iMazdaMan

I have a 1982 Rx7 GSL that I got for 100 dollars and then swapped the rear end from it into my 85 GS and put the old one back in it. I'm curious if it's worth fixing up or if I should just part it out. The engine has 117,000 miles on it, but was rebuilt 19,000 miles ago it has a rebuilt 3 speed auto. All the A/C system has been removed along with the fan and surround which was replaced with an electric one. The drivers side mirror is broke off, windshield is broken, it's all primed and ready to paint. The interior is all sun rotted (Dash cracks, celling behind sunroof cracked) and the radio and seats are missing. What do you think I should do with it?

Joker1337

So you have the following:

Good engine, good body, an oddball tranny, and an old open diff that's still in good shape.

You lack the following:

A good interior, good glass, good AC.

Sounds to me like it's well worth restoring. Not modding mind you, but sending it back to stock condition. Shouldn't be that tough since the mechanical systems are all in good shape providede there's no significant rust on the body anywhere.

iMazdaMan

If I do restore it does anyone know any places that have replacement dashes, and interior panels and were I could get a stock pair of seats and bumper? Thanks

Also I forgot to mention the fuel pump is missing, the electric windows were converted to manual and the rear storage bins are missing the lids. The body however has no rust.

Siraniko

iTrader: (13)

sometimes its cheaper to just find another shell and swap all the goodies from your parts car

Joker1337

But he has the shell at the moment aside from the interior, glass, and paint. Why would he get another shell and then move everything associated with the drivetrain over to that car?

tr4c3

Sounds like a good shell, it has some problems, but for $100 you couldn't go wrong. Definitely hold onto it and restore it. At the least, you can restore it cheap and just turn around and sell it. With the good rust free body and rebuilt motor you should definitely be able to make some good profit off of it.

Siraniko

iTrader: (13)

Reading comprehension must be on the low side eh??? Read what he said:
"The drivers side mirror is broke off, windshield is broken, it's all primed and ready to paint. The interior is all sun rotted (Dash cracks, celling behind sunroof cracked) and the radio and seats are missing.

Joker1337

Interior, paint, glass. Check, check, check.

A driver's side mirror is a $20, 10-minute job and if you're going to paint the car anyway doesn't mean much of anything to the overall budget.

I suppose what you're driving at is that the interior will take a lot of time to redo.

Bradlach

a lot of those parts you need like interior parts and mirrors you can get pretty cheap from Blackdragonauto.com

Siraniko

iTrader: (13)

exactly
Interior is expensive when you want it done right. I just spent $1,000 to completely re-do one of my RX-3's. Paint job alone will run $2500+ in Socal and thats not from Earl Scheib.

RX-7 Chris

iTrader: (19)

You might be able to restore it. Like wacky is saying the interior will be the expensive part.

Where in colorado are you? PM me and if you are not far I could look at it.

OneRotor

iTrader: (3)

Restoring? Not in my opinion. Cheap track/auto-x car? Yes. Rattle can or rustoleum roll on oil paint, get one seat, and have a blast. $100 is cheap for a track rat.

DC13B

what is keeping it from running/driving
if you are interested in selling im extremely interested in buying.

Midwest 7's

iTrader: (4)

sell the 12a to finance a project on your nice car and then JUNK IT!

tr4c3

If you were on the east coast I would gladly take that off your hands and make it a track car. I'm sourcing out an fb shell at the moment.

boyee

iTrader: (3)

i say that you have a car with potential for a restoration project. look in the for sale section and from time to time some sellers have mint condition interior parts you can grab and swap with your old parts and make your car look like new again! good luck and welcome to the forums

iMazdaMan

Well it sounds like it's worth keeping. For Now I'm just going to cover it up and park it in my barn while I finish my 85. Then down the road I will either restore it or turn it in to a track car. I'm not driving it right now cause I would need seats, windshield, tires and I didn't really now what I was going to do with it, I really only bought it for the rear end. Thanks for all the comments and other ideas would be great.

boyee

iTrader: (3)

also seeing that it is an automatic, the engine most likely did not get abused much and if it was rebuilt not too long ago and has been kept in top shape throughout the 19000 on the rebuild, you may want to not let the engine sit over time because then all the seals and gaskets will start rotting and then you will need to rebuild again because of leaks

perfectace

Congrats on what sounds like a great deal! Looks like you're planning on keeping it but if you decide to part it out let me know, I'd gladly take some of it off your hands

iMazdaMan

Well after not moving in 17 years I drained the fuel tank today, put new gas in and some new transmission fluid, it started right up. I just drove it on my street, but I had it up to 60 and the acceleration and breaking was great. I think for now I will buy a pair of seats and drive this one while I restore my 85 then once thats done I will finish this one. If I do decided to part out thought I will definitely do it here. Thanks

tr4c3

Congrats man, glad to see the car is going to get a good life and not end up in pieces or rusting away.