Just bought my first RX-7
 

Just bought my first RX-7 yesterday for $750!

It's an 87 NA.
The guy I bought it from didn't know anything about it really, he's a small dealer who got it on a trade in.

The odometer read 226k, but it looks like it's not the original engine in there, but there's no telling how many miles are on it.

There is a nasty dent in the drivers quarter panel, I can fix the bottom one easy enough (see pics), but the top one I can't get behind, so it's gonna be a bear.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...7/IMAG0051.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...7/IMAG0052.jpg

Also, one of the rear calipers is leaking around where the e-brake cable attaches and the other caliper seems to be seized. Is there an upgrade for the rear brakes? I know I can swap the front single piston for a 4 piston, but what about the rear?
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...7/IMAG0043.jpg

So far i changed the oil, plugs and coolant. Tried to change the diff fluid but couldn't get the fill plug out. Didn't drain the fluid, I always make sure I can get the fill plug out before I drain, as I've been burned by that before... So, I'll deal with that and the trans later.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...7/IMAG0044.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...7/IMAG0046.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...7/IMAG0047.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...7/IMAG0048.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...7/IMAG0049.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...7/IMAG0050.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...7/IMAG0053.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...7/IMAG0054.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...7/IMAG0055.jpg


Also did a compression test. With the check valve held in I was getting ~20 front and rear. With it out I got 70 in the rear and 80 in the front, with a warm engine.

Was thinking of running this engine for a while and then do some kind of swap.
This will be a dd and every now and then auto-x car.

Wow. That car needs a lot of love. You planning on fixing it all?

Gonna fix the big things first and go from there.

ouch, looks pretty bad for 750. ive bought better cars for cheaper before, but if its in sound condition and drives well, cant argue with that

Lloyd

The 4 piston front/5-lug wheel swap also has slightly different rear calipers - they have a larger opening for vented rear discs. Generally you can get a set of all the parts you need for ~$150-250+wheels/tires, otherwise you're stuck replacing the calipers with more of the same.

Looks pretty good aside from the seat and that dent [ouch... I hate body work >_<]

Few cool things included at least: S5 tail lights, S5 stereo surround [the S4 ones are brittle plastic vs your rubberized one], and S5 aero mirrors. ^_^ For a running and driving car with those it doesn't sound like too bad a deal.

Thats quite the project you got there. You always gotta start somewhere though. Good luck with it.