I have a 1987 rx7 with a trashed body and it clearly hit an animal
its dented and bent with a shattered windsheild
it still runs (a little rough)
i am considering buying a 1986 rx7 that is seized and sticking the engine from my car in it
what kind of changes were there between those 2 years? will i be able to pull the engine and transplant it without wiring issues/fitment issues?

how much should i pay for a clean 1986 roller?

 

No differences that would prevent any type of swapping the powerplant or wiring or cause any fitment issues. The 1986 - 1988 models are "series 4" and have the same mechanical and electrical systems, with the obvious exception being between turbo and non-turbo models. 1989-1991 models are "series 5" and are not directly compatible with s4 mechanicals or electronics.

Read the FAQ thoroughly and search, search, search.

A clean 1986 roller isn't worth much; that's depending on the definition of clean, but even the "cleanest" s4 roller I wouldn't pay over $1000 bucks for. And that's being very generous.

 

But the injectors could be different depending if they have the resistor box under the air box. Just swapped my 86 for 88 and didnt need to use the resitor box. I swapped engine tranny with wiring harness

 

I think the difference is in the wiring harness so both year ecus are the same

 

The mechanicals will swap no problem.

Differences between an 86 and 87.
5th gear in an 86 is shorter than the 87.
86 does not have a neutral safety kill switch.
All 86 have a resistor pack for the injectors. Some 87's have this. If your 87 does not you can just remove it from the 86 when you swap.

$1k would be my limit for a non running roller as well. At $1k it better be pretty damn nice. I typically try for $500 to $800 for your typical condition 7.

 

I went and looked at the car
well, the body is in decent shape and the interior is pretty nice
but everything mechanical on the car is total ****
its a 5 lug, and mine is a 4 lug
so i am wondering at this point if i could even swap everything (and i mean everything) from my car over to this body
and we are talking more along the price of $200-400
the guy has a fluids coctail from the car sitting for 15 years

 

5 lug > 4 lug

 

sounds like a good parts car to me.