Hi, I just purchased my first RX-7 (YAY!), a 1980 to be exact. Its 5-Speed, Blue and basic options, call it an S or whatever the model designation is. Its got Mags, thats about all I can say for options, but something tells me they are not original mags. Anyways...



First thing I noticed was the steering was a bit loose up front. Nothing alarming, but it makes freeway driving nervous. Wondering what it could be, Idler arm? Some worn bushings? Just asking in case someone knows something from experience.



The second thing I noticed was an oil leak. Very slow on the side of the engine and it only drips when its running higher than 1000RPM. Very Slow though. The Compression is good and the car doesnt burn oil from what I've observed, and what the last owner says. It is a blown Apex seal or something? Should I worry? Everything runs A-OK.



Third Thing, XENON (Or XEON, whatever) Bulbs are in the headlamps. I noticed a reduced amout of power to the car when I crank them up, almost like its too much power, sometimes it even cuts out - wondering if Im right and it is too much power.



Fourth thing - Just some quesitons about intake and exhaust. Now my exhaust is new. I've got a performance muffler (Some kinda soup-can variant lol) And a High Flow Cat Converter. The Header is ceramic coated I think, not sure, but it looks Uber. Not sure as I didnt put anything on it, I just got it. But Someone told me that you need a Cat converter for the car to run properly due to sensors or something. If I take it off, will it adversley affect and degrade performance? Or will it increase? (We dont have emmissions testing here, yay!) And as for intake, what kinda carb will fit, I got this nice 600cfm Holly 4 BBL off a 350 I'd like to put on, will it fit? Or do I have to buy some specific carbourator.





Wheew! Lots of stuff. Any and ALL Help will be appriciated. Thanks in advance. I got tons more questions, but this will do for now!



Im new to this rotary stuff.

Congrats on the new ride! welcome



They due tend to burn some oil, however if an apex seal is blown the motor would run very rough, if it ran at all.



Where about on the side does the oil leak originate from?



If you don't have emissions testing you can ditch the cat and it should run a little better. Also you may choose to eliminate all the emissions accessories from the motor as well.

first thing...do a search on here...there is a mod you can do to fix the play in the wheel.



second thing...An oil leak is not too bad unless it drinks so much you can't keep any in it...the cost of keeping it from leaking is usually higher than just pouring more and more oil in...as for the blown apex seal...if you had one the car wouldn't run very well...if at all...each rotor has 3 apex seals...one at each corner of the rotor with a springy thing under it...if you aren't familiar with how the engine works check out howstuffworks.com



third thing...when I turn the lights on my car on...even before I replaced them with hotter bulbs...the engine does tend to bog down some...at idle anyway...if you have problems when not at idle its probably something besides the lights...like a vac leak...dirty plugs/distributor...bad connection on the battery/coils

I run either 2 65watt or 2 75 watts for headlights...plus 2 130 watt fog lights...and a 400 watt amp...with no problems...flys thru the gears like mad without hesitation...and as for your xeon bulbs...there is virutally no difference between them and a normal halogen bulb...they are probably 50 or 55 watts...they just have xeon gas in them...which produces a brighter and whiter light



Fourth thing...I'm running zero...yes...zero emissions equipment...and my car is running better than it ever did with that mess of crap on it...you can find step by step guides on how to remove all of that crap...the guide i used was from mazspeed.com ...but it will take a good day atleast...I'm also running a straight exhaust sytem...the sensors are stuck back into a new pipe where the cats were...and a glass pack on the back...zero problems out of the setup...the car doesn't even know what its missing https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...R#>/tongue.png



I'd say performance is dramatically increased...but i've lost some gas mileage...but I think thats due to my driving style recently...might vary for you...there are 3 simple things you need to have your car running great... 1.intake 2. fire 3.exhaust I increased my air intake simply by drilling holes in the carb lid...around the edges so it still sucked into the filter...fire can be increased by getting some better coils...new wires...and good plugs...ngk rotary is all I run...exhaust is also key...I took off my cats and went from 14-16 mpg to 17-19 overnight...not only do they restrict flow...but they also have a tendancy to get clogged when they get old...sometimes either blowing the clog thru or exploding...its not cool either way...so I just got rid of them





and uhm...don't put that carb on your car...they come stock with a nikki 4-bbl carb...plenty of flow for average use...plus if its not designed for your car it will run like crap...stock flow is only around 300-350 i'm pretty sure...so if you stick 600 on the engine will probably just flood with gas...not cool https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...R#>/tongue.png



There is a holley 4bbl designed for the car if you just want one...I think racingbeat.com has them for sale...and you'll also find various 2-bbl carbs...the webber is pretty popular...and i"ve also seen 2 of those webbers hooked onto the cars



Also...and this would be your best option...there are certain people who rebuild/rework the stock nikki 4-bbl...I'm running one that was rebuilt by a man name paul yaw...he does awesome work...and it solves a lot of the little quirks the carb had as stock

i'd check all the bushings, ball joints and tie rod ends. the steering box will get looser(more free play) with age(wear), there's an adjustment on it that will take out some of the excess free play, i did it on my 3, tightens the steering up nicely.



that holley u have wont be jetted for a rotort nor will it have the fitting for the omp line. and it wont fit the stock intake. someone had an RB or J-tech intake for holley on either ebay or thepartstrader.com, can't remember which, i have the RB setup.



depending on the noise level ur alowed by law for ur state will dictate the type of exhaust sustem. my system is RB streetport setup, header, dual presilencers, premiflow muffler. i was suprised just how quiet this system is.



find out where this oil leak is. i had one with the oil sending unit leaking.

Congrats and welcome to Nopistons!



#1: If you don't have one already, get a Haynes manual and try to get a factory service manual. Combined with the internet, these will help you learn how to care for your unique car.



#2: Make sure your Oil Metering Lines (and pump) are working! It sounds like the previous owner knew what they were doing (so they should be okay), but this is something you need to understand so you don't go and damage your engine.



I have a '79, and our cars are very similar. Unless the previous owner had some sort of custom fabricated catalytic converter installed, you actually have what is called a "thermal reactor".



Read, read, and read! The more you learn the more you will love your new car. There is a wealth of online information (here and abroad) provided by the strong rotary community. I'm sure most of us here have at least a few dozen RX-7 links saved. A good link to get you started is: Popular 1st Gen RX-7 FAQs



One last thing... drive it like you stole it!



Edit: Hey, cool. I just noticed you live in Calgary too! FYI, if you need anything for your car there is an '80 at Pick-Your-Part.

You should also signup for the SA22C mailing list. They now have a website with all the archived messages and some really great info. Instructions on how to join are in the FAQ on the website.

Thanks for the info guys! I wont be able to turn a wrench on it until saturday, but I'll do some more research, pick up some parts and let you guys know how it goes. The car idles fantastic and runs really really good, even with headlights on. Also, is there any way to take care of rust? Like, Im anything but an autobody guy, theres a little around my fenders (like any car I guess). I might just break down and get it professionally fixed, filled and painted or whatever, but is there any home remedies to, well, help rectify the problem, or at least make it look, well, not rusty?







Thanks for the Info Option6, I'll definately have to plunder that 1980 from pick your part. Maybe we'll meet this season at race city for some good ol' drag racing action on friday nights. Or trade stories over a cup of joe. Until then.....

welcome to NP. well i hope you find much help from here and dont have too much problems with your FB, not that many running around (here at least).

Ok I fixed a couple wiring problems lol. I have this problem where for my headlights and vehicle lights to operate at night, I'd have to permanently have my foot on the brake. Its a short somewheres. I found a blown fuse and replaced it, it works fine for now.



My car is completely Stereo-less. No speakers or anything. Im gonna put in a good CD-Player Deck and probably just average run of the mill speakers. T



he car runs amazing, but Its a bit noisy coming from the rear passenger side of the car when I hit a bump. I think something might be, not broken, but out of place on the suspension on that side. I'll take a look when its daylight.



I also noticed my door is a different colour of my whole car. My car is light blue, my door is like, baby blue. Obviously a poor paint job of a replacement door, as its even peeling. Anyone know what the colour is called mazda used for light blue in 1980? Might either get it matched, or just paint the whole car. Its got a few little rust spots here and there.



Its also got perelli tyres on it. 185/70/ZR13. Wicked awesome grip on the tarmac, not so good on anything but tarmac.



Other than that, I just got kids stuff to chase around and find to replace. I opened my rad resivour today and it was like, gross. Brown "Anti-Freeze". I think its time for a rad flush or something. Thats just wrong. Smelled like.....something from an Anus.



I also wanna do an oil change and tuneup - any recommendations for oil/filter, Distributor parts and wires? I should probably service my transmission too. The car doesnt have alot of KMS, but its like 25 years old. Better safe than sorry.



Guys have any other tips on checking this car out and maintaining it?