Hi there!

I just inherited a red 1986 GXL (automatic, unfortunately), with just under 60k original miles. She needs a good bit of work, but I'm giving her some much-needed TLC. Yes, I'm a girl. Yes, I'm working on it myself. I've got a ton to learn, but I'm willing to learn and have a useful shop to ask questions of when needed (and the forums here).

So far I've installed new Tokico rear shocks, and have all new hoses for the radiator (and a thermostat) that I plan to install this evening. The wheel bearings were just repacked this morning.

As soon as I get my refund check from over-paying an old credit card, I'll be replacing the dying transmission with a manual (though I'm actually sending it to the shop for that). Having a car like this in an automatic is so sad....

I really ought to get some photos up here.

-Cortney

 

Make sure the tstat you use is a genuine mazda part. Aftermarket tstats don't work so well.

 

Yeah, I got Mazda hoses and thermostat.

 

welcome to the forum! Lots of info and helpful (normally) people. Good luck with your new project!

 

Yeah welcome to the forum! This is the best RX7 forum in my opinion. I've learned a lot in the past couple weeks! Thats awesome that your converting to a manual, 5-speeds are awesome. Good luck with the project and if you have any questions feel free to ask! BTW I also do all my own work and while at times it can be frustrating, it turns out fun, its much cheaper, you know its done right, and you take pride in the car!

 

don't forget to read the FAQ sticky before you post, alot of ppl will chew you out if you don't......and don't forget to search first.....Welcome to the club.

 

we love freebies pics pics pics and welcome aboard

 

Manual is definitely the way to go on this car. Considering that my daily driver's one and that driving ANY car as an automatic feels wrong, well.....sports cars are just meant to be manual.

I figure that if I'm replacing the transmission, I may as well do it right.

 

Thanks for the FAQ warning. Trust me - I've already gotten plenty of useful info out of it.

Nothing's better than a freebie, especially since I've been eyeing her for the past 5 years so that I could give her the love she deserves. This way I can semi-justify the amount of money I'm putting in...

I just can't wait until I've gotten the mechanics running well enough that I can turn to getting the few small (and one not-so-small) dings repaired and a fresh coat of paint on her. The driver's side's a mess due to having egg on it at some point which wasn't cleaned off ::sigh::

 

Photos!

 

I'm having a heck of a time trying to get more pics uploaded. Ah well. That one shows her bad side, too.

Pity.

 

Welcome to the club!
I'm about 3 months into my project N/A, and its a blast. It can be stressful sometimes though, but in the end worthwhile!
Good luck!

-Cyrus

 

Here are the rest of the pictures of her car:









Looks very nice.

 

Welcome fellow SF Bay area person. It looks like your taking the correct steps to assure quality work for your new 7. You will find lots of people on the forum are very helpful (including my self). Let me know if there is anything you need help with or any specialty tools you need to borrow. Team GTUs is here to help .

- Dana

 

Before you go paying for a replacement logicon let me know, im going to try re-soldering a friends logicon and see if I can bring it back from the dead. From what I have been reading from old/bad solder points inside. If fixing my friends turns out successful then I might be able to help or at least resolder yours, so you can put your $260 into your 5speed swap.

Since im somewhat in the area, I figured I would offer.

 

I hear that, you can buy a new transmission for 600 thats what i did, installed it with a short shifter, costly but you will love it umm you can check out the tranny price at http://iscracing.net/clutch.htm (i hope thats the right page)

 

Thanks for the offer, elfking. Let me know how that works out for you with the Logicon. I'm not daunted at all by the resoldering - it's getting that darned thing in and out.

I've already gotten the horn to work more reliably by yanking the box out from under the dash, cleaning off, and resoldering the connections.

Thanks again for posting my pics.

 

Thanks Dana! If I find that I don't have any tools unavailable to me, I'll let you know.

So far all good, but you never know....

 

Icemark does Logicons cheaply.

www.mazdamark.com

Not to be advertising or anything, but it's good quality stuff.

 

Oh, and... Welcome to the family.

 

Thanks, truespin88.

Yeah, Icemark is the guy I had in mind...

 

Ahh, I didn't know about that site, that will make life easier. Now if only icemark removed/installed the logicon too.

 

Welcome :
First Mod. free, change rear wheels so they are facing right way. Most of the time girls on the forum get all the help they need. good Luck
Johny

 

Right. Actually, it's the front wheels which are on the wrong sides. And I'm aware of it. It's why they need to be replaced (in addition to the fact that the right front has a freaking CUT in the sidewall).

No clue how they ended up that way. Want to smack whoever's been working on this car. My grandfather has had her since she was brand new, and well....he's not quite been with it the past few years.

 

yes, that's it. i talked to the guy a couple days ago. he really knows his ****. Aesop, how is the tranny fairing? does it seem tougher than stock? is it nice and smooth?

thanks

and glad to meet you cortney.