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Hey everyone! I'm new to the RX-7 community and looking for some help. I just picked up a 1982 RX-7 GSL for $100. It's in pretty bad shape but I'm looking to restore it and swap a TII motor into it. Before I start with that, I want to start repairing the rust and body panels but I'm not really sure where to start. If anyone has any suggestions/advice please let me know!
I think you can make a quick profit by selling to pullapart for $300.00.
It would be much cheaper to buy a better example than getting this one all fixed up.
Good luck tho.
Thanks! I would like to try and keep this one if possible. I know I could part it out and make some profit but I am only 17 and wanted to use this as a platform to learn to spot weld and do some body work.
It's neat that you want to use this as a learning experience. Just remember, this is not an investment and you will never get the value you put in to it. With this in mind, the first thing I would do is make a list of what this car needs and how much it will cost. This will give you a good idea of how to proceed. I'll start the list.
It's neat that you want to use this as a learning experience. Just remember, this is not an investment and you will never get the value you put in to it. With this in mind, the first thing I would do is make a list of what this car needs and how much it will cost. This will give you a good idea of how to proceed. I'll start the list.
1. TII engine and trans: $2000 without a rebuild.
Is this motor the turbo II? I see its an Series 5 but I am having trouble finding information on FC motors.
Engine,trans,driveshaft, ecu,harnesses,radiator,oil cooler. That's just the big items,and then figure at least 500-1000 on all of the little things like fluids,hoses,belts,any nuts or bolts that might be missing or break,wiring supplies.it gets expensive quick. Like the others have said,you will never get your money back,but if you like the car and want to fix it up,do it.its your first car,and I admire that you want to fix it up,good luck
That's quite the project there but the up side is that you won't be cutting up a nice example for a TII swap. Did you get a title for it and do you know any past history on the car?
That's quite the project there but the up side is that you won't be cutting up a nice example for a TII swap. Did you get a title for it and do you know any past history on the car?
Have a clean title. Don't know much about the car's past. The frame is straight and the previous owner bought the shell from a local rotary tuner.
Last edited by Jackson Fuller; 08-13-16 at 09:30 PM.
Hell, honestly, I'm jealous! I wish that I would have started a bada** project like this when I was younger. No, it won't be cheap, but once you finish, you'll have more knowledge than you'll ever realize. There will be a HUGE sense of accomplishment! If the body is straight, keep heading in the right direction! If you want it to run, start with the engine, that way, if you decide that the body work isn't worth it, you can sell a working car to someone who just wants body work and not engine work. If you think you're going to lose interest, do the body work. Once that's done, you'll just be ready for the engine and to get the beast onto the road. I think you're going to have a hell of a lot of fun, time and money working on this thing! Like I said, I'm a bit jealous I never did something like this while I was younger.
If you have a garage and are good at taking photos, labeling sandwich bags, and keeping track of your nuts.......I always say strip the car as far down as you can and work your way up slowly repairing everything that needs to be looked at.... That's always my approach if you have the space.
If you don't have too much mechanical knowledge and can buy a shop manual you will learn TREMENDOUS amounts about the car and your abilities in this process.
If you don't have too much mechanical knowledge and can DOWNLOAD FOR FREE a shop manual you will learn TREMENDOUS amounts about the car and your abilities in this process.
Thought I'd give you guys an update on this project! Since posting this I have picked up another FB that is a much better starting point. While stripping the carpet in the '82 I found a ton of rust that is past my ability to fix and it made me quesion the structural rigidity of the chassis. The new one is a 1982 GS (I believe). I have taken the rear end off of the GSL and I am in the process of installing in the GS. The donor rear end has disk brakes and an LSD, which should be quite the upgrade from the drum brakes/open diff that it currently has.
I've decided to put off the idea of a T2 swap because it already has an engine. It has a 12a that is currently not running due to some carb issues(turns over just won't start) so I have decided to pull the engine and send it off to Angel Motorsports for a rebuild/street port. While that is happening I plan on ordering a Weber 48 IDA and RB road racing exhaust.
Thanks to everyone for their support/pointers! Here are some pics of the new FB.
08-13-16, 05:34 PM
$100 fb rx-7
