Hey guys, I'm new around here. Right now I've got 3 cars, an 87 accord, a 90 240sx coupe, and a 93 prelude vtec. I was planning on swapping the SR20DET into my 240sx, but I figured i'd take it a step up and purcahse an RX-7 instead.

I guess one of my main questions is, does it make sense to look for an FD that has a blown engine, (around 6-7k sound reasonable for a shell?) and then just buy a rebuilt engine (2-3k?) and drop it in? I was thinking this would be a good idea for a few reasons. one because i could save money by doing the labor myself. two i know the engine will be good and last me. and three, i could possibly get an engine with bigger seals and maybe a street port... am i right or wrong, i really dont know?

One thing that I'm used to is beating on my prelude like none other, and I know I wouldn't be able to that with the delicate FD motor... Also is it true that you have to be concerned with engine management (tuning etc) with just bolt-ons? (a lot earlier than normal?)

I want to pay about $10k for a nice FD. I figure I can sell my 240sx for $2500 come up with another $1500 or so, and then take out a $6000 loan.

what do you guys think? any advice will be apppreciated.

thanks,
Ben

 

Sounds like a good plan and since you used the term "streetport" and "upgraded seals" sounds like you know at least what a rotary is which is more than some people plan to start out with. I will tell you that shells for 6-7k used to be hard to find and I'm sure they still are. But it's a good way to go if you got the money to invest. Also plan on going a little over your budget for whatever project you do, somehow it always seems to happen that things never cost what they should, or you forgot a number here or there.

The links in this thread will give you more info on the car specific questions you asked above: https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...threadid=68640

 

$10k will not do.

 

10k ha, find another car my friend... but if you want a very nice shell with a most likely blown engine im angry enough at mine to let it go for 12

 

ok so 10k is too low... how much am i going to be looking at?

ps thanks for all the links and help so far

 

Check out cars.com There's about 30 for sale in the country with the typical price $15-20k

 

stick with the sr20

 

you're looking at around 15k minumum wutangben. this crap gets expensive fast and that's just for preventative maintenance and reliability mods

 

DONT DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!! The RX7 is a black hole!!!!

 

Just remember. Since there release back in 1992. They are 12 years old now. Like all sports cars, they have been punished & many would have suffered some minor damage.

Be careful choosing & good luck as they are still an awesome car

 

It sounds like you are making an informed decision. If you are not in a hurry, then you will probably find a good deal.

Welcome to the forum.

 

I bought my FD with 71,000 miles with a perfect body for $8,200. Had a Brand new paint job. Interior was a little dirty but it can be cleaned. 10K should buy you a nice FD, just wait and look.

 

i guess patience will pay off. luckily i'm not in a hurry.