5 Things To Know Before Buying A Mazda RX7 

*5 steps on how to deal with Rotary engines like a "Pro":* 1- Buy a Rotary Powered car. 2- Start buying used cheap parts of off Craiglist and eBay. 3-Do not take the proper precautions and maintenance like premixing the engine. Do not buy a dedicated repair manual and only read RX7 forums on the internet. 4-Use it as a primary car/daily driver. 5-Start spreading rumors on how the car is a lemon and how glad you are now that you got rid of your Rotary powered car.

Thanks for crushing my RX7 FD dreams, Kennyyyy!

5 things you need to know? 1. You are going to love it 2. You are going to really love it 3. You are going to really, really love it 4. You won't believe how much you will love it 5. You will so fucking love it

Lots of mis-information in the comments, rx7s are very reliable if maintained properly. Oil change every 2000-3000ks with the best possible oil, always warm them up and cool them down after hard driving, dont install a straight through exhaust system without getting it tuned. and most importantly of all red line them every now and then to remove carbon build up inside, then get ready for your touge battle in your FD and enjoy that rx7 life!

Original owner, '94 FD chiming in. To add: The more you modify it, the higher the risk you'll have for engine failure. Mazda didn't design the 13b to have 400-500 hp. Leave it relatively stock and you'll have a much better user experience. The rotary engine (NA) is well regarded in racing circles for be extremely reliable. Most teams expect their engines to run a full race season before rebuilds -- something traditional engines won't be able to match. This was a very good video. I hope the young whippersnappers out there will heed your advice. On a personal note, it makes me sad to see FDs getting bought up, raped and murdered by ricers. Almost all of the good clean stock RX-7s are gone.

"FD owners usually have more money than FC owners" lol

I drove my Fd from San Diego California to Kissimmee Fl. Anyone who says Rx-7s are not reliable are ignorant. If you don't know how to take care of them it'll shit on you. It's not even expensive to take care of them either. I've been daily driving mine for 2 years.

If you tell me one more time that I need to understand...maybe I need to watch this video again

Number 1 make sure it's not ls swapped

"It's just as reliable as any other car, but be prepared to completely rebuild it" lmao k

If you're ever going to look into spending good money on any RX-7, get a compression test done, takes stuff all time and a mobile mechanic and do it fast and cheap. This will generally give you a good idea as to what state the engine is and a rough estimate to how much longer it will last when looked after until the next rebuild. Turbo's are a different kettle of fish, as are numerous other things that you should check prior to making a purchase, but I'm not going to list them. If you're going to commit to buying a rotor, spend as much time as you can doing your own research into the entire car you're looking to get, and unless you have very deep pockets, expect to be prepared to learn to be a good patient amateur rotor mechanic, but trust me its fun as hell working on these beasts (I'd also suggest a second car to have access to for when you do need to play around or have lots of spare time). But all the extra research and learning hands on is totally worth it, you get so much out of it.

"It doesn't make it any less reliable" I laughed at that part

1. It 2. Will 3 Blow 4. Up 5. Soon There you go all 5 things.

fc prices are going up

Thank you man I just subscribed I am thinking of buying an rx7 this list helped me

I literally just got a 88 FC3 vert tonight.. for 1300 bucks... popped on to look up some reviews and spotted this. Nice helpful input sir. You get s a thumbs up.

Aren't rotary engines also horrible on gas mileage? I heard they go through fuel like crazy.

I love your channel I feel like I’ll be learning a lot from you and I will watch all your videos! Might have questions threw out the course

thank you for the clear explanation bro! I really appreciate it!!

Sick FC in the back! Evan created one of my favorite FCs

Because it takes dedication to own an RX7, that's exactly why I freak out with joy when I see someone with one. They rare to begin with, takes passion to own one (for more than just a year or so), and it tells me the owner is ACTUALLY into cars more than just buying some cool shit to flaunt.

just got a 1990 GTU non turbo only second owner suspension done what to do for more power w/of adding turbo

awesome vid looking into getting one in the future and alot off good points has been made thank you

yo, what's your take on the fb models? I'm deciding to make it my first rotary.

hey man love the channel i was wondering if you had any videos or pictures of any wiring schemes for a 1987 rx7 fc 3s 13 b i bought the car with the engine swapped same engine just rebuilt but wiring wasn't put back together was wondering if you could help me out in any way thanks alot

So why is it cheaper to install a 20b in an fc than an fd? I didnt know that

I love the channel! Keep up the great videos

Great video! Any chance of a specif fc video? Things to look out for when buying etc? Maintenance and best mods per buck etc etc.

Looking at buying an fd turbo from Japan want to try to keep things as stock as possible looking at a time mechine kind of car what do I need to look for?

Any love for FB's on here? my 12a is leaking oil out the block and I'm about to do a rebuild but I also want to port it for brap reasons, any reason I should'nt besides the loss in (already bad) low end torque? its also N/A, and for the time being its gonna stay that way, those racing beat headers werent cheap :(

So what kind of engine swaps can you do with an rx7 other than a Ls engine I be never owned one don't know much about them but I'm very interested in finding out more

Thank you Kenny. Your information and candid presentation is spot on. Too many people, my self included have delusions about the rotary enigma dream. The reality is a stark contrast to the major armchair Qb of persons who don't know what they are talking about. I secured a tech manual for my rx8 rebuild. Dropped $4,000+ into the engine. Got it to run. Had a bad cat and it was still working. So many other factors are involved . Blew the engine due to a out of true crankshaft. Bought a used motor , dropped that in so I can pass smog in California. Love the ride, but exactly as you share with us here, there has to be an adventuresome spirit to understand the full definition of what a rotary engine is and what you must know to make it work. Bigger learning curve and I am a scientist. Keep at it . Ziggy

That was honest and insightful. Thank you sir.

You just earned a new sub thanks for this great video about the rx7 Cheers!!!

Just a quick question, I saw on an old forum that someone in Australia built a 3 rotor out of a renesis 13b with no bigger center iron like the traditional 20b. So the question is, would they have used 4 port irons instead of 6 port? And would the balancing and tuning be a total utter bitch?

I got a free RX7 from a buddy and I find your channel very informative, thanks!

hey so whats a current budget for a rebuild 1993 twin? thanks,

This is true for any old performance car not just rotary

always had a thing for FC rx7s. glad there not extinct and people still enjoy them. also inb4 LOLapexseals

Great vid thanks for posting !

I think you just crushed my dreams

I'm so glad that your channel has appeared in my recommendations! I've wanted a RX-7 for years and literally I'm glad you made this video. I was going to make this video once I found a clean FC or FD, but their prices are skyrocketing! The preparation for buying a used one that might need a rebuild is definitely overlooked. I'm not super picky, but people wonder why I don't jump on a 3k-5k FC that looks decent. I know for a fact I'll need to throw 2k into it just to make damn sure it's proper or if it needs the rebuild. FD's holy shit haha glad you covered it. The cars are OLD now. They're damn good, it's just something people aren't patient enough to wait for. I've waited over 8 years to finish school and fund one. Still workin on it haha (FYI hope you recognize where my name came from!)

Great video, very informative.

Very good response about the rotary engine not being expensive. It required initiative. Oil changes with dino oil 5w30 is alot cheaper than synthetic so oil changes are pretty price competitive. I redid the 13B s4 with s6 internals on my FC then swapped it into an s5 body. We did the switch in my driveway and it wasn't very hard. Total into the car is probably 16k but I stopped keeping track. There is a lot of space in the engine bay so it make things very easy. Anyone with a 350hp these days can't fit their hand in to do more than change the spark plug. I'm microtech big turbo now, racing beat stainless exhaust, and gilmer belt drive :-p

Thanks for the tips

Great video as always! Haha yeah I saw that about the T2 hood lol. I had it on my fc but I traded it for a regular hood.... My car wasn't a t2 lol

Cooling lubrication and maintenance is what keeps rotarys going omg any rotary is a hell of fun except the 10a lol 12a 13b and the renesis are all a fun box to toss around I totally agree the vids advice this video is good advice for all rotarys Rx8 included Tanx guys!

you talked about swaping a 13b for a 20b or a 4 rotors. for me its just a crazy dream but for someone who really want it, is it possible to run a 26b with carbs? it would be more simple.

My RX8 I had in the past was the most fun car I've owned, I can't wait to save up for an RX7 FD one day.

Hello guys Can anyone tell me if the water engine coolant level sensor & gasket is the reason that my fd rx7 its not starting I dont drive my rx7 too much i just start it once a month When the key is in second position its starts beeping and dont stop Please let me knoy what could be the reason my rpm cluster its not working as well

@rotors Magazine. where are you from? I see the KC hat

True and honest video. Nice one!

The only question I have, is I'm planning on getting an FB soon (my favorite style of RX7), and is it logical to swap a turbo 13b from an FC into it, and roughly how much am I planning on spending on that? Also, I learned that the Turbo II hood isn't centered a long time ago, and when I learned that it pissed me off and completely ruined it for me :(

What model is the RX-7 from Tokyo drift? and do they exist in left drive ?

there's an fd near me that has an auto trans and some damage to one of the fenders that has been sitting out back of a local used car dealership for ages. how much do you think it'd be worth if the guy wanted to get rid of it?

I totally agree on how expensive it can be. Great video 👍

so my dream car is a Rx7 and NSX But i don't know Much about cars (Cars parts)any help with that?

Aiight, I hope I remember to watch thise video in a couple of years cause I really want to own an RX-7 later... Also, I've heard that the RX-7 has some Apex Seal issues... Any way to fix that problem or what to do if that happens?

Great Vid bro thanks

Hey I wanna buy a fd... But do you think like 40k is a good price ? Or I need to go higher ? And where I should look

very well said. thank you so much

Great info👌🏼

your videos are actually good subcribed

This was a really good video. I looked into used core engines and they are about $1500... the desirable honda motors are about that used if you are willing to shop around. Subscribed.

Love the video!

does this go for the Rx7 veilslide?

How much does it generally take to rebuild?

Hey can yall make a video talking about flooding the housings

How bout a 2jz swap? Is it like an ls or its alright?

5 reasons to buy an rx7: 1: Spinning rotary dorito engine 2: Pop up headlights 3: Initial D 4: Keisuke takahashis and ryosuke takahashis cars 5: Kansei dorifto

so glad someone who actually knows what they are talking about has made this video

Is a 1993 rx7 fd3 good for 14k?? I need help

Good vid!! Really your info covers any rotary powered car, not just RX7's ;) Realistically any second hand car will need the usual suspension bushes, springs, shocks, alt, starter ETC replacement. But always expect a motor rebuild with any rotary, just because people will flog them to death...cause ROTARY POWER...Brap brap brap!!! LOL.

Already bought one, this is gonna be a fun learning experience.

Well damn, this video was uploaded on my birthday and I'm considering selling my 06 Volvo S80 and getting an RX7. I want to learn as much as possible rotary engines and this video certainly helped me make my final decision.

Kenny, can you tell me more about the 1985 RX7 GSL

How about the FB? I needed to learn alil something something.

how much does a rebuild cost generally?

Just chillin here with my Fb just waiting for a 13b rew swap

that second tip. ive been working on my '78 SA22C for like 2 years now haha ill be done in like a week, also i didnt buy it and have to rebuild it it was my grandpas project and he passed it too me, i actually learned how to drift in it

how about the oilchange intervalls?

Is there a best rotary car for a rotary noob or i could just pick the nicest rx7 or rx8 i can find?

For the 4th thing, can't you just import an Eunos Cosmo engine?

I'm thinking of buying an fd RX7. The only mods I'm going to do in the engine is upgrade turbo, new apexi exhaust and tune. Is that going to be thousands of $, if it is should I get a mk4 supra instead.

thanks for the advice man I want an Rx 7 FD so bad

I love this channel.

How hard and expensive would it be to manual swap an automatic FD? In threads many say it's easy others say it isn't.

a pretty clean FB RX7 appeared up the street at one of my neighbor's houses one day it sat for a while until it was on jack stands for a little bit longer. and then it disappeared. I don't know if they sold it or towed it to a shop but I haven't seen it since. I have never seen it run or drive

whats the differents between FD and FC?

all solid info

I was given a FD with no engine lookin to toss a 13B in it how much u think I'd be looking at spending????? I'm not lookin to race or have a shit load of power

How much did your rebuild cost?

but isn't 2 rotor (a.k.a. 13B-REW) still pretty good enough while producing about 250hp + having a twin turbo?

how much are the ls mounts?

why do say you need to budget a rebuild i have had a fd type r Bathurst had it for 5 years no issues and is solid az. i always hear this for 13bs and sr20s i have both and never had issues

Glad I'm in the market for an fc rx7

Wow, quality content on here! I've just recently brought in an FD and have realized it's starting to become a moneypit. Or as you say financial disaster :)

In a car meeting, when the rotary engine comes, all the bullshit stops! Rotary is the real “neck breaker” Hehehe

Can you give a Guide about buying a FB? new owners :)