I have a beautiful 1986 mazda rx7 convertible that needs a new engine - I have a blown apex seal. I had planned to sell the car - personal reasons. So, now I'm wondering if I should sell the car as is or put the money into an engine rebuild? Will I be able to make the money back from the rebuild? Or, should I save the money and hassle and just sell the car as is?

 

ummm...if you're planning to sell anyway just pick up a good JDM block and slap her in there.

 

^^ exactly

 

It depends... If you are comfortable removing, rebuilding and re-installing the engine YOURSELF, then maybe you could justify the cost of a rebuild, before selling it... If all of the internals are OK, a basic seal-kit will cost you around $500, give or take.

There's NO WAY you could justify all of the labor costs though, if you were to pay someone else for the parts+labor...

If it's in wonderful condition, you could maybe fetch $1500 for it (with a blown motor). If it's in wonderful condition with a GOOD motor you could probably get closer to $3000+ for it. (Don't forget it's almost winter, so you might have a hard time selling a convertible).

If you can spend less than $1000 fixing it up, I'd say go for it... If not, either take YOUR TIME and plan on fixing it/keeping it, or sell it 'as is' and plan for around $1500 to the right buyer.

Good luck brah'

 

i think you should rebuild the 7 because there beautiful things even though a lot of problems happen with them. i dont no one person who doesnt love there rx7 to death.. either that or when they mistreat it the rx7 mistreats them haha slap a JDM street ported engine in there turbo the damn thing make it run 12s! w00t lol

 

I thought the convertible didn't come out until the 1988 model year?

 

That is correct cowboy!

 

OOps - realized typo. My RX7 is a 1989 convertible, not 1986. I have absolutely no idea how to rebuild or replace an engine, I'd have to pay someone to rebuild and install.

So, if an engine costs more than a few thousand, sounds like the investment isn't worth it.

How do I sell a car with a blown engine? Any ideas?

 

You could always look into selling the motor/tranny to someone who needs one for a core/rebuild, and sell the complete rolling shell to a V8 swapper. They LOVE complete shell cars, and most all of them will bite if the price is reasonable.

 

If you have the time, money, space, tools and patience, rebuid your engine, get a couple of friends to help you out and save extra cash for the unexpected things, I just did my TII and it was a good experience, I still have problems and it does feel great but I think I wont do it again unless I have to.
Carl

 

a jspec engine will cost you 1000-1500 bucks. install 200-500 depending what kind of place you get to do it, or if you have some mechanical ability and a garage, its not too hard to do yourself.

pat

 

i cant find a seal kit thats anywhere near 500 where are you looking?

 

hold old thread batman, notice the part about 2005