2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

86 conversion to convertable?

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Old Dec 8, 2003 | 03:51 PM
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86 conversion to convertable?

I have an 86 RX-7 that I want to change to a convertable. Can anyone give me any helpfull info?

Is there a good kit out there, or do I need to do my own mods?
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Old Dec 8, 2003 | 04:01 PM
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Do yourself a favor and buy a 88 RX-7 convertible shell with a blown engine and just swap your engine. You don't want to even attempt cutting a coupe.
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Old Dec 8, 2003 | 04:09 PM
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Dang, learn something every day. I wasnt aware there was an 88 Vert.
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Old Dec 8, 2003 | 06:11 PM
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Is it possible though?
I live in Hawaii, so extra parts are limited. Especially whole cars.
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Old Dec 8, 2003 | 06:23 PM
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Possible? Yes.

Huge waste of time, money, and a safety hazard? Yes.

I hope you're a good welder, because you're going to need to add a whole lot of metal to the body to keep it from collapsing in on itself.

Just buy a convertable. They made them the right way from the factory.
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Old Dec 8, 2003 | 06:49 PM
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I had this idea a few years ago. I used to take off the glass from my hatch and ride around like that. I really liked it. It looked neat. Anyway, I wanted to cut a targa top in the front and leave the remaining 'roll bar' in the middle. IMO this would look very nice and I don't think it would be all that difficult to make. Hmmm..
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Old Dec 8, 2003 | 06:53 PM
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Structurally you could not make a coupe into a convertible without seriously compromising the safety of the car or buying enough parts to build a 'vert from the ground up anyway.

The 88-92 'verts were built that way from the factory, with quite a few vert only parts. They were built on their own line at Hiroshima, not part of the regular RX-7 production line.
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Old Dec 8, 2003 | 07:01 PM
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can somebody photochop my idea of the coupe with no glass and a targa top? I don't know how to do it.
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Old Dec 8, 2003 | 08:29 PM
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Give me about 10-15 mins and I will have one to post...
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Old Dec 8, 2003 | 08:54 PM
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You get the general idea... it's pretty damn fugly.
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Old Dec 8, 2003 | 08:58 PM
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Dude yours looks soo much better than mine...



Eff it, Geocities is being a bitch.

Last edited by truespin88; Dec 8, 2003 at 09:00 PM.
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Old Dec 8, 2003 | 09:00 PM
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whoa... that's a creative background you got there.

Just upload it as an attachment.
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Old Dec 8, 2003 | 09:06 PM
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i was also thinking about doing a targa but keeping the hatch and adding a roll bar for stability
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Old Dec 9, 2003 | 02:31 AM
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Originally posted by Kai
You get the general idea... it's pretty damn fugly.
yes ... thats bad... very bad
just buy a vert
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Old Dec 9, 2003 | 11:52 AM
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i think it looks cool
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Old Dec 9, 2003 | 12:09 PM
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Originally posted by Kai
You get the general idea... it's pretty damn fugly.
T-Tops
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Old Dec 9, 2003 | 12:25 PM
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Put the glass back in....it would kick ***. All i gotta say is.......

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Old Dec 9, 2003 | 01:21 PM
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Buy the vert, not worth the hassle or sxpense. I can ship one to you if you want.....
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Old Dec 9, 2003 | 01:28 PM
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Do you have pics?
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Old Dec 9, 2003 | 04:34 PM
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Buy the Vert, You get full a roof, a convertible, and a targa all rolled into one.

As for driving it, I think you might be disapointed. I used to drive in targa mode during the winter (Pennsylvania - Delaware Temperatures).

When rolling around town at slow speed, keeping the back half of the top up with the center of the roof removed made the car warmer, but when I reached highway speeds, I preferred to drop the top all the way to eliminate the noise and buffeting. The built in wind blocker helped the car to stay nice and warm.

The best thing about this was that I could put the top up or down at any (reasonable) speed without worring about damaging it. So trips onto the highway with the top down and around the streets with the top up were easy.

Last edited by BLKTOPTRVL; Dec 9, 2003 at 04:36 PM.
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Old Dec 10, 2003 | 12:30 AM
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Originally posted by BLKTOPTRVL
Buy the Vert, You get full a roof, a convertible, and a targa all rolled into one.

As for driving it, I think you might be disapointed. I used to drive in targa mode during the winter (Pennsylvania - Delaware Temperatures).

When rolling around town at slow speed, keeping the back half of the top up with the center of the roof removed made the car warmer, but when I reached highway speeds, I preferred to drop the top all the way to eliminate the noise and buffeting. The built in wind blocker helped the car to stay nice and warm.

The best thing about this was that I could put the top up or down at any (reasonable) speed without worring about damaging it. So trips onto the highway with the top down and around the streets with the top up were easy.
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Old Dec 10, 2003 | 07:20 AM
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yeah don't try and make anything out of a 86 base model except the lightest t2 conversion thier is. If you want a fast FC turn your 86 into a turbo.
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Old Dec 10, 2003 | 02:50 PM
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Can I just add turbo parts to the S4, including a new raceing fly wheel, or do I need to just drop a rebuilt T2 in it?
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Old Dec 10, 2003 | 03:31 PM
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Didn't read the FAQ, huh?
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Old Dec 10, 2003 | 04:57 PM
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Originally posted by Icemark
The 88-92 'verts were built that way from the factory, with quite a few vert only parts. They were built on their own line at Hiroshima, not part of the regular RX-7 production line. [/B]

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