neopj3

Hi there everyone,
thanks for looking at my post. My brother has a 3rd gen and I've always liked the 2nd gens better. I found an 87 turbo II that has 131,000 miles on it and the starter on it is shot so you have to push start it. and the other is a 91 n/a with 161,000 miles. I know that both will need a motor and tranny rebuild build but I really want a turbo. would it be better to get the 87 and have it re-done or put a turbo II motor or a 13b motor in the 91? I'd really like to jump on an rx-7 quick but I just don't know which one to get. Please let me know what ya'll think,
thanks,
P.J.

eyeoutthere

If you want a turbo, definitely go with the 87 (S4) Turbo II.

To do a ‘good’ turbo setup on the N/A you would basically have to change the entire motor. You would want to change the intake, get rid of the 5th and 6th ports (or tune around them), and obviously, invest in all of the turbo parts (turbo, manifold, intercooler, oiling, …). Also, the NA motor has higher compression rotors which aren’t preferred in a reliable turbo setup. And that is just the motor… The turbo model has other upgrades like a stronger rear-end, drive shaft, half shafts, transmission, clutch, and fuel pump.

neopj3

I was thinking of swaping a turbo motor into the 91. would that be better, easier, smarter.

idsigloo

swapping a motor into a car is alot more work than you'd think. if you want turbo, get the s4. its costing me about $5k to do a s5 t2 swap into my s4 n/a. thats engine plus drivetrain. get the s4 t2.

both cars are ready for a rebuild btw.

idsigloo

also by just swapping the turbo motor into the n/a without swapping the drivetrain with it, you'll blow out your tranny in a heart beat as well as your halfshafts.

neopj3

is there a source for interior parts? how much would a motor and tranny rebuild be on the 87 do you think? and does the rebuild include the turbo and all the hoses? what is the hp and boost on the 87?

RandomHero

iTrader: (2)

you can find all the specs for 2nd gens in the sticky threads. I got my tranny rebuilt for $600, and the engine rebuild kits go for about $1000. Of course that doesnt include labor if someone is going to rebuild it for you.

neopj3

I'm thinking about having rotary performance in fort worth do the rebuild with a mild street port. I figure I could get a few extra hp while i'm having the work done. should I be woried about the rest of the car seeing how the only way to start it now is to push start it? I'm going to replace the seats and stereo with something a little more modern and weight saving. I do not like big heavy stereo equipment. 15's in a car is stupid. so right now I'm looking at about 4500 for the car and about 3000 for motor and tranny rebuild. Is 4500 a resonable price for the car?

eriksseven

iTrader: (6)

$4500 is way too much for a TII (s4 at that) that needs a rebuilt motor.

It'd probably be a good idea to wait until you find a GOOD TII that won't need a rebuild as soon as you pick it up.

You can find a really nice one that's already got some mods for $4500, easy. Look around some more.

Don't buy on impulse.

idsigloo

Thats not worth it. A friend of mine (jacobcartmill) got a S5 T2 with 48k ORIGINAL miles for 5k.

neopj3

I'm thinking I could get the guy down to like 3500 or lower due to the amount of work that'll need to be done to it. I can pay cash for it right now that's why i'm gettin antsy. but I'll look around some more. anybody in here know anyone with a 2nd gen TII they'd like to part with in texas?

vex

48k on a 15 year old 13b is not necessarily a good thing.

vex

Try and lowball him even more than that... it is not in good operating condition, I wouldn't pay more than $3000. Mind you, I picked up my 87 TII for $3000 Canadian and it ran like a champ (I've since blown my turbo, however, but that's a whole nother story)... and the body was pretty much mint.

Anyway.... yeah.,

neopj3

thats what i'm thinking. if i have to drop 4000-6000 on additional work for 4500 it should be mint. or at least not have to push start it down the road what kind of power could i get with a rebuild and a mild street port? 3000 a good price huh. cool.

vex

Depends how mild the street port is... check the Time Slips and Dyno forums ... you should be able to find something similar.

jhammons01

don't try to do any swapping. just get the TII and fix the Turbo wastegate. Rebuilding a N/A and a TII are just about identicle so that issue is a wash. The '87 is lighter than the '90 so you have a plus. The '87 allready has all the TII stuff so your way ahead by getting the '87.