So I'm in a bit of a strut, where I bought a rust bucket which died very shortly after purchase.

It's been sitting for 6 months, which is the worst, so I'm at a fix or junk ultimatum.

Rebuild cost is $1900 + tranny $400 + electrical set up (Water damage) $300 or

scrap it to the junkyard (after part out) for about $400+$200 for parts, and then just buy another used car.

 

Since your goal is to save money, my advice is to take the $2600 you estimate in repairs and buy another RX-7. Keep the junker until you buy another RX-7. This way if you need anything you can scavenge it from the junker. Then either part the junker, sale as is, or scape it.

 

I see a money pit in the making. A rebuild could be up to $4000. Buy some one else's finished project or well maintained 7 for much much less....

 

The likelihood of any major engine parts being reusable is slim, which means the cost of the rebuild will be considerably higher. My rebuild with street porting went from a base price of $2600CDN to $5000CDN after buying usable parts and modifying the housings to work with 12A plates. My housings and one rotor were junk, the spare 13B engine I gave him to scavenge from was mostly junk meaning the only parts I was able to use were the rotors and e-shaft. Granted there was a lot of Frankensteining going on it still required the purchase of more parts than initially expected. Best bet, do all the work yourself. If I had the shop space at the time I would have built the engine myself. Tons of info and videos on here and YouTube as well as other websites that you can learn as you go. It'll save you money but cost you time. In the end you'll be smarter and more proud of what you've accomplished.

 

I'm guessing it was a 13B engine using 12A plates?
and I expect a lot of frankensteining to happen in the long run, thought not sure how I'm actually going to convert it to 13B twin turbo in the long run... if I actually want to.

What's the re-sell value of a GOOD 12A engine freshly rebuilt you think? about $2000?

Problem with building this car is, knowing my lifestyle I'm not really "grounded" anywhere and bound to sell it if I move suddenly.

 

Death by a thousand cuts. run! w-a-a-y to many decent drivers for that kind of coin....

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

what do you mean by "died"??? vague questions get vague answers.

 

Unless the rebuilt engine was rebuilt by a well known shop and it can be verified, getting $2000 for a "rebuilt" motor is iffy. Your asking someone that has never met you to put their full faith in your word that the engine will be good. I've sold engines for that price before but that including me installing it in the buyers car and getting the car on the road.

 

sometimes I wonder if just South Florida has all prices jacked up, and I've always been sketch about buying a car that's shipped.

 

I just rebuilt mine. 430 for seals and gaskets, 250 for a core engine. 300 for misc tools\engine hoist\ engine stand, 30 for cleaning and sealing supplies.

 

Really depends on how much work you will do yourself. Mine likewise was quite dead and sat for 5 years, but had sentimental value to me. I put a used engine in to keep it going while I do a proper rebuild. I am slowly working on it little by little, acquiring parts, keeping my eyes open. Even though it doesn't perform like it used to, it is still fun to drive and I still love it.