1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

TOTAL restoration!

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Old Nov 13, 2005 | 05:17 PM
  #1  
JessicaR's Avatar
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From: Houston
TOTAL restoration!

I've made up my mind. I'm gonna have my 7's engine bay completely taken apart and cleaned up and put back together again!! I'm also going to have the suspention worked on as well. The previous owner put on some aftermarket springs (much shorter) and a front sway bar by racing beat I believe. This allows me to take corners with much more command, but for everyday driving it really sucks! I'm bottoming out too much and I feel every single bump in the road!! I want a car with decent speed and with a nice ride.

There is a mechanic that my brother knows, and even though he knows very little about rotarys, he and my brother are going to take the car apart and put it back together with a new paint job and all! My only resposibility is to make sure I'm able to aquire all the parts they will need. I'm gonna do all I can to find parts on my own, aready some of you have offered to help out when I'm stuck, but occationaly I will come in here and ask for your help. I just wanted to let yall know. Everyone so far has been so amazing in helping me out and I just want to take time and thank everyone!

Wish me luck!! I think I'll start the project in about 3 weeks to allow me to creat a cash buffer incase I run into some problems that will take some money! Again, Thanks!!
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Old Nov 13, 2005 | 05:24 PM
  #2  
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From: yokosuka japan
Jess,

good luck with the project ! I would wait for about 6~8 weeks worth of buffer cash. Everybody that starts a project like this finds out in the end that it costs a lot more than they first thought. I know my project car has went overbudget several times, but I had a reasonable cash buffer alloted Just in case.

kenn
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Old Nov 13, 2005 | 05:35 PM
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Thanks Kenn. I'm budgeting about 5 to 7 thousand to do the job with a complete paint job with bodywork. It would probably be about 1500 less but we have to pay the mechanic that my brother knows. It'll be cheaper than a new car and it'll be a car that I want! Plus, I'll be there as much as possible and help out all I can so I can learn everything possible.
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Old Nov 13, 2005 | 05:38 PM
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5-7K?? wow, thats a lot of money to put into an fb, good luck with the project. Does this include engine modifications as well? I know if I had that much to put towards my car at least half would be for engine and speed mods.
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Old Nov 13, 2005 | 06:38 PM
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Other than rebuilding, the engine won't get any modifications. I mean no porting at all. I'll give it a new header and exhaust to along with it, but not much more. I'll use good parts and wires though. But you have to understand, I'll be replacing anything that is iffy. Also, I'm getting a complete color change. I might get it reupholstred too. I want to have as good a car as I can.

I spent 1000 on the car to buy it. I'll spend about 5000 to get it looking awesome and running as great as I can. That's 6000 total for a car that I know is in great shape. This is opposed to a buying a 6000 car used that might have major problems later on down the road. On top of everything else...it's an rx7!! I think it's a deal.
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Old Nov 13, 2005 | 07:32 PM
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From: Reno, NV
I've given this much thought as well, considering exactly what you have, that buying another used car for under 10 grand will still present mechanical problems, best of luck to you Jessica, i'm eager to see how it all turns out for you, and your 7,
as for myself i'm currently building my cash egg for my project as well..
the 1st gen 7 is a far better choice than most eco-boxes that 6-7k could buy..imho naturally..this is in the style-performance-uniqueness dept..not gas mileage of course..and one BIG plus there just aren't that many riced 1st gens out there..a big relief..oh some exist for sure..but not on the Honda-Toyota etc scale
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Old Nov 13, 2005 | 09:47 PM
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Originally Posted by JessicaR
Other than rebuilding, the engine won't get any modifications. I mean no porting at all. I'll give it a new header and exhaust to along with it, but not much more. I'll use good parts and wires though. But you have to understand, I'll be replacing anything that is iffy. Also, I'm getting a complete color change. I might get it reupholstred too. I want to have as good a car as I can.

I spent 1000 on the car to buy it. I'll spend about 5000 to get it looking awesome and running as great as I can. That's 6000 total for a car that I know is in great shape. This is opposed to a buying a 6000 car used that might have major problems later on down the road. On top of everything else...it's an rx7!! I think it's a deal.
someday after i have a crazy performance car im going to do this to either an SA or a GSL-SE. just take everything apart and replace it with new or reman EVERYTHING all 100% stock show quality parts, just for fun. and then ill cruise in it like old guys around here in their vette's. it'll be slow as ***** but who cares it'll be sweet!

good luck with your project, i hope everything works out for you. you might also want to budget some cash for new housings or that one company who refurbishes them with cermet coating or something? i've seen old 12a housings and most arent pretty!
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