I purchased an FD rolling chassis a year ago and the only thing missing is the engine, transmission, drive shaft and front bumper ( headlights, bumper support,etc ). The car is a 1993 Canadian base model that was imported into the US. The JDM front clip is listed as a 93-97 Mazda RX7 front clip for $ 3300. Outside of the wiring harness, can the engine and transmission along with the ancillaries still work with the LHD version ?

Here is what I have to work with

Here is the link to the front clip
93-97 MAZDA RX-7 3RD GEN FRONT CLIP TWIN TURBO ENGINE TRANS ECU JDM 13BTT FD3S - Front Clips

 

I believe the harnesses are just inverted. However, I think there would be a lot of modifications some to the rhd to make it compatible for a lhd car.

Probably easiest and most cost/time efficient way would be to get an actual lhd clip or parts you need.

I mean a driveshaft isn't that much, headlights range but are around $3xx for oem ones. Complete swaps are under 2kfor a Jdm one. You may need the power plant as well (connects trans to diff).

Anyways, the front clip might be a better route for you to strip what you need and sell the rest to make up some $$$.

Then just buy a U.S. Lhd engine harness.

 

The car will be staying LHD, just want to transplant the parts over. I plan on taking a look at the clip this upcoming week. The seller JDM Orlando also had a stand alone front bumper set with headlights and bumper support in Montego blue for sale a few days ago. My main concern is do I need to buy the whole front clip or do I have enough to only need the engine and transmission while piecing the rest together.

 

If the only thing missing is:
"engine, transmission, drive shaft and front bumper ( headlights, bumper support,etc )"

Then you should be fine with just buying the parts you need. A complete swap (lhd harness) and bumper, headlights, support, driveshaft.

I have a bumper support cut for a front mount if you're interested for $80 shipped to the Lower 48.

If all of your wires/harnesses are intact then you should be ok.

 

Yes. However, the wiring harnesses are the more expensive pieces. I would definitely recommend a new emissions harness, but you will want to validate the other harnesses are properly working since it appears from the photo, the car has been sitting a while.

 

X2

Hopefully not in the elements.

Oh and make sure the charge harness clips haven't broken on the driver side wheel well on your lhd one. Those tend to do that and cause wires to be rubbed on by the wheel.

 

Buying a front clip makes a lot of sense, you end up with a TON of little bolts, clips and parts that you'll need and are missing.

I would plan on having that core motor in the front clip rebuilt. It MAY be good, but those used JDM engines/clips sit around outside many times for years. It might be good now but not so much in a year or so.

The engine harness will work, you may have to unwrap/re-wrap it and do some minor wiring. Most likely that harness will be in great shape, a lot better than a used one in the US.

Remember, you're NOT buying a quick, easy drop-in and car is running. You're getting a ton of parts in a package. I would go through EVERY thing, clean, restore, and put it together properly.

Do it once, do it right, and you'll have a great car that will run great for some time to come.

Also, I would find a buddy with a pickup, drive over and pick up that front clip in person. You may want to get a trailer, the clip probably won't fit in a pickup bed. Take care of the fenders, hood, etc. on the clip - if they're in good shape, they're worth good money if you don't need them.

Dale

 

Thanks for the advice everyone. I plan on checking the front clip out tomorrow as well as visiting another JDM importer to check out their stock.

 

Follow up, went to check out the front clip and found out that the engine and transmission was sold. The rest of the clip is still there along with the most of the ancillaries in the engine bay which are in way better shape than what I have in the pic above. He is asking $ 800 for everything. Seriously considering buying it as I need a few pieces and could potentially sell the rest. I didn't take any pics but does this sound like a good deal ? Not sure how many RHD parts would be of value in the US.

 

For $800?

I've seen basically front clip parts go for:
$300+\- set of headlights
$200-400 Jdm fenders
$100-300 front bumper
$100 r1 lip
$80 bumper lights???(not fogs)
$80-200 pre 99 rebar


So I think you should try for $600, but $800 still isn't too bad of a deal I guess.

 

What parts from the RHD version are not compatible with the LHD ? For instance, the dash obviously wouldn't fit but would the gauge cluster or the pedal assembly be the same part number as the USDM one ?