On Wed, 31 May 2000, Jeff Cashmore wrote:
> 93's had a bunch of TSB's but is that the only year they made the R1?
Yes and yes.
> Differences between an R1, R2 and Touring model? (strut bar, rear sway
> bar size, weight?)
Basically:
'93 Base, R1 and Touring available, springs and sway bars the same, softer
shocks and no front strut bar on Touring and base. R package also
includes second oil cooler, front and rear spoilers, just extra weight,
from an autocross perspective. Touring adds lots of C&C features, and
leather seats. The R1/Base seats are sort of a seude and hold you in
place better.
'94 and up have a smaller rear sway bar, and the springs are different
between the R2 and Touring/base. I *think* that the R2 springs are the
same rate, or possibly softer, than the '93 cars.
A '93 base is probably ideal for autocross, lightest, good seats, good
springs. The only possible downside is the lack of the front strut bar,
which is of dubious value anyway.
> I'm told I'd probably want to replace the vacuum lines ($), anything
> else to look for?
http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/buying.html - some salt grains may be
needed here, but lots of good info.
> Are the motors/turbos really cooked at 80k miles?
Some are, many aren't. A lot of the early deaths are associated with
improperly done modifications. Get a never-been-modified car, if at all
possible, and stay in super stock to maximize engine life.
> I always see Rx7 owners with water squirter's. Is it hard to keep the
> motor cool?
I've never had mine overheat, but:
1) The tiny stock IC gets very hot very quickly, and a hot intake system
will cause notable power loss.
2) If the engine does overheat, it is more likely to sustain damage
(warped housing/blown seals) than a piston engine.
Hope that helps - everyone should own at least one RX-7! ;-)
Steven
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