RX-7 (SA/FB)

1978-1985 / Coupe / Japan

All RX-7 (SA/FB) problems All workshop issues

Common Gearbox

4-Speed Synchro Wear

Symptoms

Grinding or crunching when shifting, especially into second and third gears. The gearbox may pop out of gear under load.

Cause

The standard 4-speed gearbox was designed for the RX-3's stock power output. Many RX-3s have been driven hard (or raced) for decades, wearing the synchro rings. Ported engines producing above-stock power accelerate gearbox wear. Aggressive shifting without rev-matching also contributes.

Fix

Gearbox rebuild with new synchro rings and bearings.

Cost: $1,500-2,500.

Alternatively, a 5-speed conversion using a later Mazda gearbox is a popular and arguably superior solution.

Cost for 5-speed conversion: $2,000-4,000 including gearbox, bellhousing adapter, and driveshaft modification.

Cost mentioned in fix

Cost: $1,500-2,500$2,000-4,000 including gearbox

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Other known issues

Critical Gearbox

Gear Breakage

A gear tooth shears off, the gearbox locks up or grinds catastrophically, and metal fragments contaminate the gearbox oil.

Minor Engine, Rotary-Specific Issues

Apex Seal Wear and Failure

Gradual loss of compression, reduced power output, difficulty starting (especially when hot), increased oil consumption, and eventually the engine won't sustain combustion. In catastrophic failure, a broken apex seal fragment can score the rotor housing surface, requiring housing replacement.

Minor Engine, Rotary-Specific Issues

Rotor Housing Scoring

Deep scratches or grooves in the chrome or Nikasil coating of the rotor housing inner surface. Reduces compression even with new apex seals. Visible during engine disassembly.

Common Engine, Rotary-Specific Issues

Oil Metering Pump Failure

The engine receives insufficient oil for apex seal lubrication. The apex seals run dry, wear accelerates dramatically, and catastrophic engine failure follows. There may be no warning, the engine simply starts losing compression faster than normal.

Critical Engine, Rotary-Specific Issues

Coolant Seal (O-ring) Failure

Coolant leaks into the combustion chamber (white smoke from exhaust, coolant loss without external leak) or coolant leaks externally from the engine block mating surfaces. The engine overheats.

Minor Engine, Rotary-Specific Issues

Carbon Buildup

Hard carbon deposits accumulate on the rotor faces, apex seal grooves, and exhaust ports. The deposits restrict apex seal movement in their grooves, causing the seals to stick and lose their spring tension against the housing. Compression drops, power decreases, and the engine runs rough.

View all 15 RX-7 (SA/FB) problems