pro3grx7

Hi guys, I pretty much have 12 grand to spend on a project for myself. Im 20 and im confused what to do with my money.
What i do know is that i want a FD MORE THAN ANYTHING!!!! the only thing that scares me is the rotary engine and how everyone has had some type of rebuild what so ever.
I know they have v8 swap kits for them but im not big on v8 power. Im more about making your power with a turbo but it also seems that it would take more time and effort to make that power than having a ls1 swapped in there.

Ive been searching all day and i cant make up my mind. Ive been trying to figure out how much a complete swap would cost (all parts included) and if the swap is very complicated. Like i said i dont know much about v8's because i dont like them much but if it gets rid of my fear then so be it.

Pretty much i need the cost/parts and for you guys to explain how difficult it would be to do..

Thanks in advance

EZFD

my thoughts on this situation: $12k is enough to get you an FD in descent shape. Try to find one with lower mileage and drive it as is untill you save some more money to mod it.

trainwreck517

iTrader: (1)

12k Isn't enough for a FD project, at least I wouldn't think so considering most FD's cost that much. Might be better off getting a turbo FC for 3k and dump the rest in suspension, motor, turbo, ecu, cage, tires.. and you will have a fun track car!

Or like EZFD said, get a decent FD and just drive it till you save enough money to start moding it.

spandy

iTrader: (1)

Save your money and invest it. You will thank yourself in 20 years.

No really, why drop every dime you have into anything just for the fact that it's burning a hole in your pocket?

Buy a good FC, put a couple grand into it, and save the rest.

f150rx7

Just stick with the bolt ons with stock twins, the power gains are pretty impressive.I figured the more horsepower you get the more it shortens your engine life. Go with the relaibility mods first youll find alot of info on it on this forum. Theres always somebody thats going to be faster than you so just go what your comfortable with. I have 320 HP on my car and Im done with it. The car seems to get more respect with more factory parts in it. This car is beautiful to me already.With 12k, dont spend it all just get the realibilty mods and tuning first and reserve the rest.

katinkid

pm me if your interested in an fd, or check out the classified section. we can maybe work something out!!!

RX7LINK

iTrader: (3)

its true. if u find a decent shape 93, 94+ with newly rebuilted motor will cost around 13k to 17k. and if u find one w/ medium high milage for 10k or under, be prepared to spend another 2-3k on rebuilt, which doesn't leave you much to do all the safety and cooling mods... i think around 1-2k including installation if u don't do it urself.

xblazinlv

$12k won't even buy you a decent used FD. I'd say $18k is what you'll need to spend to get a car that has a few goodies and is in good shape.

I paid $8k for mine, and I have almost $20k into it on top of the $8k. You have to see what you'll be able to afford. It isn't a cheap car to have

bigcox_03

a little while ago 12k could have got you a decent fd but anymore that is not the case. fds are VERY expensive cars to maintain and i definately wouldnt go get one with only 12k to spend.

bigcox_03

btw i was a 21 yr old that had 12k to spend on an fd a few months ago and now im up to prob about 22k so im telling you from experience.

plzbelieviet

12 grand will get you a salvaged fd with not much money for anything else

apex_sideway

I've spent about $19,000 on mine already (car+repairs+goodies) . . . . this car is a money pit but i love it!

Crashunit

Get these:

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...=1#post6107960

owen is fat

if you have time and can wrench on the car.. find an FD in good shape, pull the rotary drivetrain and sell it to pay for an LS1T56 swap. keep the motor unmodded to keep costs down and relliability up, try to score a newer fresh motor with low miles. you can get an LS1FD built for about your budget if you plan well and DIY a lot of stuff.

keep it simple and enjoy it

RE-Amemiya7

$12 wont get you a good FD. Save up and look for one that wont give you headachs.

FJDRX7

iTrader: (32)

save some more

pro3grx7

I was wondering what would have to be done to swap in an ls1 in an FD because i need to plan out a few things.

If anyone has done this swap please help me out.

This is what i think.. If i find a FD with a blown engine or without and engine and tranny for about 5k i would be set with getting a 13b that leaves me with about 7k to finish up the engine and make it run good...? am i right? That should be enough according to me.
What do you guys think?

wardaj

I bought an awesome used FD for 11,000. 80K miles, stock other than rebuilt engine. Took a year or so to find it though. A lot of the forum members say that you can find a roller for 5K. I never could, at least not within a days drive from OK.

I have a friend that did what you are looking at doing. He bought a shell, then an engine. He has been messing with it for about 9 months now because of all the parts that were missing. Another friend pulled his engine to be sent to pineapple for a rebuild. That went pretty smooth considering we did most of the work in a parking lot while we were in college. But in that case we had labeled EVERYTHING that was disconnected. And took 100's of pictures.

Anyway, my point was you can find one for 12,000 if you look hard enough. Good luck finding one. I love mine!

scotty305

iTrader: (2)

Buy a cheap reliable daily-driver first.

A daily driver will let you spend more time on a project RX-7, and/or give you something to drive if/when your RX-7 breaks. I recently bought a new car, and my insurance actually went down by about $50/month because the FD is no longer my daily-driver. Talk to your insurance, ask them what it would cost to insure a twin-turbo RWD rotary sportscar. You should be able to pick up an early-90's Toyota or Honda for less than $2k, you'll get your money back within a year because of the money you'll save on fuel and insurance.


If you do end up getting a 3rd Gen, drive it carefully. You don't know what oversteer is until the second turbo kicks in mid-corner. There are a LOT of people your age who have crashed FD's because they weren't the hot-shot drivers that they thought they were. My advice is to take it autocrossing so your first few mistakes will be in a controlled environment. It took me about three weekends of racing to figure out how to safely drive this car fast.

-s-

southernRX

Check out www.hinsonsupercars.com for info on ls1 swap. Been looking into it myself. Around 12,000 for a turn key.

pro3grx7

first of all i would like to thank you guys for the advice.
I was as lucky to find a FD rolling shell with tranny for 5k not even 1 hr away. Problem was i was at school for an extra 6 hrs and by the time i called the owner he already sold it to some guy in PA.

My main concern is having to put the stock engine back in the FD. So far from what ive read up on Fd's can be very unreliable esp. with slight modifications. Everywhere i have read someone is always talking about rebuilding theirs or having to pull theirs out to fix. The LS1 swap sounds awsome and im sure it needs a lot of modification to get that to work but i just dont see myself with a V8. (im not done messing with Turbos)

I know this might not be the right place to ask but are there any other cars that come turbo and dont need to much modification to run some what reliable, fast and within my price range?

rynberg

There are whole forums for this....the Other Engines sub-forum on this site, as well as www.torquecentral.com

Unless you are EXTREMELY lucky, you are not going to find a roller in good shape for 5k. Not even close.

You do not have enough money for this car. My advice is to be a MAN, and realize your position, and to buy something cheaper that will last through college. Save the rest of the money and let it earn interest (and serve as a rainy day fund). It may not seem like it now, but there is a LOT of life left after college...and plenty of time to get a car you really want.

scotty305

iTrader: (2)

2nd Gen RX-7's were available with a turbocharger between '88-91. They're a little easier to find, a lot cheaper to buy, and parts are cheaper too. They're single turbo, with more room in the engine bay and a much simpler control system, so it's easier to modify them. It would be possible (although not easy at all) to eventually install the FC motor in the FD, if you find a cheap shell in the future.

-s-

supraturbo1987

iTrader: (4)

I payed 9800 for my 93 silver/red leather touring with 100k. All safety mods had been performed, and the engine was a mildly ported rotary reliability rebuild that just took a crap on me. I am spending 1500 for a rebuild doing it myself. The rest of the car is nice, but the paint is original and the suspension needs attention. other than that, i think it was a good buy. after the motor, I will have 11.5 into a rare, great running FD.

As far as you with you with your money...I am 23, married, new house(nothing fancy, 130k) and a 100k+ income...all because I saved, invested and planned. I am not bragging at all and I am sure I will get flamed, but I am just telling you what is possible when you are disciplined...save the money, invest it wisely...then reap the benefits later with the exact FD you want

Trev

Eggie

Find a clean '94-5 Miata. It'll be affordable, require less maintenance, burn less fuel, handle great and accept plenty of performance upgrades.