Positioning:
Iconic Japanese Sports Car, Revered for Rotary Engine and Handling.
Competitors 1997:
Toyota Supra (MK IV), Nissan 300ZX (Z32), Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4.
Rotary Engine:
Unique 13B-REW twin-rotor Wankel engine, known for its high-revving nature and compact size.
Handling:
Exceptional chassis dynamics, balanced weight distribution, and sophisticated suspension.
Design:
Sleek, aerodynamic coupe styling, a hallmark of the FD generation.
Owner Profile:
Enthusiasts, DIY mechanics, and professional technicians seeking to maintain and repair this performance vehicle.
Engine:
Rotary Wankel 13B-REW, Twin-Turbocharged, Fuel Injection, Ignition, Cooling, Lubrication, Emissions Control
Drivetrain:
Transmission (Manual), Clutch, Driveshafts, Differential, Axles
Suspension:
Front and Rear Suspension, Steering System, Wheel Alignment
Brakes:
Front and Rear Disc Brakes, ABS System, Parking Brake
Electrical:
Wiring Diagrams, Lighting, Instruments, Power Distribution, Starting and Charging System, ECU, Sensors
Body:
Body Panels, Doors, Hood, Trunk, Interior Trim, Glass, Seals, Chassis Components
HVAC:
Air Conditioning, Heating, Ventilation
Fuel System:
Fuel Tank, Fuel Pump, Fuel Lines, Injectors
Maintenance:
Scheduled Maintenance, Oil Changes, Filter Replacements, Spark Plug Service (Apex Seals related), Belt Replacement
Troubleshooting:
Diagnostic Procedures, Fault Code Interpretation, Common Problem Diagnosis
Repair:
Engine Overhaul (Apex Seal Replacement, Rotor Housing Inspection), Transmission Rebuild, Suspension Component Replacement, Brake System Repair, Electrical Component Repair
Diagnosis:
Specific diagnostic charts and flowcharts for various systems.
Installation:
Component replacement and alignment procedures.
Depth:
Full Factory Workshop Manual Level: Covers everything from basic maintenance to complete engine and transmission rebuilds, including detailed diagnostic procedures and specifications.
Digital Format:
PDF (typically)
Resolution:
High-resolution, suitable for printing individual pages or the entire manual.
Binding For Download:
N/A (Digital Download)
Paper Type For Download:
N/A (Digital Download)
Text Search:
Searchable text content for quick information retrieval.
Diagrams And Images:
Includes detailed diagrams, schematics, and photographs.
Engine Type:
Rotary (Wankel) Pistonless Internal Combustion Engine
Engine Configuration:
Twin-Rotor, Sequential Twin-Turbocharged
Displacement:
2616 cc (Equivalent to approx. 2.6L piston engine)
Horsepower Hp:
255 hp @ 6500 rpm (US Spec)
Torque Lb Ft:
217 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm (US Spec)
Fuel Delivery:
Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI)
Fuel Type:
Unleaded Gasoline (91 Octane Recommended)
Coolant Type:
Mazda FL22 or equivalent Long Life Coolant (Pink) / Ethylene Glycol Based
Oil Type:
SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40 Synthetic or Semi-Synthetic Oil (API SJ or higher)
Oil Capacity Liters:
4.7 Liters (with filter)
Transmission Type:
6-Speed Manual (Mazda RX-7 Manual Transmission R154 variant for some markets, but primarily Mazda-made)
Optional Transmission:
None offered for 1997 model year in most markets.
Gear Ratios:
Detailed in manual, but designed for performance driving.
Manual Transmission Fluid:
GL-4 Hypoid Gear Oil (e.g., Red Line MTL or equivalent)
NHTSA Front Impact:
Not extensively rated by NHTSA for this era, but designed with crumple zones.
ABS:
Standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Traction Control:
Optional or standard on certain trims (often called Torsen Differential or similar).
Airbags:
Driver and Passenger Airbags
Seatbelts:
Three-point Inertia Reel Seatbelts
Audio System:
Factory premium audio system (Bose on some trims) with cassette and CD player, AM/FM radio.
Climate Control:
Manual or Automatic Climate Control (ACC) depending on trim level.
Cruise Control:
Standard Cruise Control.
Auxiliary Ports:
None standard; aftermarket solutions often implemented.
Headlights:
Pop-up Halogen Headlights.
Oil Change Interval Km:
Every 5,000 km or 3 months, whichever comes first (especially important for rotary engines).
Spark Plug Replacement:
Refer to manual; typically at higher mileage intervals, but specific rotary spark plugs are crucial.
Timing Belt Replacement:
N/A (Rotary engines do not have timing belts; they use a chain or gear drive for the rotors).
Coolant Flush:
Every 40,000 km or 2 years.
Brake Fluid Type:
DOT 3 or DOT 4
Power Steering Fluid:
Dexron II or equivalent ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid)
Clutch Fluid Type:
DOT 3 or DOT 4
Apex Seals:
Wear of apex seals is a primary concern in rotary engines, leading to loss of compression. Proper maintenance and oiling are critical.
Turbo Reliability:
Early sequential twin-turbo systems can be complex and require careful maintenance to avoid failure.
Oil Consumption:
Rotary engines inherently consume oil as part of their lubrication system. Monitoring oil levels is critical.
Overheating:
Can be an issue if cooling system is not maintained; proper coolant flow and fan operation are vital.
Rotary Legacy:
Mazda's long history and pioneering development of the Wankel rotary engine dating back to the Cosmo.
Rx7 Generations:
First Generation (SA22C), Second Generation (FC), Third Generation (FD) - the FD represents the pinnacle of RX-7 design.
Production Years:
1992-2002 (FD generation)
Manufacturing Location:
Hiroshima, Japan
Us Sales Impact:
Sales declined in later years due to price and performance complexities, but maintained a dedicated following.
Car And Driver 10Best:
Consistently featured on Car and Driver's '10Best' list in its earlier years, recognized for performance and handling.
Motor Trend Car Of The Year:
Nominee and highly regarded by automotive journalists.
Automotive Journalism Reviews:
Received widespread praise from major automotive publications for its engineering and driving dynamics.
