Mustang or RX7 ???

Comments ? Have been thinking of doing SCCA or similar for years , now time is right, about to buy a car to work on this winter. I'm an old gear head from way back , big blocks, small blocks, drag racing, nothing like the growel and smoking tires of tight V8 , Mustangs are on the top of my list OR I have always liked the RX7. For a rookie , anyone have any advice ??

RX7 handles waaaay better without a total suspension redesign. Mustang is quicker in a straight line and makes better noises to most people.

If you're an old-school musclecar junkie, then almost any Mustang is up your alley. Just about any hop-up part you can think of has been made for them.

RX-7s have a driving and maintainence learning curve because the rotary engine is much different than a piston engine. It would help if you could let us know what generations of the 'Stang and Seven you are interested in, as each has its own strong and weak points.

Best of both worlds: RX-7 with a V-8 swap. All the HP and noise of a Mustang with the RX-7's light weight and handling.

In reply to MrJoshua: True , but there seems to be an abundance of stangs out there for cheap $$ with engines that have had alot of work done to them.

In reply to RexSeven:Mustang 88 to 92 RX7 87 - 88 sweet red GTU for sale locally $2800.00

jimsrugs wrote: In reply to MrJoshua: True , but there seems to be an abundance of stangs out there for cheap $$ with engines that have had alot of work done to them.

That is not always a positive.

An early GTU is actually a Turbo car without the turbo, a later GTU is just the base model.

Have both, V8 swap an RX-7. All of the sweet suspension and lightness of the 7 with the power and grumble of a V8.

An LSX swapped 86-91 RX7 is a true supercar killer.

Among the second-generation RX-7s (86-91, FC3S chassis), an 88 GTU is a good starting point for a race car as it comes with a LSD and 4-pot front brakes stock, but ditches most of the luxury options. I have both the LSD and 4-pots on my luxury-trimmed 87 GXL and they are great to have. The brakes especially are fantastic.

You really have to rev the piss out of the 1.3L rotary to get any power, but regularly redlining a rotary is part of the fun of owning one. There are plenty of rotorheads on this board, so if you want to take the plunge, we'll be happy to help. You can always swap a V-8 into the chassis if you find rotaries aren't your thing (or it blows up).

These two buyer's guides should get you pointed in the right direction on buying FC-chassis RX-7s:

http://www.aaroncake.net/RX-7/tech1.htm

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/lucky-7/

Cheap and reliable, or expensive and problematic?

Ok so maybe it's not that bad, and maybe I don't really know since I've never owned any rotary, and maybe I've never owned a Mustang either....but my very valuable .00000000002 cents is.....

I like torque.

Engine swap RX7 ? this needs to be low budget , maybe the learning curve on a wankle is too time consuming ,, I think I could handle a straight 6 , like an 88 300Z or an E30 ?

You can do an FC/V-8 swap on a budget. These guys did:

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/small-budget-big-cheese/

Just look for a cheaper RX-7, like one with a blown motor but good body. Mazda built approx. 1 gazillion FCs over their lifetime and there are plenty of parts sources for them.

What is your goal?

In reply to RexSeven:wow , thanks for the links !

In reply to MrJoshua: Goal ....... go racing , have fun , smile alot , be respectfully competitive without breaking the bank

Sub $500 RX7, sub $500 swap kit, shop for any version of SBC or SBF that suits your fancy and have at it!

jimsrugs wrote: In reply to MrJoshua: Goal ....... go racing , have fun , smile alot , be respectfully competitive without breaking the bank

Roadcourse or AutoX?

In reply to MrJoshua: Roadcourse

Thanks for all your input

jimsrugs wrote: Engine swap RX7 ? this needs to be low budget , maybe the learning curve on a wankle is too time consuming ,, I think I could handle a straight 6 , like an 88 300Z or an E30 ?

300Zs have a V6, not a straight 6.

And I wouldn't swap an I6 into a 7 - for one, I'm not sure if it'd fit, for two, you'd throw the weight balance totally off.

I'm a Mustang guy (own 2 that I drive, have 2 parts cars, and I've owned a few prior to that), but for a entry-level road course car, I'd go for the RX7.

Mustangs have VERY compromised suspension. It's all fixable via aftermarket, but that's money you probably would rather spend on events rather than making the car ready for events. Brakes are shady at best on all but Cobra models, and they're one of the few cars where IRS is a bad thing.

Another vote for a V8 swapped FC chassis RX7 for road course use.

This makes me think of the orange crush story GRM did a couple years ago... Not sure why. Just get an old rx7, refresh the suspension, enjoy the gutless 12a (which you can port at home no problem) and race with a light, great momentum car. It will teach you to be a better driver, because its so light consumables will also be cheaper...

my '79 RX-7 handles better than the '89 Mustang I owned. By a lot. And the mustang was in good form.

I've had all generations of RX-7 and one Fox body Mustang - based on that I'd go RX-7 if I were to go cone bothering or gravel seeking on a track .

In fact I'd love another 1st gen but unfortunately over here you'll need to bring your own dustbin to take most of them away.