RodderMods

Upgrade your Ride

Upgrade your 1986–92 Mazda RX-7, second generation (FC)

Keep the look, change how it drives. These upgrades turn a classic into a car you can drive anywhere: a modern chassis, disc brakes, a fuel-injected engine (new, or from a donor car), an overdrive transmission, quicker steering, real cooling, new wiring and A/C. Pick your car to see what's made for it.

  1. 1

    Chassis

    Complete chassis, subframes and frame upgrades

    The foundation: a modern chassis or front subframe brings independent suspension, disc brakes and rack steering in one piece. Or stiffen and update the original frame.

    Compare chassis for the 1986–92 Mazda RX-7, second generation (FC)
  2. 2

    Chassis stiffening

    Frame rails, subframe connectors and braces

    Ties a unibody or tired frame together so the suspension can work: rails, connectors, torque boxes, tower braces and roll bars.

    2 kits for your car
  3. 3

    Suspension

    Coilovers, control arms, shocks and rear links

    Everything between the body and the wheels that sets how a car rides and handles: coilover or modern shock and spring packages, tubular control arms with better geometry, sway bars, bushings, and rear-axle locating systems such as 4-links, three-links and leaf-spring upgrades.

    4 made for your car · 10 universal
  4. 4

    Brakes

    Disc brake conversions

    Most 1950s to '70s cars left the factory with drum brakes at all four corners, or with small front discs and a single-circuit master cylinder.

    0 made for your car · 2 universal
  5. 5

    Powertrain & Fuel Delivery

    Crate engines, fuel injection and fuel systems

    The engine and everything that feeds it: a modern crate engine (GM LS or LT, Ford Coyote, Gen III HEMI or a fresh small-block), fuel injection that replaces the carburetor, and the tank, pump, regulator and lines that EFI needs.

    2 made for your car · 31 universal
  6. 6

    Transmission

    Overdrive manuals and automatics

    Swapping the original 3- or 4-speed manual, or 2- or 3-speed automatic, for a modern overdrive: a Tremec TKX 5-speed or T-56 Magnum 6-speed manual, or an automatic such as the 700R4, 4L60E, 4L80E, AOD, 4R70W or 6R80/10R80.

    1 made for your car · 32 universal
  7. 7

    Steering

    Quick-ratio boxes, rack-and-pinion and columns

    Replacing a worn manual box or slow factory power steering with a quick-ratio power steering box or a rack-and-pinion conversion, plus a modern tilt or collapsible column and steering shaft.

    1 made for your car · 2 universal
  8. 8

    Cooling

    Radiators, electric fans and shrouds

    An aluminum radiator sized for your engine, electric fans with a shroud and a controller, and the hoses and overflow tank that go with them.

    0 made for your car · 7 universal
  9. 9

    Electrical, Dash & Lighting

    Wiring, alternators, gauges and LED headlights

    A new wiring harness with modern fuses and relays, a higher-output alternator, modern gauges (digital, or analog with electronic senders) and LED headlights that fit the original buckets.

    0 made for your car · 19 universal
  10. 10

    Climate Control & Interior Comfort

    A/C, heat, insulation, seats and belts

    Air conditioning and heat (complete kits with compressor, condenser, evaporator and controls), sound and heat insulation, supportive seats and 3-point seat belts.

    1 made for your car · 15 universal
  11. 11

    Donor cars

    Modern drivetrains from used cars

    A donor car is a modern car or truck, often wrecked or high-mileage, bought for its engine, transmission and electronics.

    8 donors suit your car