Hey guys, haven't posted in the 2nd Gen technical for a while. Anyways, I'm looking to pick up a FC chassis for a V8 swap and trying to decide which trim and years to look for.

First of all, I do know the differences between the S4 and S5. At this point in time I'm leaning towards the S4 because I do not like the mouse belts from the S5 as well as the S4's generally being cheaper to pick up. Now, as far as trim levels go I'm looking to pick up almost the most basic car I can get. I would rather it didn't have P/S, A/C, HVAC, power windows, etc. The ONLY thing that I really want is the power monroof, other than that it's all water under the bridge since everything else will be pulled out. I know that I do want the S5 body panels and that's about it really and obviously I'm going to want the 5 lug setup. If I do not get a TII I will most likely pick up a S4 TII clutch type rear end.

I know I should probably be looking for like a Sport or GTU or GTUs IIRC. I'd rather not pick up a GXL or TII just to carve it up and strip it. What was standard and what was optional on the Sport, GTU, and GTUs? Are there any advantages chassis wise that a GXL or TII would have?

 

There was no S4 GTUs.
See the FAQ up at the top. It'll list the options on what each model came with stock.

 

The 88 GTU is the closest equivalent to the 89 GTUs, except it doesn't have the 4.30 diff. I had an 88 GTU (in 89 the GTU was the s5 base model). The 88 has the 5 lug with the 4 piston brakes, sunroof, turbo seats and spoiler, but manual everything. it's probably what you are looking for. you just need to find one, and they are not easy to get.

 

Half of the FAQ is currently down. Only the 87 model year is listed right now. Believe me, I checked that first.

Yea, the 88 GTU sounds like what I'm looking for. I'm not all that worried about the rear end because it'll most likely get a S4 TII rear end put in. Power windows would kind of be nice because then I wouldn't have to roll the other window down by hand, but then again, it'll save me wiring and problems in the long run with the regulators and switches going bad. The only thing I wanted was the sunroof because that was my favorite thing about my 87 GXL. I would love to get one with no A/C and no P/S from the factory, that would be perfect.

If I got the TII or GXL I would be having to strip a lot of **** out of them and I would feel bad about gutting a car that had all that stuff in it. I know I don't want a TII or GXL for sure. IIRC wasn't the Sport the only model that didn't have the sunroof? Also, are there any chassis differences between the S4 and S5?

 

So your going to pass on a clean TII with a blown engine that is located 10 miles from your house?????? Might as well find a TII and you get everything you want

TII rearend
Pwr windows
sunroof
Manual steering rack
I pulled my AC

I've seen a couple TII's get crushed at the local junkyard. It's either you do it or they will.

 

Tell ya what, you find a clean TII with a blown engine near my location for a good price and I'll buy it. There's no lucking out like that around here. Generally if it's blown people are still going to want at least 1500 dollars for one that's in OK shape. There's not as many 7's around here as there are in other places.

 

don't get a TII, they are too expensive for a car you are just going to convert to V8 and may eventually go live axle with or something

 

An 86-88 GXL will be the most common model with the better brakes. Don't focus on finding one without A/C, P/S, etc. as that **** is easily removed. Nothing wrong also with getting the power windows and other unrelated to the swap features.

 

I can tell you to call a local junkyard and if they are cool they will look in their system and find the nearest TII for pick and pull. Might find one close enough? Takes a few phone calls. Also you might find an N/A.

 

most of the 2nd gens in the yards have been crushed around here. these cars are getting more scarce.

 

Yea, like I said, I don't really want a GXL or TII because I'll just be having to rip all the **** out. I don't mind having to remove it, just that it will make things more difficult in the long run. I guess if I could find one in good shape for cheap I would, but it would be rare that I could find a GXL or TII for less than a GTU or GTUs. And yes, most of the 7's that were in junkyards around here have been crushed long long ago.

 

Been doing some more thinking about this. What the TII have differently besides any other 5 lug RX-7? IIRC the brakes and suspension were the same, just that the drivetrain was different. I know that the cluster was different, just that it had a boost gauge instead of voltmeter and that the carpet was very slightly different. Also, you got different rims, aero mirrors, different spoiler, vented hood, and I believe that was all. Was there anything else different? So far it seems like the only thing I want from a TII is the rear differential. Everything else isn't needed or can be easily picked up. Basically my point is I'd rather not pay all the extra money for a TII if the only thing I want from it is the rear end.

 

yea too bad i have a t2 roller for cheap like 200.00 has manual rack t00 power rack is better though all u have to do is de-power it and u get more turn for less rotation no engine in it either lol. too bad your so far away! 140000 on odometer i got it for engine and interior but im putting my old interior back in it

 

Well, aside from what you mentioned, the TII transmission is generally a little stronger than the NA but that doesn't matter in your case because you'll be swapping in something new. Also, S4 TIIs came with what Mazda called the "hard" suspension, meaning stiffer springs and I believe thicker anti-roll bars. But it's probably pretty likely you'll be upgrading all that stuff too, right?

Honestly, I wouldn't think about this too much unless you have tons of nice FC rollers in your area. When you find a nice, straight, rust-free car for the right price, I'd get it. Most equipment can be easily swapped. Maybe the biggest question might be whether you want a factory sunroof or not because that's not so easily changed.

Two years ago I had a rusted out S5 with a decent, recently rebuilt engine, perfect interior, and lots of parts I wanted to swap; after months of looking, I never did find a decent roller that wasn't wrecked or full of rust. (I gave up the search and parted my car and just bought a nice, low-mileage car instead.) I don't know about FCs in Iowa, but nice rollers don't grow on trees around here (Washington, D.C. area).

 

removing powersteering and ac will be least of your V8 swap project labor, forget about that and just find the cleanest vehicle you can afford, be it a GXL, a TII, a base- whatever it is as long as its really clean.

Personally I see no reason for a moonroof either, they are a pain in the *** as most of them dont open properly anyhow

 

Yea, I was just wondering if there was anything else the TII's had over the N/A's that was big. Suspension doesn't really bother me either because that'll get upgraded also and the drivetrain will get pulled. The only TII part I'm really looking for will probably be the hood and rear differential, but I don't think I'll even use the hood because it won't clear the motor going in most likely. I highly doubt a high rise turbo carbed 302 will fit under the hood, even with lowering the subframe down 1". I'm guessing I'm going to need a hood with a custom scoop setup to make it fit. If the TII scoop was more towards the center it might work, but at this point probably not.

The main reason I want the moonroof is because that was one of my favorite things about my RX-7. Also, since I'm not going to have A/C I'd like to have the moonroof for when it's hot out. At least then I can roll down the windows and open it and not die of heat stroke. The only other thing I'm looking for at this point that I forgot about is the rear wiper assembly.

Most likely I'll just have to find the cleanest roller or running N/A car I can find. I think I'd rather spend the little extra money and get something with a clean body and interior rather than have to do a bunch of work to them. I was just hoping to get a base because then I don't have to tear out all the extra stuff and wiring. It'd be a little different if every trim level used the same wiring harness but it doesn't.

 

there is a guy on the v8 rx7 board who makes cowl induction hoods, you may want to look into that

 

I thought that for the most part they did.
My base model did not come equipped with adjustable suspension yet all the necessary wiring is in place and I've seen cars in the yard that had manual windows and mirrors but still had the connectors to install power units.

I was under the impression that the two biggest differences were between NA and Turbo harnesses but that the harnesses within those ranges were the same regardless of trim level.

 

Clokker - you're right for the most part, but the confusion comes from the following:

The NA's main engine and Chassis harnesses are the same between trim levels. You may be missing a few wires in some areas, but they plug in easily. For example, if you don't have power windows and locks, you need to get that harness. Also, for storage bins, you need the small harness, and it plugs right in nearby. Stuff like that. You just plug these in to the main harness.

The TII main engine and chassis harnesses are different from NA, but are the same within TII cars with different options, although these came pretty much fully loaded.

 

Alright, that all makes sense. I know that my GXL had the factory wiring there for the stock security system yet it didn't have the security system on it.

What trim levels didn't have the sunroof? I'm assuming all RX-7's had the rear wiper also?

 

a lot of SE models didn't have the sunroof or rear wiper.

 

Ironically, though you say you do not want to pay extra for a GXL or TII, those seem like exactly the two models you do want. I think this is right:

S4s with rear wiper: GXL and TII
S5s with rear wiper: GXL, Turbo, and 91 Coupes with higher-level trim packages equivalent to GXL

Thus, no base/SE, Sport, Luxury, GTUs or GTU cars of either series had a rear wiper.

As for sunroofs, it is easier to find a car with one than without one. The only cars that didn't come standard with them were the S4 base/SE, Sport and GTU, the S5 GTU and GTUs, and I believe a very few 91s. On cars that did not have a standard sunroof, it was optional on all but the 86-87 base cars and the GTUs, so you find it on most FCs.

So to summarize, if you want a sunroof and a rear wiper without having to modify anything, you're looking for a GXL or TII.

 

My 88 SE had a sunroof, but no rear wiper.



Ice Wolf, I would look into an 86 Base if you can. They are the lightest FC out there and it does not come with alot of the crap you don't want! The only thing it won't come with is a decent rear end and a sunroof. Oh, and I think it's 4 lug.


Are'nt you within a days drive of Chicago? I am sure you can find something decent in Chicago, there's a large scene up there, and alot of junkyards. You should also look around the St.Louis area.


Oh, and I know of somebody with a roller for sale, if you want some details, shoot me a PM.

 

Wow, I thought a lot more vehicles had a rear wiper than that. The rear wiper isn't as big of a deal really, just that it would be nice. If I can find a clean car without it then so be it. I know I for sure want the sunroof, that is the one thing I do want. Also, I do want 5 lug for sure and would rather not to have to source the parts for it. Now that I think about it though the power windows and power mirrors would be rather nice. Then you don't have to do the whole "reach over" thing to roll down the window or adjust the mirrors. In that case I'd most likely need a TII or GXL since I think they were the only ones to come with those two options.

I'm easily within a days drive of Chicago. I'm about 3 hours from there. PM me the details of the roller, maybe something I'd be interested in if it's cheap.

 

Save the hastle and just finds a T2 roller. You will thank yourself for it later. That is what I built mine from( I have had the car for many years though.