1. Understand how the engine and rotary works 2. Use stock pump to put oil into the pump or premix it (premix if the stock pump doesn't work) 3. Let the car warm up before driving (let the choke pull itself in) 4. Don't let it get too hot (if the temperature gauge goes up too much, let off) 5. Add a higher flow cooling system 5. In the winter, don't crank it too much with the gas on 6. When you turn it on during winter let it run for awhile 7. Don't hold it over the redline 8. Take it easy on rain and snow 9. Go to an open parking lot and feel how the back end kicks out to put it back in line

Owning a rotary sounds like a full time job. EDIT: a full time job where you pay money instead of getting paid.

I just got a 1989 Mazda RX7 GTU about a week ago, and I love that goddamn thing to death. It has gotten me out of my lowest and saddest point of my life I was in the last couple of months. :)

I know the video is 4 years old but this is the first channel I have found that isn’t just “it’s hopeless, sell it and buy a new one” +1 subscriber

"congrats on buying your first rotary" me: *watching this video on my bicycle trying to buy my first icecream this year*

premixing a rotary engine is the best way to ensure reliability. had a good experience with my FD

I drive my 8 everyday! 136k on the original engine and still running like a top!

another good tip is to just read read read! learn all about the engine and understand how it works. compression checks are good too. also if you have to shut the car down before it's warmed up, in order not to flood it, rev it up and hold the rpms for a second and turn the key off while revved. this will get rid of the excess fuel at cold idle and keeps the plugs from fouling. Zach. you need to start getting paid by Idemitsu. I swear you always have that quart of oil with you.

I've been researching rotary engines because I'm buying an RX 8, and this is so far one of the ONLY well done videos that really explains what I need to know. Thank you man!

only bought an rx7 to drift it, premixed on the rotary for several seasons, everything ran fine when i pulled it for a v8, no regrets either. rotary engine is very reliable as long as your pre-mix everytime you fill up...it'll never give you low end torque though.

I'm considering a 12a first gen. I found one with about 80k surprisingly. This might be a good investment for a driver and first rotary.

you talk better than technicians I've come across. good video.

All of your videos are so informative. The way you explain things is so easy to understand. I've always had a soft spot for these engines. Their bad reliability reputation is NOT deserved. They have TONS of HP and with that amazing sound and high revs owners tend to drastically abuse these engines causing things to fail over time. Like you say, treat them good and they will treat you the same. Also, A good tip for all older carbureted or direct injectes engines can benefit from some 2 stroke oil here and there if you use lower grade fuel. Their internals were not designed to run on ethanol blend gasoline and older diesels had the benefit of higher lubricity in the diesel back then.

I dig it bro. I'm on a learning curve right now with my FD so I'm watching everything I come across on youtube. Cheers mate, keep the rotary alive!

Yes ! Thank you ! Keep up more stuff related to maintinence, and maybe some videos touching the topic of a rebulid ?

This is an amazing video! As an RX8 owner, you hit every point spot on!

Nice review! My first two cars were 1st gen RX-7s, a 12A and 13B. I loved the choke on the 12A, but eventually (and after years of hard driving) it would easily vapor lock. The poor car was abused by then and I sold it for parts for $400. I replaced it a 13A GSL-SE, which was like driving a luxury sports car. What a beautiful, fun car! I ended up selling it with 174k miles on it. To this day it’s sitting in a garage waiting to be restored, and it still starts I'm told.

Watching this to prep for my future FD RX7. Thanks man!

might be getting an 87 RX7 soon, this is really helpful!

Really helped me and cleared many misconceptions. Thanks

I recently picked up a 82 FB. Been doing a bit of work on it and I need to replace the oil cooler, but I'm really hyped about it. I've been learning a lot over the last couple of months about rotaries and just cars in general but I have a ways to go.

Thank you so much for your content it’s been so helpful in my journey to learn about, and one day buy my first Rx-7 FC

This is super super helpful, I’m having to put a new engine in the rx-8 I just bought and this is for sure going to help me in the long run.

Thankyou I know a lot about cars but rotary’s are a whole new world so this was very helpful

I’ve just got a Rx7 fc, thank you for the advice!

What's up Lexington! I'm planning to drop an offer on an RX-8 tomorrow. I was an Rx-7 owner for 7 years, (and Lexingtonian since birth). Thanks for the refreshing video realness!

Love your videos homie. I've got a '79 my dad picked up the year I was born (we e-mailed!) and I love your enthusiasm for the flaming Doritos! Pretty sure my baby needs a rebuild after ~40 years and ~130k on the clock. It's in storage meow so out of sight out of mind. But I miss 'er!

Very nice video dude. All the stuff you told us was pretty much useful. Keep going

I’m planning to daily a FD RX7. Thanks for the help!

so just to summarize, premix is key, let it warm up and try not to over redline it...make sure to redline it often & if it doesn't want to crank then just leave it for a while before trying again as to not flood it? anything else. Great video, thanks please do more tips for new rotary owners!!

Thank you for the tips! Just bought a 93 rx7

Brand new rotary owner, appreciate the info man good vid

5 years later im here! great video man

I don’t own a rotary, and probably won’t for years. But they have peaked my curiosity, and this had fed it.

Loved the intro!

awesome video man!

if you just bought an RX-7 or anything with a rotary engine if you haven't already found the local mechanic that specializes in rotary engines do so take it there first find out what's what RX7 community is fairly small and most places there is not usually too many mechanics so it's very easy to find out who did the previous work if you know where to look. that way if you don't do the work you can find the qualified guy you can learn lots from them you ever have any problems you know who to ask plus they'll know where to get parts cuz if you go to a place that doesn't usually stock RX-7 parts it becomes a special-order item they had to bring in so it's going to cost you double and if you go to a local Mazda dealership it's also going to be very expensive

Looking at picking up an SA or FB. My biggest concern is oiling lol. It's mainly going to be an autocross toy so I might just premix. 225/45 RE71Rs on 15x7 wheels with BC coils should be a ton of fun.

great video, considering buying and efini rx7 type r and this really helps considering its my first rotary

Shit, i was skeptical, but you have a decent quality video, bud. Good job, keep it up. This guy knows his shit

Thanks for the info im getting a 1985 12a rx7 with only 70k miles I'll make sure to follow what you said

Very informative just bought a 2004 rx8 and was wanting to know what to do and what not to do with it

Plan on getting one as a weekend toy. Civic still my daily

I daily my black RX8 and run a 3 inch 100 cel catalytic converter so I can premix as well, engine is 135k so far no issues. I drove a RX8 with a decat and the smell was terrible, something I couldn't live with. The high flow cat though is a great option and allows to use premix

Tip 1: Bring lots of money and expect 4cyl performance with the fuel economy of a semi and the maintenance of a ferrari

I'm new to the car world so i only know about Lamborghini and Ferrari but this Rx7 i saw in reels caught my attention

Nicely done.

Great video thanks for this

Nice video man... I subscribe, you rock and roll...

I use both an external oil pump, and premix. Never can be too certain, especially with these rotaries...

Keep up the good work 👌🏼🙏🙏

Great video bro

Currently got my eyes on a '79 RX7. Supposedly 74k miles, not sure what specific engine it has but pretty sure it's a 12A, with idling issues. Looks to be quite the project, but fun as well.

I like the way you talked about it and I had be4 but never understood why they have 2 oil pan and I been trying to find out where the hell are they at

Just picked up a 1988 Mazda Rx7 FC!

That moment when you have NO INTEREST AT ALL in buying a car with a rotary, but you stop by a video just to see what its like. I like to explore different areas of the automotive world. Like motorcycles, trucks, go karts (lol), sports cars, drag/rally/autocross. Just about everything lol. I don't really like looking at super cars because they seem to be lame and have no character in my eyes. Maybe someday if I'm somewhat making a good living I'll get me a rotary car.

Nice Vid! Question: What are some good sticky racing type tires for a 1990 rx7 convertible?

this helped a lot bro thank you!! also i just bought my first rotary few weeks ago it's a rx8. i was wondering if they are hard to start on a cold start during the winter. i have a long crank already. it's about 2-3 seconds and it turns over. it's like that everytime and i read up and people said only worry about your engine if it is turning over at different times. anything i should worry about?

Dam dude ur rx7 is clean!!

I sold my 8 engine blew 🙃 still love her tho

I like this it’s very helpful

Just got an Rx8. 40th edition...at 50K miles. The machine is a beast but it does eat gas like kandy. But its a bad ass kar. Knt say no to that. Nice Vid.

It’s kinda hard taking care a car with a rotary engine on Arizona because during the summer it gets hot as hell here and I’ve been thing getting a rx8 with low mileage

Man! I love your videos, I don't see your videos on other cars, just videos based on rx7 and Rotary engines, as I am a very big rotary fan! The way u explain things about the rotary engine in such an easy manner and provide so much knowledge, no one else does it like this man! Amazing content! Keep making rotary videos, Hail rotary!.......

"just like any other sports car" yeah sure just went thru a whole tank of gas in 2 days

living it with rotary for 5th good year

Still loving my 2007 Mazda RX-8. How long will it last? I have no idea but I have loved driving it for years and had the same amount of issues as my old Corolla so it's not too bad

This video helped alot. I’m looking to buy an fc(this will be my first rotary) any tips?

Trying to get an FC Turbo II as my first car so this is helpful

I’m definitely gonna buy one

I'm only 16 and a half years old now but when i am old enough i buy the mazda rx 8 immediately because i love every part of it

Go Cards!! 😂 nice video man!

I'm pretty close to buying an 86 FC Cabrio. Haven't talked with the guy much past meeting him so I have not seen the condition of the upholstery, soft top, etc. But if I can get it for less than the $5k he's asking, I'd be more than happy to rebuild the engine, have the car resprayed, etc just to have my little NA rotary convertible.

Make a video on how to check the OMP to see if it is functioning properly or not before you decide to pre-lube

Rotary /= Mazda Community, There are also bikes and NSUs(now a part of Audi) with rotary engines.

Zack I really appreciate your comments and wanted to ask you this: I just me a 1985 RX/5 spd. without the engine and a friend of mine made me got a 2004 RX8-6 spd. My plan is to rebuild the RX7 (85) that's my dream little sport car (group B looking car) and will be good to transfer the 04 engine to the 85 body? will the transmission be good idea as well? I have a friend who have offered me a rx7 racing transmission. What about a Weber in the 04 engine? i love that sound and I don't have to get complicated with the electronics, as much right? need y our inputs, please

Just got my rx8 😍

Oh sweet you’re from Kentucky too. So am I. I have a problem I’m looking into buying a 1991 Mazda rx7 for $800 before I leave for the Marine Corp ,but what should I look for before buying ?

i got my eyes on a 12a FB i really want to get my hands on a rotary/platform before they all are priced out of reach. I remember seeing this with the 911/s over the last 15 years, as well as the 240z.

what do you think of the short-shifting method when warming up the car?

So I’m currently building a 1991 fc rx-7 and I do have a couple questions about it, this is my first rotary engine ever. 1. When I start the car how long should I wait till the engine is warm enough? I’ve read forums that say 15 minutes, 30 in the cold. I live in California considering it doesn’t get too cold should I apply the 30 minutes? 2. What oil should I use for the engine? Many forums have said use thick oil like 10w 30, since it is thick it will benefit the rotary. If I put thick oil in should I premix? 3. If I do premix do I put the whole quart in the gas tank then the gas? Should I even put premix if I’m using thick oil? I apologize if these questions seem stupid I really want to keep my engine strong and healthy. If anyone can give me their opinion or advice it would be much appreciated, thank you.

Good advice keep the videos coming #rotaryforlife

Rotories sometimes flood. Purchase a fuel cut defender. Keep it off, crank crank, and switch it on while cranking still.

I just got a 91 rx7 13b. I would like 300-400 hp on a automatic setup with tiptronic shifter.

Love U man ❤️

Really appreciate the informative video. I have a 12a and have put a-lot of time and money. Still learning. I dont think I am currently getting any fire. I cranked it on a cold day like you were saying and letting it run and then I get a little gas and I stopped. I think I had fouled the plugs, so I cleaned them up and put a new set in as well. Still not able to catch. Any insight on what I should do at this point? Also, I checked another video and it referred to checking the voltage on the coil right now. I don’t think I’m getting proper voltage to the coils. Thanks for your time and energy. I will research some of your other videos or if you have one to refer me to please. Good day. John

even with the issues, i would buy one in a heartbeat considering how easy it is to work on. What kills it for me is the crappy fuel consumption, if i could get 30hwy/25ish city i would give in and buy one even with all the extra care needed, but my Tundra gets better MPG than the RX8... :/

Haven't bought any rotary. But want to so I'm watching this.

I see people saying plugs and oil filters should be changed every 3K miles. Is this right? How far will this go if you just stay on point with the oil changes?

Just want to know how or what ways can u flood your engine on my RX8 ? One morning I had to start the car and move it out of the driveway switch it off straight away the next day I try to start it and it would only crank, it wouldn't kick over, any information about this topic will be greatly appreciated Cheers.

coooool thanks so much bro! also you look a bit like evan shanks

I found some blue FB with some sort of clean looking body kit near my house, sure it is wrecked up but cant hurt to take a look right?

Thanks for this video! My dad owns a 1985 GSL-SE and I'm getting an '83 very soon, I'm sure these tips will come in very handy. One quick question, do you think it's a good idea to put a 13B in an '83? If it's not a terrible idea I would like to do that eventually.

I have a question about my rx8, I bought it Nov. of 2016, my first rotary and dream car and don’t wanna lose it, but my car hasn’t been able to start since last week. Before that it has had some issues turning over. It does crank, just something isn’t igniting. I’ve had a few people check it out and the fuel pump is working. I haven’t had a chance to change out the spark plugs lately and I’m thinking that’s what the issue is. Every time I plug in an OBD reader it’s only giving me a code for a low voltage O2 sensor bank 1 sensor 2. You wouldn’t mind giving me tips on how I could or should fix it would you? If you want I can post a video on my page tomorrow or whenever you reply showing my issue. Btw, I’m trying to avoid the mechanic due to the lack of money, but I’m thinking about getting her towed to one soon.

Good video

nice UK shirt, bbn all over.

I don't own a mazda rx7 sa yet but i bought the Haynes repair manual to learn about the car. They talk about the emission control system which sees ms/is quite complicated. Do you guys keep it? is it hard to fix if it goes wrong ? thanks

Do you think I could get an fd as a first car? I'm trying to get a fr for track days and for some reason I'm finding a lot of fds on sale at an import company near me and I was wondering if it would be drivable or maintainable at my level of experience, or should I wait so it can be my 3rd or 4th car?

if you don’t mind, what cooling mod did you put on you rx? i have an fb myself and i’m trying to keep it running for as long as i can, would be helpful, thanks

You in Kentucky bro? I'm in Lexington area. Would love to see your car never actually seen one in real life