Im trying to do research on building an FC rx7. A guy wants to sell me a rolling shell coupe with almost no rust on it. I have never done a build before and i would pay a rotary shop thats close to me to do things like put the motor and transmission in and the heavy stuff like that. I was just wondering if anyone has an estimation of cost to build an FC from the ground up and if its a good idea for someone who has never done a build before. I’m not trying to make something with insane horsepower or something just a pure Rx7. If i posted this in the wrong section my apologies, I don’t use this much unless I can’t find an answer to something. If you need more information i would be happy to give it to you, im just nervous about trying this and not wanting to fail and before anyone asks i do have a daily already as well. Thanks!

 

it kind of depends on what you are after as a finished car, and kind of what you're starting with. most of the stuff on the car is really basic, its just that it has a lot of really basic systems

i am just starting one now, where its a nice low mile car, with a new engine, but its getting everything else (clutch, cooling system, shocks, bushings, etc etc), its going to run around 5k, and it'll take me about 5 months (hoping to have ti done April 1st)

i did one 2 years ago, that was similar, fresh block, but everything else was 250k dirty and covered in dead rats. lots of cleaning, lots of testing of stuff, i didn't get to the suspension or brakes, but wound up with a nice car and it was quite cheap (probably under 3k).

many many years ago, i helped with a ground up restoration (we got the car dirty putting it together), and everything was new, rebuilt or painted/plated/powder coated. that one was close to 50K.

as far as what kind of car you want to do, that is up to you, but the FC has always ended up being more comfortable and smoother than expected. ie it does civilized driver better than it does race car.

 

Installing the engine/trans is extremely easy on a FC, they weigh practically nothing.
Save yourself some money and install them yourself but you may need to pay someone to connect the vacuum lines, electrical, etc.

You can get an idea of what you're in for here:
https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generati...onest-1007730/

 

Yeah that’s what I’m really most worried about is wiring and all the lines and such since I don’t know anything about that. Im guessing the rotary shop could handle that for me?

 

The build i was thinking was just a drivers car. I want it painted by someone, and i want it to be fun to drive. The idea was to buy a turbo II motor and transmission and put it in there and then i would be buying new suspension and brakes and wheels. Then pick apart interior stuff from other rx7’s. Build it to where it could be lightly tuned but I’m not trying to get 400 horses or something out of it. 330 would be a great number one day but I don’t know if i even could get to that without it costing alot. I just don’t want to buy it and not finish it you know?

 

the finishing part is completely up to you, but if you're not in a hurry the car can be done pretty inexpensively.

my friend Rxspeed16 on here, has a really really good car, its more like 250hp, with a really basic suspension. its reliable, smooth, quick, handles great, and its overall just a really fun car to drive

.

 

The middle ground solution is tricking locals to work for beer and pizza. Your results may vary.
Clokker's thread is epic and Photobucket cannot be forgiver for desecrating such a national treasure.

Defining fun to drive is important. Do you want a little wiggle on a 0-60 run or a smoke show on demand? Lightning quick turn-in or something that stays in its lane on the highway?
Do you want it to soak up a pothole or transmit it to your 3rd vertebrae? Full interior or rattling race car?
Stock parts are cheap and work. Plus there is a manual that tells you how it goes together.


Beetlejuiced! It's the result of trying out a parts and see what you like. Small hybrid turbo for response, stock-style shocks and springs, all the suspension and steering pieces are nice and tight with a professional alignment.
As a "driver" the biggest impact is in the interior. Nothing is hanging off or rattles around, so it's a very pleasant place to be.

 

mine has some rattle in the back i can't find! plus the rice car suspension has a terrible ride, and questionable handling. drove it for like 60 miles and my head almost fell off...

the laggy turbo is fun though! and the rest of the car is a nice place to hang the cool JDM parts y0!

 

My advice is have clear goals in mind. Depending on how long your project takes, your needs may change. In my case, I've owned and built my FC for over 7 years (I've also spent ~17K, 4k of that being the purchase of the car). In recent history, I've found myself undoing several of the earlier modifications I,myself installed. Most of this was due to wanting a nice, clean, "comfortable" street car versus the clapped out FC everyone now thinks off (you know, the neighbor with a stock NA, massive body kit, stripped interior, and a straight pipe). So to recap, set your goals for the build with some perspective as to what you may want in the future.

AND HAVE FUN

 

my first FC was like that. i bought it about 11/99, and sold it in 2005, and i think i had 8 exhausts, 3 suspensions, 4-5 turbos, 3-4 ecus, 3 engines (one was a 3 rotor!) a couple clutches, a couple stereos, 2-3 sets of wheels, etc

the most fun setup was a stock 13BT with the racing beat turbo back, S5 turbo, light flywheel, and a mild set of coil overs, it was really responsive, and really fun, but also it was quiet, rode well, it was a good daily driver.

 

Go for it!