My 1990 Mazda RX-7 GXL 2+2
Here it is, picture of my daily driver. It is a 1990 RX-7 GXL 2+2 in crystal white. I found this car while I was on ebay surfing one night. This car is basically bone stock with a few typical mods here and there. I usually drive this car from Norwich to New Britain (55 miles one way) on weekdays, to Plymouth, NH or Boston, MA (about 200 miles one way) on weekends. The car has been a good work horse. I bought it on March, 00 with 76K. As of today, (9-30-01) car has over 136K miles on it. Other than a few minor flaws, car ran as good as the day I bought it, if not better. I used to run this car in a lot of autocross across New England, but I’ve recently slowed down due to other interest (With girlfriend being #1). Occasionally, you will still see me piloting her around. Although that doesn’t happen that often now a days, but let me tell you this car can take the abuse of autocross, drag race and track events if you ask for it to. There’s a saying that “Old soldiers never die, they just slowly fade away.” It’s perfect to describe this car, just when you think this car had given up what it intended to do (racing). It comes back and provides the drive the time of his life. Although wear and tear had started to take a beating on this old soldier, but when I ask for it to come out. It will do the job right. It had never ever leave me stranded through the coldest NH nights (-10) or 20 inches + snow.
Here is what
I have for modification.
-K&N
Filter, original type with the top airbox cover cut open “PIC”
-KYB
AGX shocks all around with Eibach Progressive springs on it (.75 drop)
-Racing
Beat Mufflers “PIC”
-New
RP 2.5 inch high flow cat.
-Aluminum
hood
The car
handles really well at the autocross.
It does everything well, but not great.
I will probably not win any races as long as the MR2s are around, but I
just try to go out there and have fun and try to improve my driving. Maybe one of these days I will save up and
get a competitive car. Of course the
driver has a lot to improve too….
This car might not be the car to
beat in autocrosses, but it is certainly not a bad car to have to drive around
daily. The car is on the bumpy side,
but other than that. It is the ultimate
driver’s car with almost all the options you can think of, without the turbo
and leather. Car doesn’t have the
acceleration that I expected from a sports car, but consider it isn’t a
turbo. 160hp from a 10 year old car is
not bad at all. The car might not have
enough power to make you the street ricer, I mean racer around town, but it
does have enough power to move you from place to place while giving you a smile
as you lay your foot in the gas pedal and set those four independent suspension
into motion. I guess Mazda is right for
once with their slogan. “Emotion In
Motion” J
My autocross updates
My first event this year was at
Lake Onata in Pittsfield MA. The race
was in middle of February in the middle of a frozen lake. Yes ice and RX-7 do mix together, just not
too well. I didn’t do too well in that
race. Oh well….
The second
race for my car this year was actually at a rookie driving school. I didn’t have the money or the qualification
to race in that race. So I had Greg P.
piloting my car. With bad shocks and
all (I didn’t have my shocks then).
Greg didn’t do too bad. Good job
Greg!
My first dry
event of the year was at West Nyack, NY with the WSCC club. The track was a nice and quick one. It was not difficult at all. I end up finishing in the middle of the pack
behind 2 MR2, but in front of a 90 RX-7 GTU and 944. Overall my raw time was like 62nd out of 110
people. Pax time was 37th
out of 110. I am not exactly happy
about the result, but it ain’t bad I guess. I have too much expectation for
myself and my RX-7.
RX-7 Links
Original 86 RX-7 GXL Road
Test
Original 89 RX-7 GTUs Road
Test
My first dyno run at 83000
miles, bone stock
My second dyno run at 93150
miles, bone stock
My gas milage log book, excel
format, 700K, still growing
My engine sound from 3000
to 8000 RPM (INSIDE)
My engine sound from 3000
to 8000 (OUTSIDE)
A funny engine sound, must
have
RX-7 Service, parts for sale
or wanted
If you have any
question or comments about RX-7, IM me at tmak26b or email me at tmak26b@hotmail.com
I am looking for a red 89+ GXL or T2 in clean condition for my girlfriend, or any 89+ T2. If you have a clean one for sale, email me
