PaulFitzwarryne

There is a constant stream of threads asking 'what is the cheapest way of getting xxxhp out of my RX' As Rx7gslse implied in a response, if you have to ask the question you can't afford the answer. It would be far better to ask 'I have bought a Gen 1 for $1000, I have another $500 whats the best extra performance I can buy'.

Other than odd estimates of the cost of a 12a- 13b engine swap there is little information on performance costs posted on the Forum.

I have never seen a Gen 1 budget for real performance. Frequently, how to, rarely how much. But to quote Mike Ancas in his performance handbook on the RX-7:-

"Some budgets for 3G modifications have reached $50,000, and it is common for these enthusiasts to spend $100,000 or more on performance upgrades. "

Would anyone like to post what it cost them on a Gen 1? Of course there are lottery wins like recently with Revhed with his Weber 51, but what budget is really needed and spent?

riffraff

the best thing that you can do will cost a total of about 800$.
that is a new exhaust (something much less restrictive that the stock), and a new fuel pump and regulator to give it the gas that your engine will need to keep up with it.

mar3

iTrader: (8)

I've spent $7 G's so far but that's spread over a decade with an engine that was transplanted from a totaled rex that was the original initial $3 G investment in speed...that does NOT include the sound stuff...the cars themselves were always $500 purchases with straight bodies but dead engines...

yayarx7

I have probably spent about $7k on my cars since 1994. That only includes the purchase price and the upgrades or mods. I do not include tires, brake pads, ect. That I just bought good versions of. That would make this way too difficult to add up.

That’s not much money when you consider I got 3 daily drivers and 2 parts cars out of that $7k. with mild mods to one that I autocrossed a few times. And am fixen to street port.

peejay

I spent about $2k on "White Trash" total including the price of the car... (looked like it too )

Felix Wankel

85 GS: $1400
RB Street Port exhaust: $500 (long story, ask rx7passion)
MSD: traded some FC parts, fried the first box, spent $130 on a replacement
Carter fuel pump: $40
Weber 45DCOE: $700
Electric fan: $20
FC oil cooler and SS lines: free
15x7 Panasports: $760
Yokohama AVS Intermediates: $200
RB springs/Tokico HP's: $440
Mazdatrix airdam: $166
White face gauges: $55
New clutch: $200
Replacement engine: $195

treceb

This might be of some help. Plus Chris is a very nice person, willing to answer any questions you might have.

13BT 1st Gen

Denny

Buckaroos....

As the age poll shows the number of younger wrench-hands dominates population of Seven owners. Recalling my younger years, enthusiasum was high, but budget resourses were low. So of course you look for performance upgrades that can be done cheaply, and hopefully, on your own. I salute all you young buckaroos just learning how to turn wrenches and pinch that dollar till 'ol George screams. It's the introductory education to the world of cars.

Costs cover a large area. There's the original cost of the vehicle, the cost of routine maintainance (tires, oil, filters,plugs, wipers,etc.), insurance, and my favorite, the cost of tools, not to mention garage goodies....If you're Roger Penske there's no problem, but if you're a young Cowboy with a job, wife, kids, college, still living at home...the whole ball and chain...then it's a real challenge to keep your Seven up, running, and do a mod now and then. Cost is important, but secondary to success.

A tip of the Stetson to all young Seven Buckaroos....
Denny, from the abandoned corncrib....

madaz07

82 rx7 auto $4400 (these prices are in auzzie $$$)
conversion to manual $1000
2 days later blew engine rubuilt with streetport $1500
getting new exhuast system $1100
lightened flywheel $300
moded and recoed nikki all up $500
koni shocks and king springs $1000
bridgestone sf 340 eagers $500
TFI air filter and cleaner $60
upgraded to RPM h/d clutch $200
new clutck slave sylinder $50
carter pump $100
recored 3 row radiator $320
extended bridgeport on same engine PRICELESS!!! $1000
and the list goes on!!!!

rx7gslse

hmmm let's see. Not too much so far

I got my SE for 1800, and I've probably spent another 1000 on stuff for it, muffler (2x) Bonez Cat, race wheels & set of used hoosiers... That it so far, not much in the HP area to speak of..

Leshrak

well, I'm a poor college student, so my list is going to be rather itty bitty:

1983 GSL, with nice stereo and good interior 1500
Carb rebuild kit $35
Rats Nest removal $5 (plugs)
Exterior trim peice, and misc interior peices $80
Window channels $80
Engine heater $35
vinyl repair kit $20
Muffler tape $15
Bonez racing pipe $98

Next on the list is a non-leaky gas tank, driver side electric mirror, and new front windshield =]. It is running much better than when I got it, and I've learned so much as well. I would go on and on about how I love my car, but I have to go put that Bonez racing pipe on =].

hanman

80 GS $9700.00 new
Rebuilt engine @82K $2300.00
New paint and body work @ 95K $4300.00
RB exhaust $400.00
Yaw Carb/manifold $400.00
Fuel pump/regulator/gauge $150.00
Alpine stereo and related stuff $700.00
Glass moonroof $150.00
Enkei wheels $300.00
SS Brake lines $35.00
Sway bar $75.00
Seats/door panels reupholstered $265.00
New dash $20.00
etc, etc, etc ad nauseam

hanman

piston pounder

Hey Leshrak, are you going to go to the club meeting on march first?. We have about 4 or 5 first gens going so you should really go!.

piston pounder

-1985 gs(blown motor)-$120.
-1983 limited addition 12a-FREE
-mindtrain stageV racing exhaust-$400.
-45mm weber sidedraft carb-$800.
-american racing wheels style 534s-$400.
-electric fan from a fiero(used)-$10.
-Labor all FREE!
-12a half bridge(being built)-free included with 85 gs

Jason Guthrie

My 85 SE budget:
Purchased for $2800 in 1996 with ~78,000miles

Rollbar:$375
Tokico Springs/Shocks Kit: ~$1000 installed
SS Brake Lines:$100 when finished
Rims/Tires:$1100
F/R-SwayBars:$175 forgot brand
Bonez Cat:~$245 installed
K/N Filter:$35
Polyurethane Bushings:$500 installed

Dozens of stupid stuff/maintenance/repair:
3 Alternators
1 Voltage Regulator
4 Brake Pad Changes Rotors once or twice
1 Alarm $600 (I got ripped)
3 Stereo Systems from $500-$2000 (All stolen)
3 Center Consoles (theft damage) 2@$300 dealer 1@$15 junkyard
2 Door Locks $85 (theft damage)
1 Power Antenna Replacement w/(-)relay $45
1 Engine Clean $800 Basically took engine apart and cleaned smog emitting problems.
1 Full Tune-up $300 (Smog again, 4 years later)
1 Front Bumper $40 (Melted in a fire)
1 DriveShaft $30@Junkyard
1 Master Cylinder $250
1 Lower A-Arm $18@Junkyard (dang speed bumps)
2 Sets of Fog Lights ~$175each. Bust one set leaving a steep parking lot.
338.6 Car washes @$3.50 (J/K) That's all I can think of off the top of my head

The happiness the car brings me:$Priceless

mar3

iTrader: (8)

Any windows broken on the thefts? Man, I thought I had it bad on my one little smash and grab that cost me a headunit and two amps....

Mr. Wankel

84 GS--$2200 (I got raped)
clutch--$140
gas tank dippage--$175
tires--$150
cap, wires, and plugs--$20
Yaw carb (biggest pain in the *** on Earth to have done)--$350
RB header--$190
Dynomax Oval Turbo--$40
VDO gauges--$150

Did I mention that I still have a car that's sitting in the garage and hasn't run since I bought it, for two years! I've done repair after repair only to find I need more repairs to get it on the road. I got screwed into buying the car and I've regreted it ever since. I'll probably need to spend another 1000 more dollars just to make it road worthy! For some reason Rx-7s sold in Michigan are considered gold, even if the car is officially dead; it's a long story as to how I HAD to purchase the vehicle, and I don't care to retell it.