Mazda RX7 FB

[DavidB]

I've wanted one of these for ages, I'm going to sell my Starion soon and wouldn't going straight for one of these if I can find an FB.
Has anyone got one, any things to look out for?

[luckyseven]

Yes, I have one. There are a few on here. Still waiting on Hardcore to come and collect some body panels, as it happens...


What to look for is rust, rust, rust. They dissolve so fast you can hear it when they start to go. Real alarm places to really be careful of are under the windscreen trim on the A-pillars, the fishplates in the rear wheel arch where the trailing arms attach, the corners under the rear seat squab. They all go in these three spots sooner or later but they can all be hard to spot and any one that's got away will render the car unrestorable. The windscreen pillar particularly is very hard to check as the trim is held on by clips that always break when you remove it, so any seller might be very reluctant to let you check there!

Other than that... engines are about the most reliable rotary Mazda made. American models have easily clocked 100k on the original motor. Be aware that 12A engine parts, especially rotor housings are very hard to find now and thus the lower mileage the better because if it does go you might end up trying to replace it with a POS Renesis lump from an RX-8, and no-one wants that lol. With that said, the earlier model (Series 4) FC RX-7 13B motors are easily converted to carburation (or run on Microsquirt or whatever) and the conversion is pretty well-covered by people. It also gives you the bonus of rack-and-pinion steering to replace the archaic FB recirculating ball. FCs go for a few hundred quid rotted out, so they're currently a good source of engines!

There are three Series of FBs... the first, usually known by it's chassis code as an SA, had steel bumpers and a funny "baroque depression" in the rear sheet metal. It had tiny little wheels, front solid discs and rear drums and was quite short on creature comforts (aerobic window winders, etc). It is the one you want however, because everyone want the originals and they do look the best bumper-wise and that. However, the odds of you finding one in the UK that isn't rotten as a pear are slim to nonexistant. The Series 2 had bigger wheels (still in an odd 4x110 PCD), better brakes and nicer interiors, plus possibly the nicest colours. The Series 3 had bigger wheels in 4x114.3, ventilated discs all round, horrid velour trim in funny colours and a much higher equipment spec. None had aircon in the UK. None had power steering, ABS or any other bells or whistles like that.

Realistically, you're going to be looking at an S3, maybe S2. By the best condition one you can unless you want to spend your life welding and don't get too hung up on mileage. Prices have been wayyyyy down for years, but we're seeing the hundred quid breakers disappear lately and some are being sold up to a few thousand now (at last). I'd suggest if you want one getting in while you can because I suspect the ones that are left are on the verge of heading for the stars!

Anything else, give us a holler and I'll try to help out. And www.rx7fb.com/ is the font of all knowledge; there are excellent "what to look for when buying" guides, a thread listing all the ones that pop up for sale on eBay or wherever, and a very helpful and knowledgeable international membership always happy to help

[luckyseven]

and because that was a lot of rather dull words, have a couple of motivators....

[DavidB]

Not a good car to have if you really don't want to weld then?

[luckyseven]

The only welding I've done on mine has been to the exhaust and the trailing arm mounts. Buy a good one and it won't need it, that's the point But be prepared to spend a couple of grand to get a good one nowadays

[HARDCORE]

Ahhhh gaddammit! Thurs eve?

[smurph323]

brilliant cars, the engine is slightly underpowered in standard form but you wont care when its revving its tips off, and for its size it does have enough punch to be fun.
only welding ive had to do on mine was the rear trailing arm attachment area, looked like a tiny hole that on further inspection was about a hand sized plate. it also has a patch on the roof sunroof guttering.

they worry the hell out of you like a newborn baby with a cough but so worth it and not selling for all the tea in china.

[fireflyspeedshop]

Ive had one..

Brilliant little cars, Sound and feel like your driving a large electric drill if your not used to the Wankl engine.

WARNING... OBSCURE PCD SO POOR SELECTION OF WHEEL FITMENT!!!!!!!!

.. just letting you know.

[luckyseven]

Apr 29, 2015 7:21:20 GMT fireflyspeedshop said:

WARNING... OBSCURE PCD SO POOR SELECTION OF WHEEL FITMENT!!!!!!!!

Like I said earlier, only on Series 1 and 2 cars which are 4x110. The Series 3 cars (which are the most numerous anyway) are 4x114.3 so you can fit any old-school Japanese type wheel you like. Or even non-Japanese types, mine's on Compomotives. Plenty of marque-specifics fit too, Lotus wheels are a straight swap, for example

There are 4x110s pop up from time to time. There are some up on this very parish at the mo

Apr 28, 2015 19:50:25 GMT HARDCORE said:

Ahhhh gaddammit! Thurs eve?

I'm back on lates now Lol, this is fated to never happen