Hi guys.
I’ve had several 7’s but this is my first SA. It’s rough, gonna need lots of stuff. I’m sure I’ll need window regulators, inside trim
pieces, door seals.
Im assuming most things are NLA new, where to look (I’ll post wanted in the FS section here) for such items ? Anyone making decent parts?

 

Your best bet is to post a want to buy ad with the items you need in the 1st gen classifieds section for the NLA parts. The door seals are all still available new from Mazda and some of the interior trim is available as well. You may have to look to the classifieds for some of the harder to find trim pieces.

 

I suggest you sell it if you don't mind waiting for absurd amounts of time to look for parts. If you need a passenger side fender PM me, improbably the only person with a new one . Not even joking.

Heres a shortlist from a noob like myself that is SA specific ( 81 transitional models don't count )

Radiators SA only 4 variations 79 California/ Canada auto/manual and federal auto/manual and the respective 80 model years NOT CROSS COMPATIBLE . MAZDA NLA but obtainable from Atkins rotary
Tail lights /assemblies etc easy to find but expensive
Fenders ( as far as I know these are EXTREMELY rare and can only be obtained from buying another SA as all junkyards seem to not have them or have damaged ones, I spent TWO years looking for undamaged ones and tracked a pair that was sold on here 6 months later in person after hunting them for 6 months )
Both front and rear bumper assemblies ( easy to come by, but expensive )
all the orange turn signals, a bit hard to find and a bit expensive.
Brake rotors/drums MAZDA NLA , rotors can be obtained generically, drums are straight up NLA
Brake hardware kits NLA everywhere but Raybestos still makes springs, I spent a month looking for them so I hope this helps you -> Raybestos H10355
you can obtain pins and retaining pins from Mazda .
The coils are SA unique and so is the distributor
The seats are also SA unique
The dash is also SA unique BUT shared with the transitional 81 model

There might be more things but this is all I know off the top of my head

 

Awesome albeit disturbing info, thanks! Brake pads, drum shoes are available generic?
This beast has a solid engine and tranny, but only good part of interior is the dash.
logicon and all parts associated missing.
Windshield cracked. Someone somehow installed 2nd gen seats.
I haven’t begun to investigate yet, just got it home.

 

Also this thing is LOUD.. gotta tame that exhaust or neighborhood will have me physically removed .

 

Unless that's bridge ported it should not be any louder than a regular car . If it has its Thermal reactor that is . If it's bone stock then you might have an exhaust leak.

 

Far as I know it’s stock buy someone put straight pipe to a large muffler. Probably leak as well. I assume RB is best option.. but like to go cheaper for now if possible.

 

Try on offer up / let go. CL , sometimes people are tossing out the under pipes for dirt cheap. You're going to need hangers too, those little ******* are expensive!

 

Under pipe? Sorry I’m an SA newbie.. maybe I’ll post a pic of the underneath and you guys can offer suggestions?

 

The exhaust pipes =) .

 

I have a Racing Beat exhaust on my SA and I love it!! The old exhaust was rotten and the exhaust was loud and for me the only option was RB.

Here are a couple pictures of what you can see of the exhaust on the car:

 

Stunning car!

 

Does anyone know if the ignition switch is something that can be gotten generically? This one has been hacked to death.

 

SA's aren't that much different than a multitude of other old, discontinued cars. Lots of parts NLA and you are generally money ahead in the long run to purchase the best condition car you can afford up front. Parts have become more difficult but you can still find most anything. Yes, it can take a long time and maybe some dumb luck. Ignition switches (the electrical contact switch under the key lock barrel) are still available, look at Atkins. MazdaTrix also has an online catalog of parts organized by category.

 

i always check here for parts

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...er+switch,4700

 

[QUOTE=mwpayne;12355282
Im assuming most things are NLA new[/QUOTE]

i always check Mazda first, you would be surprised what they have

 

Rock auto has generic parts, but it's a good resource.
Mazda has a lot of parts but not all of them, expect a 30-50% mark up from rock auto but you're getting genuine stufff.
Mazda Trix / Atkins have a lot of NLA parts but for crazy expensive.
EG break springs at Atkins are 20 $ , rock auto does not sell them, Mazda sells OEM for 3.45 + 7$ shipping ( around 25$ the set )
OR you can look around like me and find the Raybestos parts for 8$ shipped .

Unless you own a SA you really don't know how hard it is to get parts, a lot of rock auto **** doesn't fit 1:1 and unless you are made of gold Atkins and mazdatrix have a rediculous markup.

My pro tip is to get the parts FSM and or find parts at mazdatrix and obtain the part number. Also don't be scared of calling up Mazda dealers and getting quotes =) .

 

A long time being 1-3 years =p , ain't nobody got time for that .

 

I'd just add quickly that when doing brake line components Rock Auto has had some difficulties recognising that SA's have a different thread pitch than the FB's on all the hydraulic fittings - SA's are M10 x 1.25 and FB's are M10 x 1.0. In my experience Rock Auto has sent me FB brake parts (for some things and not others, for example, their front rubber lines were FB pitch even though they were listed for 1980, but the wheel cylinders were correct - this will of course vary by brand). It's probably just down to cataloging issues between them and the 'oem replacement' suppliers. Unfortunately due to that, parts like these with small differences are sort of luck of the draw (their spec sheets aren't usually much help in this regard either). One way to better the odds is to simply check whether the PN's in their catalog match across SA and FB platforms when there is known difference between the two; something I should have done... Just something to keep in mind.

 

not sure how brake parts got into this and i'm well aware of those differences but he asked about ignition switch so i found one.

 

Yeah, pardon that mini sidetrack. I was reading through and saw someone mention Rock Auto and the brake parts just came to mind. I figured it was a relevent example of how finding components can get interesting sometimes.

 

I've owned one of my Rx-7's for 40 years now. A long time is a matter of perspective. Patients come with age and experience.

 

Nice gold SA. I am getting my first SA (its Solar Gold also and a wide body) to go along with my FB, its on a transportor to me.

 

Thanks for all the great info guys. But just found rot in floor. This ones too far gone I’m afraid.

 

dang man, sorry to here that. how's the hood and gas tank? come get mine and swap stuff into it.