Factory Upgrades/swaps for FC
 

Hey guys, I was just wondering, are there any possible factory upgrades for a 1990 RX7 GTU? Just like, swapping throttle bodies with another generation, intake manifolds, etc. Thank you for the help, guys

Re: Factory Upgrades/swaps for FC
 

Swapping in an aftermarket throttle body and expecting more power won't happen without engine porting (particularly bridge porting or peripheral porting), custom UIM, standalone EMS, full fuel system upgrade, tuning, etc... The N/A is limited unless you plan to dump plenty of money into it. And all of the above will require big money.

Aftermarket exhaust and header, K&N drop-in air filter (stock airbox), 5th and 6th port sleeves, maybe a mild street port, maybe an RTek7 ECU, and S-AFC will get you decent power without having to pay an arm and a leg.

Re: Factory Upgrades/swaps for FC
 

Hahahaha, I more meant that general idea, like how Honda's can swap throttle bodies, can RX7's swap anything, kind of deal

Re: Factory Upgrades/swaps for FC
 

If you want bigger throttle body that is plug-n-play, Rotary-works.com offers a 80mm aluminum throttle body that utilizes a newer TPS sensor.

rotary-works.com: CNC Cut Billet Aluminum Throttle Body for RX7 FC

Other than that, it's like what dwb87 said.

Re: Factory Upgrades/swaps for FC
 

Hahaha, thanks a lot for the suggestions guys, time to start saving up :P

Re: Factory Upgrades/swaps for FC
 

Supporting modifications WILL be needed in order to utilize the Rotary-Works throttle body mentioned above. You put that on a completely stock configuration, good luck idling.

Re: Factory Upgrades/swaps for FC
 

You have a series 5. It already has the better of the engine options for factory n/a engines. People who have S4 FCs usually swap on the S5 intake to get more power. I'm pretty sure you have the limited slip diff too, which people usually swap onto their lower-trim-level cars. So enjoy your car how it is!

Or get some suspension mods, a lightweight flywheel, an exhaust and have a freakin' blast.

Re: Factory Upgrades/swaps for FC
 

Hahaha, I'm still kinda new, what do you think I'd need to support it?

Re: Factory Upgrades/swaps for FC
 

Really depends on what your budget is and what your goals are with the car.

If you want to pursue with the N/A application, then things like street-port, throttle body, intake, header, high-flow cat/pre-silencer, cat-back exhaust, standalone ECU... these will be what you need for power.

To support those, cooling system such as radiator, coolant hoses, oil cooler lines, water pump, electric fan (if stock one has seized), heater lines and vaccum lines should all be checked/replaced... these are to support the power that the engine is producing.

Then we go to brake system, drivetrain, suspension, chassis, and all that... the list goes on. So ultimately, plan out what you want to do and prioritize each section to work on it one at a time.

Re: Factory Upgrades/swaps for FC
 

If you want to know more, visit Staff's Auto: SA Motorsports | Winning races one triangle at a time!

Give Greg a call and ask him what can be done, he's been racing with rotary engines for 15+ years, N/A and Turbo.

Re: Factory Upgrades/swaps for FC
 

Haha, I like the way you put that, I'm not into the idea of high power, I want lower power. The absolute maximum would maybe be 250-260, but either way, I want my car to handle like a go kart

Re: Factory Upgrades/swaps for FC
 

I did a lot of bolt-on mods to my s4 n/a. All said and done (I no longer have the car), and after a lot of autocross, the suspension and flywheel were my all time favorite mods. Flywheel was my favorite, I think.

Re: Factory Upgrades/swaps for FC
 

Flywheel is an awesome mod to do, although I have the RB lighten steel one, it makes quite a bit of difference compare to factory.

To be honest though, I should have gone with the aluminum flywheel. Lighter load and rev happier.

Re: Factory Upgrades/swaps for FC
 

I had the aluminum one it was great. When I autocrossed I would use 15" wheels, with low-profile tires (essentially gearing it down), and first gear would go by really fast. I would have used 14" wheels, but I don't think I'd be able to get a jack under the car.

Re: Factory Upgrades/swaps for FC
 

Hahaha, so, start with flywheel? because rev happy is one thing I want, I also need some type of shifter bushing/spring to center the shifter, which I've found on Mazdatrix

Re: Factory Upgrades/swaps for FC
 

Get a short shifter while you're at it.

Re: Factory Upgrades/swaps for FC
 

Hahaha, yeah I need one, whoever the previous owner of my car was, they took a hacksaw to the shifter, and did a bad job of it, it's cut on a slight angle, so no shift knobs will go on straight... Next things to get: Short shifter, Mazdatrix shifter spring, Aluminum flywheel.

Re: Factory Upgrades/swaps for FC
 

Right now my FC's setup is RB lighten steel flywheel, Exedy stage 1 clutch kit, Corksport short shifter, and a R-magic 510g shift knob. So far the setup is very good for daily driving, feels almost the same as factory clutch + flywheel.

My suggestion is to think long term though... like mentioned before, I would've gotten the aluminum flywheel considering that the lighten steel one feels very factory-like. So do more research before actually making the purchase. :)

Re: Factory Upgrades/swaps for FC
 

Hahaha honestly, I think I'd go aluminum, especially with RB cause it's only about 60$ more, but before I do that, I need to get some electrical issues solved (gas gauge doesn't work, speedo doesn't work), and before that, I'm still waiting on my last 2 brake rotors to come in, so I can do my brake pads and discs all around, and my master cylinder (Hawk Pads, PowerSlot Slotted Rotors), then I still have to aircare it, which I'm not looking forward to

Re: Factory Upgrades/swaps for FC
 

Good stuff, you're pretty much doing the entire brake system, so hopefully brake lines are looked into. Upgrade to SS brake lines if budget allows, drivetrain can wait a little.

What pads are you using? if you haven't got the pads yet, I have a set of Hawk HPS for 4-piston front calipers & vented rear calipers with over 50% life left, can sell them to you cheap.

If aircare and electrical stuff becomes difficult, give Greg at Staff's Auto a call, he will help you out.

Re: Factory Upgrades/swaps for FC
 

Haha, I have all my pads in for now, thanks anyways though, I think mine are the same, HPS, I got them brand new, along with all 4 PowerSlot Discs, and yeah, I have steel braided brake lines waiting to go in too, just waiting til I get the last two discs before I do all this, and this will be my first time, I'm still kind of new to mechanics, and ass for Staff's Auto, is that in Vancouver, or near it?

Re: Factory Upgrades/swaps for FC
 

Cool man, good to hear!

I'm switching to HP-plus in the future, so the extra HPS pads is sitting in storage right now. Prefer them to be better used by another driver!

It's in North Van actually, pretty much near the North Van Auto mall. Here's the website: SA Motorsports | Winning races one triangle at a time!

Feel free to mention about me when you talk to Greg, just tell him "David with the black 91" and he will know. :)

Re: Factory Upgrades/swaps for FC
 

Hahahaha, alright :P and that's funny, I never heard of this one before, last time I had troubles, I was told to go to Eunos Custom Automotive, Chris there is a Mazda/Rotary specialist, and he's also in North Van, thanks a lot for the link man

Re: Factory Upgrades/swaps for FC
 

Chris was good, but not great.... when I first got my car, I brought it over to Eunos for about 1.5 years, and then later started doing my own work on basic stuff (eg. oil change, tire rotation, etc), cause the turnaround time is just too long, and I felt something is always missing when I got the car back. (Like, it's 90-95% done, not 100% done sort of feeling)

Having said that, would I still recommend Eunos? I would, for basic stuff and if you don't mind the wait time, cause Chris takes longer with his services (my experience, 1-2 week for oil change and basic inspection). For anyone who is looking for shops to try and build relationship with, Eunos is not bad.

Staff's Auto on the other hand, is great... and I mean GREAT!
Greg is very friendly and patient to go over everything in detail with you, and provide you suggestions as to what should be done (but never just do it without you giving the okay). He has the tendency to go above and beyond with his work, even if it's just a simple inspection. Estimates will be provided before actual work, and turnaround time is pretty fast depending on what you need done.

Moreover, Greg has been racing 12A and 13B for 15+ years, so he knows the stuff inside out with proven results. There are two videos on the website you should check out!

Re: Factory Upgrades/swaps for FC
 

Yeah, I have to admit, I broguht my car in, asked him to get it running, and I knew I had to get a new tranny at the time, so he does it, gives me a good deal, I was alright with it. On the drive home, I noticed the clutch wouldn't grab at all, pretty much 1/2 engaged at all times, so I bring it back a few months later, apparently my pressure plate let go, obviously not seen the last time he looked at the car, and the wait time was definitely a bit too long, even if I didn't have all the money right on time, either way, he seems like a good guy, seems like he knows his stuff, but it feels like he almost possibly leaves small stuff out on purpose, so you come back

Re: Factory Upgrades/swaps for FC
 

Just something else to ask, I know RX7's have the leading and trailing spark plugs, so would I have to order those in, or would it be at all possible to just buy a set and install them?

Re: Factory Upgrades/swaps for FC
 

You can just buy a set and install them actually, but make sure you have the proper spark plug wrench to put them in.

Stock ones are from NGK, leading plugs part #BUR7EQP, trailing plugs part #BUR9EQP; the difference is in the heat rating/range, for the stock example leading is 7, trailing is 9.

Here are more info: FC3S Pro v2.0: Mods - Spark Plugs

I recall reading somewhere that unless the car is for racing purposes, otherwise don't use too high of a heat rating spark plugs, it will get fouled easily.

Re: Factory Upgrades/swaps for FC
 

Haha alright awesome man, thanks again