[Editor’s Note: This article originally ran in the November 2007 issue of Grassroots Motorsports.]
Story by Chris Stutters
It’s not easy being different. Just about every car manufacturer has made some form of sports car, and each marque has tried a different tack to make its steed stand out from the herd. Only one manufacturer, however, managed to outshine the rest from day one with something truly unusual.
Since its 1979 introduction, Mazda’s RX-7 has been unique thanks to one major feature: its use of a rotary engine. Mazda stuck with the rotary through both the 1986 and 1992 redesigns, with the final car remaining on North American soil only through the 1995 model year. (The third-gen RX-7 was available to customers in Japan through the 2002 model year.)
Many RX-7 owners argue about why the car stopped coming to North American shores. Talk of reliability problems and cost of production—two issues that could be traced to that unique rotary engine—along with a declining market for sports cars fill out the list of reasons for the car’s discontinuation here.
Although the argument is still found on RX-7 message boards, there is one opinion that many people agree on: the third-gen RX-7—often referred to by its FD chassis designation—was the best RX-7 made. In fact, its performance numbers still outshine some of today’s newer sports cars. In a day when sports cars had started to put on some bulk, the RX-7 was a lean, mean machine.
Running Man
The third-generation RX-7 remained basically the same during its entire U.S. model run with four basic models available: Base, Touring, Popular Equipment Package (PEP), plus the R1 and later R2 performance packages. Each trim level grouped together specific options until 1994, when Mazda allowed individual options to be ordered.
The R1 was the automotive cocktail for the hardcore driver. The package added a stiffer suspension and other performance items; Mazda only sold it during 1993. The R2 replaced the R1 for the next model year due to complaints that the R1 was too stiff.
Unlike previous generations, only one engine was available for the third-generation RX-7. The car’s 13B rotary engine sported a very complex twin sequential turbocharger system where in each turbo had a specific purpose in life: The first one helped low-end torque and around 4500 rpm the second one kicked in for high-rpm power. In stock trim, both turbos produce 10 psi of boost, but during the changeover the boost drops to 8 psi, resulting in a 10-8-10 pattern.
Maximum output was listed as 255 horsepower. When combined with the car’s 2800-pound fighting weight, the resulting performance was stellar.
Collateral Damage
While the car sounds infallible on paper, there are several potential hazards to keep in mind before running out and handing over a check for a third-generation RX-7. Although a prospective purchase should be inspected just like any other used car, there are some special things to consider on a rotary car, particularly an FD.
For one, if it’s at all possible, have a rotary specialist do an inspection. Rotary specialists know their way around under the hood, and they should have the proper equipment and knowledge to check engine compression and uncover any other issues.
What about a local Mazda dealer? Well, it’s now been 12 years since Mazda sold their last new RX-7. Don’t be too surprised when they also recommend an independent shop.
Even though the cars are somewhat complex, there are some simple aspects to check out during an initial inspection. If the car fails on these points, then you saved yourself the cost of getting a professional opinion.
The rotary engine is particularly sensitive to heat, and adding two turbos under the hood doesn’t help matters. In many FD chassis RX-7s, the needle in the water temperature gauge lacks sensitivity, and what appears to be slightly warmer than normal can actually be well above the safe operating temperature. The car could have overheated and the owner would not have noticed because the gauge would have pointed just off center, not in the “hot” zone.
Once the car is warmed up, the gauge should point just below horizontal. If the engine has, in fact, overheated, it’s a ticking time bomb in terms of reliability. It’s only a matter of time before it breaks.
Another item to take note of is the oil pressure gauge. The sending unit can be faulty, creating an erroneous reading on the gauge that usually appears as no pressure at idle. This reading is particularly suspicious, as the oil pressure itself is usually good thanks to the RX-7’s stout oil pump. Installing a quality aftermarket gauge or new sender will fix the error.
A simple test drive should also uncover any major issues. If it smokes after warm-up, then you have a problem. Run.
Photography Credit: David S. Wallens
Total Recall
There were three factory recalls for the third generation RX-7. The first dealt with a vacuum hose modification for the brakes. The next replaced the fuel lines under the hood with parts that could handle higher temps. The last dealt with the cooling system, swapping out the fan control module and also replacing the radiator cap to lower the pressure in the system.
To easily find out if these recall procedures have been performed, look for the appropriate service stickers in the driver’s side door jamb. If there are no stickers to be found, that doesn’t necessarily mean the recall issue wasn’t fixed. A call to Mazda Customer Relations with the VIN should get the answer.
Red Heat
An FD can be a reliable car. It just requires a little more love than a typical Honda. Third-generation RX-7s have a bad reputation for reliability, in part thanks to their relatively packed maintenance schedule and the difficulty that comes with performing some of the basic jobs.
A rotary engine makes a lot of heat on its own. Add twin turbochargers, and it becomes fairly easy to see why so many FDs languish in driveways instead of cruising down the road. Heat management is the number one priority for keeping these cars running strong.
Ensuring that the cooling system is working properly is a key step to preventing too much heat. The stock plastic air separation tank is known to split down the seams. Replacing this with a solid aftermarket unit or cutting it out completely reduces the chance of a messy situation.
A rotary burns a small amount of oil in each combustion cycle. It is important to make sure that the oil is topped off frequently and that it remains cool. The factory installed an oil cooler from the get-go, and the R-packaged cars received two of them. Make sure the oil cooler is intact and getting good airflow. Routine oil changes are also crucial for preventing the oil coolers from clogging and for keeping the seals in good shape.
Fuel helps keep the engine temps down, and getting enough of this precious nectar into a rotary is paramount. Some aftermarket upgrades lean the mixture too much and can possibly break apex seals.
The fuel filter can also create issues if it gets clogged. Replacing the fuel filter regularly will help make sure that a lean condition doesn’t happen. The tough part is getting at the filter, as it lives above the rear differential.
Replacing the fuel filter takes less than 10 minutes with the differential out of the way. However, with the differential in place, it can be an hour-plus job. As a result, a lot of RX-7s didn’t get their routine, required fuel filter changes. Since there are some differential bushings that go bad over time, removing the differential and servicing that end of the car might not be a bad weekend project.
Keeping maintenance up to date will make any FD a happy car worth driving. And keeping the car running strong means that bolt-on performance parts work even better and can greatly enhance the car’s overall performance.
End of Days
The FD chassis RX-7 was and still is a favorite among enthusiasts, but that couldn’t keep the car from being terminated. The rotary also left Mazda’s lineup briefly until the recent introduction of the RX-8.
True, today an RX-7 requires a little more love and attention than some of its peers, but the payoff is a truly wonderful car that will run well and keep going for a long time. Minor modifications to ensure reliability in the long run pay dividends when it comes to future mods for power and handling.
With some simple modifications, the power potential climbs. Well established message boards on the Web help RX-7 newcomers transition smoothly into driving a car powered by “magical spinning triangles” and provide a huge knowledge base for any issue that might arise.
Photography Credit: David S. Wallens
Things to Know
Despite the short production run, finding a third-generation Mazda RX-7 for sale isn’t too hard. Finding a good one, however, can take some searching. Many of these cars have led tough lives, and right now there’s no shortage of non-runners listed for sale. Spend a little time on a thorough investigation to find one of quality.
Chassis
- The R1 and R2 equipped cars are the sportier models that received stiffer suspension parts from the factory.
- Double-check the wheels on early production cars. Mazda changed wheel manufacturers halfway through the 1993 production year because the earlier pieces had a tendency to crack.
- Some early production cars make a clunking noise in the suspension. This is usually caused by a noisy upper A-arm bushing which can be replaced, but the part is expensive.
- The stock wheels have a relatively high offset (50 mm) for a rear-wheel-drive car. Given the correct backspacing, up to 10-inch-wide wheels can fit under the stock rear fenders
Drivetrain
- The fifth gear synchro is a weak link. You will know it’s going bad because there will be a grinding noise when shifting into fifth. Replacement parts are cheap, but labor is expensive.
- A Torsen differential is standard, but there are also aftermarket clutch-type differentials available.
- The transmission and rear end are tied together with Mazda’s proprietary Power Plant Frame made of stamped steel. Mazdaspeed offers a stiffer one to help reduce driveline flex.
- A popular modification is a lightweight flywheel. However, using one that is too light in a daily driver could make the car tough to live with, as accelerating from a dead stop becomes a bit clumsy.
Engine
- In some cars there is a slight hesitation under light throttle around 3000 rpm. There are several explanations and fixes for this problem, and the results are mixed. No one seems to know exactly why it happens.
- Vacuum lines and hoses can become brittle and break thanks to the underhood temperatures. Replacing the lines with quality silicone pieces or other materials that handle high heat will fix the problem. Once again, the parts needed for the fix are inexpensive; the same cannot be said for the labor.
- The turbochargers’ coolant lines need to be checked to make sure they are intact. Replace them if needed.
- The exhaust system is complex and has numerous pieces. There are two catalytic converters, and the front one has a bad habit of melting and clogging the exhaust. If you can get away with it, simply running a downpipe off of the turbos fixes the issue.
- Proper belt tension is critical for water pump longevity, which is in turn critical to keeping the engine from overheating.
- The fuel filter is inconveniently located above the rear differential, making it a pain to access. We don’t care how much the job stinks; replace the fuel filter on a regular basis.
Body and Interior
- Some cars had issues with the exterior paint not bonding well with the primer. Nowadays, this often shows as faded or chipped paint. Cars stored outside seem to have the most problems.
- The temp gauge is not very accurate. An aftermarket gauge that shows the actual temperature is in the car’s best interest.
- The oil pressure gauge and sender can have issues. Once again, a quality aftermarket sender and gauge will give accurate readings.
- The dash and other interior panels were coated with a material that can peel off. Most cars had this problem corrected under warranty.
- The factory never installed a boost gauge. Wacky, huh? Adding one is a good idea.
Photography Credit: euroimage.us
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Comments
View comments on the GRM forums
These are at the top of my “When I get a raise and want a nice project car” list. Something about the shape just speaks to me.
They look and sound amazing, and I hear they drive just as great, plus I admire Mazda’s hardcore, unwavering, uncompromised comittment to performance. But having seen people work on them, I would never want to own one, unless I could afford to just pay someone to fix it for me.
Cool cars, the A80 Supra and this Rx7, were always my choice when playing the original Gran Turismo.
I waited for them to come down to my level of affordability and darn, they never did…
NickD said:
They look and sound amazing, and I hear they drive just as great, plus I admire Mazda’s hardcore, unwavering, uncompromised comittment to performance. But having seen people work on them, I would never want to own one, unless I could afford to just pay someone to fix it for me.
How so? Yes, the vacuum lines are a confused mess but other than that I haven’t found working on mine to be all that difficult.
Fitzauto said:
Something about the shape just speaks to me.
Me too. It is the most beautiful car to come out of Japan. I’m also very biased since I can see my ’93 R1 from where I’m currently sitting. The article was spot on with the 3k RPM hesitation and oil pressure gauge issues; mine suffers from both.
I agree with codrus in that working on mine has actually been straightforward and rewarding. Granted, I’ve only had it a couple of months, but nothing has seemed out of the ordinary or difficult so far. codrus: Is that yours in the photo? Ours are nearly twins.
In reply to codrus (Forum Supporter) :
I didn’t need to know that, you know, in case some of my current attempts at car purchases fall through.
Powar (Forum Supporter) said:
I agree with codrus in that working on mine has actually been straightforward and rewarding. Granted, I’ve only had it a couple of months, but nothing has seemed out of the ordinary or difficult so far. codrus: Is that yours in the photo? Ours are nearly twins.
Yes, that’s mine. It’s a ’93 Touring red w/ tan interior, which I think is the most common FD configuration.
I’ve done the clutch, radiator, water pump, oil pan, exhaust, a bunch of AC components, and various suspension/brake things on mine. None of it was particularly difficult, although there were a fair number of things to remove to get to the front of the motor. I can see how the limited access to the turbos and exhaust manifold might be a challenge, and certainly the vacuum line diagram looks intimidating.
Thread here: https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/93-mazda-rx-7-fd-mostly-street-car/123739/page1/ Hasn’t been updated much recently, mainly because the car hasn’t needed much.
BoxheadTim (Forum Supporter) said:
In reply to codrus (Forum Supporter) :
I didn’t need to know that, you know, in case some of my current attempts at car purchases fall through.
People talk a lot about the vacuum hoses but as long as you have the diagram it’s really not a big deal at all. I thought mine was very easy to work on, and I’m not a super awesome mechanic.
There isn’t any technology in the FD that isn’t in the first fuel injected 626 from ’85 or whatever. You can take the whole car apart with a very limited set of tools (until you get to the motor, then you need that big ass socket).
I have always liked the styling of the FD a lot, Problem is that I would want one with a 2JZ engine stuffed in it…..
JamesMcD said:
There isn’t any technology in the FD that isn’t in the first fuel injected 626 from ’85 or whatever. You can take the whole car apart with a very limited set of tools (until you get to the motor, then you need that big ass socket).
You want a couple other specialized tools for the clutch & flywheel. Rear main seal remover, flywheel lock, flywheel puller. Those are common to all rotaries I think, though.
I still remember the first time I saw an FD. I was like what IS that?!
Its a stunner. Never driven one, sad to say.
They’re not for everyone but they really are beautiful and engaging to drive. And comfortable! In stockish non-R form, anyhow.
I’m looking for some advice on a car I’m looking at out of state. Engine bay photo is above. What jumps out at me is the intercooler alignment – notice how it does not sit square. Could this be an indication of a collision in the front, or am I being paranoid? Car was repainted before seller acquired it, seller says he doesn’t know why. Any thoughts appreciated.
In reply to c0rbin9 :
Wouldn’t worry about that. I’m sure it’s been removed and reinstalled many times and something didn’t get adjusted properly.
Most of them need a repaint at this point so I wouldn’t worry too much about that so long as it’s not salvage title
The Carfax is probably the best way to find out if the car was ever hit. With a respray, I’d be almost willing to bet that the car has suffered some sort of collision damage, but I’m not sure that would keep me from buying a properly repaired one. Still, the more you know….
c0rbin9 said:
What jumps out at me is the intercooler alignment – notice how it does not sit square.
What kind of radiator is in the car? When (not if) the plastic end tanks fail on the stock one, many people replace them with larger capacity aluminum radiators, and my experience is that this makes lining the intercooler back up a bit tricky.
What I see is a surprisingly stock engine bay and no rust on any brackets or bolts. Looks good to me.
Thanks for the excellent replies everyone…
In reply to Tyler H:
I have been looking for a good condition, stockish car for a while now, and this one seems to fit the bill. According to the Carfax, the car spent its entire life in California, Texas, and Florida, so that explains the lack of corrosion. It also seems to have been spared from the usual tuner mods.
Only question mark for me at this point is prior accidents. I actually had a PPI done at a reputable shop (Rotary Performance in Garland, TX) on a previous FD I was looking at, and the shop identified that car had work done to the front from the alignment of the front engine bay components (stock intake/battery boxes, hood prop rod, intercooler) being off, so that’s what initially alerted me to a potential issue.
Of course, all this would be much easier if I was able to see the car first in person. The car is actually not on the open market, I connected with the seller from a Facebook post I made for people to “post their R1/R2” and his was one of the cleanest, so I reached out. He has had this one for less than a year and also owns a RHD car which seems to be in slightly worse condition, and has owned a number of FDs over the years. Trying to gather all the info I can before flying out to look at it…
In reply to 1988RedT2:
Carfax is accident-free, so that’s good. Of course, only incidents reported to insurance or a major shop are included on the report, so it’s not infallible.
In reply to codrus:
According to the seller, only the downpipe, AST, and catalytic converter are aftermarket, so presumably the radiator is stock. I’ll have to ask about the radiator, good info, thanks!
Here’s another photo showing the front end panel gaps. I don’t see anything out of the ordinary here.
c0rbin9 said:
According to the seller, only the downpipe, AST, and catalytic converter are aftermarket, so presumably the radiator is stock. I’ll have to ask about the radiator, good info, thanks!
FWIW the radiator is actually quite hard to see when the car is fully assembled, so if the previous owner did that work then it’s possible the current owner has never seen it.
In reply to The Staff of Motorsport Marketing :
Mazda’s hardcore, unwavering commitment to performance is inspiring, as well as the fact that they look and sound amazing. Although seeing how they are repaired makes me uninterested in owning one, unless I could hire a professional to do it for me.
Just saw a video on RX-7’s and learned that that last FD’s (not in US) had a special ABS system that allowed for differential braking to improve trail braking.
I did my best to avoid driving one for as long as possible. Friend had a car stored at my place, brings his FD (by himself) to pick it up. Doesn’t want me driving the turd he left parked here, so he forces me to drive the FD to his place.
What a jerk. The want is strong. Always has been, since about 2004, to be fair.
I wish they came in a naturally-aspirated variety. The stock drivetrain has a lot of “wind up” to it and the transmission doesn’t like to be shifted quickly.
c0rbin9 said:
I wish they came in a naturally-aspirated variety. The stock drivetrain has a lot of “wind up” to it and the transmission doesn’t like to be shifted quickly.
They’re called “miatas”
In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :
Miata seats suck, certainly compared to the ones in the FD I drove, that I believe to be stock. Not sure what would be different about them in the transmission department though, the drivetrain is largely similar between the two models if I recall correctly. Never driven an NA RX7 though…
I’ve driven 2 FDs, one was lightly modified but still on the stock twin turbos, one was fitted with a large single turbo. Unfortunately in both instances I was not on roads that would really show the handling characteristics of the car, but I can say that steering feel and throttle response were great on both cars, and the difference in interior with the FD vs the other generations of RX-7 is how serious it feels. My FB interior feels relatively open and airy, in the FD it really feels like the car wraps around you and means business, like you’re not here to cruise around and see the sights, you’re here to drive. If I remember correctly, it also used different style door handles depending on whether you were on the driver or passenger side, and the driver side latch is like a pull back inset into the handle. The overall feeling I got from driving the car was that it was truly special and a car of purpose, I’d describe the AP1 S2000 in that way as well..
They aren’t unreliable. I mean, mine is getting a new engine at the moment. But they aren’t ALL unrealiable. Just… some of them. Apparently.
I really like these. For the longest time I wanted to motor swap one of these with a boosted Mazda k motor. Sadly it will never happen as the value of these has gone through the roof. The only way I would do that is if I could get one with a blown motor or a salvag title car.
dannyp84 said:
the difference in interior with the FD vs the other generations of RX-7 is how serious it feels. My FB interior feels relatively open and airy, in the FD it really feels like the car wraps around you and means business, like you’re not here to cruise around and see the sights, you’re here to drive.
That’s the problem with keeping the same model name for decades, they become entirely different cars. Like comparing the 280Z with a Z32 300ZX, or even a late 70s Corolla with an early 90s one.
j_tso said:
dannyp84 said:
the difference in interior with the FD vs the other generations of RX-7 is how serious it feels. My FB interior feels relatively open and airy, in the FD it really feels like the car wraps around you and means business, like you’re not here to cruise around and see the sights, you’re here to drive.
That’s the problem with keeping the same model name for decades, they become entirely different cars. Like comparing the 280Z with a Z32 300ZX, or even a late 70s Corolla with an early 90s one.
Sort of. They only sold the RX-7 for 16 years in the US (and the ’95 model year totalled about 500 cars). Miatas have been on sale for 33 now.
codrus (Forum Supporter) said:
j_tso said:
dannyp84 said:
the difference in interior with the FD vs the other generations of RX-7 is how serious it feels. My FB interior feels relatively open and airy, in the FD it really feels like the car wraps around you and means business, like you’re not here to cruise around and see the sights, you’re here to drive.
That’s the problem with keeping the same model name for decades, they become entirely different cars. Like comparing the 280Z with a Z32 300ZX, or even a late 70s Corolla with an early 90s one.
Sort of. They only sold the RX-7 for 16 years in the US (and the ’95 model year totalled about 500 cars). Miatas have been on sale for 33 now.
They don’t sell Miatas anymore, it’s an MX-5
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