Mazda RX-7

[Cookie Monster]

Still no pics.

I did loop the lines and pull the PS pump today, though. I might pull the AC too. It's not charged and I can't get R12 refrigerant so not sure if I want it. Plus the bracket it's on (that also held the PS pump) weighs like 20 lb.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I see you are turning it into an unstreetable track machine. As expected. 

[MrH]

Wow.  That didn't last long

[Cookie Monster]

I already said I was pulling the power steering. What am I supposed to do with AC I can't recharge?

[MX793]

You should be able to still get R12.  Maybe not a do-it-yourself recharge kit, but an AC specialist should be able to recharge the system.  May not be cheap, though.

[Eye of the Tiger]

You should be able to still get R12.  Maybe not a do-it-yourself recharge kit, but an AC specialist should be able to recharge the system.  May not be cheap, though.

Or just convert to 134a, like a BOSS

[Eye of the Tiger]

I already said I was pulling the power steering. What am I supposed to do with AC I can't recharge?

Restore it to factory spec.

[FoMoJo]

I already said I was pulling the power steering. What am I supposed to do with AC I can't recharge?

Don't need AC.  Just open the sunroof.

[Xer0]

Pic looks 40 years old

It's to match the cars vintage.

Congrats man!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Cookie Monster]

AC is not needed in California anyways.

I'm still not going to put in a bucket seat, harnesses, remove the carpet and insulation and radio/speakers, and it's not getting stiff coilovers, giant swaybars or a loud exhaust. All of that is staying stock.

Long term I want to fix the rust. That might not be possible, though.

Oh, also I need to get new door seals. It leaks a lot of air.

[Cookie Monster]

I also ordered an upgraded idler arm, new tie rods (inner/outer and center) and master/slave cylinders for the clutch. Cost like $130 for everything.

Edit: Oh yeah, I ordered a stainless steel clutch line. So make that $150.

Well on my way to making this thing an unstreetable race car. 

[Cookie Monster]

Sweet! I should be getting the clutch parts by Thursday and the idler arm by Friday! The tie rod ends are coming from another site so it'll probably be a while before I get those.

Probably won't have the clutch line by this weekend so I guess I'll just throw the idler arm on there for now. It grinds a lot in second so I really want to get the clutch stuff on there ASAP.

[MX793]

Is the grinding due to the clutch or the synchros?  Generally speaking, if it only grinds going into a single gear, it's worn synchros for that gear.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Change teh gear oilz. Use synthetic like Redline if it is the right GL#.

[Cookie Monster]

Is the grinding due to the clutch or the synchros?  Generally speaking, if it only grinds going into a single gear, it's worn synchros for that gear.

Apparently it was doing the same thing before, and they replaced the transmission, and it still has the same problem. Either both transmissions have bad synchros (possible), or the hydraulics are going out. It's ~$50 to replace the hydraulics so I'm starting there.

I'll do a fluid flush as well when I replace the master/slave. The clutch pedal is ridiculously soft, though. My Miata has a very light clutch and even that feels very stiff compared to the RX7.

[Soup DeVille]

Apparently it was doing the same thing before, and they replaced the transmission, and it still has the same problem. Either both transmissions have bad synchros (possible), or the hydraulics are going out. It's ~$50 to replace the hydraulics so I'm starting there.

I'll do a fluid flush as well when I replace the master/slave. The clutch pedal is ridiculously soft, though. My Miata has a very light clutch and even that feels very stiff compared to the RX7.

How is it $50 when you've spent $150 just on the line?

(Edit: nevermind. I can't read)

I remember those having a light clutch; but can't say if it's lighter than a Miata or not.

[Cookie Monster]

How is it $50 when you've spent $150 just on the line?

(Edit: nevermind. I can't read)

I remember those having a light clutch; but can't say if it's lighter than a Miata or not.

This feels suspiciously too light. Like pressing on the gas pedal light.

[MX793]

I dunno.  I would expect that if your clutch wasn't fully disengaging, you'd be grinding every gear and have a hell of a time engaging first or reverse from neutral.

[CaminoRacer]

+1 if it's not fully disengaged you'll notice immediately when you try to shift into first/reverse

[Cookie Monster]

Hmm, it's smooth going into everything else. Worst case it's $60 and an afternoon to swap the cylinders and oil. Hopefully the transmission isn't crunched.

[MX793]

Hmm, it's smooth going into everything else. Worst case it's $60 and an afternoon to swap the cylinders and oil. Hopefully the transmission isn't crunched.

I'm really thinking it's a weak 2nd gear syncro.  And the replacement box, which I assume was a used unit out of a scrapyard and not a freshly rebuilt/refurb'ed box, probably also had a weak 2nd gear syncro.  Old RXes apparently have a reputation for weak syncros.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Granny shifting ... not double clutching like you should ...

[Soup DeVille]

Just about to ask; does it grind if you double clutch? Or without the clutch?

[Cookie Monster]

I'm not familiar enough with the car to double clutch or without the clutch. Generally, upshifting is fine in 2nd, but it won't want to down shift at all.

It still doesn't explain the extremely soft clutch. Other RX7's I've driven weren't that bad.

[Soup DeVille]

Do these have a pedal return spring of any worth? 

If not, I would just suspect a weak pressure plate spring.

[MX793]

I'm not familiar enough with the car to double clutch or without the clutch. Generally, upshifting is fine in 2nd, but it won't want to down shift at all.

It still doesn't explain the extremely soft clutch. Other RX7's I've driven weren't that bad.

Will it upshift easily even if you try to rip off a really fast shift, or only if you take it easy?  Generally speaking, upshifting with bad syncros is easier than downshifting since the revs naturally match themselves on an upshift whereas you need to be pretty spot-on with the throttle blip to rev match on a downshift.

[Cookie Monster]

I've been taking it easy in 2nd while up shifting. I can try shifting harder into it next time I drive it.

[Cookie Monster]

Hmm, an S4 transmission will fit into the FB, after swapping some FB parts over (tail housing, shifter box, etc).

A TII would fit but it needs some modifications. It's the strongest transmission that would work with the car, though.

[CaminoRacer]

T-56 swap

[Cookie Monster]

T56 would weigh more than the rest of the car.


First things first - replace the clutch hydraulics and see what to do after that. I should get the clutch line by Friday as well so I will just do that over the weekend.