Why This 21 Year Old's Dream Car is a 1987 Mazda RX-7 FC
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- Опубликовано: 30 янв 2023
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Today on the channel, a bit of classic rotary action courtesy of a 1987 Mazda RX-7 FC. I talk about why George, it's 21 year old owner, loves the RX7 and why I think he's right to.
#Mazda #RX7 #Rotary
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About the battery drain its probably more to do with it being an import where the Japanese rarely had alarm systems fitted from factory and the importers at the time would fit a scorpion or similar system.
Unfortunately the back up battery for the alarm when old and dead would constantly consume more power from the battery than what would normally be needed to charge the back up.
Finding the back up battery and making a new one out off AA batteries it the cheaper fix instead of replacing the alarm system.
Hope this is his issue as it was for my old celica.
Love your video's
170ish hp from a naturally aspirated 1.3 is bloody damm impressive gotta love rotarys
Can u get a hand on a Proton Satria GTi or the M24 Coupe?
@@princesssolace4337 I did - it broke! Review to come when it's ready
I wish RUclips would stop talking about RX7's, I can't afford one and I don't want the prices to increase anymore! LOL
Underrated comment
How bout the Mazda 323 B6/B8 Turbo or Mazda Speed3/6?
Find another dream... i ve had the same with 944
@@princesssolace4337 I have owned an FC and driven the others, they really aren't comparable. The RX7 is a proper sports car in a way those others aren't. They are fast or can be made so but the chassis dynamics, steering feel, and character of the 13B in the RX7 far exceeds those cars.
@@flacjacket I'm sure u do, since he is at the old school turbo Mazda , I figured why not get the whole familia including the 84 XG - Turbo(if he can find one) and end it with an encore of the last Mazdaspeed familia✌️
Having owned two circa 1974 RX4 Coupes I can assure you James that the 13B engine was present in both of them.
The 12A engine it replaced was only in the first early models of the RX4 Coupe and sedan.
I put 120,000 on one of them with zero engine issues and it was very fast for its time. I dragged raced it alot and only blew one clutch in all that time. The diffs and gearbox were very tough and the cars were light. Like all rotaries of that time the 4 spark plugs were on one side of the engine so they needed to be warmed up and driven gently until up to operating temps otherwise the torque of the engine would slightly twist the engine nacelle because the nonspark plug side took longer to heat up. That cause most of the Apex seal problems which were often talked about.
I once drove it at high speed right across Australia in summer heat (up to 46C) and it never missed a beat over a 5000 km crossing.
They used a bit of oil and like to eat spark plugs a bit but thats about it. Rotaries are awesome and the FC RX7 was one of them.
Thanks for posting!
Same here: I had an RX-4 with a 13B.
13b was also available in the repu, RX5, cosmo hb and FB before the fc came along.
My introduction to the FC-Gen RX-7 is as my starter car in Gran Turismo 4 and so I developed a soft spot for. Plus my love of the 944 meant the FC RX-7 is a car I really do think deserves more fanfare. The wheels and the slightly lowered suspension are a really good look for the review car, a lovely example of a fabulous car.
Took my grandfather’s 1976 RX4 out several times in the early 80s. An absolute rocket ship! Really a gem of a car / engine.
Back in the day, they went like a V8, and used gas like a V8. lol
@@gavinivers8941 You’re not wrong. About 12mpg!
@@MoJoAssets They also ran on standard fuel not super so the costs weren't that high. An RX4 would get about 17-20 mpg just driving around and better than that cruising on a highway. It was only when you really floored it that the big 4 barrel carb would start sucking it down pretty hard.
I did that quite a bit ;)
At 4:47 I've just had absolutely goosebumps. I emptied hours upon hours I to NFS Carbon when I was younger. It has literally sculpted my outlook on cars. I remember fondly that at the time I didn't have a memory card fitted, so every few days I had to start all over again! What a time.
I had the turbo version of that car, black with red terracotta interior.. same no pwr steering and no antilocks.. it was modded with variable boost and and HKS exhaust and heavy duty clutch.. it was a beast, fastest car ive ever owned and yeah the new cars today are likely much faster but that rx7 turbo was thrilling when i had it, with a swell of power that felt like a wave that built and built...
the throttle linkage stuck wide open one day and it almost killed me... rolled over a few times and crushed in the roof.. sold on auction... I miss that one!
This has been my dream car for the past 10 years, it has an amazing rotary engine and it just looks stunning
Try 20 years
@@kdpwt well I only started liking this car when I was 10 years old lol
Are you George? Such a cool car
my sister once had a boyfriend who had one of these. I was only a kid so it was mighty cool. Especially when my dad was driving along side us in his Triumph TR7.
TR7(vomit) - no offense.
@@GM-fh5jp well he got a TR8 with a 4.0L later, so if you just clean up after you I'll forgive you.
@@LarsAgerbk LOL...those TR7s were truly horrible though...seriously ugly and the poster cars for everything wrong with the UK car industry at that time....other than that...
@@GM-fh5jp I'd take the TR7/8 over a rotary any day of the week!
@@LarsAgerbk the TR7/8 was a cool car it was just ruined by terrible 70s British car production. Just like the SD1.
I used do race on in the SCCA in the ITS class against Datsun Z’s and BMW’s. Handled great, true momentum car, no torque but had power at 6-9000 rpm. We had a saying that your fastest lap was the lap before your engine blew up.
What a dream come true, I played both those games as a kid and I was also obsessed. That car is legendary
Nice to see more rotary content on your channel James. The FC is indeed a rare sighting here in the UK due to the use of salt on the roads which has slowly destroyed the majority of these cars from the inside. They are so rare here that you are more likely to spot the previous generation FB at a retro show or out for a weekend cruise.
I have been lucky enough to own both, a Series 5 turbo back home in NZ and I currently have my 1st generation Series 3 which has graced my garage for a decade or so. You took a look at my Rx-7 at Brooklands a while back.
The FC was a big upgrade over the previous generation and as you said, was aimed squarely at the US market. The competition had moved on and the FB was long overdue a major refresh with roots back to the '70's being based on the previous Savanna (Rx-3) platform.
The Porsche 944 was the template in terms of styling and performance. The FC got the larger , fuel injected13b powerplant, rack and pinion helm, revised suspension with passive rear steering, along with a redeveloped chassis and suspension. The handling difference between the !st and 2nd generation cars really is like night and day.
A very good piece overall James and great to see you enjoying the car. Nice to hear the shout out to the guys at Essex Rotary too. As you say, it's important to have a specialist that you can trust and they do excellent work with this much maligned and misunderstood engine.
Many thanks for posting.
That is a lovely motor. If I didn't have a eunos that I don't want to part with I'd be spending my time driving (or repairing) one of these.
Love to see it. I had an FC as my first car 20 years ago, and it was a rare car even then. Really interesting and cool car.
Same story. First car, 25 years ago after a few years on motorbikes. Didn’t disappoint in any way other than long term pain of mpg.
Mine too, back in 2003! Awesome car! No issues until it got stolen.
I tip my hat off to George. The FC is a very nice car. We're about the same age but he has achieved his dreams while I've failed. lol
The Rx7 is also my dream, except the FD. It has been for about 20 years. And of course, the introduction was initial D and Gran Turismo. It may be shallow to say, or perhaps poetic, but the car really means everything to me. That is not to be interpreted lightly.
Well done to the owner. The car is well kept and the wheel choices are good. The sound is also not what I was expecting, it being a naturally aspirated FC. One more thing, the 944 is a decent alternative to this car lol
Thanks a bunch, James. Rotary engines are like a Class A drug. Once you've sampled, it's hard to stop. I did stop only about 4 years ago; now I need another fix.
Love the car, and good on the guy for owning this at 21!
Intro made me laugh though, wheelspin on dirt and as soon as the tarmac starts, it almost bogs down to a halt :P
Lovely car indeed - great video James! I know just how cold it was when this was shot - good job indeed it was an NA rather than a Turbo!
Damn my dad had one that looked exactly like this. What an awesome car.
Thanks J, a rare sight on the roads as you say, I always notice them though and think about Mazda's attempts to make the rotary car mainstream!🙏🙏
That is a cool new shot jayemm , camera mounted on bonnet looking back towards the cabin. great stuff
Wow, this RX7 looks in great condition for its age inside and out. I owned a 1986 White with burgundy interior back in the early 1990's...I loved it...seriously loved it...but it didn't love me...the rear wheel passive steering gave a little twitch mid bend that always made you change your pants (interesting that the car reviewed has had it 'sorted'), the engine regularly flooded after any short run, and oh those service/repair bills. In the end I chopped it for one of Nissan's new sports cars...the 200SX Turbo...now if only I had been given a barn when I was in my 20's I'd never have sold any of my old cars🤔. Another great review
followed the owner of this on instagram for a couple years now. lovely clean car, especially being a uk model. the fc is a hidden gem and id definitely love to try one
Saw this on his Instagram and I've been waiting for the video. My dream car as well!
My turbo II was my first proper sports car in the late 90s ( I don’t put my MGB GT in that bracket ) it still holds an affectionate place in my heart, always wanted the last gen car but never made the leap
I have to say the little information bits about the rx7 with the cinematics behind, the soothing voice. Reminds me of Forza when Jeremy have his tidbits to say on FM4. Ah the memories.
Bought myself a 1986 FC in 1990 (Normally Aspirated) with about 60k on the clock. Absolutely loved that car. Added a Borla exhaust, Tokico adjustable shocks and a “Personal” suede steering wheel, and drove the crap out of it. Commuted in it, drove it through four seasons (with winter tires), autocrossed it, and took it on road trips. Other than some gear grind in second gear (that I got fixed with a rebuilt gearbox), It was probably the most reliable car I ever owned, as well as a blast to drive. Definitely remember the lack of power steering when trying to park, but fortunately the car was pretty light. Mine didn’t have a back seat at all, so surprised to see one with a back seat.
It was stolen from me when it had 120k on it, and I was pretty bummed. Love seeing these cars still appeal to car enthusiasts…it truly was a great car in its era!
I remember a friend having a red convertible one. I had a drive in it, if I remember correctly the steering was incredibly light. I always liked the looks though and the rotary engine a fabulous concept
My second car was one of these in the GTX trim with the turbo. What a fantastic car. With some more boost, ecu work, an exhaust and performance air filter, it was very fast and fun for its age. Probably still the fastest car I have owned.
Awesome Video Jay!
I'm really glad you have posted this and it's just the ticket to get me off my fat arse and sort mine out🤣
She has been a non running garage/barn queen for the past 11 years and last had an mot in 2012! An average of about 15mpg and an expanding family soon put the idea of using her as an everyday car firmly out the picture🤣
I first bought it in 2000 off a neighbour for 450 quid and used it as my daily for ten years before life started to get in the way. I owe it to the car and myself to get it back on the road and have an occasional blast around some b roads again! ( couldn't afford to bloody run it all the time!)🤣
Thanks again Jay for the best inspirational vid I've ever seen on yt😁
Love 80's-90's Coupé's! Beautiful car, and those wheels really do suit it. Also good on him for not going with stretched tyres or anything.
If you're ever in Germany again.. I've got a pretty good example of a VW Corrado VR6 you could have a go in. Its my first car actually, and I've had it for 14 years now. But its, I think, also a very cool beginners car. (The 2.0 16V and even the 2.0 8V are also quite fun to drive. But for me, it had to be the VR)
When I was a kid I wanted nothing but an S13, now that Im not a kid anymore, I cant get away from wanting an FC. For now I have an RSX wK24 but im still yearning that 80's aesthetic
Great review! The FC is one of the best school jdm turbos.
I said it a few times before but thank you again @JayEmmOnCars for your content I often listen to your videos on the way to work and at night to calm myself down
Comments like this make it all worth it!
Excellent video brother once again
To me, this car's design is perfect. I'm a 90s kid and I love it. Thanks for a great review man!
👆👆Massage me on Telegram I have a surprise package 📦 for you
amazing vehicle, glad you are driving one finally, your opinion is held in high regards to me
I had this year RX-7. Mine was the GTU trim. Loved this car. Rotary engine was a big question mark. It was an experience no piston engine is like. Handled great. Some ways I miss it. Some ways it was fun while it lasted.
Saw the turbo convertible once and fell in love with it. It's a beautiful design indeed.
What a lovely car. Never driven anything like that before but hopefully one day I will. Most Sporty car i've driven is either an NA Mazda MX5, a Jaguar XKR 4.0 or a VW Golf GTE
Battery issue might be an internal diode on the alternator. The FC was also prone to issues with the cold soldering points for the HVAC controls. I had both an FB and an FC. The FC did everything better than the FB, but the FB was a more rugged and durable car, simpler to fix and work on, and in my opinion, much more fun to own and drive.
The owner has good taste in modifications, looks really nice and OEM+
This car is so cool! The wheels fits this car, and look, so well!
"George has resisted temptation on this build - some of you may imagine that's because he's run out of budget" that absolutely sums up car culture nowadays 👌🏼could you possibly fettle an fc that's better for use on British B roads?maybe, but not by much... It's amazing how many "dream builds" you see passed from pillar to post because the builder/owners didn't quite get what they thought they would out of them.
Lovely review, even nicer car. Grand Turismo indeed! One of my faves, along with the Nissan Silvia.
I'm going for dodgy voltage regulator on the alternator
Thought initially this was my old car but mine was an '86, with burgundy interior, but equally low miles, and still very close to you!! I bought mine at 13k miles at 10 years old, and even now only has 40k miles on it. Also had a Turbo II which lives somewhere close to you.
I’m that 21 year old too. Fc’s are so awesome.
As for the battery problem, I suggest beefing up and even adding ground or "earth" wires.
These cars have electrical gremlins after 30 years. Google aaron cake grounding for nicely detailed instructions.
Or add a cut off switch.
Thinking of similarly appealing 80s cars, you did do an awesome AW11 review
But one often very overlooked thing is the Nissan S12.
And they seem so strikingly similar to the more than famous AE86
My neighbour had one of these back in the day and in white! I seem to remember he began with a Reliant Robin on his motorcycle licence and turned it over on a corner. 😂
Love the vid
Scania Vabis key-chain for his FC 👌🏾
Bet he's a fan of ETS, as well😌
I cannot wait to get one eventually. My dream car was an a45 and driving one is amazing. This would be next level dream to own. Sadly they are quite expensive to buy one would set you back about 30k AU but with the amount of work and limited workshops you are spending another 50-60k getting it to near mint. I'd love to own a white comet and I am very much prepared to wait.
The reason for the battery problems and the belts being shredded is the upgraded alternator. The small original ones are very weak. People fit a bigger one but the internal connections are different so the alt drains the battery and the belt pulley is slightly misaligned with the others and that wears the edges of the belt real quick. The problem is made worse when the air pump for smog is removed, which makes the belts have much less contact with the fan pulley, there's slippage and again, the belt suffers.
It did say he upgraded the belts, you do have to run a wire for the s5+ alternators in these s4 and earlier cars
I used to have a an fc, I loved it.
I’m so jealous. This was my poster car 😢
3rd Podium!
Mazda's own MX5 NC2.......got eerily close to the Mazda RX7's of the 80's and 90's, especially when compared to an 80's atmo rotary, similar horsepower.
I owned a red one in 1988 .....would love to own one again.
I had the mk1 and the mk 2 same colour inside and out as the one he is driving I think I still have heater controls somewhere I had a jamspeed exhaust system on it sounded like a tvr I really enjoyed the drive always felt safe driving it.
As a bit of a grandpah of a 23 y/o with a crappy back, enjoyment of ride quality, overall attention to detail and good mechanal design, the 1988 E34 5-Series M20 models are my go to
1-2" bigger suspension travel and ABS would do that a great for any road sports car. I also would keep the passive RWS.
Pop-up lights! 🤩
White FC Turbo II is my dream car, I only hope I'll be able to afford one and fit inside it.
My first ever car was near enough identical to this!
I was 11 and playing Gran Turismo 4!
I'd almost forgotten about these but then we were spoiled for choice back then worth Japanese sports cars of all sizes.
Very very cool indeed.
Ryoski Takahashi of Red suns car from Inital D series ,I had a few 1979 Saa22 12a RX7s here in New Zealand back in the day ,Stock 4 port tall ports ,6 ports ,dump the point dizzy for a later electric one ,fit electric fan ,we did a few bridge ports at work on the plates on a basic CNC in the early 90s lol i was doing a tool makers apprentiship and my tradesman loved cars and pulling my first rotor apart with him was great lol New seals and apexs and springs ex japan ,vasealine to hold all the orings seals inplace lol cool motors ,13b Turbos are the beast rota
That is a nice looking car to be honest !
I'd love to see James review an 1988/1989 Mitsubishi Starion 2600 Turbo....
Another great car
My father had what I think was an '86, white, convertible, and very sadly...automatic. His MS had developed to the point where he could no longer use his left leg for a clutch. I actually do not think I ever had a ride in that car. He eventually dumped it because there was some issue with starting in cold weather. If it didn't start on the first try, it would flood and would require pulling a plug or two to siphon out fuel, so I was told.
You're tempting me, James. I've watched Initial D you know. Me watching this might end up in me buying one and God only knows how that's going to work out for me. 😂😂😉
That racing beat true dual exhaust!
This kid is gonna show this video to everyone he knows 😉
Loved my red 1987 NA...
Ryosuke Takahashi, head of the Red Suns, drives a FC Savannah, Initial D
My MX5 has enough fireworks for me.
I ran my mate to London to pick up a y reg Vic Elford turbo rx7 in the 90s
Would love to buy one of these if I could find an NA example without rust everywhere
About the hair-raising turbo in these Mazdas, i think your wrong. I own a RX-7 Turbo II -86 ported with 199 bhp on the wheels and even before restored the turbo boost was and still is the smoothest ride. From 3500 to 5500-6000 rpm´s its a constant pull with no kick and terrifying behavour in any weather because as mentioned , the tourge is quite low. The gasmilage before engine restore was on a good day 1,8L per 10 km. Did´nt matter where, in town, the highway, standing still. But properly restored and tuned on a average drive i get about 0,8 km per liter, if i dont look at the accelerator that is. Great handling car this is, and dont get rid of the passive rearwheel steer because its nice. If you are drifting it needs to go thow. Nice review of a great car :) .
Rotatary is the same as using a 2 stroke machine. Premix the Castrol Super R back in my day of 125/250 2 strokes.
Next , 1980s Mazda 323 Turbo S , 323 4wd Turbo and the 92 323 Turbo before we move along to Ford TX3 1.8 (is there one in the UK)?
I wish you could get hold of a mark 1 starion turbo, without the wide body and the 2ltr 8valve homologation engine for your channel.My father owned one and I’ve dreamed of owning the ne ever since.
Would love to see a mitsubishi starion
Cool FC, think I’ve seen this one at 7s day. I’m not 21 anymore but I got my FB when I was 17, love the naturally aspirated rx7s, great for young enthusiasts and still somewhat attainable.
I don’t think 100ml of 2t is enough to mix for a car without the omp. I mix probably 6x that in.
When you said "it's the second generation car" you sounded an awful lot like Tiffany Needle 🤣🤣🤣
When your car spends so much fuel you actually have to be loaded to afford the running costs I think my Ryosuke impersonation would have to stay a dream😂
One of my favourite looking cars. I'm scared of the rotary reliability and lack of torque otherwise I would probably have one.
He could have at least washed it before getting it to you Jay hahahaha.
Hahaha love the bad launch start..sounded when u shift an old volvo 740 when someone shift to early and bogs down.!😅
Are there any changes needed to the block in order to attach the turbo set up? Are the N/A higher comp etc?
Yes the NA is higher compression. You can turbo them but you’d need to upgrade the fuel pump, injectors, intake manifold and exhaust etc, and run a standalone ECU. The high comp engine can be happily turbod but mapping properly is important.
Video games ? To me this is "Akagi's White Comet" 😍
I had the same problems with battery on my 1990 Prelude. Nobody ever figured it out. I also heard pre 90s japanese cars often do that. They just like the juice i guess
This was my summation on the first day I saw this in 2000. Psychosomatic was pretty obvious to me.
I have a 300zx twin turbo, effortlessly quick, handles, electric leather seats, air-con, climate control, etc etc. Still some affordable Japanese muscle around if your brave enough.
I have had 3 rx7s, One 1989 GTUS two FDs, none of them ever got out of the teens in MPG. My AE86 on the other hand has seen as high as 33mpg or more often with my driving 25mpg. Some people I know with rx8s seem to get 17mpg with a healthy car. I love the rotary but the gas mileage is very bad considering the performance you get out of them. If an rx8 got mid 20s to low 30s I would happily be rocking one today.
If you’ve never driven an SA22C or FB I’ve got 4 here in the Uk, and at any given time I’ve usually got at least 1 running haha
Had one of these with a (Ron) Burgundy interior 😬
Thank you
Damn I wish I had that kind of money at that age
3:27 I see that Saab key chain 👀
Cool. I have a white '91, sadly rotting away in my parents' barn. I bought it in 2006 as my first own car also at age 21. I got an RX8 in '09 and about that time the RX7 developed an electrical issue, possibly the same as this one, which I never figured out. I just kinda stopped driving it and now even forget that it's still there. 🙁 I need to get it going again someday.
Wanna sell it?? :)
@@lucadevoti6955 I should have sold it along time ago. It needs some work now after sitting so long. Maybe this summer I will try to clean it up and sell it.
@@ultratacoRX7 i m here.. :)
@@lucadevoti6955 where are you located? I am in the USA. (Indiana)
@@ultratacoRX7 uuu.. it s a long long way :).. italy..
...That launch tho XD
I owned an FB (12A) and an RX8. Always wanted an FC but never found the used GTUs model I wanted (Base car with all the Turbo II performance hardware save for the turbo engine). I needed a base no sunroof car for more headroom, and the GTUs had all the better hardware. I think it was an SCCA special iirc.
Yes, I just bought an 89’ GTUs and it comes with turbo II suspension and brakes, 4.30 LSD, no subroof, manual windows, no rear wiper etc.
@@efiniGTX That's a rare find.
@@BReal-10EC yea I kind of just stumbled on it on ebay. I was looking at toyota trucks and it was there with an hour left to bid, and I won.
Wasn't expecting a lira reference, love you from Turkey, Jay!
Thanks!