I'm new to the board and new to rotaries but I've been dying for an FC. I've been messing around with hondas a few years now and felt the need for some turbo/rearwheel drive action. Hope I'm making a good choice to step over to the rotaries. Just too hard and expensive to get a lot of a honda especially with all the hype.

There is an 87 turboII that is at the local auction and i might want to pick it up if it's a decent price. The driver side fender is pretty bad but the overall body is in good shape. i think it has 156k on the engine and probably no history on the car whatsoever.

I just want to know if it's a good choice as a fixer-upper for a newbie. I have no idea how long this thing has been sitting of even if it's in running condition. I will see this friday. Would I be looking at a whole new motor setup or can a 156k rotary be rebuilt? I've been finding a lot of good info on this board. Thanks to all those that contribute!

 

156K may have too much wear on the housings for a rebuild, then again, I could be wrong. You'd be better off overall with a rebuild with new housings. Again with that many miles, there's a chance that the tranny has been rebuilt (a good thing if it has been), so that will save you a grand or so. If you can get that car for 1-1000 dollars, and you have the time, tools, and most importantly $, go for it. Keep in mind, that the parts for the TIIs are the damned most expensive for all the FCs. But that's an 87, cheaper than the 89-91 parts .

The fender, you could pull off of any 86-88 RX-7 and it should match up ok.

For what you would spend on a turbo kit (new) for an integra, you could get it back on the road.

Later...

 

If money is an issue I would not pay more than $1500.00 and that's IF it runs. If you can't start it up don't pay more than $1000.00 . I paid $2000.00 for mine but it didn't have any body damage. I have spent another $3000.00 (at least) restoring it.

Todd

 

Question is has a rebuild been done on the engine. They're cheap to do yourself but pay as little for the car as possible (or buy a rebuilt engine one for a premium).

 

I see the moonroof is open. How long has it been open for? RX7s are known for having a lot of stupid cold solder and electrical problems which are mostly fixable, but you do not want to have any major water damage to any of the components. Take a peek under the dash for signs of rusting or pull some of the connections off the electrical components - check for rusted connectors. Also take a look at my signature!

www.car-part.com is a good place to find used parts, thats where I found myfender and it was a matching color. Also it looks like the rear quarter panel has a dent just below the spoiler, that is a big problem cause on the unibody construction, I guess you could just use bondo.

I probably would not pay more than 1000 and thats if it runs but that is just me.

 

In terms of prices, what am I looking at for rebuilding vs. buying a professionally rebuilt one. I would like to be able to do this myself but once again, this is probably the first time I ever touched a rotary. I've done most of the stuff in my honda, in terms of engine work, but have the slightest clue with rx7s.

Well I'm looking at this car as a project car for me. I don't have an infinite amount of money to throw in but in the long run I would like to get it running strong and looking nice. This would seem like a clean slate for me to work on. It's ready for paint since the exterior looks ugly. But that can wait till the car runs well. If I can get this car for under a 1000, would it be feasible to get it running well again for 2000?

 

Rebuild kits go for $850-1500 I believe.

There are mazda service manuals, haye's repair manuals, and videos on rebuilds - if you want to educate yourself.

 

any good informative sites with DIY instructions that covers rotary maintenance and performance? (i.e. rebuilds, clutch changes, upgrades...)