Fun Stuff to do with an 85 rx7, (consult?)
03-11-10, 12:21 PM
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Fun Stuff to do with an 85 rx7, (consult?)
I purchased an 85 rx7 a few days ago. Mechanically it's solid, body will need some work, already found a line on where to get body parts. I'm really curious as to what kinds of things I can do to the car to make it run 'better'.
I am a little torn as to whether I should just fix it up and make it look nicer and then resell it this summer, or if I should go ahead and make this car my money pit.
My friends that know cars are biased, one prefers BMW's, and the other has an obsession with Dodge Neons, so when I ask them, what would you do, they always say sell it and buy another beamer, or neon...
If I was to just to 'flip' it. I'd need to spend about $300 in parts, and probably close to $500+ in labor. (have to cut out some body panels and weld new ones in). So then add paint job in...
One of my friends works at a performance shop, and the owner there has offered me a great deal on a new exhaust system. He has some parts that have been laying about for a few years that would look pretty good on the rx7. I think I'd only take that offer if I intended to keep it.
So, I ask for the opinion of all those that own First Gen rx7's.
What are the advantages and disadvantages to keeping the car?
I am a little torn as to whether I should just fix it up and make it look nicer and then resell it this summer, or if I should go ahead and make this car my money pit.
My friends that know cars are biased, one prefers BMW's, and the other has an obsession with Dodge Neons, so when I ask them, what would you do, they always say sell it and buy another beamer, or neon...
If I was to just to 'flip' it. I'd need to spend about $300 in parts, and probably close to $500+ in labor. (have to cut out some body panels and weld new ones in). So then add paint job in...
One of my friends works at a performance shop, and the owner there has offered me a great deal on a new exhaust system. He has some parts that have been laying about for a few years that would look pretty good on the rx7. I think I'd only take that offer if I intended to keep it.
So, I ask for the opinion of all those that own First Gen rx7's.
What are the advantages and disadvantages to keeping the car?
03-11-10, 06:15 PM
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bmw performance is expensive.... neon's..... well, no matter what kind it is, it's still a neon..... you have a car specifically designed for performance.... spend a little time looking through this forum and you will find that there are too many things you can do to your car to make it fast and more unique to list.... just having a rotary makes you more unique than your buddies!!!!!!!!!!!!!
that is enough of an advantage for me
that is enough of an advantage for me
03-11-10, 06:24 PM
#3
the biggest advantage is that the RX-7 is a world class sports car! its easy to work on and a blast to drive. the car is a legend under its own sheet metal. it is expensive to restore and it does require regular maitenance. us 7 owners are a close group.. no bimmers or neons will satisify the lust for a rotary. i own a few 7's, an RX-8, and a Corvette as toys and as much as i love my Vette and 8, the 7's still own my heart. one day in the 7 and you will forever be cast to the dark side.....welcome
03-11-10, 08:33 PM
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I only got my 7 a couple months before the winter, and I'm addicted. A rotary engine is something that is completely different compared to any regular piston engine car. I have a neon right now, and it's just a neon. I'm selling it soon to get a truck. Nothing special about it all. A rotary engine is easy to work on, and it's fun. Having all my buds over and being able to work on it is just a blast. It's something new for all your friends (that don't have a 7), and I've really learned a lot about cars doing it. I'd recommend keeping it, and working on it.
03-11-10, 08:34 PM
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well, I was thinking about flipping it until, I drove it around this afternoon. Other than the fact it tries to (and usually Succeeds at) dying when you stomp on the gas at idle, it was kind of a fun drive, and then heel toe the brake and the clutch in so I can keep the rpm's above 1K to keep it from dying on a slope...
Still I was leaning toward flipping it due to the mystery vacuum leak... It's hard to heel toe, keep the engine running, and hold the blinker so it works, and prepare to make a 90 right all at the same time.
I discovered the Remove the Rats nest tutorial, and I asked my roommate if he remembered seeing a smog pump on the engine all the times we looked at it.
Well, They removed the smog pump, and everywhere a smog tube would connect to the carb, air intake, whereever is plugged with Duct Tape. For the Tubes, they wadded up Duct tape and clamped that into the hose. I believe my mystery vacuum leak will be gone after going through the rats nest tutorial and doing it right.
I know, I know, If you use enough duct tape you can fix anything... (I don't think they used enough.). I will post pics of the Duct Tape Abuse, before I start the rats nest removal.
So, Time to start pouring money into my brand new money pit
Still I was leaning toward flipping it due to the mystery vacuum leak... It's hard to heel toe, keep the engine running, and hold the blinker so it works, and prepare to make a 90 right all at the same time.
I discovered the Remove the Rats nest tutorial, and I asked my roommate if he remembered seeing a smog pump on the engine all the times we looked at it.
Well, They removed the smog pump, and everywhere a smog tube would connect to the carb, air intake, whereever is plugged with Duct Tape. For the Tubes, they wadded up Duct tape and clamped that into the hose. I believe my mystery vacuum leak will be gone after going through the rats nest tutorial and doing it right.
I know, I know, If you use enough duct tape you can fix anything... (I don't think they used enough.). I will post pics of the Duct Tape Abuse, before I start the rats nest removal.
So, Time to start pouring money into my brand new money pit
03-11-10, 08:49 PM
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Well, I have a pic of the car 'before' the accident... Which was what the CL poster put up. Tomorrow I will try to find a camera to take pics of it. It looks like the previous owner tried to park it 'under' something else. but just the cosmetics seem to be screwed up.
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03-12-10, 07:57 AM
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well, I was thinking about flipping it until, I drove it around this afternoon. Other than the fact it tries to (and usually Succeeds at) dying when you stomp on the gas at idle, it was kind of a fun drive, and then heel toe the brake and the clutch in so I can keep the rpm's above 1K to keep it from dying on a slope...
Still I was leaning toward flipping it due to the mystery vacuum leak... It's hard to heel toe, keep the engine running, and hold the blinker so it works, and prepare to make a 90 right all at the same time.
I discovered the Remove the Rats nest tutorial, and I asked my roommate if he remembered seeing a smog pump on the engine all the times we looked at it.
Well, They removed the smog pump, and everywhere a smog tube would connect to the carb, air intake, whereever is plugged with Duct Tape. For the Tubes, they wadded up Duct tape and clamped that into the hose. I believe my mystery vacuum leak will be gone after going through the rats nest tutorial and doing it right.
I know, I know, If you use enough duct tape you can fix anything... (I don't think they used enough.). I will post pics of the Duct Tape Abuse, before I start the rats nest removal.
So, Time to start pouring money into my brand new money pit
Still I was leaning toward flipping it due to the mystery vacuum leak... It's hard to heel toe, keep the engine running, and hold the blinker so it works, and prepare to make a 90 right all at the same time.
I discovered the Remove the Rats nest tutorial, and I asked my roommate if he remembered seeing a smog pump on the engine all the times we looked at it.
Well, They removed the smog pump, and everywhere a smog tube would connect to the carb, air intake, whereever is plugged with Duct Tape. For the Tubes, they wadded up Duct tape and clamped that into the hose. I believe my mystery vacuum leak will be gone after going through the rats nest tutorial and doing it right.
I know, I know, If you use enough duct tape you can fix anything... (I don't think they used enough.). I will post pics of the Duct Tape Abuse, before I start the rats nest removal.
So, Time to start pouring money into my brand new money pit
like everyone says... these cars are very easy to work on..... especially 1st gens...
03-12-10, 10:07 AM
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Definitely keep it. My "other" car is a '98 328i, and while it is a very nice car, and comfortable for long trips with the family, it is also very expensive to maintain and very difficult to work on. I always prefer to drive my 7, even with the race suspension and uncomfortable seats. Hands down, the 7 is just a better car all around. 
Get her running right first (visit www.sterlingmetalworks.com for carb info), make her safe, and then start autocrossing. Autocrossing is a great way to improve your skills as a driver (yeah, I know. I also knew everything about driving until I tried autocrossing and found I knew nothing). It is also very cheap at about 20 bucks per event, and most clubs have helmets that you can borrow. But most of all, it is the most fun you can legally have on 4 wheels without breaking the bank or your car...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWpEYAKo0fU
Once you are ready to improve the suspension, check out www.re-speed.com With a little work, these babies can handle better than damn near anything else on the road that sells for under 100k, and some of them that do.
Best of luck with your project, obsession, and new love....
.
Get her running right first (visit www.sterlingmetalworks.com for carb info), make her safe, and then start autocrossing. Autocrossing is a great way to improve your skills as a driver (yeah, I know. I also knew everything about driving until I tried autocrossing and found I knew nothing). It is also very cheap at about 20 bucks per event, and most clubs have helmets that you can borrow. But most of all, it is the most fun you can legally have on 4 wheels without breaking the bank or your car...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWpEYAKo0fU
Once you are ready to improve the suspension, check out www.re-speed.com With a little work, these babies can handle better than damn near anything else on the road that sells for under 100k, and some of them that do.
Best of luck with your project, obsession, and new love....
.
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