Ok, so after a great deal of thinking, I've decided to keep my FC instead of selling it to get another car.

I want to fix it up... but I have no idea where to start, so I was hoping you guys could pitch in your opinions and help me out.

I have a 1991 Mazda RX-7 convertible (13B nonturbo).
*engine has 146,*** miles on it
*paint is chipping, body parts has some dents
*car lets off an enormous amount of white smoke everytime I start it
*convertible top is worn down
*car is completely stock (but missing some parts)
missing:
-CD player (the whole center part)
-the plastic piece under the steering wheel (steering column and wiring visible)
-right door handle (the inside one)

anyways, if you guys could tell me in order what you would do to make it into an awesome car, I would greatly appreciate it. like... you'd start with a tune up, then do an engine swap... I don't know... but, if possible, please suggest as much as possible.

I will be checking everyday, so please also ask questions if you're unsure about something.

THANK YOU GUYS VERY MUCH =D

 

Well if your blowing big clouds of white smoke its either time for a rebuild or engine swap. That would be the first things I address after I came up with a gameplan of what you want to do with the car.

 

is it cheaper to rebuild or swap? what would you do after?

 

btw, thanks for your reply

 

Do a compression test first, and don't necessarily jump into a swap right away. Get to know the car a little bit better. Let us know what the numbers are and lets go from there (tune up, etc.).

You can find some good info on compression testing with a regular gauge in the forum. Don't forget to download some reference material (link in my sig.)

BTW, was this a theft recovery or something, or has stuff been breaking on it. You have a very desireable chassis.

 

swap would be much better if you have the mechanic that would do it for u cheap, otherwise, just fix minor things, full tune up, and get that top fix, cuz when it rains...... its over.

 

*pfsantos:: I bought the car used, no theft... I just accidentily snapped some pieces cuz it was old dried plastic.... and I shorted the audio system trying to fix it =p

*13BGTU:: lol... I had the top once ... and my dads lawn sprinklers got to the leather >.<

 

White smoke typically means a coolant leak; if this is the case you're gonna need to re-build. To check for this, remove the radiator cap, start the car and then see if there are any bubbles coming up out of the coolant. (a significant amount) That means your coolant seal is busted and coolant is getting into the combustion chambers. Good choice with keeping the FC... It's what I would do, but then again I'm a sucker for rotors. You can get re-build kits and do it yourself, there are videos out there to learn from, and the peeps here would be dying to answer any questions you might have about it. But it takes time, patience, and above all...money. Check the FAQ's here, and search search search!

 

If there are no bubbles, this doesn't ultimately rule out a leak, search on here for more tests. But, if it isn't a coolant leak it could be something as simple as an oil change! My FC was white smoking james bond smokescreen style cuz the guys who worked on it put synthetic oil in it, apparantly it doesn't like that.

 

1. save for a REBUILD if you want to stay NA OR
--- Save for a TII swap if you want more power OR
---Buy a crashed TII and use it as a donor car

2. Do all your suspension ( sways, shocks, springs, coilovers, bushings, camber adj.,strut tower bars, under braces, cage, etc., etc.)

3. Wheels and tires ( I would stay with 16" but at least 8 or 9" wide but it's up to you)

4.after you've swapped everything/ OR REBUILD THE NA and it's running right I would look into an good exhaust. I will always recommend RB 3" turbo-back. OR
---If you decide to Stay NA go with the RB Road-race exhaust (true duals)

5. FCD, boost controller, new boost gauges, temp gauges, wideband with logging capability,Bigger injectors, FUEL controller for the injectors(or you can just go standalone for better tuning), CAI box with custom TID, FMIC,Upgraded radiator, BOV (again your choice but I'm partial to the REAL HKS SSQVs because they are pull-types as opposed to the push types that tend to leak)

6. turbo, (your choice but I recommend the BNR turbos for ease of installation, stock look, and increased power. The stage 1 is rated at 300hp, the stage 2 is rated at 350 hp. I'm not too familiar with the stage 3 or 4 units), fuel pump.

7. exterior and interior (that's all you. You can rice it out or KISS)

those are my 7 ways to make your 7 more 7errific. I know, lame, but

 

Buy a 13bT and have it rebuild put it in run some sort of standalone EMS haltech or perhaps mega squirt then go to mazdatrix or black dragon and order the interior parts you need.

 

Personally the best way to go is turbo. although the verts weighs a ton, a turbo motor will put way more pep in your step. Look around for prices. Here in miami i can get a t2 motor ecu and wiring harness for 900$. besides that u will need a transmission, driveshaft and differential. I can 100% guarantee u will be happier with turbo then without. I had a vert and it was the slowest thing on the road. We're in the process of a swap at my house and it isnt as hard as it seems. 1 Tip: When driving and caught in the rain with the top down, drive 90 mph and u will not get wet :P. Good luck

 

will my nonturbo frame support a turbo engine? won't I have to get a new hood?
I'll also have to get a new transmission to match the engine right?

 

Yes. Yes. And yes.

Read what he wrote, mang.

Also, check out www.rotaryresurrection.com

All the info you need.

James

 

ok... so what if the smoke is bluish? is that worst than white smoke?

 

so as of Feb. 2007, I will start rebuilding my car... step 1.. find interior door handles =P

 

still could be coolant seals but it couldnt hurt to atleast check the oil

running motors are cheaper to rebuild than ones with blown apex seals

do a search "rotaryresurrection" he has a whole write up on rebuilding the motor read it and see if u are capable of doing this yourself or want to pay to have someone do it

props on keeping the fc good choice

 

Good choice fixing up the fc. Mazdatrix has door handles and the column cover.

 

I would tune up or rebuild the stock motor. Hit up mazdatrix for all the missing parts. Fix the roof. Get a good alarm and radio. Take it to a bodyshop, unless you plan on doing a bodykit. The best thing to do before modifying the car is to start at a good base and work your way up.