ColinMc

iTrader: (1)

Hello all,
I'm new to the forum and not quite yet an owner of an RX7 lol. I'm picking up a 83-84? Right hand drive tomorrow from a friends uncle who was stationed in japan and brought it back with him in 85. Been sitting ever since, he starts it every year so I know it runs. I just had some general questions. Will the japanese model have the same emissions "rat nest" i've been reading about? Any strange things I should look for that might be different in a japanese model versus the US model other than the steering wheel being on the wrong side lol? Did the japanese cars have more options for motors or interior options? I searched but can't seem to find much info on this. So even a link to a thread with info would be appreciated for this newbie

Thanks,
Colin

jayroc

Well, it depends on the model, yes the Japanese market had different options, though I can't speak with any authority myself. Main difference were models with a 12at, otherwise, very similar if not the same, I'd say..

FB II

yea they're turbo....... ummm. don't blow it up

DriftFB

i know they are close to impossible to find replacement parts for, i guy in the far east forum was asking about a rhd dash. and the folks on the japan side said they don't even have them in jusnk yards. i don't think the japanese have the pack-rat gene like we do.

kenn_chan

You got that one right, they crush everything over here faster than you can count. if its over 6~8 years old, and not an exotic than its going to be crushed.

getting parts for them is very difficult at best, I honestly think I have gotten more parts from the members of the forum than I have here locally in Yokosuka

biggest thing for you to consider is that if you bend a tie rod, or damage any part of your steering, you will have problems fixing it. same goes for the dash itself physically. all external body panels are the same, and the interior options are the same.

biggest difference is the 84~85 JDM's came with the 12AT vice the GSL-SE's 13b na.

I guess I should clarify, the 12at is the upgraded model, (GTX) the normal 12a 6 port was still avilable as the base model. (Custom, GT, GT-SE)

Kenn

skizzle84

i want a 12at.

ColinMc

iTrader: (1)

Well, according to the badging this is a 79 RX7 GT from japan which has the 12a motor, not the 12at Smells like rodent ****/droppings too lol. But overall not much if any rust and has a nice set of aftermarket wheels as well as the originals. Not bad for 300 bucks! So needless to say I paid for it today, but will have it flatbedded first to the car wash so I can powerwash the whole thing, top and bottom, then bring it home...Can't wait to rip it apart! Oh and it does start and run btw, a pleasant surprise when i hooked the battery up.

'78SavannaRHD

That was me! I was more or less looking for a dash cap to cover the cracks ... guess I'm just gonna pull the whole thing out and take it to get covered. BTW, mines a '78 Savanna right hand drive (as if you couldn't tell by the screename). I was toying with the idea of selling it ... I have a lead on a '83 Series 3 12AT. I've actually been using it as a daily recently ... tryig to keep the miles down on my Audi. Feel fre to shoot me a pm or e-mail me at agan.20@osu.edu if you're interested. BTW, it has less than 15,000 original kms.

-Patrick

jorx81@aol.com

iTrader: (6)

buy it, you can at least make good money re-selling it

sstein77

Sorry to hijack....but I saw a guy back in the summer on 315 north of Columbus in a RHD RX-7. It was a brownish/goldish color. Was that you, 78SavannaRHD? I was in a white GSL-SE. I tried to talk to you, but the wind/exhaust noise was too loud!

Steven

ColinMc

iTrader: (1)

Why would I want to re-sell it?! I plan on doing a full overhaul, paint and all...paint and bodywork being my specialty that is. Although if this is anything like the 3rd gen supra bug that bit me i'll end up with 5 of them all projects in the works lol...although one is finally finished as of this past summer.

'78SavannaRHD

That was me. What's up Steven? The color is actually sun-faded maroon ... with a little surface rust here and there. Nice GSL-SE BTW.

-Patrick

John64

I think it would best if you sell it too me.

ColinMc

iTrader: (1)

Lol, well I can't very well sell it to anyone from this forum now can I? Everyone here now knows how much I paid for it! hehe, no plans on selling though, i'm the worst kind of pack rat...too many bikes and cars to count, most for parts or just rolling chassis, but I think I have 24 titles in my name last count? Only one of them a salvage...stupid NY...how is a theft recovery in Mass. a salvage/junk car in NY?! grrr...

sstein77

Man I was way off on he color! I liked the stance of your car, it looked real mean coming up through traffic. It was cool. Thanks for the compliment. It is nice........from a distance . Oh well. Maybe I'll see you aound again. BTW, I work at Riverside.

Steven

ColinMc

iTrader: (1)

Update! Got the car basically gutted today to de-verminize it. Keeping it at a buddies garage where I can work on it and he doesn't want any pests near his 06 Saleen mustang lol. I got some pics that i'll have to upload. It turns out it's a Savana GT, whatever that means lol. Looks like a factory body kit is on it? 2 sets of wheels, some 13's and 14's. Black leather interior, just missing the radio since it was stolen when it was shipped to the US lol. Other than that everything seems to be in excellent shape...save a little musty smelling.

ColinMc

iTrader: (1)

Lol, another update...no pics yet though sorry. It's actually a 1978! I got the folder of all the paperwork that goes with it today. Lots of it in japanese but it clearly is a 1978 car. I understand how build dates and actual production year differ sometimes, but this in fact from 1978. Now to figure out how the hell to get the rear glass open...any tricks or tips for this?

greenjack

to people that want one so bad....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1983-...QQcmdZViewItem

'78SavannaRHD

That thing has been on there for over 6 months ... and the guys that imported it don't know ish about it history wise. It started @ $6500 and has slowly fallen from there. It is however a Series 3 (factory FI 12A turbo). I was going to swing by and take a look at it when I was out in Jersey in July, but I ran out of time. I would seriously suggest viewing this one in person before purchasing it. Take care.

-Patrick

TomH

Is there an Australian RX-7 Club? They'd have RHD stuff and I've heard they speak English.

Kingbob

Aussies speak Australian. It's a lot like english, but you can't understand every other word they say

ftlaud

yes "they" have a club.. http://rx7mall.com/wst_page13.html Just scroll dwn a few banner ads and you will see there banner, click the banner.

dj55b

iTrader: (2)

by opening the back window do you mean the hatch? if the back key and electric release don't work ... you will neeed to get a cross screwdriver and a flat screw driver .... hop in the hatch take the trim off the mechanism with the cross once thats out ... take your flat head and on the right hand side you will see like a little metal dowel that turns flat ... if you push that to the left you're hatch will open.