Welcome to my nightmare.

About a year ago I bought my 88 Rx-7 GTU from some kid who didn't know squat about the car. He bought it and then let it sit in his driveway for a couple years. Paid 800 total for the whole car. Allow me to give you the grand tour:


Doesnt look to bad at first, right? Lets dive deeper.


Note that the wing was not TAKEN off, it was TORN off.


Almost the entire interior is piled up in here. What you cant see (and what I didnt notice) is that most of these pieces were not taken off properly but instead were ripped off.


At least the seats are in OK shape!

So, I've been working slowly but surely to get this car back into it's glory days. Piecing back in the interior parts that I can find, and trying to make a decent car out of it. But since most of the pieces have been ripped out and therefore have ripped out the screw holds, it's been VERY slow going to say the least.

To add to the matter, the car will not start.

Recently this weekend, however, I found out exactly why:

The fuel pump is rusted beyond belief. Which is alright, since I was planning on putting in a Walbro 225lph pump anyway.

More progress pics to come when i have them. And if anyone were so kind... Could someone tell me how to drop the gas tank?

 

that isnt that bad.

 

Keep it gutted. Weight savings!

Also, don't waste your time with a Walbro unless you are going turbo, the stock N/A or TII fuel pump is going to be fine for anything you plan on doing to that car N/A.

 

See that's the thing... I was avoiding saying this because I know people here don't like it... But I have a C4 Corvette engine that will be swapped in place of the rotary.

 

If you have a c4 motor (LT1 I believe?) why not throw it in there? I prefer the LSX series swap more (lighter weight, more potential)!

I wish I could help with your problems, but I have never had to drop the tank!

Just thought I would post to show we are not all against the"dreaded V8 swap"!

 

I had to replace the tank in my rx about a month ago. There are 2 bolts holding the strap up to the underbody at the front of the tank). Since you have the sending unit out already, you dont need to worry about disconnecting those, but on the opposite side, remove the plate and unhook the filler tube and air vent. I had to drop the tank by undoing those two front strap bolts and swinging the straps down like a hinge (may not fare well if the straps are really rusty). ended up breaking one of the bolts, and had to drill and tap it out. Hope this helps!

 

not bad at all. you should see mine, lol picked mine up for 600 bucks

 

Picked up my 91 Vert for 500 smackers.

For the record, I see nothing wrong with a V8 swap. I did a 305HO swap in my Triumph TR7 vert back in high school and am now putting a T2 into my curent TR7. I would probably be putting a V8 in my TR7 and RX7 vert's if I hadn't fallen in love with the small size and simplicity of the Rotary.

 

That is either the biggest pump I have ever seen of the smallest drill...

 

lol, the fuel pump is close up and the drill is laying on the ground a few feet away. All about perspective.

Anyway thanks for the encouragement guys. I will eventually put the LT1 engine in here, but right now I'd just like to get this bad boy running. It's gonna take me some time to get the money saved up for the granny's kit, new rear end, etc. So for now I just wanna drive the damn thing lol.