So I want to buy an RX-7...

[magnumP5]

Oh wow, that is a s***-ton of stuff! Most of that can just be pulled out? What does it all control that is also removed? Sorry, I couldn't really get a better answer off of RX7Club that hd a good list of things that are removed; just the typical stuff: BAC, thermowax, charcoal canister, ACV, air pump, EGR (not S5's). Got any better links or info for a how-to or something?

Oh yeah, finally got a call about the GLX in NoVA today. Car is bone stock except factory-replacement mufflers and the headlight covers were replaced as was the hood resprayed. The current owner is the 3rd and he put a lot of work into it getting it back to shape. Has an aftermarket headunit and speakers - that doesn't bother me but I'd probably change those out. Supposedly no rust, no smoke at start-up or while driving and no hesitation. Oh yeah, aftermarket wheels (look to be 16's) as well but they aren't too bad. The only bad things mentioned was a broken rear wiper motor (it doesn't work) and the driver's side door lock does not lock/unlock the car (I believe this is a common problem). I'm going to have the fiance' stop by this weekend and take a look/start it up/take pictures for me.

 

[SpooledupRacing]

the wiper is normal. I just like having no rear wiper.
the door lock is normal so is broken door handles (external)

leave the aftermarket deck in it.. the stock unit blows.

got any pictures of it??


another question to ask is the infamous
"does the car use oil"

if they say NO none in 3000 miles then they are either lying or the omp is bad and that is a reason to stand clear!

 

[Shadow102]

Hey magnum check out rotary resurection on the whole rats nest thing. Also be careful if you get a s5 na...one of the solenoids on the rats nest controls the vdi for the intake mani.

 

[SpooledupRacing]

yeah check

www.rotaryressurection.com

 

[magnumP5]

the wiper is normal. I just like having no rear wiper.
the door lock is normal so is broken door handles (external)

leave the aftermarket deck in it.. the stock unit blows.

got any pictures of it??


another question to ask is the infamous
"does the car use oil"

if they say NO none in 3000 miles then they are either lying or the omp is bad and that is a reason to stand clear!

Didn't ask, but I am sending him an email tonight asking for more pictures so I will then.

Hey magnum check out rotary resurection on the whole rats nest thing. Also be careful if you get a s5 na...one of the solenoids on the rats nest controls the vdi for the intake mani.

That's one of the reasons this is confusing me and no site I've found has mentioned that! But yeah, I was looking at that site but it's one of those places that mentions removing everything. It makes key references to removing the ACV and air pump (it also says removing the rats nest isn't really recommended on '89-'91 models) but not much else. As I am not removing those I don't really know what to do. I can go in there and start removing things, only leaving connected what I need, but all those things connect to something else - do all those get removed too (ie, charcoal cannister, etc)? It just seems weird to be removing this vacuum loom only to have to essentially recreate it myself as I'm keeping some of the major components.

 

[conewagon]

yeah check

www.rotaryressurection.com

too many s's not enough r's

www.rotaryresurrection.com

 

[SpooledupRacing]

ah yes lol thx.

 

[conewagon]

 

[magnumP5]

Hey magnum check out rotary resurection on the whole rats nest thing. Also be careful if you get a s5 na...one of the solenoids on the rats nest controls the vdi for the intake mani.

So is there a way to remove this without deactivating the VDI/6th ports? From what I'm currently reading, it does not appear so.

 

[Shadow102]

So is there a way to remove this without deactivating the VDI/6th ports? From what I'm currently reading, it does not appear so.

I am pretty sure as longs as you leave the acv/airpump you will have use of the 5/6 ports. With the vdi you could probably lose the rats nest and just leave the solenoid and vacuum hoses that actuate it. I wired all of mine open just because I think either my acv or something wasn't functioning, I lost some downlow torque but anything above 4k rpm the car just goes.

I just hope that you understand that no matter what car you buy there is going to be something to do, fix, remove, replace, ect. As these cars are hitting 20 years old at least. The best part is the plethora of info out there for them so anything you need done can be fixed and parts are plentiful.

 

[magnumP5]

I just hope that you understand that no matter what car you buy there is going to be something to do, fix, remove, replace, ect. As these cars are hitting 20 years old at least. The best part is the plethora of info out there for them so anything you need done can be fixed and parts are plentiful.

Oh, I understand. I keep saying I have no delusions of finding one in absolutely perfect condition. I just don't want to inherit a world of problems - I just don't have the time or money to spend trying to fix up and bucket of junk. I guess if the body was in perfect condition and only the engine needed wort then I could see myself picking one up for the right price.

Either way, the fiance' is going to be checking out the GXL this weekend. I just sent here an email with a 1000 word essay explaining all the things to look/listen/smell for. Hopefully she will also be getting me some good pictures and video

 

[SpooledupRacing]

sounds good keep us updated!

 

[magnumP5]

So the P5 is pending a sale, possibly this weekend and the fiance' is headed out to take a look at the red GXL. Speaking of which, the seller sent me some new pictures. Sure, they're small and kind of crappy, but you get the idea. Original sale ad is here: http://www.cars.com/go/search/detai...onal&paId=310116564&recnum=13&leadExists=true

Now the one things that has me concerned is that he mentioned the car never had an "oil burning problem". I know this was one of the "red flags" of buying a rotary but I am not sure by "oil burning problem" if he meant burning in general or excessive burning. I have asked him to clarify. Just to clarify for myself, but saying this does this mean there is something technically wrong with the car or just that it has not been properly maintained? IE, could there be something internally broken causing oil not to be injected or could there just be something wrong due to negligence?​

 

[SpooledupRacing]

WOW.. looks nice.. My question would not be "does it burn oil" but how often do u have to put oil in the car between oil changes.

Gotta be tactical.. because he wont know if it is "burning" if he is not an rx7 guy,. I mean u dont see it go out the exhaust, u dont see any leaks.. if u dont know the rotary engine you may think to yourself..'
'
"Where is this oil going"

remember the problem is that if it does use oil, he may be telling u no to get the sale (in essence he is making the sale worse).

 

[Shadow102]

Now the one things that has me concerned is that he mentioned the car never had an "oil burning problem". I know this was one of the "red flags" of buying a rotary but I am not sure by "oil burning problem" if he meant burning in general or excessive burning. I have asked him to clarify. Just to clarify for myself, but saying this does this mean there is something technically wrong with the car or just that it has not been properly maintained? IE, could there be something internally broken causing oil not to be injected or could there just be something wrong due to negligence?​

If its not "burning" oil that means the omp (oil metering pump) is malfunctioning. This is an external part located in the front right part of the engine near the bottom of the front plate. Being a s5 though I believe if this part is malfunctioning it should throw a CEL and the car will be running in limp mode. Depending on how long the omp has been out determines what kind of damage has been done to the internal seals however if it does go bad you can premix.

 

[Sport23]

Good luck on your car hunt. A side note on the antenna not working: The antenna is negatively switched not positively switched so if the car has an aftermarket stereo expect the antenna not to work though. All that you need to make it work is a relay it's easy but many people don't know that.

 

[magnumP5]

WOW.. looks nice.. My question would not be "does it burn oil" but how often do u have to put oil in the car between oil changes.

Gotta be tactical.. because he wont know if it is "burning" if he is not an rx7 guy,. I mean u dont see it go out the exhaust, u dont see any leaks.. if u dont know the rotary engine you may think to yourself..'
'
"Where is this oil going"

remember the problem is that if it does use oil, he may be telling u no to get the sale (in essence he is making the sale worse).

Yeah, this is why I asked him to clarify. I reworded my question to say "use oil" and mentioned that is was normal for a rotary to go through some oil between changes. Hopefully he will get back to me. If it is the case a CEL will come one due to a faulty OMP my fiance' will notice it on Saturday as that is something for which I have specifically asked her to look. I know the hood was resprayed and the headlight covers were replaced (I asked him for pictures of those areas - that's why there are so many) but the paint does look pretty good. I'm curious what the steering wheel looks like underneath the cover and the carpet under the cheap plastic mats as well.

Good luck on your car hunt. A side note on the antenna not working: The antenna is negatively switched not positively switched so if the car has an aftermarket stereo expect the antenna not to work though. All that you need to make it work is a relay it's easy but many people don't know that.

Based on the pictures above it looks to have an aftermarket antenna. This doesn't really bother me as every FC I have seen so far has had a broken antenna (loose from body, missing or would not extent). That was going to be one of the things I was going to change anyway, although I would have gone with a smaller antenna like off the CX-7.

 

[SpooledupRacing]

I can tell u the steering wheel is probably shot, the floors should be fine but may be discolored.

as for the OMP.. the S5 omp is electrical (another reason why I HATE S5's) if the omp is faulty there will be an engine light and it will drive like there is no power.. VERY NOTICABLE.. I tend to lean toward premixing ESPECIALLY on the S5 models because they are just to notorious for failing and then u wont know till it is to late..

again asking him if it "burns oil" is not the right question because nobody knows (unless u are an rx7 guy) that in fact they do BURN oil and thats a good thing.. Just ask him if it uses any oil in between changes.

If you would like to pass me a phone number or email I would be more then happy to ask him some questions (just acting like a potential buyer. (obviously I cant afford to buy another 7 so u know I wont take it from ya.)

 

[Shadow102]

Yeah, this is why I asked him to clarify. I reworded my question to say "use oil" and mentioned that is was normal for a rotary to go through some oil between changes. Hopefully he will get back to me. If it is the case a CEL will come one due to a faulty OMP my fiance' will notice it on Saturday as that is something for which I have specifically asked her to look. I know the hood was resprayed and the headlight covers were replaced (I asked him for pictures of those areas - that's why there are so many) but the paint does look pretty good. I'm curious what the steering wheel looks like underneath the cover and the carpet under the cheap plastic mats as well.

Based on the pictures above it looks to have an aftermarket antenna. This doesn't really bother me as every FC I have seen so far has had a broken antenna (loose from body, missing or would not extent). That was going to be one of the things I was going to change anyway, although I would have gone with a smaller antenna like off the CX-7.

Your carpet comment reminded me...check out www.blackdragonauto.com and order a free catalog. They carry a lot of those small pain in the ass to find parts to restore things...like they offer full carpet replacments.

 

[Shadow102]

I can tell u the steering wheel is probably shot, the floors should be fine but may be discolored.

as for the OMP.. the S5 omp is electrical (another reason why I HATE S5's) if the omp is faulty there will be an engine light and it will drive like there is no power.. VERY NOTICABLE.. I tend to lean toward premixing ESPECIALLY on the S5 models because they are just to notorious for failing and then u wont know till it is to late..

again asking him if it "burns oil" is not the right question because nobody knows (unless u are an rx7 guy) that in fact they do BURN oil and thats a good thing.. Just ask him if it uses any oil in between changes.

If you would like to pass me a phone number or email I would be more then happy to ask him some questions (just acting like a potential buyer. (obviously I cant afford to buy another 7 so u know I wont take it from ya.)

As far as removing and premixing a s5, when you remove the omp does it not throw a cel as its not there?

And premix solution where is the best place to buy it?