Hi my name is Syd, I am 26. I own a 1979 1st gen. Rx7.

I drive it daily and would like so bring it up to standard.

It is getting old and rattles. I am not a mechanic and I

would like some advice as I attempt to restore it. The

problem is it seems as if I am in an area that does not

have a lot of resources for my car.







I also own a 2000 suzuki GSXR-600 limited edition Bike

 

Congratulations Syd! I really like the 79 model for its, shall we say, authenticity. I nearly bought a sweet yellow one off ebay a few weeks ago, but my wife wouldn't let me, pointing out (correctly) that I already have an RX-7 that's working and an MGB that isn't and not enough time for either. But the 79 is such a neat model and this one had the rear seat! Anyway, having been in your situation about a year ago (the new owner of an RX-7 that I knew nothing about) my advice is DO IT YOURSELF! These cars are a bit different but a pleasure to work on. Everything I've done to my 84 GSL has made it look and run better (and I'm no auto machanic, college prof, actually). Get a manual, educate yourself and use the sage (and sometimes not so sage!) wisdom of the folks on this forum - they're a great help and nice folks!

Ray

 

I too have a 79', I bought it for $500 cause I thought it was the coolest car I'd ever seen!

At that point I knew little to nothing about Rx7's or rotary engines. I read everybook I could find about the car, studied the manuals, and played with the car.

As of now I've done just about everything to the car that needs to be done. Learned to do it myself, took the time to learn it all. Your best ally in a restoration is patience and money! My car has taken me quite a while to get back together the way I want it to be but, I've done everything on a super tight budget!

ANd the forum is great. The people here are knowedgeable, friendly, and willing to offer advice.

I think if you can tell us a bit more about the current situation of your car, how much money you'd like to spend, and what kind of goal you have in mind then, we can give some suggestions on where to begin and what to think about.

-=Sam=-

 

Well, after all, the SA models are the best looking RX7s!

...but the '74-'75 RX4 coupes are the best looking MAZDAS!

 

I also love the 79, which is also the same as the 80.

And I own an Anniversary Edition 80 RX-7, and I love it.

Good luck with your new 7!

 

SA ALL THE WAY... SA ALL THE WAY

i have a 79 that i'm stripping and bridgeporting for a racecar, and an 80 thats my daily driver... love them, and wont give them up.

 

AMEN

 

I like the more retro stylings of the SA model RX-7, with the straight bumpers, rear tail lights and thin side mouldings. While the FB has a very timeless style, and looks much newer than it is, the SA looks very comfortable in its old school garb.

An interesting aside, but the '79-80 models had the volt meter integrated into the tach, so that when the key was in the 'on' position, the tach displayed the volts. My buddy looked at the tach and asked me if the 10-12-14-16 markings underneath the rpm counter was for the tach when I wound out the engine past 8k and wrapped the needle.

RX-7's are easy to work on, especially the early models. With a set of tools and a factory manual, you should be able to attempt most repairs. Good luck and ask a lot of questions. The answers are typically in this forum.

 

yeap!!! just start asking questions... and the SA people are here to answer... first up... you should get tools.... then get the FACTORY SHOP MANUAL or HAYNES will do.... then just search and search tech stuff about your SA...... you can buy used parts from ebay, thepartstrader.com, HERE.... MAZDATRIX is good for stock stuff and some racing... so you've got alot of options...

 

I might add that the sunroof mounting is different between the '79 and '80 models, so the sunroofs/moonroofs are not interchangeable between those two years. The SA models also have some additional unibody bracing. Then of course, there is the lovely thermal reactor setup that we all know and love.
(Love to remove, that is...)