Vash_The_psycho

Ok guys. I registered but I'm not an RX7 owner, YET. Im currently 3 days away from the purchase of a 1990 RX7. Its a Beauty, It looks EXACTLY like this one,
Sexy yes I realize. Catch here? Im only paying 1 Grand. They say they just put a new engine in and a new battery and alternator, and say they can show me the receipts. The only problem they say is that it shifts hard so the transmission might be going out. Thie in mind how much would it cost to replace the transmission? If Its less then 1 grand or $1500 im more then willing to still buy the car, is it worth it?

jhammons01

Is it an Automatic? hs to be. They all shift hard.

You may want to reconsider the Auto tranny as it is a pig to get started off the line. I'd like to see the reciepts for the motor rebuild. That would be a selling point for me. You can put in a new tranny with a jack and a skateboard.

Just my .02

Vash_The_psycho

Thanks, It IS an automatic. How much do you think itd caust? I found some Rx-7 Trannys online for $300-$500, my family has 4 mechanics in it so I can have them install it.

Syonyk

Look around (as in search). There are a lot of threads on automatic/manual swaps. IIRC you need the transmission, driveshaft, flywheel, and a few other things (clutch and pressure plate come to mind).

If it has a new engine, that's a good price.

The value of an automatic RX-7 is that nobody wants them, so they're nice & cheap, and very easy to swap a proper transmission into.

-=Russ=-

Vash_The_psycho

I dont need a clutch I dont think, so if I replace the tranny Ill have to replace like 5 other things too?

jhammons01

What Syonyk is saying is........IF you do a 5 spd tranny swap, you need those items. If you're looking for another auto tranny......they'll usually be found holding boats in place. The are cheap when you find them.....like $100...... some may be willing to go $125........to get you to drag it out of their YARD (Ha)

Syonyk

Oh... you were planning to keep it an automatic?

You really don't want to do that. :-)

-=Russ=-

Vash_The_psycho

I realize how much better a manual can be, but this is my first car and I don't know how to drive manual yet, so I'd rather just do this until im more experienced

Vash_The_psycho

Also the exhaust looks like its been raped, how much to replace that?

Syonyk

There's one good way to get experience...

Exhaust, eh. Depends. You can throw together a cheap system, but rotary exhaust is really hot, and it tends to make short work of a cheap exhaust system.

-=Russ=-

Kouta

Auto:
You wont have as much control and stuff over it as you would an manual, and they shift hard. Its **** off the line, but after that its really nice. If ya use the little button on the side while crusin on the freeway you actually can get some nice gas milage (17 button off, 22 button on) because it drops down the RPMs hella, but lost acceleration. You can also just get it rebuilt with a shiftkit or something. It all depends on what you want, my 1st 7 was an auto, my 2/3 were manuals. The auto is hella easy to drive when ya dont wanna think about anything (but my auto is also stock whereas the manuals are lightly modified). When ya change the auto tranny fluid throw some Lucas' tranny fix in it... it makes it shift easier.
Exhaust:
Depends on what part is fubar, if its just the catback then thats not biggie you can pick another one up cheap (stock) or go with an aftermarket one for cheap. If its the cats are plugged, then ya can just get some highflow ones welded/bolted on or what not. Full exhaust systems arn't that expensive either, i picked up a full racing beat one for my FB for 350$ and have seen FC ones go for fairly cheap as well.