Well since I am new to the rotary world and also this forum I am going to start a thread showing how I took my car from trash to treasure. I have always been a Honda guy and figure that now that I am getting older I should have a car more my age. My dream cars have always been...

1) Acura NSX...Most likely will never be able to afford this one though.
2) 93-98 Toyota Supra....Very unlikely
3) 93-95 Mazda RX7...Dream obtained(might become a nightmare though).

So I found my RX7 in brownsville and made a family trip to get it ( of course you know the wife was just overjoyed to go with me). I got rid of my mint condition 2000 Honda Civic with just about everything you can do to a honda done already. Very nice car just scared to get it stolen wherever I went. I know that this is a major project and it is not cheap to own one of these but I plan on only using maybe once or twice a week and never more than 100 miles at a time. Well here is some information on how I got it:

Street Ported engine with 3mm Apex seals
-99 Efini twin turbos
-Scoot Carbon Fiber Hood (hood needs re-clear)
-Vis Racing Carbon Fiber hatch
-Border fenders
-C-West body kit (front bumper needs work)
-Orange cooper type paint
-Stock chrome wheels
-99 turn signals
-PFC w/ commander
-aluminum AST
-Greddy Trust intakes

Plans in some type of order:

- Replace radiator with Aluminum Radiator and new fans.
- INSTALL STOCK FENDERS....
- Install C-West rear bumper
- have front bumper repaired
- Get car repainted but same color
- Re-clear carbon fiber hood possibly paint same as car along with hatch
- downpipe install with heat wrap
- get turbo heatwrap blanket
- Locate and install misc interior pieces that I do not have yet.
- Eibach drop springs but not agressive ones.
- Alot of fluid changes and maintenance
- HId kit
-some high end catback exhaust

Mainly just want to do all reliability mods on it so that I am not rebuilding it in the first month of driving. I am really not loaded but do wheel and deal nicely and that is how I plan on getting the extra cash to keep this on the road. One thing I would really like to do is try and find out why the car got the way it was when I purchased it. It seems that someone loved it at one point and then broke it's heart. Well enough of me jabbering on about nothing and here are some pictures of how I got it about a month or so ago and how it is now....














AS you can see it did need some help and still needs alot more....

I installed the headlights, put in a cloth driver seat, installed door panels, removed hatch shocks because they were causing the hatch to bow, installed front bumper but will need to reinforce, installed door handles, changed oil, etc. Pics will be in second post..

Parts I have on the way already are:

-Guage Hood and trim
-A/C panel with switches
-Apexi Exhaust
-Tein Coilovers
-black leather driver seat


I have big plans for the wheel selection but have to find them first. Want massive lip in an 18" setup. Looking for some veilside wheels. Hard to find though. WEll thanks for looking and will keep you guys updated.

 

Here are some pics after doing some things.......

 

Sorry for the crappy pics but my camera is broken so these are all cell phone pictures..

 

yeah somebody hacked it up probably like 5 years ago when modding was a fad. if you are concerned about reliability of the engine over the long haul, you will need to either replace all the sequential turbo solenoids, hoses, and check valves; go non sequential, or go single turbo. also look at an upgraded side mount intercooler.

 

hope it goes well...

 

Definetly a huge undertaking there friend. Best of luck.. and when in doubt, ASK A QUESTION instead of blowing something up

 

Looks like it'll take a couple weekends...lol Good luck!

 

Just think, in about 10 to 12 years your son will be sitting in that same seat saying"Dad can I have the keys to the car tonight?"
Good luck with the project.

 

man that car sure needs love. From what I can see, it found the right owner.

Keep us posted it's always nice to see 7's come back to life.

 

You were afraid of getting a 2000 civic stolen so you got an FD?

GL on the project. Owning an FD is one of the great pleasures of life.

 

With the 100 million rice boys owning civics, properly modded ones are prime realstate for parts. Given that a honda civic is a very common car to get stolen. Might even be number one right after the toyota camry.

 

FD's hardly ever get stolen.

Well compared to civics, chances are like slim to none.

I have never thought about my car getting stolen when i used to bring it to work, the track etc. All i was afraid of is people sitting on it, scratching it, dinging it with their doors etc etc. So i limit and try to prevent any trip with the FD where i have to actually leave the car parked.

I had a 2000 SI and i have had my neighbors tell me people come by my house at freaking 4 IN THE MORNING, stop by my driveway gate, point at the civic, and leave.

And i know you remember that one day at honda day at etown where like 12-13 hondas were stolen from the spectator lot lol

He shouldnt worry about someone stealing it. He should worry about fixing up the car the right away.

 

You got your work cut out for you but I’d stick with 2mm seals if possible. 3mm are heavier and chatter your housings and you get less of a seal. I'm sure someone will chaime in claiming the 3mm are better but just my opinion.

 

seems tho the fd would be quite easy to steal...

 

good luck with the project

 

Looks like an awesome project, going to take some work though!

 

Your work is cut out for you there.....good luck.



Later

 

Defiantly has potential... good luck.

 

good luck w/ the build man. the seats already made a huge difference on the interior. got some ways to go. but look like this project is in good hands now.


what is a side mount intercooler for FD ? totally wouldn't expect that from someone w/ 6k posts :P

 

Definitely alot of potential!!!

I want your hood!!

>_>

XD

Keep up the great work!!

 

Well Got some parts in already and just waiting for the car to come back to paint to Install them.....

Items recieved already....
-Tein coilover setup
-Guage Hood/ Trim
-Black Leather passenger seat
-A/C Bezel with controls

Items that should be here in less than a week...
-Apexi Catback Exhaust

Can't wait to get back from paint...right now are doing prepwork and waiting for me to tell them the color I want....Cant decide between an orion blue color since car was originally blue or just keeping orangish color and saving some cash....WEll will post pics after paint...Thanks for all of the positive comments...

 

Good luck.

 

You have alot of work ahead of you, good luck!

 

you could of got an nsx for low 20s and in the end will probably save you some hair.
rx7 = love/hate relationship

 

ive seen them im much worse condition brought back....i think if will be a fun project...enjoy my friend