Greetings all, I've got an 86 base model in outstanding condition, and I'm wondering about the feasability of getting a stripped vert body and transferring over all the parts. Thoughts? Anyone done anything like it? Anyone know of any potential problems? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!

Chris H.

 

I would think the suspension and brakes should be upgraded to handle the couple of extra hundred pounds. Other than that i don't really see anything else that would hang you up.

Santiago

 

I fail to understand your goal here...you have a base in excellent shape, and you want to hack it up and put the parts into a 'vert body (that we assume isnt in excellent shape)??

Verts with blown engines arent rare, why not just get one, put in an engine, and have both. On the other hand, vert bodies, are all too rare, in useable condition.

IF you do decide to attempt this swap. be sure to get an 88. An 89-91 car has totally different wiring etc. and isnt really compatible with the early stuff such as your base. You could put every wire and component from your base into the 'vert, but then the 'vert specific stuff wouldnt work anymore, like headrest speakers and electric top. Alll in all, a bad idea.

 

As much of a vert fan as I am, I think I'll have to agree with hypntyz...sounds like too much of a PITA to me...

 

Me and Kevin did a vert/t2 swap on mine and that was a major pain in the ***. Still a pain in the *** getting all the little stuff to work after the breakin has been done.

 

Verts are magnets for improved social being.

Maybe he found a Vert that was a theft recovery or.......

For the amount of time that it would take and for the cost of all the pain killers, I would just recommend that it would be easier to work another job, save money, and add a 2nd Rx7 to the driveway in the form of a convertible.

You'll appreciate the leak free roof in your base model after getting caught in a thunderstorm with the top down and the targa top at home in the garage.

 

Thanks for the input guys. It occurred to me I should explain why I wanted to do it at all, basically it's all about my nostalgia for some sort of sunroof, or something. My base has no sunroof and it's killing me. This SEEMS to be a cheap way for me to get a convertible which would then have mechanicals in good condition. As far as the vert specific stuff like the headrest speakers and electric top, I wasn't going to have either of those in the finished product. I'm a bit of a minimalist.

 

But the headrest speakers are the best part

IMO it would just be easier to buy a already workign vert and strip that if you wanted to cut down on weight, there are lots of them for sale, finding one in perfect condition isnt easy but its not impossible.