Haven't posted up here much, but I figured what I'm about to do might be fun to write about. Long time rotary fan (always had a soft spot for the SA's and FB's) and my dd in Hawaii is a 1980 SA. Anyway, on to the story.
So for the past week I've been visiting Arizona on vacation and a day or so ago, in the middle of nowhere on some back road I saw a light blue, fully loaded '83 GSL sitting at a used car dealership and just had to stop and look at it. Car looks great, runs great, bought it for $1120. Couldn't pass it up. I was planning a trip to the east coast (where most of my family is) for next month anyway so I'm just extending my vacation and driving there starting Sunday . I figured I'd post up the assorted adventures, mishaps and other road trip stuff that happens along the way for everyone's reading (or laughing) pleasure along the way.
Now before I get a bunch of posts saying what a bad idea this may be, I know it's a big gamble, and all sorts of stuff could go wrong, but I accept it for what it is . If it all works out it should be an awesome ride. I'll be starting Sunday, Phoenix to possibly San Antonio (TBD)

 

Enjoy the drive!!!

 

I'm ready, could be interesting...

 

bad idea? damn. anyone that can buy another Rx-7 and extend their vacation on a whim to drive cross country has obviously had some great ideas in their lifetime.

 

It's a great idea! So much could go right, it'd be a waste to think of what could go wrong.

 

Bring spare fluids, coolant hose and keep the tires at the right pressure. You'll be fine, these things aren't as delicate as some believe.

 

The Rotary Gods are smiling.

We're in Jefferson, GA, just a couple miles off I85 an hour northeast of Atlanta. We operate a small bed and breakfast called the Rotary Inn.

Also have lots of parts, tools and experience if you need a little tune up to complete your jaunt to the east coast.

Stop by if you've got a few minutes, or an evening to spare (SA owner's stay free).

Have a great trip!

 

Thanks for the support so far guys, if I wasn't stoked before I am now!
Anyway, first update. Still in Phoenix, finishing the last of my planned vacation, should be starting my first leg to San Antonio tomorrow around 8 am . I've given the car a pretty good going over and only found one problem, an oil leak down near the OMP, in such a place that oil is getting on the thermal reactor and smoking off when I park, not too bad though so I'll probably throw some stop leak in it and keep rolling . Other than that, between getting the car back from the dealer ( first traffic test, bad accident on I 10 that day) and some cruising here I've put about 200 miles on the car and nothing has popped up that concerns me, hopefully that doesn't change. Also on a good note , did my math on the gas mileage so far and it's getting about 21-22 mpg on mixed highway/city driving, leads me to believe that the previous owner took pretty good care of the car.

Ray Green- It's a little off my planned route but I'm seriously considering making a detour to visit you guys, I'll keep you posted and thanks for the offer.

Thats all for now, I'll write you guys from San Antonio in the next couple days!

 

Good times! What a great idea for a thread. Post up some pics of the journey including scenery shots with the fb in it.

 

This is great! It has always been on my bucket list to buy a car on the opposite coast and drive it accross. Just a tool kit and a couple of parts in the back. Looking foward to your adventure.

 

This sounds like am awesome little adventure plan. If your leak isn't severe, I wouldn't use the stop leak. Just carry oil and routinely fill it up. Heck, it's like a maintenance free oil change and you don't have to worry about the stop leak crud floating around your engine.

 

That would be seriously cool if you could include s few stops to different members along the way, all documented on here. Too bad its winter up north, There are a few members in the Midwest who also would invite you in for a pitstop along the way.

 

Sounds like fun. Make sure your heater works before you get up east

 

if your OMP is leaking wouldnt it be a good idea to premix just incase?

 

Sounds like am awsome trip, if you need anything before you hit the road I'm in the west vally, do you have a got a spare tire? If not I've got some you can have

 

Sounds like a lot of fun. Where are you planning on stopping?

 

Have a fun trip! I did something similar (not in an rx7 though) after I graduated college. No planned stops and with only one of those travel guide books to look where I was going next based on 2 criteria...8hr drive max and local breweries.

If you plan on stopping in the Atlanta area, let us know as there is a fairly active group here.

 

Sounds like a sweet idea

 

woo-HOO!
sounds a bit like my trip home from San Diego to Alaska with the Little Red Bastid when I bought her back in ...04?
Will do it again if I ever find a sweet 2nd SA. Safe Travels! Great thread...

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

Hey guys, so it took a little longer than expected but I made it to San Antonio, with almost no hiccups lol. 1200 miles so far, and i think the farthest single leg ill be making for the entire trip. I'll be staying here at my bros house for a night and doing some work and check ups on the car tomorrow before heading out tomorrow night I think. Later in this post I'll lay out the general route I'm taking in case anyone wants to meet up.

Left Phoenix around noon and everything was smooth sailing until about midway through new Mexico. First my oil pressure guage sending unit took a dump. Scared the crap outta me when I watched my oil pressure drop to zero that rapidly. But with no catastrophic event occurring and giving the car a good looking over at a rest stop I narrowed it down to the sender, no biggie. In the process I was able to home in a little better on the oil leak, it's where the OMP lines run into the carb and running down the front of the motor, and eventually getting to the thermal reactor. The leak has been about half a quart over 1k miles so it's manageable . Annoying though because when I'm moving it stays cool enough not to smoke, but when I stop it puts up a smoke screen for about 5 or so minutes and everyone feels the need to let me know "my car is overheating/on fire". Heart stopper # 2 was when I was in one of those great 80 mph zones and all Ida sudden the car start vibrating, a lot. I slowed back to 65 ish and it went away, turned out to be I lost a wheel weight . No biggie except it was abou 6pm in the middle of nowhere so I spent the rest of the night doing 65 in an 80 or 75 . Annnnnnd had a little run in with both Texas highway patrol ( didn't like where my temp tag was,gave me a warning) and border patrol ( checkpoint , once I pulled up and they realized I couldn't smuggle a loaf of bread, never mind a person they all gave me props on the car and spent a few minutes chatting and checking it out ) . This leg was pretty awesome otherwise. Between being deployed overseas and living in Hawaii , I haven't made it to the mainland much in the last 5 years and I really miss road tripping.
And now for some answers-

I'll be posting up where I'm headed next and when I'm going as much as possible so if you're on the way and want to meet for a few give me a holler. I'll be checking on this as often as Internet access allows.

Tg Farrell- yup heater works, I haven't been in the cold for a long time, I'd probably be a rotorhead-cicle by now without it.

Tem120- I was already planning on lightly premixing just as a precaution, and the OMP is still functioning, but I'm still doing it. I just upped the dose a little

Rotospeed- wish I'd checked this before I left! I do have a spare but it's shot to hell. Thank you very much for the offer though.

craaaazzy- I've decided to definitely stop at the rotary inn, which I believe isn't far from Atlanta ( could be wrong?) but I'll keep you guys posted and maybe we could arrange a mini meet up there if you guys are down? It's an ideas at least.

7aull- I can't believe you own one of these in alaska, this one is giving me enough trouble in the morning and it's only high 40's and low 50's. You, sir, are dedicated.

Aaaaaaaaand now for my planned ( but not set in stone) route. After I leave San Antonio I might be visiting a friend in Austin for dinner (tbd) but one way or another next big stretch is to fort Campbell Kentucky , then to the Rotary Inn in Jefferson Georgia ( probably do an oil change, tune up and some odds and ends there) then up 95 to the New Jersey / Pa area where I'll probably be spending a week or so. Richmond Virginia is my final destination and where the car will stay ( giving it to my little sister for a bit, car might be for sale in that area in the near future). Don't know if I'll be stopping in Richmond on the way up or not, but I'll figure that one out when I get to it.
And now, last but not least , PICTURES!!!! At last!

About to leave Arizona
http://i1342.photobucket.com/albums/...5AA3B67C5F.jpg

New Mexico welcome center at sunset (almost looks like an 80's magazine ad I think lol)
http://i1342.photobucket.com/albums/...5AB9A4AF02.jpg

Texas welcome center
http://i1342.photobucket.com/albums/...5AD302E10A.jpg

Well that's all for now folks, plenty more to come

 

Hey that is a nice looking ride. You're going to have a great album of all the places it's been.

 

Looks like you got a heck of a deal for $1,120 Reverse, nice looking FB.

Let us know when you set your sites on the Atlanta area, we'll see if we can get some of the locals to come out and cheer you on!

 

Richmond VA is where I am. I'd love to meet you when you're here, and if you want to unload the car my son may be in the market. He's been working on mine, sometimes against his will, but it's made him slightly feverish.

 

Hey guys, so I spent an extra day in San Antonio hanging out with my brother Jay, good times had and he let me use his garage to do some checking up and work on the car. Changedbthe fuel filter and air filter, finally found and fixed( I think) that pesky oil leak and gave her a good once over( 1200 miles in two days, she deserved the spa treatment lol). Everything looks alright. Getting a couple of new tires thrown on the rears and I'll be setting off for Austin to see a friend of mine for a little bit and then on to fort Campbell Kentucky for an overnight with my peeps there. I'll post up some new pics in the next update.

 

Made it to fort Campbell, the reckless 7 is still in one piece. Turns out while I may have found the oil leak, I didn't fix it. Also starting to feel and sound like the idler arm in my steering is on it's way out( not surprising as it's been oil soaked the whole trip so far). Staying another night here and then next stop Rotary Inn! I'll post another update and finally get those pics up when I'm on the way out. Laters!