vex

How much do you think it would cost to completely remanufacture an FC? I mean, completely (or as close as possible).

Replace everything under the hood, the interior, suspension, exterior, everything to have it as close to new as possible.

I don't mean go out and buy everything new... but use good used parts wherever possible, or rebuilt parts would be even better. But yeah.

I'm starting to get pissed off with doing repairs to my car every week or two, and am thinking this might be a good idea.. Take it out of commission for a year and just redo EVERYTHING.

However, I'm guessing this would cost upwards of $30 - $40k. What do you guys think?

igottafc

iTrader: (6)

are you talking about restoring the structure of the car or the body panels? it would be near impossible to built a new fc from sheet metal up

KompressorLOgic

iTrader: (6)

i think he jus tmeans replace everything off of the frame, yeah i bet it would cost about 30K or more.... some parts arnt made anymore custom fab would probably be required for a few things

vex

Yeah. Take the car off the frame, and replace EVERYTHING. Rebuild engine, replace everything under the hood. Replace interior panels, etc. Replace suspension. Insert aftermarket parts where desired. Replace body panels that need it, paint the car (entire shell, not just exterior). Have the frame refurbished if there is any rust, etc.

Or even on a smaller scale....

1) Rebuild engine
2) Replace every part under the hood.
3) Replace/rebuild entire drivetrain.
4) Replace/upgrade all suspension components.
5) Completely rewire the car.

And when I say everything under the hood, I mean, everything that is not touched when rebuilding... all wiring, intake components, manifold, turbo, etc.

Take apart the whole damn thing and just start replacing anything that is not 100%, or damn near. Like I stated earlier, use rebuilt/used parts wherever possible to save some cash.

igottafc

iTrader: (6)

our cars have unibody construction. No frame. It wouldnt be economical unless your really hardcore about it. Hell id just find a low mileage fc and build the poo out of it with that money. And mazda has discontinued alot of the parts for our cars. So you really cant get some things brand new.

vex

This is true... however, finding a Turbo II for sale in Canada is nearly impossible. Finding one in good condition with fairly low mileage is even more tough. And importing one to Canada from the US would most likely be a nightmare, and I don't feel like jumping on the RHD bandwagon and importing one from Japan.

Guess I'll just have to keep my eyes peeled.

jhammons01

Well let's add it up, If you do all the work. This is my best estimates

Motor=$1000
Fuel rails, PD, etc=$1000
Tranny=$400
driveline=$500
Brakes=$400 (antilock)
Suspension rubber=$90
Suspension shocks=$400 (basic, no coilover adjustables)
Wiring Harness=$250
CPU=$???
seats recovered=$500 (leather)
guage cluster=$400
interior parts=$1000 (including dash)
Stereo=$500(basic)
Carpet=$400
Paint=$1500 (good paint, exterior)
Paint=$750 ( interior, engine bay, door jams)

$9590 if you pay $500 bux for a CPU.

Can you add anything?

Travis R

Complete and utter waste of money.

Stanello

iTrader: (1)

I would not do it.

You could buy 10 more FCs with that money.

vex

Yeah, $30k is obviously way beyond reasonable. I've got to find a reasonable way to get this car under control though. Maintenance costs are getting out of hand.

bcool

You could do it, body and everything

body in white should be close to 5k alone, usually used for race application though





Then wipe out the victoria british catolog and Mazda parts department, you could have a brand new FC for a small cost..heh...

JMY952

Perhaps your not looking hard enough? There are some RX7's in Canada that are for sale with mileage as low as 40k but again these are the JDM ones that have been imported already for you.

Andrew.

iTrader: (4)

Dang I was going to post that! But yeah thats a BRAND NEW body right there, buy that to start off if you want..

Smoken'

iTrader: (1)

But thats RHD. Can you buy a new body that is LHD?

GodSquadMandrake

Mine was done for 12k. Maybe not everything but it looks and drives like factory.

EvilWankel

iTrader: (2)

wow, unbelieveable that someone would spend 12k to restore it. Just shows you how much some people love their FC's.

FirstRotaryExp

iTrader: (3)

Id say go for it man. Honestly I dont think 12 grand is that expensive if you think about it. A new car costs what...at the bare minimum for something you will hate you are looking at 10 grand. If you can get a cheap FC and shop around for parts and such you will easily spend less than that. I just picked up a perfectly running 87 13B from a guy whose putting a 350 v8 into his FC, i got all the stuff to go with as well: aka the AFM, both ignitor coils, the starter, coulda had the auto trans if it didnt break, and a few other lil things. Im going to convert my 4-lug base model 88 over to 5 lug using junkyard hubs and calipers, rebuilding them to new condition. Im looking at spending the majority of my money on the sound system and the body work including paint. If you love a car to make it reliable and unique I say go for it, you will love it, besides, the lil projects can be paid for in stages, a new car is lots of payments and then some.

Mason Rx7

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ght=Rotisserie

This thread is awesome if you are thinking about doing it.

thedguy

I'd like to know where in the US a quality paint job can be had for 1500$, unless your just talking about the paint itself.

vex

Where the hell is that new body from?

And yes, I know there are a lot of low-mileage JDM fc's running around for sale. I do not want RHD, I prefer LHD.

I've thought about Victoria British/Mazdatrix/RX7 World... etc.

BlaCkPlaGUE

Those chassis are probably illegal to import. They aren't over 15 years of age, let alone are not available in the US/CAN Market.

I also agree that TII FC's are impossible to find in canada, I've looked around alot and have seen pretty much JACK **** in the classifieds. NA's are easy to find, but when you do find one in decent condition it'll be 7k. Or you'll get the typical canadian 'I have no idea what the bluebook value of this car is, so I'll ask what I paid for it -1000$ 15 years ago guy' who wants 12k for his 'rare' S4 convertible...

My ultimate goal really is to just find one with a sound interrior, a sound exterrior, and an engine that has NOT been modified. I could care less about if the engine was blown or not, all I'd want is to just have everything available to me for restoration.
I'd do up the engine first, then the drivetrain/suspension. This would include cleaning/painting of all parts. Id paint up all the parts for the suspension and make em real nice again. Then I'd do up the interrior, probably bring it to a shop and get it redone in some leather or nice vynle. New carpet, everything cleaned up and functioning, including the rear wiper and friggen antenna

It would be alot of fun, and would probably take a year or so, but when your done it would be a real car to keep for yourself for a long long time. I'd do it personally for the sentimental value and not the resale value

vex

This is exactly my point.

My original plan for the winter was to pull the engine, respray the bay. Rebuild the engine. Easy enough.

But, I've been having all kinds of problems:

Alternator crapped out. Turbo went. Manifold leak. Pulsation Damper fire (very small, but still). So I'm getting a little worried.

I was then going to redo the whole suspension.... coilovers, strut bars (front for now), sway bars (f & r), lower arm bar, bushings, etc.

Then move to the interior, swap my burgundy for black, get some new seats and that would have been about it.

Then do a paint job, as my body is in pretty good shape and just a little but of surface rust is showing. My spoiler has since become pretty much unattached. Also, the underbody is rusting a bit.

So I figure if I were to take the car out of commission for about a year... with the money I'd save on gas (about $80 a week at the rate I'm going now)... I could have it finished by next spring, if I were to start stockpiling parts as soon as I park it for the winter (next couple of weeks).

Meh, we'll see... will have to do some good research.

BlaCkPlaGUE

Thats a good idea, do some research. This is really going to test your automotive skills if you decide to actually do this. Me personally, I plan to one day, but for now reading is what I've been up to. My next book is going to be on fuel injection, and then after that im ordering this book on building your own electrical system for a car. Its just good info so that you understand why the hell things are, the way they are.

k-rok

beautiful

vex

I agree. Wow. That is why I would want to do this.