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

Help buying my first rx7?

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Old Apr 5, 2013 | 11:37 AM
  #101  
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True, but I can guarantee you that, the engine in that car is all worn out. You probably will need new rotor housings too, as high mileage engines typically have insane corner seal wear. The only time I've ever heard of this not happening is when someone religiously uses premix the entire motors life.

I was going to type a long detailed post, but I'll shorten it to this.

Are you ready to spend several thousand dollars?

I got my vert for a steal. ******* mint leather interior for a 20yr old car, running engine, BRAKES, and a ******* gas tank for $500. I then went off and spent about 10,000 more dollars on it and I am still not done.
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Old Apr 5, 2013 | 11:48 AM
  #102  
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I plan on dropping a new motor over the summer and yes. I will be spending a lot on this car. Over the next few years.
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Old Apr 5, 2013 | 01:09 PM
  #103  
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Originally Posted by RGNHD
Why not buy a car that runs for a 600-700?
think about it. your buying a car that you were told runs good. theres a big difference between running and running good. ive seen rx7's do 80mph on a half *** blown motor. this is why i say buy a shell. you can find a decent shell for less than youre talking about spending on that multi-colored thing. and in alot better shape. that gives you a fresh start on doing whatever you want to with this thing. you say you want to drift it, so **** all that interior nonsense because if youre talking about working your way into pro drifting youre going to NEED a cage and harnessable seats. and you most likely wont be going into semi pro or even scored amatuer events with a 13b n/a. if you get tired of the rotary down the road and want something that makes more sensible drifting power youll probably end up v8 swapping that. this is why im saying start with a shell. youll be able to do whatever you want with a shell and especially if youre going to have another car to be driving, go find another 13b(or if you plan on swapping it might as well get that out of the way at the same time) and tear the motor up and build it the way you want it to be done.
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Old Apr 5, 2013 | 01:14 PM
  #104  
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It all makes sense but the thing that is stopping em from doing that is that there are parts that I can use now on this $700 car instead of buying a shell with nothing in it. The multicolored body doesn't bother me. I will probably end up painting it myself honestly. I will be test driving and compression testing the car before I actually buy it. If I find something wrong with it I will drop him down on the price lower.
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Old Apr 5, 2013 | 01:19 PM
  #105  
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Could I use this to do a compression test?

Compression Test Kit
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Old Apr 5, 2013 | 01:23 PM
  #106  
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Originally Posted by RGNHD
It all makes sense but the thing that is stopping em from doing that is that there are parts that I can use now on this $700 car instead of buying a shell with nothing in it. The multicolored body doesn't bother me. I will probably end up painting it myself honestly. I will be test driving and compression testing the car before I actually buy it. If I find something wrong with it I will drop him down on the price lower.

and the other reason i say buy a shell is youre most likely going to be fixing another persons project. youd be saving yourself from *** pain and a lil bit of money in the beginning.
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Old Apr 5, 2013 | 01:25 PM
  #107  
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i dont know exactly where youre located but im sure you could talk this down. and if youre going to be using it solely as a drift car you dont need a title...
86 Rx7 5 speed. 113k miles
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Old Apr 5, 2013 | 01:27 PM
  #108  
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and heres a full part out. offer him 500 for the shell and i can almost guarantee you that youll have everything you need to get one of them going damn good, youll have 2 complete shells, one of them only needs a fuel pump
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Old Apr 5, 2013 | 01:29 PM
  #109  
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I actually already looked at that car but it will not b only for drifting it will be on the road too.
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Old Apr 5, 2013 | 06:24 PM
  #110  
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Www.rockauto.com for cheap replacement parts. Brake pads , rotors etc. I'd get new calipers used, brand new ones will be a ripoff.

As far as the engine, used stock NA engines are relatively easy to find and the prices aren't as high since they're so abundant and there is less demand for them compared to Turbo engines.

Don't listen to what everyone says on here or let them bring you down, remember the car is for you not them and if you'll be happy with it that's what really matters.

The most important thing is having a place to work on it , logically you'll want to work on it at home and hopefully have all the tools you'll need.

These cars are relatively easy to work on if you have the dedication and have basic mechanical knowledge.
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Old Apr 5, 2013 | 07:10 PM
  #111  
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Thank you. That really helped. I am pretty mechanically inclined. I will be working at my house on this and I would be happy working on this. I'm hoping to find another engine that I can have waiting thill the current one goes out.
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Old Apr 5, 2013 | 08:35 PM
  #112  
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Originally Posted by RGNHD
Thank you. That really helped. I am pretty mechanically inclined. I will be working at my house on this and I would be happy working on this. I'm hoping to find another engine that I can have waiting thill the current one goes out.
You're welcome. I bought my first 88 NA not even running and the mechanic i had look it over said it belonged in the junkyard because it needed so much work (this was when I was new to rx7s about 10 years ago).

I fixed it all myself and got the engine rebuilt by rotary resurrection.

I had that car for 6 years, and also had two parts cars.

I now own a 87 turbo and it should be running soon.
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Old Apr 5, 2013 | 08:44 PM
  #113  
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Originally Posted by wthdidusay82
RockAuto Parts Catalog for cheap replacement parts. Brake pads , rotors etc. I'd get new calipers used, brand new ones will be a ripoff.

As far as the engine, used stock NA engines are relatively easy to find and the prices aren't as high since they're so abundant and there is less demand for them compared to Turbo engines.

Don't listen to what everyone says on here or let them bring you down, remember the car is for you not them and if you'll be happy with it that's what really matters.

The most important thing is having a place to work on it , logically you'll want to work on it at home and hopefully have all the tools you'll need.

These cars are relatively easy to work on if you have the dedication and have basic mechanical knowledge.
We aren't coming down on him, we are trying to make sure that he understands the scope of work and money required to make this happen. That isn't coming down on him, that's trying to help him.

Last edited by jjwalker; Apr 5, 2013 at 08:54 PM.
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Old Apr 5, 2013 | 08:50 PM
  #114  
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That's what I asked for has help. I already knew what work would have to be put into this.
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Old Apr 5, 2013 | 08:57 PM
  #115  
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Originally Posted by RGNHD
That's what I asked for has help. I already knew what work would have to be put into this.
Alright.

Do you own a welder, or know how to weld?

Wrenching on this on your own, and doing it right, along with any welding that needs to be done is going to save you the most amount of money. The more money you can save on labor, because you have the proper skills and tools, is imperative.
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Old Apr 5, 2013 | 09:31 PM
  #116  
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I do not own a welder that is the only thing that I do not know how to do. Now with anything else yes I know what to do.
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Old Apr 5, 2013 | 10:07 PM
  #117  
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Originally Posted by RGNHD
That's what I asked for has help. I already knew what work would have to be put into this.
Well actually, you don't.
You couldn't possibly know before you're elbow deep into it.

That's why a money cushion is necessary.

Good intentions and a willingness to work (both of which I'll grant you seem to have) won't impress the car.
It wants/needs what it wants/needs and even "minor" problems cost money, more I think, than you appreciate.

As an instructional example...
I spent 4 months this past fall resurrecting a pretty solid 1990 GTU.
Full, very nice interior and zero rust. I had my old '91 as a donor car for the suspension, brakes, wheels/tires, engine and trans. I also had a metric shitton of hardware and geegaws to fill any gaps.

I spent $1500 on petty bullshit- gaskets, spark plugs, oils, etc., I mean seriously, look at the build thread, there's absolutely zero bling or cool stuff, it's probably the the most boring thread on the forum in terms of eye candy.

Taking a near basket case like the cars you've been looking at is going to cost exponentially more, just to get running, nevermind "race".

In the hazy yesterdays of my youth, I lusted after a Jaguar XK-120 and finally found one I could "afford". I sacrificed absolutely everything for that car and could never get on top of it...every issue I fixed just uncovered another, more damaging and expensive. About a year after purchase I had to let it go, never having driven it in anger.
Looking back now, I realize that optimism and enthusiasm lured me into the buy and it simply wasn't enough.
I could have been driving a lesser, but running, car instead of bleeding all over that POS.

I doubt you'll heed the warning and I'll do my best to refrain from "I told you so" a few months down the line but really...don't settle for crap thinking you can magically transform it.
Like the alchemists of old, you really can't turn lead into gold and it's a waste of time, energy and money to try.

By all means, get yourself a FC, just wait till a better example turns up.
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Old Apr 5, 2013 | 10:35 PM
  #118  
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Okay. I am going to heed your warning. I don't need some junker that there is no point in fixing. I am still going to go look at it because we honestly cant settle on how bad it is till we look at it. Now I'm going to back to maybe considering this one that Screamin FC showed me but I can't buy without a title. I've been told by so many people that if it doesn't have a title to just stay away from the vehicle.
86 Rx7 5 speed. 113k miles
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Old Apr 5, 2013 | 10:44 PM
  #119  
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Now back to the other car that had the injection issue here is a startup video that he sent me for it.

He had to make it short because he was emailing it to me and it could only be so long.
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Old Apr 5, 2013 | 10:47 PM
  #120  
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I also found this. It's a little higher in price but I'm sure I could get him down some. 88 mazda rx-7
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Old Apr 5, 2013 | 10:52 PM
  #121  
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I actually like the '86 the best.
What is the process in your state for getting a title that's missing?
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Old Apr 5, 2013 | 10:56 PM
  #122  
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I'm not sure but I can get a bill of sale but that doesn't do **** without me being able to get the title and I do plan on driving this. He kinda seems like he doesn't want to sell it with the title. He feels if he ets the title he might as well just replace the fuel pump at a mazda dealership.
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Old Apr 5, 2013 | 10:59 PM
  #123  
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Apperantly this is what it would take for him... -_-
Oklahoma - Replacing a Lost Title - How To Get a Duplicate OK Title at DMV.org: The DMV Made Simple
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Old Apr 5, 2013 | 11:12 PM
  #124  
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Originally Posted by RGNHD
I'm not sure but I can get a bill of sale but that doesn't do **** without me being able to get the title and I do plan on driving this. He kinda seems like he doesn't want to sell it with the title. He feels if he ets the title he might as well just replace the fuel pump at a mazda dealership.
Contact your DMV and ask 'em.
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Old Apr 6, 2013 | 06:57 AM
  #125  
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if that engine was cold started in the vid, oil pressure looks a bit low....
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