Hello all, I am new here and need some help. My name is Dan and I own 2 1994 RX7’s. One has been garage kept (no mice damage) and the other is in a barn dedicated as a parts car (I would bet there is mice damage). I was in the Army for 25 years and purchased these cars in the early - mid 2000’s between deployments. I am reasonably mechanical inclined as I did a lot of modifications to my 99 Miata. I installed a supercharger and did all the modifications myself minus the clutch and flywheel. I started to modify the Garage kept RX7 by adding a front mounted intercooler and aluminum radiator. I had a stage 2 clutch and flywheel installed and was disassembling the engine bay to inspect the turbos when I got notified I was to deploy again. On that last deployment, I was injured and am now 100% disabled. My injuries do not restrict my ability to drive but the cars has sat ever since, as it was a long recovery and then I focused on family. I now have a 5 year old son who has profound autism and consumes most of my time, but he loves to ride in my Miata and I know he would love the RX7. I have recently come into some money as my Parents have both passed on and I would like to get my car up and running. I watched a YouTube video from Mighty Car Mods where they worked on a younger RX7 from Japan, but would like to do similar upgrades. I wold like to upgrade to a single turbo, get rid of the rats nest, replace the gas pedal to a drive by wire system and other upgrades that will make it perform much better. I am open to modification suggestions, and I should be able to do a fair amount of the work myself. I live in Des Moines, IA where I am un aware of competent people or places that can help me. I would appreciate any and all help getting my RX7 back on the road and fun to drive. Thank you all for your time.

Dan

 

So first off I would only trust a rotary specific shop with your car. Any general mechanic is not going to know the intricacies of dealing with these cars anymore.

Having said that, your best option is few hours away in Indiana, Banzai Racing. They've been in this game forever.

 

Hey Don....Welcome back to the FD world
1. Banzai can do most anything and has a good reputation.
2.. If you deside to sell parts off the barn 94 you mention , we are looking for a bunch of 94 parts:
Left headlight assembly
Sunroof assembly
Hood latch
Complete dash
Black carpet
Pedal set ( clutch & brake )
Quarter panels, black
Seat belts, black
Divider, black
Headliner, black
3. Here's a pic of our shop, we take care of most of the FD's in TN. Will send you an estimate for a single turbo conversion, we have done several.....should be a good referance for comparison to a big shop like Banzai.
Jim & Carter T

.

 

for where you are, shipping the car to a shop would be your best path forward. we recently finished an FD for a fellow forum member who shipped his car down from Michigan.

https://www.rx7club.com/midwest-rx-7...-help-1162838/

its an extreme example of a recovery effort but we got it sorted out and he has his car back. if you would like to consider us, we would love to help sort your project as well.

PLEASE do exhaustive research on any shop you may consider. unfortunately, the rx7 facebook groups are actually a really good place to get that sort of information lol lots of first hand accounts (the only valid account) there for just about any shop and/or product. you'll have to sift through some of the noise but the onslaught of information is overwhelming enough to form an opinion at the least. its really easy to get taken in the rx7 world for whatever reason and there is no shortage of horror stories in our community so please proceed with caution before making a decision.

 

Don....I am remise for not mentioning FDAUTO , I know them well and some shops may equal but none excell .....just a bit further from IA.
JIm T

 

Doesn’t sound like he is looking for a shop, he wants modification suggestions is what I read.

I literally always have a year waiting list just to drop off a car. Nothing ever sits outside so you are waiting for a parking spot inside one of my buildings.

 

Agree with Banzai / Chris' take. I think Dan is looking for local buds to help out, perhaps hang out and do some wrenching.

That said... There's lots of great info here on the forum. Over the last 25 years, people have shared how-tos on just about everything on this car. Many of the good threads are archived in the FAQ thread here: https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...l-links-68640/
But there are many other good threads in the Single Turbo forum that should help you get an understanding of whats involved in switch over to a single turbo setup and getting rid of the rats nest.

Switching to drive by wire is still a new thing and I'm not sure how many people have had success with it.

Why don't you post up some specific questions so people can try and guide you?

 

It almost sounds like you are looking to build on the existing keg. How confident are you of its internal condition?

It seems Mazda is still producing new short block kegs, which show up, here (literally) and there for about US$9000.

Tearing down the keg and replacing the needed parts yourself may end up costing a good fraction of that.

So starting with a fresh keg may be a good basis for all the things you have listed above you are thinking of doing.

Meanwhile, you could tear down your existing keg and rebuild it at your leisure, (Or maybe plan to put it into that "94 parts car.)

 

For those who got my name correct, thank you for you information. I was concerned that with the engine sitting so long, there may be an issue with it, but Dan at Atkins Rotary provided information and steps to check. I did those and they have eased most of those concerns. I plan on doing most of the work myself. The parts car is set aside for parts I may need.
Does anyone know if there is a FD owner in central Iowa? I am on no social media other than a handful of forums. Thanks

 

Shame to do all the work you have planned, only to have a ancient rubber band water seal blow the first time you hit 6000 rpm. Just sayin'

 

Hey Dan
Will send pm

 

Best to send full names and emails by PM.

 

Yes...brain fade got me....James will not be happy if he finds out!!

 

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