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

Coverting 1989 RX - earlier 2nd Gen

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Old Apr 7, 2002 | 04:55 AM
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Coverting 1989 RX - earlier 2nd Gen

Hey ssorry for my ignorance, but i am new to the RX. I have come across a deal (i think) that i should jump on. The car is a 1989 RX7. The owner says it's an SE trim. I did'nt know Mazda put out a 1989 SE. Is n't it a GTU instead??? Th owner says It is the model with all the Turbo goodies except the engine itself.

Next question: The car's breather system is already prepped (mazdatrix headers, intake and exhaust). New brakes, Rad, starter, ignitor, and battery. The glitch is thatthe body is in terrible condition so the car is being sold for $2500 CAD ($20 USD)
Can i swap eveything over to an earlier model car?
The odds of me finding a 1989 donor car is near impossible. I still want to keep the goodies.
So is everything plug and play?
I know i have to use the same ECU but what else needs to be used?
This car does'nt have a sunroof so hopefully that will narrow it down for you guys. Thanks for your help and i hope to soon be a Rotary head. Thanks in advance.
Marc
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Old Apr 7, 2002 | 05:26 AM
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Re: Coverting 1989 RX - earlier 2nd Gen

Originally posted by BuryTheNeedle
so the car is being sold for $2500 CAD ($20 USD)
wow, whats the exchange rate on that?
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Old Apr 7, 2002 | 05:56 AM
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From: BC, Canada
Yeah, it'll all swap. You will need the complete motor and wiring. Swap all sensors like AFM and vacuum sensor...
Things that may help:
-find a donor car with 5 bolt wheels already (it'll have the same brakes)
-find a car that already has most of your desired options. Swapping the door panels and mirrors to get p/mirrors, and windows may add some unneeded stress.
-Swap the dashes.
-front end and rear lights will be different. swap the lights for sure, and swap the front ends if you can.
Certain interior parts are different, like the shifter, some trim, etc.

Tranny and everything else should be the same, suspension, and rearend should eb the same, as should be the rest of the wiring (battery and main harness).

I know I am missing things to swap...

Asking model type may be hard since Cdn cars were given different designations than they were in the states. I don;t think we have a GTU, and I know they don't have a GX model, for examples. I dunno for sure, but I don't think Cdn models were ever given the designation SE. Sounds like you may have a GXL.
Try the canadian forum for sure, I am bad with model types for Canadian cars.
Sean
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Old Apr 7, 2002 | 01:22 PM
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sounds like the car may be the coveted GTUs model. Does it have the 4 piston brakes in the front and what color is it?
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Old Apr 7, 2002 | 01:35 PM
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re:

Geez, i just posted this morning and already 3 replies. This is a great forum. Thanks for all your help guys. I'm sure if i do get that RX7, i know there will be much support here. Keep up the good work.

P.S The car ha a custom blue paint, so it's kinda hard to know what trim. It does have the 5 bolt pattern. Is that with vented rotors or without though? What other things should i lok out for to know if it's a GTU?
Thanks again

Last edited by BuryTheNeedle; Apr 7, 2002 at 01:39 PM.
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Old Apr 7, 2002 | 01:44 PM
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1989 + No Sunroof = GTUs

RarestRX7, prove me wrong here...
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Old Apr 7, 2002 | 01:47 PM
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is the body fixable dude??
whats wrong with it and where?

That car is not worth the 2500 if the body is totally gone.


how old are you dude?
welcome to the forum

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Old Apr 7, 2002 | 03:46 PM
  #8  
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re:

Damn there ae alot of users here. Well the guy said it is a rare car, but he also said it was an SE. I have yet to see it. It's a 3 hour drive from my home. But apparantly the rocker panel is shot. There is some rust and a hole on the pasenger side. I would like to fix it. Swapping everything would be a lot more stress. But i think i failed to mention that the engine is brand new with only 8K on it and 108,000 K on the body. I'm in Toronto btw.
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