Project: Orion
 

The beginning of an FC resurrection! I bought this car just the other day for $250. She needs an engine, and misc stuff, but overall she's in pretty good shape. Over the next few months I'll be updating this thread with new pics of the progress. I'm selling my '92 probe to pay for an engine, I just hope I get a good one. I live at home with my folks so my income is very expendable, therefore I won't have any financial problems!

I have a pit in my garage, with the rx-7 over top of it. Looking underneath I found a lot of dirt of course, but more importantly I found a lot of good. Hardly any rust, though a bit in the wheel wells behind the wheels of course. It looks like it took a nose dive onto a curb or something so the brackets that hold on the front spoiler are mangled and rusted, but not a big deal really.

I had to pull off the front calipers in order to just get the car rolling, as the wheels on it don't allow enough clearance for the calipers in the front. One of the wheels has a nasty dent, so I'll have to get that repaired. I just plan on getting some spacers to bump the wheels out to clear the calipers, and at the same time make it look a little cooler. I must say I love the rims though, they look good on the car imho. It has 205/50 R15's in the front, and 225/50 R15's in the back. I know you're all thinking 15's are pretty small, but for that style of wheel I think its just right.

First thing to do on the car: Get an engine! The one that is in it now has water in the oil, so I'm not even going to try and rebuild it. Naturally I'll be replacing the clutch while everything is out. I think I'll get the injectors cleaned too. Anyway, onto the pics:

http://gore.fragland.net/rx7/car1.jpg

http://gore.fragland.net/rx7/carinterior.jpg

http://gore.fragland.net/rx7/frontdent.jpg

http://gore.fragland.net/rx7/backdent.jpg

I'm going to get a new front fender instead of trying to fix that one. For the dent in the rear I just need to bang it back into the general shape, then the body kit I plan on getting, style 370, will replace the bumper covers (front and rear), and cover up the mangled spot in the rear. After that I'm going to sand off all the old paint, prime it, then its off to the body shop. As far as the interior I need the following:

Driver's seat blue/grey
Left rear speaker cover
Triangular covers above door panel, by the mirrors.
Steering wheel
Shift knob
Shift boot
Power window switches

Only a couple of those things are actually missing, the others are just worn, like the seat. The interior actually looks in great shape, no stains, cigarette burns, etc. The carpet looks real nice and clean, nothing is really damaged.

I'm going to have to put a lot of money into her, but I know it'll be worth it. I had an 86 FC a couple years ago, and I loved it up until the moment I slammed it into a tree. Now that I'm old enough to drive responsably, and can handle a powerful car, its worth putting the money into this car. I'll be looking for any tips an advice along the way, so don't be shy guys, let all them pretty little beans just spill on out :)

Looks good! $250..not bad at all!! What engine you gonna run? May I suggest a 89-91 Atkins rotary streetport n/a. Keep us posted!!

Atkins is my top consideration at the moment, assuming I can't find anything local. Even if I did find someone local, I'm not sure I could trust them. Wish I could afford the port job, but I've got a budget laid out and I have to stick to it. If I did in fact get it from Atkins, its gonna cost me $2400 just to get one home.

SWEEEEEEEETTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!! I just noticed Atkins is located about 2 hours from here! AWESOME!!!!!!

I love black mesh with a polished lip. Im not a big fan of that, or any, bodykit though (with the possible exception of the RE 2000). I think that the stock body lowered with those wheels would look pretty mean. Then you could spend the money you would spend on that body kit on some real mods! :)

You're right, it would look pretty bad ass without the body kit. However, I have to replace the front and rear bumper covers due to the damage anyway so I figured spend some extra for a body kit. With the money I'll save on shipping costs for the engine I can get that port job done. I don't want to raise the hp too much though or I'll start rippin other stuff apart. The car's got 170k on it so things would be bound to fall apart if I've got too much power at the flywheel. Definitely gonna have to get some coilovers!

looks like a good project ;)

I suggest you check PINAPPLE RACING for an engine - they are the only builder offering a 5yr/50,000mi waranty on performance rotary engines.

Very cool, i also picked up my project for 200 :) except mine ran... it ran rather well, it just didn't move too fast (clutch was dead), oh.. it didn't really stop either (brake master cylinder problems).. but now it's running pretty good. it shakes a lot, though. i think the rear-end needs worked on :) good luck, mine is a helluva lotta fun!