me it’s not a good first car but I want to push myself so I’m going for it
Got the same idea bro. How was it going?
I'm so glad that your channel has appeared in my recommendations! I've wanted a RX-7 for years and literally I'm glad you made this video. I was going to make this video once I found a clean FC or FD, but their prices are skyrocketing! The preparation for buying a used one that might need a rebuild is definitely overlooked. I'm not super picky, but people wonder why I don't jump on a 3k-5k FC that looks decent. I know for a fact I'll need to throw 2k into it just to make damn sure it's proper or if it needs the rebuild. FD's holy shit haha glad you covered it. The cars are OLD now. They're damn good, it's just something people aren't patient enough to wait for. I've waited over 8 years to finish school and fund one. Still workin on it haha (FYI hope you recognize where my name came from!)
Did you ever get a7?
this is just regular car buying tips, a lot of people buy cars and think that they can just use it as if the car is perfectly fine, especially old cars like the RX7 or a Supra for example
Old Toyotas are alot more reliable than a Mazda... and Wankel engines have an epic reputation for horrible reliability.
Another one who read forums and shoots all the knowledge out without working as a tech is just beautiful
Sick FC in the back! Evan created one of my favorite FCs
Already bought one, this is gonna be a fun learning experience.
How’s it going 😳
@@davidwaters7389 military police made me part it out lol, big oof as the kids might say
@@NOMACD that’s bad form 😅 I hope to buy 1 in the future
@@davidwaters7389 yeah they are great little cars, my advice would be to buy one that is already squared away if you can afford it
@@NOMACD I’ll keep that in mind gonna be a while anyways till I can afford one there mad rare in Ireland
I just purchased my first rx7, a 1993 fd in montego blue. I probably overpaid for what I have but I love it.
Hope you're still loving it!✌
When my RX7 had it's first engine failure i had to get the dealer in to check out the compression.
The tech said i had done well for it to last 70k on a non turbo. Front rotor seals had failed.
He said turbos usually blow at 35k.
I rebuilt my engine and it lasted to 99k till the second rear rotor blew.
fly bobbie thanks for the information how much did the rebuild cost
@@brad346326 No point quoting really as this was back in 1995. I took the engine out, sent it to a specialist, they wanted £5000 to rebuild it. So i had it back in pieces, costed the parts out myself at £2500 and rebuilt the engine myself. A friend that owned a garage knew the local Mazda dealer and got me FOC the dealer workshop manual. Back then a front rotor cost £500 and the housing was £800. The rest was seals, etc.
I then rebuilt the engine later a 2nd time, costing another £1500 for the 2nd rear rotor and seals.
When the engine finally gave out at 120k miles, i put a Ford engine in the car.
Based on rotor tip wear rates i measured these engines should be pulled at about 50k-60k and rebuilt before the tip seals wear and fall out of the groove wrecking the housing seal face.
I totally agree on how expensive it can be. Great video 👍
same some1 try to sell my dad a rx7 for 25k
Thank you man I just subscribed I am thinking of buying an rx7 this list helped me
so much hate in the comment section😂
Facts wtf
Well damn, this video was uploaded on my birthday and I'm considering selling my 06 Volvo S80 and getting an RX7. I want to learn as much as possible rotary engines and this video certainly helped me make my final decision.
I've owned a 79 and 3 81's and a 91 rx7 and drove the c4ap outta the 12a's, 3 were na and out of 17 years of driving them i only had one engine fail without warning, it was starting great hot or cold, no noises, just driving down the road and felt a bump and it dropped a apex. One 12a had a draw though rayjay turbo that the fins of the turbo was scraping the housing under load so i kept driving it and it desentagrated and blew shrapnel throughout the engine, so that was on me. I took 14hr trips in them. 3 hrs drive time a day everyday for a yr and a half. My 91 was pretty solid and i put around 15,000 miles on it and sold it. I never run premix in any of the above. Now about 3 weeks ago i got my dream car...yes a 93 fd and drove it to east TN. from Florida ...11 hrs and it done great. Im running premix in it. I hope it is as reliable as my others. 12a's are hard to beat.
Can't fix stupid...
*Why would you use premix?* *It's a 4-stroke engine.*
@@sandervanderkammen9230 keeps carbon from building up and lubes apex seals and side seals
@kathygarber3230 *No, it doesn't...*
@@kathygarber3230 *Cabon build-up is a symptom of low compression due to seal damage... you have to be monumentally ignorant to pour the wrong oil into the wrong filler hole.*
5 reasons to buy an rx7:
1: Spinning rotary dorito engine
2: Pop up headlights
3: Initial D
4: Keisuke takahashis and ryosuke takahashis cars
5: Kansei dorifto
Best reasons
Im 17 right now. I have plans to get a job and save money on the side for a RX-7 FD, however the rotarys condition doesn't matter to me cause I plan on swapping the motor with a 2JZ or a RB26TT. I don't have a problem with LS swapped RX-7s but they are usually the go to motor of everyone and I like to be different. I also want to save up and buy a Veilside Fortune kit with the black and orange combo look. Then have the car sitting on Bronze CR Kai's with Kumho tires. Before you guys rage at me for planning to swap a RX-7 this is still a plan lol. I dont even know if I will fufill my car or plan on something else in the future. I love R34 GTT 4 doors and E46 M3 with the GTR widebodys so I might do one of those in the future.
I understand about the swap, I have an early 90s trans am no not a Mazda but the premises is the same I had the 5.0/305 engine that was slowly being built into what was a strong daily driver then, now a Camry puts out more power but sometimes the car means more than the power anyway I was given corresponding 350 heads so I did all the roller rockers springs valves port and polish which took time and money. Moral of the story is I netted like 15 horsepower for all the money and labor it was a dud I got more out of my intake and throttle body which was easy and cheap. God I probably got that from just the full accell ignition, yes I know they provide almost no power but is a necessity to get max gains from other things. But yeah sometimes it's best to j7st ride out and enjoy your car and appreciate that you did it and even now are probably as fast as m9st sports cars not gt500s or red-eyes but you also have 90k more in your wallet and won't have to go to the dealership. I was looking at an RX but it was way to pretty for wqy to cheap but I wanted to investigate further I drove one in the early 90s and remember it was incredibly slow like way slow and automatic but I like things for what they are and if I can make a ballsy enough car that has some enthusiasm it doesn't have to be an ls killer or whatever just pull you into your seats. Thanks for the vid
FD was my first car and I love it still is my daily
Is it true that it’s unreliable?
you guys should do this type of video for the rx8!
Let be realistic, no one likes the renesis...I am an RX8 owners, and I know for a fact 90% of RX8 are absolute fucking idiots lol.
Jairo Ramirez lol very true ive heard bad things about the renesis motor compared to the other rotarys
It's coming!
i am going to own an rx8 first then an rx7 in the future hopefully
Good video & seen the comments, Bottom line is that RX7 & 8"s are not for everyone! 1. you have Kery word "Have" to know how they work and give them the proper maintenance (Just like any other car) 2. you have to take care of it! No not saying baby the car but don't "dog it" just because it red lines high, remember that it is still a car just like any other it will eventually deteriorate if not taken care of. 3. do not "shortcut" on repairs, don't do the one weak fix ups with tape or glue lol, spend the money do the research ASSOCIATE yourself with other RX owners remember that since they have an RX, more than likely they've experienced a similar maintenance issue, and get certified parts for replacements. 4. RX7 & RX8's are unique cars they are rotary and not your average piston/performance car, look at it like this: both cats and tigers are felines, but just because they are in the same family that doesn't mean you can domesticate a tiger,or enclose a kat in a zoo, both require different treatment/attention, (Common sense) people that own these cars are mostly people who are looking to be out of the norm, as stated we have a particular "sense of pride" to know that we do not have the same thing the person next door! and finally 5. Learn to love it, just like anything / anyone you love, your wallet will be a factor and you will spend $$$ BUT bare in mind it is all worth it, every cent! If you follow these 5 simple guides you should not have any trouble with your RX7 or 8 & be able to enjoy it!
good points but can we appreciate doge :)
Stephen Remington dodge*
No, he spelled it correctly.
ill bash u
Stephen Remington is that Deabo?
Glad I'm in the market for an fc rx7
Just chillin here with my Fb just waiting for a 13b rew swap
Wow, quality content on here! I've just recently brought in an FD and have realized it's starting to become a moneypit. Or as you say financial disaster :)
Aren't rotary engines also horrible on gas mileage? I heard they go through fuel like crazy.
P.S. cute dog in the background. he's trying to get some camera time lol
and oil. they are designed to eat oil; ask any RX8 owner.
Silenced 505 Flames coming out the exhaust is a positive thing. No more tailgaters
Silenced - Because a rotary engine has very long combustion chambers it will naturally never be able to burn the fuel quite as efficiently as in a conventional engine. Still, the fact of the matter is the average mpg for the FD RX7 is not really what I would call “horrible” for a 255 HP engine. In fact, the combined listed mpg of the 93 RX7 is exactly the same as for the 2000 Honda S2000, a car of similar size and performance. Anyway, I have had my FD for nearly 20 years now and despite the less than stellar fuel economy it’s been a really great car.
VesBraun - Yes, rotary engines are lubricated by having oil injected into the combustion chamber, much in the same way as a two-cycle engine. They do not go through oil “like crazy” though. That is unless you are driving an awful lot of miles every month. And of course the RX8 is supposedly designed to use even less oil than the RX7.
Yeah. Because they rev so high, gas sometimes isn’t ignited and thrown out to the exhaust valve which is why you hear a lot of modded rotaries backfiring-it’s as inefficient with gas mileage as it is awesome. Totally hope to pick up a stock ‘93 FD in a few years for ~$25-30k. The hard part will be convincing my parents to drive me to the west coast where most are for sale.
I just sold our 1989 Mazda RX-7 rotary motor non-turbo after buying it new and putting over 78,000 miles on it. The only thing we ever did was normal maintenance. So I don't know what you are talking about saying the rotary engine has a potential for added problems or requiring added maintenance. My understanding of them is that they are easy to re-build should the occasion ever arise.
so if you want to buy an rx7, make sure you can afford buying it twice
I had an FD3s and it was a endless money pit! But still at the moment I looking for my next one, it is an adiction
In a car meeting, when the rotary engine comes, all the bullshit stops!
Rotary is the real “neck breaker” Hehehe
thank you for telling us I wanted to buy a RX-7 and. wasn't because of this I am going to buy one now without a doubt
I had to rebuild my rx7 the guy speaks the truth...
That was honest and insightful. Thank you sir.
Nice, thanks for this. Currently, I see only one FD in my country for sale, for $50k, and 2 FCs for about $5k, but I walk almost every day around FC, parked in the same spot for a several months now, so most likely in a need of rebuilt, I dream about that car and how I rebuild it in my shed...
i know a FD3S imported from Japan to my county that'd cost me 15k, fully running.. i want that car so badly.. but being 20 and studying i dont have the money to buy and insure it :(
After watching this video, that LS swap looks that much more appealing
they are solid i had s5 turbo13b i was on my p plates it took a flogging for 2 years never serviced it because i was young and dumb i miss it dearly ... people that blow cars up cant drive them properly no matter wat it is
awesome vid looking into getting one in the future and alot off good points has been made thank you
thanks for the advice man I want an Rx 7 FD so bad
Great video as always! Haha yeah I saw that about the T2 hood lol. I had it on my fc but I traded it for a regular hood.... My car wasn't a t2 lol
True and honest video. Nice one!
I love your channel I feel like I’ll be learning a lot from you and I will watch all your videos! Might have questions threw out the course
Yep gotta rewatch cause i couldnt keep up
your videos are actually good subcribed
I love the channel! Keep up the great videos
I’m about to buy an FD, and I’m either going to LS or Coyote swap it.
Why buy an rx7 just buy a Lexus lmfao
@@yujiro5677 The FD would actually be a good car if it just had a better engine... it really needs a V-8.
If I'll build a 4rotor it isn't just for power it is also for the sound.
Chances are you can’t afford to maintain a 4 rotor lol
@@icheeseit_3050 That's why I ride bicycles now.
@@ModifiedNmax He will be riding a bicycle soon too... he just hasn't done a compression check yet.
@@sandervanderkammen9230 Yep he missed the "if" 😂
When something goes wrong inside your turbo Dorito motor, it will require a total rebuild, the parts arent that cheap either, maintenance and how you drive it do have an effect on its longevity/reliability, but general consensus says you'll get about 60-80k between rebuilds.
oh, and for the love of God, premix, the OMP and oil squirters don't evenly lubricate the housings and seals...
When I had mine, I did a v8 swap in it. Wankel rotoraries or 13bs have to be rebuilt more often than piston motors.
I’m buying a RX7 FD
Have you bought it yet?
In Australia, a clean stock FC is about $8,000+. A clean stock FD is $25,000+. A clean stock RX8 is 14,000+.
I bought a FD 1992, 5 speed, 90K km, for $5.5K... Add another 1K to replace interior parts, 600 to replace the ricer tail lights and it's still under that 25K range you just mentioned.
Actually, nvm. I was comparing my scenario to the Australian scenario, which may make a whole world of difference.
I am so jealous :(
Time to put a 4 rotar in my FC
I love this channel.
thank you for the clear explanation bro! I really appreciate it!!
This was a really good video. I looked into used core engines and they are about $1500... the desirable honda motors are about that used if you are willing to shop around.
Subscribed.
good lookin' out! I just acquired an 87 rx7 and I didn't know shit about them!
Awwww, you're dog is so cute!
You just earned a new sub thanks for this great video about the rx7 Cheers!!!
Great video, very informative.
*Today marks the 6th anniversary of the end of RX production, on Thursday June 21, 2012 at **4:30**pm the final RX-8 car ever to be produced rolled off the assembly line, the last RX model to ever be produced by Mazda.*
All I know is, this car is the OG of drifting along with the AE86. Don't really care about anything else ain't nutin a V8 swap can fix. But that front end suspension is so beast, and the car is set-up so well it's like they made this for drift on purpose lol.
great video hahahaha the mic drop at the end! hahaha god damit just walked outside to check, your right!
I love the chassis of the RX7 but I just couldn't deal with the rotary for daily driving. I was thinking a turbo mx5 engine would be cool to swap in. A bit counter-productive power wise but would make for a nicer daily for sure!
I know this reply is VERY, VERY late, but the engine swap goes the other way around a, 13B in an MX5 is quite easy.
Good power, light chassis, mad handling.
I have plans/dreams.
After the kids grow up.
At least my Fc has 4 seats.
But my kids have never been in it.
So basically have a $40,000 budget on hand when buying one. At least that's what I figured should I ever buy one. Thanks for conforming my suspicions. I hope to one day be able have that much spare cash.
Great vid thanks for posting !
all solid info
I love rotary engines and cars there the best thing ever built wish every car had rotarys in them
a pretty clean FB RX7 appeared up the street at one of my neighbor's houses one day
it sat for a while until it was on jack stands for a little bit longer. and then it disappeared. I don't know if they sold it or towed it to a shop but I haven't seen it since. I have never seen it run or drive
Very typical, most of the folks buying these cars have no idea about their horrible reputation for expensive engine failures..
I'm buying an FD3S this Tuesday. The problem with most people is the fact that they don't have the pockets to work on the car. This won't be my daily, I have my 07 civic si for that.
Daft Photography gay
Thanks for the tips
I had to sell my '93 R1 a few years ago because it got way too expensive to maintain. The car is beyond awesome in so many ways, but it's definitely a rich person's toy and not an average guy's daily driver.
tizodd6
yeah $180 for a downpipe gasket at the dealership.
Made my own for $11 and still have gasket material left over. A new cat? forgwt about it bought a mid pipe instead
"different" actually it is less reliable and more expensive to keep them good. But yeah if you totally want to tune a inline 6 u can spend more on that. compared to some inline 6 or v8 but its unique and worth it because that sound is mindblowing