Bopgun

Hi everyone!



I'm really interested in getting an '84 GSL SE. As with any old car, I know its good to spend as much money as possible off the bat to get a car that's in good shape, so I've saved up a bunch of money to buy one when summer rolls around. I'm not planning on any serious modifications, probably headers, full exhaust, cold air intake, performance plugs, wires etc, maybe get it streetported if I have the money. I'm still very apprehensive about buying a rotary though, because I've heard a lot of bad things about them, particularly from people who own modified rotaries(namely that they're unreliable, expensive to repair, underpowered, bad on gas etc). What have your experiences with these cars been like? Any wisdom to steer this rotarynoob in the right direction is greatly appreciated.



thanks

RotorDad

like any vehicle rotary motors have some problems, but conventional piston motors are not free from problems either. if you take car of them they will both do well. most people i know that have had problems with either motor are the ones who skip steps in the build or decide to go cheap when they should have spent a little more. i own a few rx-7's and really only problems i have encountered are ones that i could have avoided by not thrash the car or by not cutting corners. now in the sense of finding a decent car, if you plan on porting the motor the milage may not be an issue because to port, the motor will be taken apart and rebuilt anyway. i have had much success with different motor swaps in my two 1st gens. one has a 13bt from a turbo, the other has had a ported 12a and a 13b out of my 86 gxl. so be aware that with any build there will be problems so dont get discouraged and take time to learn when you can. good luck with your up coming project

j9fd3s

the 84-85 gsl-se's were just about the best car mazda has ever made. they are reilable, durable, and fun. the only way to get a gsl-se to be unreliable is to read the rx7 club.... seriously if you just keep oily stuff in the crankcase, and water in the radiator, it'll go 20years or 200,000miles, whichever comes first.



my favorite setup for a gsl-se is eibach/rb springs, tokiko illumina shocks, remove the rear sway bar, lighter flywheel to taste, and some exhaust work. intake already is cold air, a cone filter does nothing. this setup, with decent tires will out run an s2000 in the hills, for years and years.



as far as the exhaust goes, i like the RB street port system, it sounds the best, power band is really broad. however if you want to be stealthy or cheap, an FC exhaust manifold into 2.5" pipe works just as well.