Hey there - Im thinking about trading my truck for an FD, or just buying one.

here's the link to both the vehicles. Not sure if this guy posts on here or not.

2002 f150 king ranch lightning svt

RX7 single turbo fd


Here's my gripe. The FD has been stripped of virtually of all emissions systems. I could care less... but its all red tape for "clean air" here in the Denver metro area. I'm wondering if it's even worth the hassle to try to buy all this emissions junk.

No evap system
No cats
No air pump
No EGR
No a/c
It appears the radiator has no fans?
Missing trim on top dash cluster (if you look hard you can see)
Missing A pillar
No radio
No wide-band
Needs tune
Rear fenders are rolled
Respray paint?

The seats are in good condition and the powertrain is a plus. It sounds like engine has just been rebuilt and the tranny is doing well. Single turbo conversion with other modifications.

My truck has modifications as well, but mind you it's also turn key & emissions legal with all the creature comforts. It also has all the appropriate gauges... Runs low 15's at our track. I'm thinking this trade could be a bad idea. Thoughts? What kind of cash should i expect to spend fixing it up? That assuming i can even find the useless emissions junk.

 

I'd personally pass on that FD. Its probably not a horrible price all things considered, but judging from the pictures what you can, it doesnt seem to be in too great of condition. Plus if you are not intimately familiar with these cars, getting it all back to where you want it is either going to cost you a good chunk of money to have it sent somewhere, or have you ripping your hair out trying to piece it all together yourself. Id sell your truck and just wait for the right car to come along.

 

Before you buy any FD, you need to decide where you want to be with modifications. If this car has what you want, maybe you should consider it.

For me, I wouldn't want anything to do with that car.

 

Rxmfn7 - Any ballpark ideas just to get it emissions legal? It sounds like the rx7 emission systems are roughly the same as a piston engine, just add an air pump. I'm figuring 500$ minimum in parts alone. Are these hard parts to find? FD's use two cats right?

I'm mechanically inclined, but i only have limited experience with rotary engines. I dont know much about FD's, know much more about FB's but cant stand the look of them.

 

Well i did some research on emissions requirements. I can be exempt for two years if i spend more than 750$ to repair. But i still cannot be exempt if the systems have been removed. typical government red tape bs. No emissions slip, no registration...

I reached out to a shop who works on rx7's and got a ballpark idea on cost on just parts alone to put the evap and smog system in place, they were thinking easily a thousand dollars or more.

I might have to hold out on this Rx7. On a side note if anyone is interested in my truck let me know!

 

DAMN that car getting no cooling what so ever. All the air isn't going through that radiator at all. No AC, no powersteering. I wouldn't pay more than $8-9K for that car.

OP look like the radiator fans are under it. I looks like an attempt to making a vmount but forgot to mount the intercooler where it goes.

If you are looking for emission stuff, look in the classifieds. That stuff usually goes pretty cheap. Not hard to put all of it back in.

If this is your first FD, I would steer away from it. Seems that there will be a lot of drivability issues that might come up with it. Cars like this tent to fustrate new guys and sometime they end up being sold for parts or shells. Find you one that is as near as stock as possible and go from there. I usually buy FDs that need work but I wouldn't buy that one.

 

Thanks for the input. The seller also provided me some other pictures. Here's one of the engine bay. I thought something weird was going on with the radiator. I would think it would be closer to the front, but then i figure its probably blocked by the front mount inter cooler

 

I would pass.
Before buying always get standard info like compression test numbers, who rebuilt and ported it, Vin check, who tuned it specifically, receipts of work done/parts bought, etc.

Maybe its just my phone but he left a bunch of info out...year, number of past owners, reason for selling, exact dyno numbers, wideband brand, what seals it has, etc.

If you're looking for something with emissions for around 11k. I personally think you could find something a lot better.

-bird

Sent from my DROID RAZR using RX7Club

 

That car was on a collision or the bumper doesn't have the OEM reinforcement bar. There is a sheet metal piece holding the top of the bumper.

Fuse boxes are not where they should be at.

No ABS

No coolant overflow tank (hose sticking out of the thermostat housing is supposed to go to tank when AST is removed)

Brake valve looks like it was installed by a third grader

God knows what was the original color.

No wipers?!?! WTF?

RUN!!!

 

Yea, I was on my phone when I viewed the pics originally. That thing is a mess..

 

I too would run far, far away and very fast from this car.

And no disrespect but...you leave out a lot in your F-150's description. I am assuming it is very high mileage? It appears the truck is well maintained but then again, it could be thoroughly thrashed; you mention you take it to the track, and some people will raise eyebrows at the transplanted engine. Your price isn't bad, depending on mileage of course...towards the high end of KBB value but in the ballpark.