bizarro

iTrader: (1)

My first car when I turned 17 was an 81 RX-7...I promised myself I would own another one day since I totalled it.

Well 13 years later I bought an 84 GSL-SE. The former owner had it painted metallic black and the engine was rebuilt, it turns over and runs like new.



I want to bring it back as close to stock as possible...but am wondering where to start...(my mind is going in many different directions!) I intend to setup a website of my journy through this and would appreciate some help along the way.

First things first I need to fix the rust in the rear wells and some cancer spots through out the car...(found some good hits on doing that in this site)

Next I would like to replace the exhaust...(i'll need info on that...)

After I have the mechanics working I will then take the car for an entire make over...
Glass sunroof
Triple coat black paint job
New or Used leather seats (have to find it)
etc...

I'm not a mechanic what so ever, but I would like to do as much of the work as possible...

Any comments/ideas? I'm new at this whole project thing so please be gentle...

The_7

im 17 and my first and current car is an 83 rx7 gs. i dont plan on getting rid of it....ever

well for the exhaust definately a racing beat one. everyone here will tell you that. you can check them out at www.racingbeat.com. make sure you get the one for GSL-SE

my advice would be to take your time. if you rush things you will forget something or buy parts you will regret. you will get plenty of help on here, there are countless threads about everything that could go wrong or just about any question you could come up with and if it hasnt already been asked we will be happy to answer it.

since you dont have that much experience with the mechanical part of it you should try to find someone you know who has experience with rotaries to help you with the serious stuff (engine internals, etc) but you can do a lot yourself. just be careful and if your not sure about something dont do it until you are.

it doesnt really matter where you start as long as you cover every aspect.

French RX7

Whoa, you're doing exactly the same thing as me! I was 16 when I got my first RX7, an 83 GX, but had to sell it cause I didn't have the money to get the engine fixed. Well I'm now 25, and in 2 months I have bought 2 84 GSL-SEs, one for parts (very useful) and the other is the project car. I'm going to leave her stock and as original as possible. I started by removing the interior trim, the seats, the carpets. This will give you a much better idea of the damage in the rear wheel wells (commonly called storage bin rust on this forum), as well as the floor. Next will be fixing all the mechanicals of the car, including rebuilding the engine or getting it rebuilt (I'm good in mechanics, but not that good), fixing all the electrical gremlins which plague my car, and getting all the parts I need. The paint job should come last, since all the mechanical stuff will already have been done so you won't risk damaging it. Make sure you get plenty of zip bags to label and store all the screws, nuts, washers, etc. I've found it very helpful to have a complete parts car because you have another car to compare it, especially when reconnecting the vacuum hoses, electrical connectors. I figure my car should be fully restored by next summer, but I might be too optimistic.
Anyway that's how I've started my project, good luck, and if you do have a website which shows your restoration, post the address here, I'd like to see this. I'll try to post some pics of my car, which looks like a stripped metal shell by now

kettlman

iTrader: (2)

well, i was 19 when i got my first one. went through 2 engines. got another at 21, was a dog though. well i'm 31 now, and i don't want anything stock on the motor. i want it as fast as i can afford. good luck on getting it to stock. i'm sure there are some people here that will gladly let you have some stock parts.


late

inittab

Welcome to the forum bizarro! NJ eh? I'm from Joysey, what exit you at? lol

I know how ya feel. When I was 17 I was driving a 76 Cosmo and That's why I bought my 85 GS last year.

As far as exhaust goes, yes Racing Beat is a favorite around these parts but I'd recommend that you look into MindTrain as well. You can contact the guys over at http://www.kickyride.com for details.


Looks like you got a fine look'n car there. It'll certainly be a fun project for ya. Good luck with 'er!

--Bob

wagondriver69

Im 16, and my first car was a large mercury station wagon.....and my second car was an 85 GSL...I also recieved a parts car for free, an 85 S...just thought id add

bizarro

iTrader: (1)

Well...I after going to DMV, I now own a 1994 RX-7! (they goofed on the registration...damnit!)

Anyways, I just dropped off the car at AAMCO to have the Tranny checked out...the mechanic looked at the mileage and was like !!! I said...yup 279k but you didn't turn her on yet...

Turned over like new and he said it himself, "Got the engine rebuilt heh?"...he also mentioned if the engine was rebuilt then the clutch must have been replaced too...dunno if thats true...is it?

French,
Thats cool you got 2...I had to drive 200miles for my 1!!! I would go into the story on that one but i'll save it for the website.

As for the interior it's in pretty good shape 'cept for 3 things...I need a red leather driver side seat, rear wall carpet along the tail end of the rear (I got pics of it I can post) and 2 red wheel well covers...any links or sellers?, I've already searched high and low for this. Once I get the car back from AAMCO on monday i'm also going to mess with the radio, it turns on but no sound...the antanae is also busted so i'm going to snipe one from ebay

Hopefully, I'll get some good news from AAMCO on Monday but doubt it...the guy was like, "We'll call you with an estimate to fix it..." I'm like, man...give her the benefit of the doubt...sheesh

French RX7

If your radio turns on but you have no sound, it could be the amplifiers. The stock stereo system in an SE is the head unit (built by Clarion), which is hooked up to two amplifiers (one under each storage bin, one for the front speakers and one for the back). You also have that little stick thing next to your Power window switches which acts as fader/balance. If you have that storage bin rust, check for corrosion in the conectors and wires which are behind the driver's seat storage bin. Water drips from the wheel wells right to the bottom, corroding all electrical connections. Mine was a real nightmare but everything works fine now, including the radio. Obviously check your speakers as well.
The driver's seat and rear wall carpet are going to be a pain to get, everyone's looking for those.
Keep me informed on your stereo trouble, I'm an electronics technician and can help you out. Good luck!