So You Want a Mazda RX-7 

seeing an RX-7 FD in the wild is like seeing a unicorn

I bought my first RX7 at Seventeen and working on it over the years I've now got my mechanic certification license without having to go to school because of this damn car

Simple Guide to owning an RX7(Or Rotary Powered vehicle): 1) Oil Changes. Oil changes should be done on a rotary powered car every 1000-1500 miles. Idemitsu 20w50 Synthetic works the best for me. 2) Change all the fluids. This is a given to most car guys when the buy a used car to change EVERY fluid in the car because you cant always take the Seller's word for everything. 3) Always Premix. Did you delete your OMP? Premix. Do you still have your OMP? Premix. OMP(oil metering pump) squirts oil into a rotary's rotating assembly to help lubricate the internals and seals. Whether you have it or not, premix saves lives. 4) Redline a day. Rotaries are SEVERELY prone to carbon build up and failure. You cant drive it like a grandma. You have to drive it like a racecar. Everywhere. If you redline it once a day, it will help clear out carbon deposits that can cause your motor to eventually fail. A redline a day keeps the apex seals at bay. 5) Cooling. Rotary engines get EXTREMELY hot. Cooling mods should are a must for FD owners when they first get the car. In the case of the FD, a vented hood, bigger radiator or even V Mount setup, heat tape, bigger intercooler and other small goodies can help solve the heating issues. Forums help. 6) Back to Oil. The rotary engine consumes much more oil than a normal Piston engine, due to the OMP and also being as hot as the sun when running. Check the oil level regularly. 7) Install an AFR gauge(Air Fuel Ratio). Any engine that leans out(less fuel:more air) tends to break or even blow up. Rotaries are no exception, yet they are much more fragile. Take it to your local tuner if something doesnt look right. 8) POWER. Turbos are a great way to make the Rotary much more powerful, but in return you will need MUCH bigger injectors and a massive fuel pump to make high HP numbers. Also would need a good ECU, like Haltech or Apexi Power FC. The Power FC has been a personal favorite of mine. 9) Adding onto Power, PORTING. Porting is essentially adding bigger, badder camshafts to a piston engine. There are Stock ports(OEM), Streetport, Bridgeport and Peripheral Port. Stock ports are good but are limited to the amount of air the motor can flow. Streetport adds more air and allows better flow and can sometimes be used with the stock ECU, longevity remains somewhat the same. THE ALLMIGHTY BRIDGEPORT. Bridgeport is what gives the Rotary the common BRAPBRAPBRAP exhaust note at idle. Great power, spools turbos instantly, sounds incredible, but... Longevity drops big time and fuel economy drops severly. The motor will not last as long. P-Port(peripheral port) is usually strictly for racing as it gets terrible mpg and has a very unsteady idle. But makes amazing power. 10) Last but not least, have fun with it. Whether you have a Rotary, 2JZ, RB... *cough* LS *cough*, it's your car and YOU should have fun with it. She does require more maintenance than the average car but you'll get to know every little thing about it. If you take care of your rotary powered car, itll last you a long time. Happy Brapping! P.S. If anyone wants to correct me or add onto this list, please do. I'm not 100% correct and everyone has their different ways of going about how they should fix or work on their cars. Thanks!! Edit: Only use synthetic oil if you have removed the factory OMP. Carbon Build up from Synthetic oil in the combustion chamber of a rotary will kill it really fast. Either remove the OMP entirely and just premix or use a non-synthetic oil if you plan on keeping your OMP.

FB= financial buy, FC= financial crisis, FD= financial disaster. I currently have a 88 rx7 s4.

It's definitely like having a girlfriend or a "VERY" stay at home wife... BUT SHE A 10 THO!

the FD has the best looking stock body ever, dont @ me

An fd rx7 is my dream car. It’s what got me into cars in the first place. It has everything you want; the looks, the sound, the personality, and the speed.

"is there something that sounds like an rx-7 that isnt an rx-7" an rx-8

It may be broken, but it's unique

Rotary engine: -no torque -bad mpg -unrealiable -oil slurper 9000 But we still love them anyways

I used to own a 92 fd, one of my biggest regrets in life is letting that car go. Your review is spot on, down to the apex seal I busted, one school night in 2003, going 158 down an empty road against no one. God damn....

You know what I’m 13 and my dad has had a RX-7 for as long as I can remember my mom said he had it before I was born but I only seen him drive it like 3 times in my whole life and all the other times he was with his friends in the garage working on it

Rumor has it if you BRAAAHP STUSTUSTU three times in a row, Rob Dahm, the daddy dorito himself, shall appear before you and grant you three wishes

Almost every car dude I've met young and old has some kinda love for rx7s I'll never part with my 94 FD

I just bought an 82. My first car was a 79 and I bought it in the late 90s, blew the engine because I was an idiot in a small town and NOBODY knew about the rotaries. I love this thing. In one day I had 3 strangers ask me about her.

I imported a '95 rhd FD about a year ago and it's such a wild car. It's my dream car and has been my whole childhood. The feeling when I walk out doing something unrelated and see it sitting in my garage is so surreal still. Whether I'm driving it or working on it, it's an amazing car.

You have successfully summoned Rob Dahm himself if he does not appear then he does not approve Let's not forget the Rx7 fb was in Group B

What about "So you want a 240z"? we can get some past experiences with the car that you've had

Got my '94 FD about a month ago. Finally having my dream car for 20 years was a very proud moment that I will never forget. Keep up the good work. Loved the video.

RX7 FD has been my dream car for the last 18 or so years. At the time I knew nothing about it's engine, I just really liked how it looks. I always wanted one. But you either have to have a lot of money to spend on a car or learn everything about it. So year ago I had an opportunity to buy an FC and I absolutely love the uniqueness. It's not just a car. It's something else. So in a year I learned a ton about FC checking and repairing it and I think I might be able to restore it in the next year or two to it's almost original state. And when I'll have the money, free space and when the opportunity comes, I am going to buy an FD. And it's getting closer and closer. I would never think it'd be possible but dreams come true if you come towards them.

I will rather swap a corvette with a 13b-rew than a rx7 with a ls

My 2yr old daughter opened the notifications and sat watching. She may have been the first view 😂

Rx7 is simply the greatest car ever made In my opinion

fell in love with the fd then saw a fc3s and then realised love at first site... yea to me the fc is the best.. i love them never, had any problems other than rust repair because of being a barn find sat for 14 years and still runs, rx7 community is insane

The 13b is a love and hate thing. Like having the perfect hot girl friend with body odor.

I always click on RX-7 videos, nice one going to check out the rest of the channel. If you're not a mechanic, owning an RX-7 will make you a mechanic

I never forget one of my closest friends telling me that his rotary is essentially a poker machine but he wouldn't trade it for the world. Both him and his GF drive one. Needless to say I drove it once, amazing. Also don't get me started on Han's Rx-7. God Damn.

Thanks for the credit for using my footage! Great video!!

So you want a MR2

As an rx7 owner for 17 years this video had me cracking up! Good job! lol

If u don't abuse it its a really good car: just warm it up before revving, keeping it in a garage, doing a good and regular maintenance

It's an amazing car to own. Hands down one of the best choices I made. I've literally have every problem but motor issues.

Man the RX-7 has a vibe that everyone can connect with

I just started my apprenticeship and when I eventually gathered enough money to buy one I'll definitely do it.

Got my FD out of the shop this week. Had 4 compliments between the shop and the storage. I love my RX-7!

Subscribed and love the video. Bought my first car at 16 and it was a 85 rx7 even was working at a shop but never heard of a rotary engine. Got home paid for my self called my father up and was so excited. He called me an idiot and said it was trouble I said why wtf he said it has a rotary and let me tell you it was a very long summer of learning but so soo worth it. But older now and that car has been gone for some time as i was young and moved everywhere over the country with an ex (stupid I know) but now I am working and saving towards a 93 fd rx7. I work 7 days on 7 days off and let me tell you the days off are going to be longer then 16 hour days haha. If your in it for the feel and you put real effort and realize you may be choosing on parts rather then eating like a king or queen till next pay day and want to take pride in something you built your way for you hats off in my books it's worth it and when it's all done and over the feeling you have of accomplishment will definitely out way those many days of noodles for dinner😜

POP UP POP UP POP UP UP AND DOWN HEAD LIGHTS !!!

Owned 5 rx7s never had any problems. All of them wear daily drivers, two were modified, and gas was okay not terrible. What many have come to find out where the years was the lack of knowledge from people who own them. It's more of a human error than mechanical error. I've seen the inline 6 and 8 cylinders break many times over as well

I love how I literally asked for this video, and a week later you drop this. Nowhere near my birthday but thanks guys

you definitely need to know how the rotary works before buying. also finding out what mods everyone is doing (rx7/rx8club, etc) and what things are weak on the car from the factory is really beneficial. i'd say premixing isn't so bad but that's because i'm used to seeing my dad premixing gas for our 2 stroke dirt bikes when i was younger. and just remember that the consequences for mistakes or mistreatment won't be as forgiving as a piston engine. tbh my 94 fd has taught me a lot mostly because it forced me to take initiative and look things up (usually because an issue comes up since it is 25 year old now). most importantly. i would say HAVE A PLAN AND KNOW WHAT YOU WANT or else you'll spend a lot of money very quickly. cool vid tho!

Waiting for that “So You Want a R32” video since I just picked mine up last weekend and loving it

Nice to see our suggestions are taken in :). I'm an SA owner (the gen before the FB) and it's always awesome to see some more rotary content. Great vid, keep it up. Oh wait, did I mention that it's a DD....

Thanks for the shoutout bro! LOVE THIS SEGMENT! Look forward to seeing you guys out here for 7's Day?

Wow!! Alex I'm Proud Of Y'alls Growth I Remember When I Started Watching y'all's channel back at the 80k subs. Just wow Bro Congratulations 🤟

The video I've been waiting for my entire life!!!!!

Over a year into FD ownership and have loved every day of it. Maintaining it while at uni is hard tho :/

This is why Im lucky enough to have the best of both worlds. I have always, since I was a little kid wanted a RX7 but was never ready for it. Grinded out some tough years with crappy cars, Tiburons, golfs, couple trucks, my rusted swiss cheese Z31 300zx first car lol learning mods, trial and error days. Bought myself a 3rd gen 89 Iroc, fully built 355, LS swap in the works, my track car. When the time was right I finally picked up my first RX7, completely stock 88 FC and man, what a car, that jdm interior smell, the feel of it, sound, I dont care how unreliable, or slow it may be. It gives me some of the best moments and happiness Ive ever had in a car! Now to have both a v8 thrash hill billy of a car, and my sunday rotary, theres no beating it!

Thanks for the shout-out @Fitment Industries / @Alex.

Yeah, I definitely plan to get one in the near future. Of course, I'm going to have to learn a lot about how to maintain it but I am willing to put up with it for this beauty of a car.

I'm a series 8 RX7 RS owner and I learnt the hard way that I should stop caring about fuel efficiency and reliability by changing gears too early and ruining my engine. :-(

I keep coming back to this vid just for the intro to hear this dude impersonate an RX7. Puts a smile on my face

My dad told me this story about a kid he knew growing up who bought an FD the first year they came out (Which is crazy considering my dad grew up in a farming community in _Canada.)_ The kid ended up hitting a ditch with it and went and traded what was left of it for a Mustang. He still scoffs at that to this day and this is my dad, Mr. Mustang 350. These cars are timeless and I'm kicking around buying an FC right now.

The Rx7 is like your average girlfriend... Sweet and expensive!

I own a fd. The key is a good rotary engine builder, quality mods,cooling ,good maintenance and a great tuner. I am at 425 rwhp for 4 years no issues. Oops forgot one premix!!! Brap on rotards

Not gonna lie, 0:34 gave me an eargasm >o< I had the chance to drive a modified, 350 whp FD in Japan last month (Fun2Drive guided tour of Hakone's mountain passes, I highly recommend them, best day of my car enthusiast life), and I just fell instantly in love with that car when I started driving it. The car sang in the most beautiful voice I've ever heard, the handling felt incredible in the corners, like if the car was rotating around the driver's seat, and the acceleration is so good >o< Guess what is my new dream car lol, I'm gonna need to start saving money

yo just found this vid! nice break down of the car :) youve earned a sub

Never had reliability problems, 180+km and never been opened. Only have problems when people don’t know what they’re doing.

I own rx7 more than a year ago, but I have never been able to drive it. Despite that, I love it

Dude literally EVERYTHING you said about rx7s is how I feel too. Some swaps are nice I won’t lie but purist gang at the end of the day lol still love the whole community. Anyways, I’ve only had one car which was a ‘04 rx8 because it was the closest I could get at the time, but I don’t have it anymore and I haven’t had another in a long time because of bs financial issues lol but once I work it out I’m purely determined to get one and I know I will one day. Oh yeah and, subscribed for sure hahaha keep it up man! Edit: (04’) turned to (‘04) lol that bothered me too much looking at that. Had to

I learned how to drive stick on my best friend's 83 rx7 that he let me borrow after blowing up my old chevy s10. My first (and only so far) turbo car was a modified cx7 (cooler than it sounds), I can't wait to own an rx7 and a ms3 or ms6 some day.

Do a “So you want a Honda Civic “

Yea, you hit the high points. Seems obvious but most people don't consider any of that stuff before buying one. People get too locked up into the novelty of it and don't level with the reality of owning one

Getting my first rotery Saturday, can't wait

I'm planning on getting a rx-7 for my 22 or 21 birthday because I want to experience more in-depth things about working on a car and modifying, rn I'm 17 and still learning with a gli jeta but I'm getting there.. yay

Been waiting on this 4 a while😂 my first car was an fc at 15yrs old.. couldnt drive it for a while tho🥴

So you want to be pressured into ls swapping your unreliable dorito boi

outstanding video man hey just out of curiosity you said you had one yourself I was wondering if you could post a picture here on the comments or maybe do a video on it I don't know just curious.thanks for the video.

saw about 10 rx7 fds and 5 fcs in the parking lot in front of a specialty shop. coolest thing i’ve ever seen

This is wonderful video, i still want to get a FC for my car collection but make a plain FC into a sleeper

It's gonna be a fun adventure ~Your Wallet

One of the best videos I seen yet nice

My dad owned 2 rx-7 fbs throughout my childhood and I fondly remember taking rides in them, it's been my dream to pick one up for a while now. Finding the funds and a place to store it is the big issue right now, and being in Buffalo, NY means I can only really drive it 7-8 months out of the year

I own an fd, and man is this car magical. Makes anyone smile when they're driving it.

This is as good as Up To Speed imo. Supra next!!

RX-7 ownere here: First off, pretty good video, nothing false was said really. Most people just don't know what they are talking about when it comes to rotary reliability. The three major rules to follow to have a healthy rotary are: 1: Good fuel only. 2: Check your oil everytime you take your car out and premix, these things are DESIGNED to burn oil and the premix just adds a layer of protection. I just carry a quart of oil in my car at all times. 3: Monitor your coolant temperature to avoid blowing a coolant seal, the stock gauges suck so just buy an aftermarket one. If you want to mod the car start with cooling mods and a water temp and boost gauge. Also, just a little tip for any FD owners: If you want to mod either exhaust, intake or intercooler , don't do more than 2 of those 3 mods before getting a tune or you will overboost and blow your motor.

I bought my FD, and I've never been happier in my life! I absolutely love it!

So you want a 240sx nexts

Love my FC even though it just sits in my shed and isnt running but that's ok with me, I'll never sell it.

That’s so crazy because he’s right. I wrote a college dissertation on the development and operation of the rotary engine. I can totally understand the following

I have an FD its a love hate relationship. When I bought it I didn't know a rotary existed I just wanted the body. 7 years later its a never ending build. Everything stock needs to be replaced for it to be any kind of reliable and make power and I mean EVERYTHING down to the harness. Parts are expensive and reliable honest shops are hard to come by too.

Once upon a time, I had an 89 GTU. My dad said very specifically that it sounded like driving a 170 hp blender, but he took highway off ramps at fifty in second gear and you know what? The grins on his face were ear to ear. I, however, crashed it into a post, airborne off of a speed bump. Sideways. Damn I miss that car. It was like the finicky crazy girlfriend that was great in bed and terrifying when waking up.

This is like getting a tattoo and researching if they hurt

New Zealand represent 😜 shout out to Mad Mike ripping it up in his 26B RADBUL batty (RX7)

Got a FC myself, and it's been a strong love-hate but more love than hate. I got super lucky & traded a pew-stick for mine. Had less than 150k miles, running and driving, and I still daily it every now and again. No matter how frustrating it can be working on, as soon as I hop in and drive it I fall in love again with a big grin even if it's N/A 😍

I'm simple, I see RX7 I click play 😍

So you want an awd over complicated electrical rats nest Aka 3000gt

When I'm finished with my studies and have money, I'm definately getting myself one. Even if I have to get one from a different country!

I watch this video so much lol. I'm basically going to be converting my rx8 to an rx7 here shortly😍

I've had my FD RX7 since 2006, swapped it to a 20b in 2008. And coming 2019 26b compound superturbo setup.

I always want an Rx7. Rotaries for life

I have a 79 RX-7 with stock 12A and i love it only had it for a month and have way to many ideas for it.

I don't this gets mentioned enough... but the rotary engine sound is absolutely amazing.

The RX-7 did not start with the FB, it started with the SA (1979-1980), which was the first two letters of the chassis number (before we got VINs in the US).

So I was lucky enough that I found one RX-7 just parked in a bldg no claim it for 6 moths so I claim the car at the local DMV and now I am the owner thanks for this video it’s going the help me a lot, the car it fine starts and runs it just needs a lil of work

Video was super helpful!! Looking forward to joining the car community especially rx 7 since that is my dream car. I don’t know much but I wanna know all there is about rotary engines and how to maintain them. If anyone can help me out and narrow my search down than be great would love to own my dream car but also be proud working and putting in the grinding hours to make her as badass as can be!!

I race oval track with a rotary and let me tell its fuxking insane and the best 🔥🔥

Mine lasted 140k before rebuild.

“So you want to own any vehicle, let me tell you why your wrong for choosing that.”

Own one but cant keep up with the maintenance so I'm selling it😭 still my favorite 10/10 will buy again

Started working on rotary before I worked on piston motors , now I'm confused on V6 and v8s but rotary at this point is like building a 20piece puzzle