Hello, I just recently(yesterday actually) did the greatest thing in my life. I bought an RX-7! Its an 83 but it needs ALOT of work. As of now Ive stripped the interior, and cleaned it up a bit. Im not really positive what "type" of RX-7 it is because it has no emblems or logos of any kind. Theres no sighn of them being removed either. I hope to clear that up later though. Im not exactly sure where to start with restoring it though. It supposedly runs strong but is missing a carburator, 1 or more spark plug wires, all radiator hoses, and all of the belts. So the engine definitely needs work! However the interior isnt much better both door panels are trashed, along with the headliner, sun visors, ect., and to top it all of both door windows are broken out, along with the rear hatch glass, and the front windsheild is pretty much shot too. I figured you guys would know what would be the best and easiest way to go about cleaning this mess up. So should I start with the interior or the engine? I should also mention that if all goes as planned it will end up a daily driver. Any input in this matter will be greatly appreciated. Thank you

 

wow bro sounds like one fucked up FB = 1st generation rx7 ummm i think started off with motor maybe putting in a 13bt getting a TII motor TII tranny TII wire harness TII ecu everything to make your conversion get some peeps that live in arizona and own rx7's to help you out once you do that at least you have the car running then from there you can drive it to a body shop get it body worked and then drive it to an interior place and get that done from there work on glass and the car is done will require a good amount of cash to do everything...
TwEaK

 

well im not planning on an engine swap but i guess your right i should get it running first thanx alot.

 

I'd say call around to area wrecking yards to locate any for parts. Then a scouting trip(s) to put the old eyeball on each one, noting condition of various parts, see if a complete interior is available or if you'll have to piece one together out of several cars for example. Some wrecking yards specialize in RX-7s. Ask around, I bet you'll find plenty, or at least a yard with several.

I see quite a few sitting in people's yards that look pretty straight. Those engines are kind of persnickety and I think people lose patience with them. You might be able to buy a parts car with a bad engine.

Do you know of a local mechanic who specializes in rotary engines? There are a few within 25 miles of me, and we'd have been lost without their help over the years. That would be another important step, to establish a help network.

RX-7s are a lot of fun to drive, but they have definate quirks that take getting used to...like the flooding thing.

 

And remember to use the For Sale section of this forum, it's down near the bottom of the front page.. you can find anything there. .

I'm not saying this to be mean or anything, but it sounds like you have a parts car.. . you may want to look into getting a (cheap!) 1st gen from the Cars for Sale section that needs an engine or something and start from there.

I just picked up a fairly good condtion Fb from a forum member yesterday for cheap, the only thing it really needs is bodywork (which I can do), and it cost me less than 600 bucks, and i drove it home from Ohio with no problems (5 hour drive).

Just sayin'

Good luck!

 

if you can't find the small stuff you are looking for locally you can call around to various places in the country...here are a few that I call...

http://www.atlantarx7.com <-- send him an email and he'll respond by the next day...he works at night

http://www.rx7world.com <-- this is where I got my 7 from...this guy is a good guy...but really busy so be patient...

http://mazdarecycling.com <-- these people are pretty good...haven't needed to order anything from them yet but they are priced fairly

do lots of searches on what you have questions on and you'll find this site is very resourceful...good luck and POST SOME PICS! welcome to the forum

 

Thanks alot guys this stuff should really help get the ball rolling! by the way i bought this car for 60 bucks and even though it seems like a parts car, if you think about it theres not really ne parts that are good on it, so instead of a parts car i think its better suited as just a plain old piece of **** lol. either way restoring a first gen is something Ive been wanting to do since I was 10 years old and im always up for a challenge so ne way thanks again

 

Welcome... enjoy your new toy and check the WEST section of the forum to find some hookups in AZ, then take your ride on out to SevenStock 8 in September

 

bloody double post.

 

I can definatly appreciate that I got my 86 GXL for 200 bucks, no clutch, no brakes, no interior, etc, and have been tinkering with it since. It's almost completely restored now, with the niceities coming in slowly (Suspension and such).

I just normally get stuck with the kind of people that respond to what i've done to save my car with "That's a lot of work."... Well, YES, it is, but it's fun, and I got a kick *** car out of the deal... So no offence, I just wanted to make sure you knew what you were getting into

I'd still look in the Parts For Sale section, though, between that and recently ebay, most of my car as come in mail order

 

"It supposedly runs strong but is missing a carburator, 1 or more spark plug wires, all radiator hoses, and all of the belts. So the engine definitely needs work!"

Get the parts for the engine first, make sure it runs. Then start worrying about engine swaps and whether it's a worthy daily driver.