Hi All -

I'm looking at purchasing a 1st gen RX-7 as a restoration project car. I was hoping someone could help me with:

1. Where can I find a detailed list of specs about 1st Gen RX-7s? I'm looking for HP, torque, gas mileage, brake info (disc?? drum?), gas tank size (gallons), etc.

2. Any pointers on what I should look out for when buying a 1st gen "fixer-upper"?

3. Does anyone have any good links to aftermarket part suppliers for the 1st gen RX-7? I'm looking mainly for basic part replacements, but potentially some low-key (but reliable!) performance parts as well.

4. Any other resources that may be useful to a RX-7 restoration project....

I've always loved the RX-7...even though my daily driver is a 2002 WRX, my high school years were spent staring at RX-7s at a local Mazda dealership. I can't wait to finally get starting on restoring one -

Any advice (or words of encouragement and/or discouragement) would be very welcome!

Thanks all -

- Arutau

 

Check out www.iluvmyrx7.com for magazine articles and manuals and all kinds of stuff you can read. Some places to look for parts would be www.mazdatrix.com www.victoriabritish.com (order the free catalog), www.racingbeat.com as well as others Im sure someone else will tell you about. Victoria British and Mazda Trix are your two best bets for restoring and finding all those little misc pieces for the finishing touch. Also, check Ebay for parts, and also junk yards are a good place to find parts. Hope that helps, and welcome to the forum!

~T.J.

PS - I rescued my 1983 GSL from a junk yard, and have been slowly bringin life back into her. You can click the picture below my post to visit my Car Domain site that semi documents the process as well as some of the things Ive done along the way .

 

I have a blue 83 I bought new 20 yrs ago, and a red 83 that was a gift that I am restoring.

Keep in touch here.

B

 

There's a sticky thread at the top of this forum entitled First Gen Performance vendors/links.

 

Check out this link...

http://www.rotorhead.ca/ref_engine_rotary.php

 

It's best to get a car that doesn't have the dreaded storage bin rust but here ya go......
I fixed the storage bin rust......wanta see?

 

When I was doing research on first gens, I found this file to be very helpful, especially telling the subtle differences between the years, especially within each of the three series.